Ardas in detail

Ardas is composed of three sections:
The Ardas is often adorned with various passages from the Guru Granth Sahib. Here we shall give the basic structure. The recitation of ardas commences with the opening stanza of Var Sri Bhagauti Ji written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji (The Var Sri Bhagauti Ji is contained with the Dasam Granth). This smoothly written ode begins by going through the order of meditation by placing Waheguru foremost above all else, and then systematically referring to each of the other Gurus in turn entreating them for aid and protection.
===The first section===
After first contemplating the Primal Power of the Almighty, call to mind Guru Nanak. Then let your mind dwell on Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das, may they watch over us. Meditate in remembrance upon Guru Arjan, Guru Hargobind and Sri Har Rai. Dwell upon Guru Har Krishan, seeing whom all sufferings shall depart. Meditate in remembrance upon Guru Tegh Bahadar, and the nine treasures shall hasten to your home. May they protect and help us everywhere. And the Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh Jee, father of the Khalsa who has blessed us with the gift of Amrit – may we enjoy his protection everywhere… (Singh, Inder Mohan)
ਅਰਦਾਸ: ੴ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ ॥ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਜੀ ਸਹਾਇ ॥ ਵਾਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦॥ 
Ardaas, Ekh-oonkaar Vaaheguroo jee kee Fat'eh. Sree Bhagautee jee Sahaa-e. Vaar Sree Bhagautee jee kee Paat'shaahee D'assveen 
ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਕੈ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਈਂ ਧਿਆਇ ॥ ਫਿਰ ਅੰਗਦ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਅਮਰਦਾਸੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸੈ ਹੋਈਂ ਸਹਾਇ ॥ 
Pritham Bhagat'ee simar kaae Guroo Nanak laeen’ D'hiaa-ae. Phir Angad. Guroo t'ae Amar-Daas Ram-Daas-aae hoeen’ sahaa-ae.
ਅਰਜਨ ਹਰਿਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨੋ ਸਿਮਰੌ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਰਾਇ ॥ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਕਿਸ਼ਨ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਜਿਸ ਡਿਠੇ ਸਭਿ ਦੁਖਿ ਜਾਇ ॥ 
Arjan Hargobind no simro Sree Har Raae. Sree Har-Kishan d'hiaa-ee-aae jis dit'haae sabhe dukhe jaa-aae
ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਿਮਰਿਐ ਘਰ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਆਵੈ ਧਾਇ ॥ ਸਭ ਥਾਈਂ ਹੋਇ ਸਹਾਇ ॥ 
Teg-Bahaad'ur simri-aae ghar naau nid'he aavaae d'haa-e. Sabh thaa-een’ ho-e sahaa-e. 
ਦਸਵਾਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਸਭ ਥਾਈਂ ਹੋਇ ਸਹਾਇ ॥ 
Dassvaen’ Paat-Shah Sree Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee sabh thaa-een’ ho-e sahaa-e.
ਦਸਾਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਜੋਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪਾਠ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥ 
Dassaan’ Paat'shaahee-aan’ d'ee jot Sree Guroo Granth Sahib jee d'ae paat'h d'eed'aar daa d'heaan dhar kae bolo jee Vaaheguroo. 
Image:Ardas 1.jpg|God is One. All victory is of the Wondrous Guru (God).
Image:Ardas 2.jpg|May the respected sword (God in the form of the Destroyer of evil doers) help us! Ode of the respected sword recited by the Tenth Guru. 
Image:Ardas 3.jpg|First remember the sword (God in the form of Destroyer of evil doers); then remember and meditate upon Guru Nanak. 
Image:Ardas 4.jpg|Then remember and meditate upon Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das: May they help us! 
Image:Ardas 5.jpg|Remember and meditate upon Guru Arjan, Guru Hargobind and Respected Guru Har Rai. 
Image:Ardas 6.jpg|Remember and meditate upon respected Guru Har Krishan, by having the sight of whom, all pains vanish.
Image:Ardas 7.jpg|Remember and meditate upon Guru Tegh Bahadur; and then nine sources of wealth will come hastening to your home. Oh Respected Gurus! kindly help us everywhere. 
