These materials, which include English renditions of Shabads from Gurbani as well as spiritual songs based on the teachings of Sikhism, have been developed or compiled for the monthly Chardi Kalaa Divaans.

To view the Gurmukhi versions of the shabads correctly, you may need to download the Gurmukhi fonts and install them in your windows computer system.

Aisee Preet Karo Man Mere
(Love God so intensely, O my mind!)

(download audio file in MP3 format)

Walk on the path, walk on the path..

Charan chalo, charan chalo..

(SGGS page 281 Sukhmani Sahib)

Aakhaan Jeevaa Visrai Mar Jao

from Rehras Sahib, SGGS pg 9

p;na 9, s] wru, gurU nank w[v, Aasa mhla 1 .

AaKa jIva ivsr{ mir jaxu .

nank nav{ baJu snait .4.3.

Singing His Name - my life, my breath

Forgetting Him is worse than death.

Chanting His Name all the time

It's so difficult, hard as I try

O my mother, tell me why?

I hunger longingly for His Name

That very hunger consumes my pain.

Why do I keep forgetting His Name

My True Lord, who's always the same.

Words alone can never convey

His power and glory, try as we may..

If everyone gathers to sing His praise

His glory they can't lower or raise

He knows not the pain of death or grief

His generous gifts will never cease.

This special virtue is His alone

That He is unique, the only One.

Besides Him there is no other

Never shall be, now or ever.

Your Gifts are wondrous as is Your might

You who created the day and the night.

Those who forget the Highest One

Low and pathetic do they become.

Consider them low caste and oppressed.

If by the Naam they have not been blessed.

Aisee Kirpaa Mohe karo

SGGS Page 828

p;na 828, pw[, iblavlu, gurU Arjn w[v

nank k[ pRB tumhI wat[ s;ts;ig l[ m]ih xuWrhu .2.3.119.

naanak ke prabh tumhee daatay santsang le mohe udharoh

Bless me O Lord in this glorious way

For these gifts to thee I pray

May I serve with love Your holy saints,

May I see their darshan every day.

The Guru's Word enshrined within

In my soul, Naam holds sway.

Five powerful demons help me to slay

Let my doubts be burnt away.

Joyously accepting Your divine Will,

All sense of duality driven away

Nanak's beloved, O Giver Divine

With Sadh sangat save me, I pray.

Saas Saas Simaro Gobind (Each Breath You Take …)

SGGS pg. 295, Sukhmani Sahib

Poore gur ka sun updes, parbrahm nikaT kar pekh

Saas saas simaro gobind, man antar kee utray chind.

Aas anit tiaagoh tarang, sant janaa kee dhoor man mang

aap chhod benatee karo, saadh sang agan saagar taro

Har dhan kay bhar layho banDhaar, naanak gur poore namaskaar

Each breath you take, remember Him

No more cares, just peace within.

Think of Him, medidate on Him

Love Him, be with Him.

Each breath you take ….

Listen to the perfect Guru

Behold the Lord, always with you.

Each breath you take ….

Of fleeting desire, still the waves

Let saint’s dust be all you crave.

Each breath you take ….

Renouncing ego, pray with devotion.

With Saadh sangat swim the fiery ocean.

Each breath you take ….

Amass the wealth of Naam evermore

Waheguru love and adore.

Each breath you take ….

I see no stranger, I see no enemy

(based on bisar gaee sabh taat paraaee by Guru Arjan Dev Ji)

sB mih riv rihAa pRBu e[k{ p[iK p[iK nank ibgsaeI .3.8.

I see no stranger, I see no enemy

Wherever I look, God is all I see

I don’t think of us and them

No one do I hate or condemn

I see God’s image – each one a friend.

Of any religion, caste or race

All I see is God’s shining face

His smiling face, His gracious face.

Accept as beautiful all His design

I learnt this truth in sangat divine

One Word resounds in me and you

Waheguru … Waheguru …

..In him, in her, in me and you

Waheguru … Waheguru …

Beholding in every being His light

I bloom like a flower in joy and delight.

Raakhaa Ek Hamaaraa Swaamee

Gir suiK visAa bahir suKu paieAa . khu nank guir m;tRu iwRzaieAa .3.2.

ooThat sukheeaa baiThat sukheeaa. bhau nahee laagai jaa aisay bujheeaa

raakhaa ek hamaaraa suaamee. sagal ghaTaa kaa antarjaamee. (rahaau)

soi achintaa jaag achintaa. jahaa(n) kahaa(n) prabh too vartantaa

ghar sukh vasiaa baahar sukh paaiaa. kahu naanak gur mantar driRaaiaa.

