|
Introduction
Sunder
Gutka is a collection of Banis or hymns that form the core of a
complete Sikh Daily Prayer. These sacred hymns contain a power to
transform our lives completely by bringing an unmatched spiritual
elevation in even the most ordinary of minds. Gurbani or the
Divine Word contains the instructions and divine guidance revealed
directly by God through the Gurus and other pious saintly beings.
They show the righteous path of life and give direction to the
wandering souls in quest of finding the real meaning of life.
These hymns deliver a message which is of eternal relevance
irrespective of the caste, creed, religion, age or location of a
person
Unfortunately, the younger generation that
is unaware of the Gurmukhi script, the original language in which
the Gurbani has been recorded, finds this pool of knowledge
inaccessible. For them and all others who are better versed in
English, a humble effort has been made to bring to them this
elegant masterpiece from our Gurus in the form of a
transliteration in English. Every effort has been made to make the
pronunciations very simple and crystal clear and avoid every
possible mistake.
About Sunder Gutka:
Sunder Gutka is a collection of very important hymns the
recitation of which is considered to be a complete Daily Prayer
for every Sikh . It consists of the following Banis :
Japji Sahib:It’s
a composition of Guru Nanak , comprised of the Mool Mantra at the
beginning followed by a salok , then 38 pauris (hymns) and a salok
to conclude .This bani serves as a prologue to Sri Guru Granth
Sahib .
Shabad
Hajaare:
This refers to a collection of seven hymns, the first by Guru
Arjan and the other six by Guru Nanak. The term “Hajaare” (not
mentioned in any of the Sikh Scriptures) probably implies that
each of these ‘Shabads’ has a ‘thousand fold merit’ when
recited.
Jaap
Sahib:
A composition of Guru Gobind Singh consisting of 199 verses
describing very artistically the attributes of God.
Shabad
Hajaare P10:
A collection of ten hymns from the Dasam Granth by Guru Gobind
Singh Ji.
Tva
Prasaad Savaiyae:
Compositions by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in praise of God.
Tva
Prasaad Chaupaee (Pranvo Aad):
Forms the beginning of ‘Akaal Ustat’ , a bani composed by Guru
Gobind Singh Ji in praise of God offering an unmatched description
of God.
Anand
Sahib:
A bani composed by Guru Amardas, and considered a pathway to true
bliss and tranquility of mind.
Raihraas
Sahib:
It contains Guru Nanak’s saloks and shabads (verses and hymns)
from Guru Granth Sahib alongwith a Chaupaee, a Savaiya and a Dohra
(composed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji), first five stanzas and the
last stanza from Anand Sahib.
Ardaas:
It
is the general sikh prayer seeking the well being of entire
humanity, also recited on specific occasions to receive God’s
blessings before any auspicious event or task.
Sohilaa:
A prayer recited before going to sleep.
Baarah
Maahaa Maanjh Maihlaa 5:
A bani which presents the condition of the soul, separated from
the Divine, suffering in transmigration yearning to reunite with
Him.
Aaasaa
Dee Vaar:
It is a
collection of 24 stanzas written by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. In its
present form it also contains sloks of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru
Angad Dev Ji and a few shabads by Guru Ramdas Ji.
Sukhmani
Sahib:
Composed by
Guru Arjan Dev Ji and a key to attain eternal happiness in all
areas of life.
Salok
Maihlaa 9:
Saloks composed by Guru Tegh Bahadur (57 in Number), which stress
on the recitation of Naam(God’s Name) and contemplating the
Divine.
|
