Information about Kirtan Sohila

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Kirtan Sohila: Three Gurus – Guru Nanak, Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan - contributed five shabads on the pain of separation and celebrating the bliss of union. The first three Shabads were uttered by Guru Nanak, the fourth by Guru Ram Das and the fifth by Guru Arjan Dev. This is the night prayer said by all Sikhs before sleeping. The actual name of Bani is Sohila Sahib.

The religious and artistic value of these hymns is superb.

• The first shabad visualises the union of the personal self with the Ultimate Reality.
• The second shabad presents the singularity of the Ultimate despite endless diversity of scriptures, teachers and philosophies.
• The third shabad rejects all modes of external piety and ritual, and vividly portrays the entire cosmos making harmonious worship. Instead of trays with lamps placed upon them with incense and other offerings, the skies become an integrated platter, the sun and moon the lamps, stars the beads, and all vegetation an offering of flowers. Loud chanting is replaced by the inner unstruck melody playing motionlessly.
• The fourth shabad explains the importance of the divine Name through which all suffering and transmigration is annulled.
• The fifth shabad celebrates life here in this world: we must avail ourselves of this wonderful opportunity to serve others and to win divine merit. The unknown Mystery becomes known to the enlightened person who thereafter enjoys the bliss and freedom of immortality.

It is also recited before cremation, following a death. This Bani is found on pages 12 to 13 of SGGS, the Sikh Holy Scriptures.

The Bani

ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਦੀਪਕੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ sohilaa raag ga-orhee deepkee mehlaa 1

Sohilaa ~ The Song Of Praise. Raag Gauree Deepakee, First Mehl:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ik-Onkaar satgur parsaad.

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਜੈ ਘਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਆਖੀਐ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥ jai ghar keerat aakhee-ai kartay kaa ho-ay beechaaro.

In that house where the Praises of the Creator are chanted and contemplated -

ਤਿਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ਸਿਵਰਿਹੁ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰੋ ॥੧॥ tit ghar gaavhu sohilaa sivrihu sirjanhaaro. ((1))

in that house, sing Songs of Praise; meditate and remember the Creator Lord. ((1))

ਤੁਮ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਕਾ ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ॥ tum gaavhu mayray nirbha-o kaa sohilaa.

Sing the Songs of Praise of my Fearless Lord.

ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਸੋਹਿਲੈ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ha-o vaaree jit sohilai sadaa sukh ho-ay. ((1)) rahaa-o.

I am a sacrifice to that Song of Praise which brings eternal peace. ((1)(Pause))

ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਜੀਅੜੇ ਸਮਾਲੀਅਨਿ ਦੇਖੈਗਾ ਦੇਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥ nit nit jee-arhay samaalee-an daykhaigaa dayvanhaar.

Day after day, He cares for His beings; the Great Giver watches over all.

ਤੇਰੇ ਦਾਨੈ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਨਾ ਪਵੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਦਾਤੇ ਕਵਣੁ ਸੁਮਾਰੁ ॥੨॥ tayray daanai keemat naa pavai tis daatay kavan sumaar. ((2))

Your Gifts cannot be appraised; how can anyone compare to the Giver? ((2))

ਸੰਬਤਿ ਸਾਹਾ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਤੇਲੁ ॥ sambat saahaa likhi-aa mil kar paavhu tayl.

The day of my wedding is pre-ordained. Come, gather together and pour the oil over the threshold.

ਦੇਹੁ ਸਜਣ ਅਸੀਸੜੀਆ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਲੁ ॥੩॥ dayh sajan aseesrhee-aa ji-o hovai saahib si-o mayl. ((3))

My friends, give me your blessings, that I may merge with my Lord and Master. ((3))

ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਏਹੋ ਪਾਹੁਚਾ ਸਦੜੇ ਨਿਤ ਪਵੰਨਿ ॥ ghar ghar ayho paahuchaa sad-rhay nit pavann.

Unto each and every home, into each and every heart, this summons is sent out; the call comes each and every day.