My dear Lord watches over me,

Into every heart he can always see.

Walking around or sitting in a chair,

My precious Lord is always there.

Sleeping or awake I’m free of care,

For my one God is everywhere.

At home or outside afraid I am not,

With Guru’s secret which Nanak has taught.

Kar Jor Naanak Daan Mangay

With joined hands, Guru Nanak lovingly

Prays for Waheguru’s blessings

Give up your bad deeds

[Turn away from evil ](or.. from your evil ways)

Let go these entanglements;

Always sing the praises of the Lord.

The Powerful One [or.. Lord all powerful] has given me shelter

My soul, body and wealth are His

All the tasks are completed by Him

[He is the Doer of everything (or .. all that happens]

Keep Him in your mind, you’ll live in peace

He is the source of life.

In spirit or in matter

he lives everywhere

Always forever remember Him.

I have surrendered my mind ….

I have surrendered my mind, heart and soul to God

I am the smallest instrument of God

I will pay homage to no one , but God

I will not follow any tradition, but Truth, which is God

I am a messenger, who'll deliver the message of God

I will lovingly, sow the seeds , of the pure love of God

ARDAAS for Sukhasan

(translation by Inder Mohan Singh - based on several existing translations)

Ik ongkaar Sri Waaheguru jee kee fateh

Siri Bhagauti Ji Sahaai.

Vaar Siri Bhagauti Jee Kee Paatshaahi Dasvee(n)

After first contemplating the Primal Power of the Almighty, call to mind Guru Nanak. Then let your mind dwell on Guru Angad, Guru Amar Daas and Guru Raam Daas, may they watch over us. Meditate in remembrance upon Guru Arjun, Guru Hargobind and Siri Har Rai. Dwell upon Guru Har Krishan, seeing whom all sufferings shall depart. Meditate in remembrance upon Guru Teg 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. The Light of the Ten Gurus, the Living Guru, the Word of God, the Truth of Truths, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib; contemplating Its divine darshan,

Khalsa Jee Sahib, Bolo Jee, "SIRI WAAHAY GUROO!"

O beloved Father, we offer this ardaas for the Sukhaasan at the conclusion of this service. Please forgive us our many errors and omissions; and bless us that we may read, understand and liver our lives according to the divine message of Gurbani.

Through the gift of the Naam given to us by Naanak, may we always be in Chardi Kalaa. Let us pray for the welfare of all, within Your will.

NAANAK NAAM CHARHDEE KALAA

TAYRAY BHAANAY SARBATT KA BHALAA

WAAHAY GUROO JEE KAA KHAALSAA,

WAAHAY GUROO JEE KEE FATEH!!!

BOLAY SO NIHAAL !

SAT SIRI AKAAL !!!

ARDAAS

Ik oankaar Waaheguroo jee kee fateh,

Sree Bhagauti Ji Sahaae.

Vaar Sri Bhagauti Jee kee Paatshaahee Dasvee(n)

Pritham Bhagautee simar kai, Gur Naanak laee(n) dhiaa-e

Phir Angad gur tay Amardaas, Raamdaasai hoee(n) sahaae

Arjan Hargobind nau(n) simrau sree Har Raae

Sree Harkrishan dhi-aa-ee-ai jis dithay sabh dukh jaae

Tayg Bahaadar simaree-ai ghar nau nidh aavai dhaa-e

Sabh thaa-ee(n) hoe sahaa-ay

After first contemplating the Primal Power of the Almighty, call to mind Guru Nanak. Then let your mind dwell on Guru Angad, Guru Amar Daas and Guru Raam Daas, may they watch over us. Meditate in remembrance upon Guru Arjun, Guru Hargobind and Siri Har Rai. Dwell upon Guru Har Krishan, seeing whom all sufferings shall depart. Meditate in remembrance upon Guru Tayg 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. The Light of the Ten Gurus, the Living Guru, the Word of God, the Truth of Truths, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib; contemplating Its divine darshan, Khalsa Jee Sahib, Bolo Jee, "SIRI WAAHAY GUROO!"

