Sunday, August 15, 2010


PRAYER/ਅਰਦਾਸ


ABSTRACT

Prayer is a conscious realization of a personal intimate relationship with Holy Omnipotent God, putting aside all selfish desires so one can experience communion with God while being hindered by worldly egos. It is a supplication for benefits either for one’s self (petition) or for others (intercession). To pray is to know how to stand still and to dwell on the Word. It is the opportunity to remind one’s self of his priorities and what is most important and vital. Prayer is a reflexive verb meaning, “To judge you”. Reciting prayer with belief and conviction literally is the service of the heart and reciting it without belief in it is lip service.

Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

ਕਬੀਰ ਕਾਮ ਪਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਮਰੀਐ ਐਸਾ ਸਿਮਰਹੁ ਨਿਤ ॥
ਅਮਰਾ ਪੁਰ ਬਾਸਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਗਇਆ ਬਹੋਰੈ ਬਿਤ ॥੧੬੩
Kabīr kām pare har simrī▫ai aisā simrahu niṯ. Amrā pur bāsā karahu har ga▫i▫ā bahorai biṯ. 

Kabir, you remember God in meditation, only when the need arises. You should remember God all the time. You shall dwell in the city of immortality, and God shall restore the wealth you lost. -----Kabir Sloke # 163, AGGS, Page, 1373-5

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Through prayer, one connects to a higher source of love and energy, whenever there is a need for comfort or direction. There is no other better way to open up to the universal, loving, and Universal Creative Energy available to human species.

God is unknowable, infinite, unapproachable (beyond the reaches of human intellect), formless, and imperceptible. One should pray to the Creator and not to the things created by God. One should be very informal in praying as God is the mother, father, brother, friend, and lover of his devotees and nothing can be kept secret from God.
ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਦੂਣਾ ਨਿਵੈ ਜੋ ਹੰਤਾ ਮਿਰਗਾਹਿ
ਸੀਸਿ ਨਿਵਾਇਐ ਕਿਆ ਥੀਐ ਜਾ ਰਿਦੈ ਕੁਸੁਧੇ ਜਾਹਿ
ApraaDhee Doonaa Nivai Jo Hantaa Miragaahi, Sees Nivaa-eai Kia Thia Ja Ridai Kasudhay Jaa-eh.

The sinner, like the deer hunter, bows down twice as much. But what can be achieved by bowing the head, when the heart is impure?-----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 470-15                         
The ordinary prayer is made for some specific object, some advantage or possession of material or spiritual in nature. The virtuous disfigure their meritorious act by asking for salvation.

ਮੂਰਖ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਹਿਕਮਤਿ ਹੁਜਤਿ ਸੰਜੈ ਕਰਹਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
ਧਰਮੀ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਗਾਵਾਵਹਿ ਮੰਗਹਿ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ
Mūrakẖ pandiṯ hikmaṯ hujaṯ sanjai karahi pi▫ār. Ḏẖarmī ḏẖaram karahi gāvāvėh mangėh mokẖ ḏu▫ār.

The fools call themselves spiritual scholars, and by their clever tricks, they love to gather wealth. The righteous waste their righteousness, by asking for the door of salvation.-----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 469-3

The truest prayer is “Not my will but Thine will be done” followed by dutiful and energetic action. We can only aspire to bring our lives, our wishes, and thoughts into harmony with the Divine Law. It means we have to ask the spirit of unselfishness and purity of heart, desiring nothing but submitting unconditionally to the Universal Spirit. Thus freeing the mind of attachments and desires. All that is remained was pure supreme light “the seed of our existence and identity”.

We are born naked and we leave naked. Yet in between, we accumulate wealth, family, belongings, a good name, religious pride, pride of the body, and good looks. In themselves, they are just things-neither good nor bad. These attachments in our minds have to be destroyed in the fire of focusing contemplative meditation.

The Truth will be revealed when the mind is freed “Oh man recognize yourself,” and see the source of pure supreme light. The aim of the seeker on this path is to have no aims for any desires. When you have no desires, you have conquered the all-wandering mind. The mind is the total sum of desires. The mind is like a bird flying aimlessly, and going into the future hopes and desires or running back into the past memories and sorrows. Most people spend their lives like this, resulting in stress, depression, burnt out, no happiness, and uncontended, unfulfilled hopes, bitterness, negativity and so on.

Ordinary consciousness is made up of desires, cravings, fears, and prejudices, fixed ideas, habits, and lower instincts. The mysterious central power is located in Our Self. So we should strive to seek in. Close the outer senses and open the eye of the mind upon the world within.

Most prayers are more or less selfish requests to God to make exceptions in favor of the petitioner, which if not granted leads to:

  • Losing faith.
  • Killing self-reliance.
  • Developing more ferocious selfishness and egotism than what is already endowed by nature.
If one’s devotion is sincere, a response is drawn from the field of Universal Creative Energy that may be interpreted as an answer to the prayer. Prayer response, or having needs met without asking for assistance, does not prove that God cares for us (we understand caring expressed by one person to another). The situation and the process do not need to be analyzed and explained: if the relationship satisfies the seeking heart, with results following that is sufficient. Complete understanding will unfold with the illumination of consciousness.

Because God's nature is what it is, so long as we have even a faint intellectual grasp or partial intuitive insight of the reality of God, there should be no questions in our minds about whether or not God loves us, cares for us, approves of us, or wants us to awaken spiritually. This is all right if one is willing to learn and to grow in knowledge and grace.  A contrasting condition, which is also self-defeating, is an attitude of individual superiority, which may be expressed as arrogance, and denial of any need for a relationship with the Higher Power.

