Discussion on Ardas:
Bhai Manjeet Singh noticed a discussion in a chat group about the right way to stand in ardas – with folded palms or hands outstretched as the Muslims do.
Bhai Ji gave his views…
Bhai Manjeet’s response:
Gurbani tells us Ardas is done “doe kar jorh” i.e with our palms folded together. It is explained in several Angs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:
“Doe kar jorh kharhi takke sach kahe ardas.” (Ang 54 )
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਖੜੀ ਤਕੈ ਸਚੁ ਕਹੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥
(With her palms pressed together, she stands, waiting on Him, and offers her True prayers to Him)
“Doe kar jorh ek bino karije” (103).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਇਕੁ ਬਿਨਉ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥
(With my palms pressed together, I offer this prayer)
“Doe kar jorh kari bentee thakur apna dhiaya”(499).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਕਰੀ ਬੇਨੰਤੀ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥
(With my palms pressed together, I offer my prayer, meditating on my Lord and Master)
“Doe kar jorh kari bentee parbrahm man dhiaya” (532).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਕਰੀ ਬੇਨੰਤੀ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥
(With my palms pressed together, I offer my prayer; within my mind, I meditate on the Supreme Lord God.
“Doe kar jorh kari ardas” (676).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਕਰੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥
(With my palms pressed together, I offer my prayer. )
“Doe kar jorh karo ardas ; tudh bhave ta aane raas”(737).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਕਰਉ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਆਣਹਿ ਰਾਸਿ ॥
(Pressing my palms together, I offer my prayer. If it pleases You, Lord, please bless me and fulfill me)
“Doe kar jorh mango ek daana sahib tuthe bhaava” (749).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਮਾਗਉ ਇਕੁ ਦਾਨਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਿ ਤੁਠੈ ਪਾਵਾ ॥
(With my palms pressed together, I beg for this one gift; O my Lord and Master, if it pleases You, I shall obtain it.)
“Doe kar jorh Nanak daan maange tere daasan daas dasaen”(979).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਮਾਂਗੈ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਾਸ ਦਸਾਇਣੁ
(With his palms pressed together, Nanak begs for this blessing, that he may become the slave of the slaves of Your slaves. ||2||6||7|| )
“Doe kar jorh simrao din rati mere suami agam aparana (1077)
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਸਿਮਰਉ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਅਗਮ ਅਪਾਰਣਾ ॥੧੦॥
(With my palms pressed together, I meditate in remembrance on You, day and night, O my inaccessible, infinite Lord and Master. ||10||)
“Doe kar jorh karo ardas”(1152).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋਰਿ ਕਰਉ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥
(With my palms pressed together, I offer this prayer)
“Doe kar jorh karo ardas ; sada jape Nanak guntaas”(1340).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰ ਜੋਰਿ ਕਰਉ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥
(With my palms pressed together, I offer this prayer)
As we read Principal Satbir Singh, he tells us further that Sri Guru Har Rai Ji was present at the funeral of Bhai Bhagtu Ji. On that occasion Guru Har Rai told the Sikh sangat there that a Sikh should stand in Ardas with folded hands “doe kar jorh”.
Further Guru Ji said that after the body has been set for cremation Sikhs should read Kirtan Sohila and do Ardas.
Gurfateh
Manjeet Singh
May 31st, 2018