Image:Ardas 8.jpg|May the kind, the respected Tenth Guru Gobind Singh assist us everywhere.
Image:Ardas 9.jpg|
Think and meditate upon the divine light of the Ten Kings contained in the respected Guru Granth Sahib and turn your thoughts to the divine teachings of and 
get pleasure by the sight of Guru Granth Sahib; Utter Wahe Guru (Wondrous God)! 
=== The second section ===
The second portion of ardas discusses the sacrifices made by various Sikhs throughout history. The sacrifices made by these noble individuals range from sacrificing children to being placed onto rotating wheels of torture.
Let us remember all those Sikh men and women who, for the sake of the Dharma, and the religious and spiritual freedom of all people, gave their heads, and allowed themselves to be cut apart, limb by limb, joint by joint; who had their scalps torn from their heads; who were stretched and broken upon the wheels of torture; who were beaten and sawn apart, but never gave up their faith, and their determination to live according to Sikh rehat, with all their hair to their last breath'. Let us always remember those Gursikhs who, in the service of our holy Gurdwaras, in the spirit of non-violence allowed themselves to be brutally beaten, burnt and boiled alive, and yet still uttered no words of protest, but instead, placed their trust, and their lives, in the Hands of God, in sweet surrender to His Will. Remembering their sacrifice and their glorious victory… (Singh, Mohan Inder)
ਪੰਜਾ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ, ਚੌਹਾਂ ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦਿਆਂ, ਚਾਲ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਮੁਕਤਿਆਂ, 
Panjaan’ piaareaan’, chauhaan’ Sahibzaad-eaan’, chaalee mukt-eaan’,
ਹਠੀਆਂ, ਜਪੀਆਂ, ਤਪੀਆਂ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਮ ਜੱਪਿਆ, ਵੰਡ ਛਕਿਆ, ਦੇਗ ਚਲਾਈ, ਤੇਗ ਵਾਹੀ, ਦੇਖ ਕੇ ਅਣਡਿੱਠ ਕੀਤਾ, 
Hat'hee-aan’, jappee-aan’, tappee-aan’, jinhaa' Naam jap-eaa, vand chhakeaa, d'aeg chalaa-ee, tegh vaahee, daekh kae andit'h keetaa,
ਤਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ, ਸਚਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ, ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ, ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥ 
Tinhaan piaareaan’, sache-aare-aan dee kamaaee daa dHe-aan d'har kae Khaalsaa jee bolo jee Vaaheguroo.
ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਸਿੰਘਣੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਧਰਮ ਹੇਤ ਸੀਸ ਦਿਤੇ, ਬੰਦ ਬੰਦ ਕਟਾਏ, 
Jinhaan’ singhaan’ singhaniaan’ nae dHaram haet sees deettae, baaNd baaNd kataa-ae,
ਖੋਪਰੀਆਂ ਲੁਹਾਈਆਂ, ਚਰਖੜੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਚੜ੍ਹੇ, ਆਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਚਿਰਾਏ ਗਏ, 
Khopariaan’ luhaa-ee-aan’, charkharee-aan’ tae charhae, aare-aan’ naal chiraa-ae ga-ae, 
ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਈ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀਆਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ, ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਾਰਿਆ, 
Gurduaare-aan’ dee saevaa la-ee kurbaaniaan’ keeTee-aan’, dHaram naheen’ haareaa,
ਸਿੱਖੀ ਕੇਸਾਂ ਸੁਆਸਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਬਾਹੀ, ਤਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ, ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥ 
Sikhee kaesaan’ svaasaan’ naal nibhaa-ee, tinhaan’ dee kamaa-ee dah theaan dhar kae Khaalsaa jee bolo jee Vaaheguroo.
Image:Ardas 10.jpg|Think of the deeds of the Five Beloved Ones, of the four sons (of Guru Gobind Singh)...
