The Sikh Ardas (Formal Prayer)

Victory belongs to the Wondrous Enlightener, the Lord God.

May the revered Goddess, the Divine Mother, be our helper.

This is the ballad of the revered Goddess, composed in the tenth sovereign’s reign.

First, I remember the Goddess, and then I meditate upon Guru Nanak.

Then, from Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, and Guru Ram Das, I receive their grace.

I remember Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind, and then Guru Har Rai.

I meditate upon Guru Har Krishan, by whose sight all sorrows depart.

Remembering Guru Tegh Bahadur, the nine treasures come rushing to one’s home. May He be my help everywhere.

May the tenth sovereign, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj, the master of the Khalsa Panth, be my help everywhere. Meditating upon the light of the ten sovereigns, which is Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and upon the study and vision of Its Word, say: O Wondrous Enlightener, O Wondrous Enlightener, O Wondrous Enlightener.

Meditating upon the spiritual accomplishments of the five beloved ones, the four sons of the Guru, the forty liberated ones, the steadfast ones, the chanters, the ascetics, those who chanted the Divine Name, who shared and distributed food, who wielded the sword and the lance, and who, seeing all, remained unattached—those true and beloved ones—O Khalsa Ji, say: O Wondrous Enlightener.

Meditating upon the spiritual accomplishments of those Singhs and Singhnis who, for the sake of righteousness, offered their heads, had their limbs severed, had their scalps removed, were broken on the wheel, were sawn with saws, and made sacrifices for the service of the Gurdwaras, who never abandoned righteousness and preserved their Sikh identity with their hair and every breath—O Khalsa Ji, say: O Wondrous Enlightener.

Meditating upon the five temporal thrones and all the Gurdwaras, say: O Wondrous Enlightener.

First, this is the prayer of the entire Khalsa: May the entire Khalsa remember the Wondrous Enlightener, the Wondrous Enlightener, the Wondrous Enlightener. By the grace of remembering Him, may all comforts be attained. Wherever the Khalsa is, may protection and patronage be there. May the rule of charity and the sword, the honor of the ancient tradition, the victory of the Panth, and the help of the revered Lord be with the Khalsa. Say, “Victory to the Khalsa!” Say: O Wondrous Enlightener.

Grant to the Sikhs the gift of Sikh faith, the gift of unshorn hair, the gift of righteous conduct, the gift of discernment, the gift of trust, the gift of faith, the greatest of all gifts—the gift of the Divine Name. May the sacred bath at Sri Amritsar, the prayer assemblies, the flags, and the towers remain steadfast for ages. Proclaim the victory of righteousness. Say: O Wondrous Enlightener.

May the mind of the Sikhs be humble, and their intellect exalted. The Protector of this exalted intellect is the Timeless Being, the Wondrous Enlightener.

O Timeless Being, ever the helper and bestower of blessings upon Your Panth. Grant to the Khalsa the gift of open vision, sight, and the service and care of Sri Nankana Sahib and other Gurdwaras and sacred shrines from which the Panth has been separated.

O Honor of the dishonored, Strength of the strengthless, Shelter of the shelterless, True Father, Wondrous Enlightener, this is our prayer to You. Please forgive any excess or deficiency, any mistakes or omissions. May all undertakings be brought to successful completion. Unite me with those beloved ones, by meeting whom Your Name comes to mind. Nanak: may Your grace ever increase, and by Your Will, may all beings be blessed.

The Khalsa belongs to the Wondrous Enlightener.

Victory belongs to the Wondrous Enlightener.