ਸਦਣਹਾਰਾ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇ ਦਿਹ ਆਵੰਨਿ ॥੪॥੧॥ sadanhaaraa simree-ai naanak say dih aavann. ((4)(1))

Remember in meditation the One who summons us; O Nanak, that day is drawing near! ((4)(1))

ਰਾਗੁ ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ raag aasaa mehlaa 1.

Raag Aasaa, First Mehl:

ਛਿਅ ਘਰ ਛਿਅ ਗੁਰ ਛਿਅ ਉਪਦੇਸ ॥ chhi-a ghar chhi-a gur chhi-a updays.

There are six schools of philosophy, six teachers, and six sets of teachings.

ਗੁਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਏਕੋ ਵੇਸ ਅਨੇਕ ॥੧॥ gur gur ayko vays anayk. ((1))

But the Teacher of teachers is the One, who appears in so many forms. ((1))

ਬਾਬਾ ਜੈ ਘਰਿ ਕਰਤੇ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ baabaa jai ghar kartay keerat ho-ay.

O Baba: that system in which the Praises of the Creator are sung -

ਸੋ ਘਰੁ ਰਾਖੁ ਵਡਾਈ ਤੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ so ghar raakh vadaa-ee to-ay. ((1)) rahaa-o.

follow that system; in it rests true greatness. ((1)(Pause))

ਵਿਸੁਏ ਚਸਿਆ ਘੜੀਆ ਪਹਰਾ ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰੀ ਮਾਹੁ ਹੋਆ ॥ visu-ay chasi-aa gharhee-aa pahraa thitee vaaree maahu ho-aa.

The seconds, minutes and hours, days, weeks and months,

ਸੂਰਜੁ ਏਕੋ ਰੁਤਿ ਅਨੇਕ ॥ sooraj ayko rut anayk.

and the various seasons originate from the one sun;

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਤੇ ਕੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਵੇਸ ॥੨॥੨॥ naanak kartay kay kaytay vays. ((2)(2))

O Nanak, in just the same way, the many forms originate from the Creator. ((2)(2))

ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ raag Dhanaasree mehlaa 1.

Raag Dhanaasree, First Mehl:

ਗਗਨ ਮੈ ਥਾਲੁ ਰਵਿ ਚੰਦੁ ਦੀਪਕ ਬਨੇ ਤਾਰਿਕਾ ਮੰਡਲ ਜਨਕ ਮੋਤੀ ॥ gagan mai thaal rav chand deepak banay taarikaa mandal janak motee.

Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps. The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.

ਧੂਪੁ ਮਲਆਨਲੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਚਵਰੋ ਕਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਬਨਰਾਇ ਫੂਲੰਤ ਜੋਤੀ ॥੧॥ Dhoop mal-aanlo pavan chavro karay sagal banraa-ay foolant jotee. ((1))

The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord. ((1))

ਕੈਸੀ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ॥ kaisee aartee ho-ay.

What a beautiful Aartee, lamp-lit worship service this is!

ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਰਤੀ ॥ bhav khandnaa tayree aartee.

O Destroyer of Fear, this is Your Ceremony of Light.

ਅਨਹਤਾ ਸਬਦ ਵਾਜੰਤ ਭੇਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ anhataa sabad vaajant bhayree. ((1)) rahaa-o.

The Unstruck Sound-current of the Shabad is the vibration of the temple drums. ((1)(Pause))

ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਨੈਨ ਨਨ ਨੈਨ ਹਹਿ ਤੋਹਿ ਕਉ ਸਹਸ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਨਾ ਏਕ ਤਹੀ ॥ sahas tav nain nan nain heh tohi ka-o sahas moorat nanaa ayk tohee.

You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one.

ਸਹਸ ਪਦ ਬਿਮਲ ਨਨ ਏਕ ਪਦ ਗੰਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਗੰਧ ਇਵ ਚਲਤ ਮੋਹੀ ॥੨॥ sahas pad bimal nan ayk pad ganDh bin sahas tav ganDh iv chalat mohee. ((2))

You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. ((2))

ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ sabh meh jot jot hai so-ay.

Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light.

ਤਿਸ ਦੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ tis dai chaanan sabh meh chaanan ho-ay.