Image:Ardas 11.jpg|…of the Forty Emancipated ones…
Image:Ardas 12.jpg|…of the brave Sikhs of indomitable determination; 
of the devotees steeped in the colour of the Name; of those who were absorbed in the Name; of those who remembered the Name and shared their food in companionship; of those who started free kitchens…
Image:Ardas 13.jpg|…of those who wielded their swords (for preserving truth); of those who overlooked others shortcomings; All the aforesaid were pure and truly devoted ones…
Image:Ardas 14.jpg|…Utter Wahe Guru (Wondrous God)! Think of and remember the unique service rendered by those brave Sikh men as well as women,
Image:Ardas 15.jpg|…who sacrificed their heads but did not surrender their Sikh Religion; Who got themselves cut to pieces from each of the joints of the body…
Image:Ardas 16.jpg|…who got their scalps removed; Who were tied and rotated on the wheels and broken into pieces…
Image:Ardas 17.jpg|…who were cut by saws; Who were flayed alive; Who sacrificed themselves to upkeep the dignity of the Gurdwaras…
Image:Ardas 18.jpg|…who did not abandon their Sikh faith; Who kept their Sikh Religion and saved their long hair till their last breath; Utter Wahe Guru (Wondrous God)!
=== Third Section ===
The third section’s composition varies from one oration to the next. It is in this section that the Sikhs specify what they are reciting ardas for, make their supplications to Waheguru, and ask for forgiveness for any mistakes made during the recitation of any and all prayers.
Please bless this Prashaad and Guru ka Langar, which have been prepared in the Guru’s Kitchen. Bless those who have prepared it, those who serve it, and those who partake of it. Bless us with the Holy Word of your Hukam. Inspire us to walk on the path of Gurmat shown to us by You through the Holy Word of Gurbani. Please forgive us our many sins, our errors and omissions, and help us, that we may keep ourselves pure, in the face of the challenges and temptations of the world. Bless us with company of only people of love, that we may remember Your Naam in their presence. (Singh, Mohan Inder)
ਪੰਜਾਂ ਤਖ਼ਤਾਂ, ਸਰਬੱਤ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥ 
Panjaan’ Takhtaan’, sarbatt Gurdvaareaan’ dah theaan dHar kae bolo jee Vaaheguroo
ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਹੈ ਜੀ, ਸਰਬੱਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਕੋ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਚਿਤ ਆਵੇ, 
Prathmae sarbatt Khaalsaa jee kee Ardaas haae jee, sarbatt Khaalsaa jee ko Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo, chitt aavae, 
ਚਿਤ ਆਵਨ ਕਾ ਸਦਕਾ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖ ਹੋਵੇ ॥ ਜਹਾਂ ਜਹਾਂ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਤਹਾਂ ਤਹਾਂ ਰਛਿਆ ਰਿਆਇਤ, 
chitt aavan kaa sadkaa sarab sukh hovae, Jahaan’ Jahaan’ Khaalsaa jee Sahib, ta'Haan’ ta'Haan’ rachheaa riaa-it, 
ਦੇਗ ਤੇਗ ਫਤਹ, ਬਿਰਦ ਕੀ ਪੈਜ, ਪੰਥ ਕੀ ਜੀਤ, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਸਹਾਇ, ਖਾਲਸੇ ਜੀ ਕੇ ਬੋਲ ਬਾਲੇ, ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥ 
Daeg taeg Fateh, bihrd kee paaej, Panth kee jeet, Sir'ee sahib jee sahaa-ae, Khalsae jee kae bol baalae, bolo jee Vaaheguroo
ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖੀ ਦਾਨ, ਕੇਸ ਦਾਨ, ਰਹਿਤ ਦਾਨ, ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦਾਨ, ਵਿਸਾਹ ਦਾਨ, ਭਰੋਸਾ ਦਾਨ, ਦਾਨਾਂ ਸਿਰ ਦਾਨ ਨਾਮ ਦਾਨ, 
Sikhaan’ noon’ Sikhee daan, Kaysh daan, RehT daan, bibaek daan, visaah daan, bharosaa daan, daanaan’ s-ir daan, Naam daan, 
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ, ਚੌਂਕੀਆਂ, ਝੰਡੇ, ਬੁੰਗੇ ਜੁਗੋ ਜੁਗ ਅਟੱਲ, ਧਰਮ ਕਾ ਜੈਕਾਰ, ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥ 
sree Amritsar jee dah ishnaan, Chukiaan’, Jhandae, Bungae jugo j-ugg At'aaLL, dharam kaa jaaekaar. Bolo jee Vaaheguroo.
ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਨੀਵਾਂ ਮੱਤ ਉੱਚੀ, ਮੱਤ ਦਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ॥ 
Sikhaan’ dah maaNN neevaan’, maTT ouchee, maTT dah raakhaa Akaal-Purakh Vaaheguroo 
ਹੇ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਦੀਨ ਦਿਆਲ, ਕਰਨ ਕਾਰਨ, ਪਤਿਤ ਪਾਵਨ ਕ੍ਰਪਾ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਜੀ, 
Hae Akaal-Purkh, Deen-Deaal, Karan-Kaaran, Patit-Pavan, Kreepaa-Needhaan jee
ਆਪਣੇ ਪੰਥ ਦੇ ਸਦਾ ਸਹਾਈ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਜੀਓ ॥ 
Aapan-ae Panth dae sadaa sahaa-ee Dataar jeeo,
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਨਕਾਣਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਗੁਰਧਾਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪੰਥ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਛੋੜਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, 
Sree Nankaanaa Sahib tae hor Gurdvaareaan’, Gur'dhaamaan’ dae jinhaan’ thon’ Panth noon’ vichhor-eaa geaa haee 
ਖੁਲ੍ਹੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਤੇ ਸੇਵਾ ਸੰਭਾਲ ਦਾ ਦਾਨ, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੋ ॥ 
Khullhae darshan dee-daara tae sevaa san-mbhaal daa daan Khaalsa jee noon’ bakhsho.
ਹੇ ਨਿਮਾਣਿਆ ਦੇ ਮਾਣ ਨਿਤਾਣਿਆ ਦੇ ਤਾਣ, ਨਿਓਟਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਓਟ, ਸਚੇ ਪਿਤਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ, 
Hae Nimaaneaan’ dae Maan, Nitaaneaan. dae Taan’, Nioteaan’ dee O-ut, Sachae Pit.aa Vaaheguroo,
ਆਪ ਦੇ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ............................ਦੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਹੈ ਜੀ ॥ 
Aap dah hazoor ............... dee Ardaas haae jee, (Here say the morning or the evening Nitnem, or mention the occasion for Ardas).
ਅਖਰ ਦਾ ਵਾਧਾ ਘਾਟਾ ਭੁਲ ਚੁਕ ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨੀ ਜੀ ॥ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਜ ਰਾਸ ਕਰਨੇ ॥ 
Akharr daa vaadhaa ghaataa, bhull chukk maaf karnaa jee, sarbatt dae karaj raas karnae,
ਸੇਈ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਮੇਲ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮਿਲਿਆਂ ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਚਿੱਤ ਆਵੇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ॥ 
Sae-ee piaarae maelo jinhaan’ miliaan’ Taeraa Naam chitt aavae. Nanak Naam charh'dee kalaa, T'arae bhaanae sarbatt daa bhalaa.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ॥ 
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ ॥
These three sections together constitute ardas, and in conjunction with one another contribute to making it a powerful piece of work capable of evoking a multitude of feelings within the Sikh people.
As one of the most universal prayers in the Sikh religion, ardas maintains its uniqueness due to the fact that rather than trying to read or recite the Guru’s prayers, it is an example of a mortal offering up his/her own prayer to Waheguru asking for forgiveness and guidance.
==See also==
* Ardas
* Ardas in detail
* History in the Ardas
* Ardas in Gurmukhi
* Healing and Uplifting Power of Ardas
* Bani
* Guru Granth Sahib
== External Links ==
* www.sgpc.net
* www.sikhs.org
* www.sikhs.org/wedding
* Ardas (Sikh prayer)
* www.singhsabha.com
* www.sikh.net
* www.bradfordgurdwara.com
* www.sikhnet.com
== Ardas Links ==
*Ardas
== Audio ==
*Sant Singh Maskeen - Ardas
*Pinderpal Singh (Ludhiane Wale) - Ardaas
*50 Glorious Years of Recorded Shabads Volume V - Ardas - Tarlochan Singh
== References ==
* - To obtain a free copy of this book click: Sikhnation
Category:Glossary of Sikh Terms Category:Bani