Let us lovingly remember the Panj Piaaray; the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh; the forty liberated ones; those who have meditated upon the Naam, and shared with others in need, without thought of reward. Those who held firm to their faith in the face of adversity and hardship. Those who have taken up the Sword to defend the weak and oppressed. Those who saw the faults in others, but overlooked those faults, and instead saw the Spirit of God in all people. Thinking of their deeds,

Khalsa Jee Sahib, Bolo Jee, "SIRI WAAHAY GUROO!"

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 the 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,

Khalsa Jee Sahib, Bolo Jee, "SIRI WAAHAY GUROO!"

Let us hold dear in our consciousness the Five Holy Takhats, the Thrones of Spirituality, all Gurdwaras and all those holy places consecrated by the Guru's Footsteps; thinking of all those places where the Guru's Sikhs gather together in Sangat and Pangat, in worship and fellowship,

Khalsa Jee Sahib, Bolo Jee, "SIRI WAAHAY GUROO!"

May the primary prayer of the Khalsa be to always hold in the heart

WAHAY GUROO, WAAHAY GUROO, WAAHAY GUROO."

As we think of Him, so may we be blessed. May God's Grace and Protection extend to all bodies of the Khalsa, wherever they may be. May the Lord's Glory be fulfilled, and may His Sweet Will prevail. May we achieve Victory through the Charity of Brotherhood and the Sword of Righteousness. Dayg, Tayg, Fateh!. May the Khalsa triumph and prevail forever. May the choirs of the Sikhs, our banners, our shrines, abide forever and ever.

Khalsa Jee Sahib, Bolo Jee, "SIRI WAAHAY GUROO!"

May the minds of the Sikhs be humble, but their wisdom be profound; may You Yourself be the keeper of our wisdom, O Wahegurujee. Grant to Your Sikhs the Gift of Sikh Dharma, the Gift of Your Naam, the gift of long and uncut hair, the Gift of Faith, of confidence in You, the gift of wisdom and discernment, the Gift of reading and understanding the Word of Your Bani. Grant us the Blessing of bathing in the Nectar pool of the Harimandir Sahib. May the Sikhs be united in love and brotherhood.

Khalsa Jee Sahib, Bolo Jee, "SIRI WAAHAY GUROO!"

O beloved Father, please give Your Help and Support to the Sikh Panth, now and always. Save us, Lord, from the five demons, of lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride. Keep us forever attached to Your Lotus Feet. O Kind and Loving Father. May Your Grace and Protection extend to our labors of this and all days, so that our thoughts, words and deeds may be in harmony with Your Will. May we always accept Your Will, and do what is right. Give us Light and Understanding, Dear Lord, that we may know what is pleasing to Your Will.

Waheguruji, Honor of the humble, Strength of the weak, Shelter of the shelterless, True Father, we offer this prayer in Your Presence; by Your Grace we are gathered together this day, to sing Your Sweet Bani, to hear your life-giving Word, and speak of Your Manifold Blessings. May these things find a loving place within our hearts, and serve to draw our souls ever closer to You. Please bless this Chardi Kalaa divaan that we may persevere in this effort to gather and practice the Guru’s Word in this land so far from our roots.

[****** add any other special prayers here *******]

Please bless this Prashaad and Guru kaa 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 Gurbaanee. 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.

Through the gift of the Naam given to us by Naanak, may we always remain in Chardi Kalaa. Within Your will, we pray for the welfare of all humanity,.

Naanak naam charhdee kalaa, Tayray bhaanay sarbatt ka bhalaa

Waahay guroo jee kaa khaalsaa, Waahay guroo jee kee fateh!!!

Aagyaa Bhaee Akaal kee …..

Waahay guroo jee kaa khaalsaa, Waahay guroo jee kee fateh!!!

Bolay so nihaal ! Sat siri akaal !!!

I have seen the Lord

(Main pekhio ree oocha mohan sabh te oochaa)

SGGS pg 534, AK pg 131

There is no one equal to him

I’ve searched and searched

Infinite, great and deep

Unfathomable, beyond reach

Inweighable by weight

Invaluable in worth

He’s captured my heart

How do I reach him?

Countless search him through different paths

Can’t be found without Gurur’s hand

Nanak says my Lord has been kind

I’ve met the saints of nectar divine

Contemplate the hymns of the Guru my soul

(Jap man mere Govind kee baanee)

jip mn myry goivMd kI bwxI (SGGS pg 192; AK pg 687