By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.

ਗੁਰ ਸਾਖੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ gur saakhee jot pargat ho-ay.

Through the Guru's Teachings, the Light shines forth.

ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੁ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥ jo tis bhaavai so aartee ho-ay. ((3))

That which is pleasing to Him is the lamp-lit worship service. ((3))

ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣ ਕਵਲ ਮਕਰੰਦ ਲੋਭਿਤ ਮਨੋ ਅਨਦਿਨ ਮੋਹਿ ਆਹੀ ਪਿਆਸਾ ॥ har charan kaval makrand lobhit mano andino mohi aahee pi-aasaa.

My mind is enticed by the honey-sweet Lotus Feet of the Lord. Day and night, I thirst for them.

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਜਲੁ ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਰਿੰਗ ਕਉ ਹੋਇ ਜਾ ਤੇ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਇ ਵਾਸਾ ॥੪॥੩॥ kirpaa jal deh naanak saaring ka-o ho-ay jaa tay tayrai naa-ay vaasaa. ((4)(3))

Bestow the Water of Your Mercy upon Nanak, the thirsty song-bird, so that he may come to dwell in Your Name. ((4)(3))

ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਪੂਰਬੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ raag ga-orhee poorbee mehlaa 4.

Raag Gauree Poorbee, Fourth Mehl:

ਕਾਮਿ ਕਰੋਧਿ ਨਗਰੁ ਬਹੁ ਭਰਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਸਾਧੂ ਖੰਡਲ ਖੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥ kaam karoDh nagar baho bhari-aa mil saaDhoo khandal khanda hay.

The body-village is filled to overflowing with anger and sexual desire; these were broken into bits when I met with the Holy Saint.

ਪੂਰਬਿ ਲਿਖਤ ਲਿਖੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਮੰਡਲ ਮੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੧॥ poorab likhat likhay gur paa-i-aa man har liv mandal mandaa hay. ((1))

By pre-ordained destiny, I have met with the Guru. I have entered into the realm of the Lord's Love. ((1))

ਕਰਿ ਸਾਧੂ ਅੰਜੁਲੀ ਪੁਨੁ ਵਡਾ ਹੇ ॥ kar saaDhoo anjulee pun vadaa hay.

Greet the Holy Saint with your palms pressed together; this is an act of great merit.

ਕਰਿ ਡੰਡਉਤ ਪੁਨੁ ਵਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ kar dand-ut pun vadaa hay. ((1)) rahaa-o.

Bow down before Him; this is a virtuous action indeed. ((1)(Pause))

ਸਾਕਤ ਹਰਿ ਰਸ ਸਾਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਕੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥ saakat har ras saad na jaani-aa tin antar ha-umai kandaa hay.

The wicked shaaktas, the faithless cynics, do not know the Taste of the Lord's Sublime Essence. The thorn of egotism is embedded deep within them.

ਜਿਉ ਜਿਉ ਚਲਹਿ ਚੁਭੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਜਮਕਾਲੁ ਸਹਹਿ ਸਿਰਿ ਡੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੨॥ ji-o ji-o chaleh chubhai dukh paavahi jamkaal saheh sir dandaa hay. ((2))

The more they walk away, the deeper it pierces them, and the more they suffer in pain, until finally, the Messenger of Death smashes his club against their heads. ((2))

ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਣੇ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥ har jan har har naam samaanay dukh janam maran bhav khanda hay.

The humble servants of the Lord are absorbed in the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. The pain of birth and the fear of death are eradicated.

ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਬਹੁ ਸੋਭ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੩॥ abhinaasee purakh paa-i-aa parmaysar baho sobh khand barahmandaa hay. ((3))

They have found the Imperishable Supreme Being, the Transcendent Lord God, and they receive great honor throughout all the worlds and realms. ((3))

ਹਮ ਗਰੀਬ ਮਸਕੀਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਖੁ ਰਾਖੁ ਵਡ ਵਡਾ ਹੇ ॥ ham gareeb maskeen parabh tayray har raakh raakh vad vadaa hay.

