Anand Sahib (The Hymn of Bliss)
The Anand Sahib is a sacred hymn of bliss composed by Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru. It celebrates the profound joy of meeting the True Guru and the eternal peace found in devotion to the Divine.
Verses
The song of bliss in Raamkali, by the Third Guru.
Verse 1
Bliss has come, O my mother, for I have found the True Guru. I have found the True Guru with intuitive ease, and my mind vibrates with joyous celebrations. The jewel-like melodies and their families have come to sing the divine Word. Sing the Word of the Lord, which those whose minds are enshrined with it sing. Says Nanak, I have found bliss, for I have found the True Guru.
Verse 2
O my mind, remain always with the Lord. Remain with the Lord, O my mind, and all sorrows will be forgotten. He will accept you as His own and will perfectly resolve all your affairs. The Lord Master is all-powerful in every matter—why should you forget Him from your mind? Says Nanak, O my mind, remain always with the Lord.
Verse 3
O True Lord Master, what is not in Your home? In Your home, everything exists; whatever You give, one receives. One who forever sings Your praises and enshrines Your Name in the mind. Those in whose minds the Name dwells, the celestial Word resounds abundantly. Says Nanak, O True Lord Master, what is not in Your home?
Verse 4
The True Name is my support. The True Name is my support, which has eradicated all my hunger.
It has brought peace and comfort to dwell in my mind, fulfilling all my desires.
I am forever a sacrifice to the Guru, who has bestowed these glorious gifts.
Says Nanak, listen, O saints, and enshrine love for the Word. The True Name is my support.
Verse 5
The five primal sounds resound in that blessed home. In that blessed home, the Word resounds, and that home is filled with divine power. You have brought the five evil passions under Your control and have slain the sting of death. Those upon whom You have bestowed Your primal grace are attached to the Lord's Name. Says Nanak, there is peace in that home, and the unstruck celestial melody resounds.
Verse 6
Listen to the bliss, O greatly fortunate ones; all your desires shall be fulfilled.
You have found the Supreme Lord God, and all your anxieties have departed.
Sorrow, disease, and suffering have vanished upon hearing the true Bani.
The saints and friends are joyful, knowing the Perfect Guru.
Those who hear it become pure, and those who speak it become holy; the True Guru is pervading everywhere.
Nanak prays, clinging to the Guru's feet, the unstruck celestial trumpets resound.
Verse 7
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This hymn is part of the Guru Granth Sahib, the central scripture of Sikhism, and is attributed to Guru Amar Das (1479-1574). It is set to the musical mode (raga) Ramkali and is traditionally recited or sung during Sikh ceremonies, especially the Anand Karaj (wedding) and other joyous occasions. The Anand Sahib is also a key part of daily Sikh prayer and meditation, emphasizing the state of spiritual bliss achieved through surrender to the Guru and the divine Name.
About this Text
Composed by: Guru Amar Das Ji · Sikh Guru (Third of the Ten) · 1479–1574 CE, Punjab
The third Sikh Guru, known for institutionalizing the langar (community kitchen open to all castes) and composing the Anand Sahib, a hymn of spiritual bliss recited in Sikh ceremonies to this day.
Did You Know?
Author
Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru (1479-1574), composed the Anand Sahib in Raga Ramkali. This 40-stanza hymn is central to Sikh worship, recited at joyous events like weddings (Anand Karaj) and as the conclusion of scripture readings.
Structure
Each stanza ends with the signature 'Kai Nanak' and a refrain. The first stanza announces the bliss of finding the True Guru (Satguru), setting a pattern of devotion and thanksgiving that runs through the entire composition.
Key Concepts
'Satguru' means the divine guide who leads to union with God. 'Sahj' refers to a natural, effortless state of peace. 'Naam' is the divine Name—the core object of meditation. The hymn teaches that immersing in Naam removes all sorrow and fulfills every desire.
The Five Sounds
The fifth stanza describes 'Panch Shabad' (five sounds) playing in a blessed home. This symbolizes the inner harmony that arises when the five vices (lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego) are conquered and the unstruck melody (Anhad Shabad) of divine bliss resonates continuously.
Blissful Conclusion
The 40th stanza (the final one included here) proclaims that by hearing the truthful word and clinging to the Guru's feet, all diseases, sorrows, and afflictions vanish. It emphasizes that the Guru's presence fills the universe and pure joy (Anand) becomes ever-present.