I am poor and meek, God, but I belong to You! Save me-please save me, O Greatest of the Great!

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ਟੇਕ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੇ ਹੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਮੰਡਾ ਹੇ ॥੪॥੪॥ jan naanak naam aDhaar tayk hai har naamay hee sukh mandaa hay. ((4)(4))

Servant Nanak takes the Sustenance and Support of the Naam. In the Name of the Lord, he enjoys celestial peace. ((4)(4))

ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ ਪੂਰਬੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ raag ga-orhee poorbee mehlaa 5.

Raag Gauree Poorbee, Fifth Mehl:

ਕਰਉ ਬੇਨੰਤੀ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੀਤਾ ਸੰਤ ਟਹਲ ਕੀ ਬੇਲਾ ॥ kara-o baynantee sunhu mayray meetaa sant tahal kee baylaa.

Listen, my friends, I beg of you: now is the time to serve the Saints!

ਈਹਾ ਖਾਟਿ ਚਲਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਹਾ ਆਗੈ ਬਸਨੁ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥੧॥ eehaa khaat chalhu har laahaa aagai basan suhaylaa. ((1))

In this world, earn the profit of the Lord's Name, and hereafter, you shall dwell in peace. ((1))

ਅਉਧ ਘਟੈ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਰੈਣਾਰੇ ॥ a-oDh ghatai dinas rainaaray.

This life is diminishing, day and night.

ਮਨ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ man gur mil kaaj savaaray. ((1)) rahaa-o.

Meeting with the Guru, your affairs shall be resolved. ((1)(Pause))

ਇਹੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਬਿਕਾਰੁ ਸੰਸੇ ਮਹਿ ਤਰਿਓ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ॥ ih sansaar bikaar sansay meh tari-o barahm gi-aanee.

This world is engrossed in corruption and cynicism. Only those who know God are saved.

ਜਿਸਹਿ ਜਗਾਇ ਪੀਆਵੈ ਇਹੁ ਰਸੁ ਅਕਥ ਕਥਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਜਾਨੀ ॥੨॥ jisahi jagaa-ay pee-aavai ih ras akath kathaa tin jaanee. ((2))

Only those who are awakened by the Lord to drink in this Sublime Essence, come to know the Unspoken Speech of the Lord. ((2))

ਜਾ ਕਉ ਆਏ ਸੋਈ ਬਿਹਾਝਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਮਨਹਿ ਬਸੇਰਾ ॥ jaa ka-o aa-ay so-ee bihaajhahu har gur tay maneh basayraa.

Purchase only that for which you have come into the world, and through the Guru, the Lord shall dwell within your mind.

ਨਿਜ ਘਰਿ ਮਹਲੁ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜੇ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਨ ਹੋਇਗੋ ਫੇਰਾ ॥੩॥ nij ghar mahal paavhu sukh sehjay bahur na ho-igo fayraa. ((3))

Within the home of your own inner being, you shall obtain the Mansion of the Lord's Presence with intuitive ease. You shall not be consigned again to the wheel of reincarnation. ((3))

ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਪੁਰਖ ਬਿਧਾਤੇ ਸਰਧਾ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਪੂਰੇ ॥ antarjaamee purakh biDhaatay sarDhaa man kee pooray.

O Inner-knower, Searcher of Hearts, O Primal Being, Architect of Destiny: please fulfill this yearning of my mind.

ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਇਹੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਮਾਗੈ ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੰਤਨ ਕੀ ਧੂਰੇ ॥੪॥੫॥ naanak daas ihai sukh maagai mo ka-o kar santan kee Dhooray. ((4)(5))

Nanak, Your slave, begs for this happiness: let me be the dust of the feet of the Saints. ((4)(5))

References

• All About Sikhs
• English Translation of Kirtan Sohila
• Read Kirtan Sohila online

Audio Link

• Darshan Singh (Dhakki Sahib Wale) - Taksali Nitnem - Keertan Shoila
• Jarnail Singh - Damdami Taksal Nitnem - Kirtan Sohelia
• Rajnarind Kaur - Bani Pro 1

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