ਸਲਾਮੁ ਜਬਾਬੁ ਦੋਵੈ ਕਰੇ ਮੁੰਢਹੁ ਘੁਥਾ ਜਾਇ
ਨਾਨਕ ਦੋਵੈ ਕੂੜੀਆ ਥਾਇ ਨ ਕਾਈ ਪਾਇ

Salaam Jabaab Dovai Karay Mundhoh Ghutha Jaa-ey, Nanak Dovai Koorhee-aa Thaa-ay Na Kaa-ee Paa-ay.


One, who offers both respectful greetings and rude refusal to his master, has gone wrong from the very beginning. O Nanak, both of his actions are false; he obtains no place in the Court of Eternal God.-----Guru Angad, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page 474-5

There are and always have been human beings who have progressed spiritually beyond the majority of the race and i.e. what we are aspiring in this spiritual growth. The whole purpose of life is to strengthen character, which is the school of conscience, by humbly requesting God to remove our character defects.
ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸੇਤੀ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਕਹੀ ਬਣੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ
ਕੂੜਿ ਕਮਾਣੈ ਕੂੜੋ ਹੋਵੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਵਿਗਾਸਿ

Sahib Saytee Hukam Na Chalai Kahee BaNai Ardas, Koorh Kamaanai Koorho Hovai Nanak Sifat Vigaas.


No one can issue commands to the Supreme Master; offer instead humble prayers. Practicing falsehood, only falsehood is obtained. O Nanak, through God's Praise, one blossom forth.-----Guru Angad, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page 474-13

One should implore for the strength to subjugate the lower instinct and fortitude to develop higher instincts.
ਨਿਰਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਬਹੁ ਵਾਜੇ ਵਜਾਏ
ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਅੰਧਾ ਬੋਲਾ ਹੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਆਖਿ ਸੁਣਾਏ
Nirat Karay Baho Vaajay Vajaa-ay, Ih Man AnDhaa Bolaa Hai Kis Aakh Sunaa-ay.

One may dance and play numerous instruments, but his mind is blind and deaf, so for whose benefit is this speaking and preaching?----Guru Amar Das, Raag Asa, Page, 364-14,15

ਕਾਂਇਆ ਸਾਧੈ ਉਰਧ ਤਪੁ ਕਰੈ ਵਿਚਹੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਅਧਿਆਤਮ ਕਰਮ ਜੇ ਕਰੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਕਬ ਹੀ ਪਾਇ ॥

KaaN-i-aa SaaDhai UraDh Tap Karai Vichahu Ha-umai Na Jaa-ay, ADhi-aatam Karam Jay Karay Naam Na Kab Hee Paa-ay
.
You may torment your body with extremes of self-discipline, practice intensive meditation and hang upside-down, but your ego will not be eliminated from within. You may perform religious rituals, and still never obtain the Name of the God.-----Guru Amar Das, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 33-7   
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੋ ਜੇਹਾ ਕੋ ਇਛਦਾ ਤੇਹਾ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਏ ਕੋਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਜਿਦੂ ਕਿਛੁ ਗੁਝਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥

Saṯgur no jehā ko icẖẖ▫ḏā ṯehā fal pā▫e ko▫e. Nanak Kartaa Sabh Kichh Jaandaa Jidoo Kichh Gujhaa Na Ho-ay.
As one feels towards the True Guru, so are the rewards one receives. O, Nanak, the Creator knows everything; nothing can be hidden from God.-----Guru Ram Das, Gauri Ki Vaar, AGGS, Page, 302-5
Guru Arjan in Raag Asa comments God’s Omnipresence and Love to Its devotees;
ਚਮਤਕਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਦਹ ਦਿਸ ਏਕੁ ਤਹ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਾਇਆ ॥
ਨਾਨਕੁ ਪਇਅੰਪੈ ਚਰਣ ਜੰਪੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਵਛਲੁ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਆਪਿ ਬਨਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੩॥੬॥
Cẖamaṯkār pargās ḏah ḏis ek ṯah ḏaristā▫i▫ā.Nānak pa▫i▫ampai cẖaraṇ jampai bẖagaṯ vacẖẖal har biraḏ āp banā▫i▫ā. 


One brilliant flash of the God is revealed in the ten directions. Prays Nanak, I meditate on the God's lotus feet; naturally God is the Lover of Its devotees.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 456-18

Prayer does not require a language to communicate and can be done successfully in silence. All-Knower is neither blind nor deaf and knows what is unsaid;

ਅਨਬੋਲੇ ਕਉ ਤੁਹੀ ਪਛਾਨਹਿ ਜੋ ਜੀਅਨ ਮਹਿ ਹੋਤਾ
ਰੇ ਮਨ ਕਾਇ ਕਹਾ ਲਉ ਡਹਕਹਿ ਜਉ ਪੇਖਤ ਹੀਸੰਗਿ ਸੁਨਤਾ
Unbolay Kaou Tuhee Pachaaneh Jo Jee-an Meh Hota, Ray Man Kaa-ay Kahaa La-o Dehkahi Ja-o Paykhat Hee Sang Suntaa.

O, God, you know whatever is in the conscious and not said. O mind, how long will you deceive others? God hears and sees everything.-----Guru Arjun, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 823-4
ਕਬੀਰ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਮੁਨਾਰੇ ਕਿਆ ਚਢਹਿ ਸਾਂਈ ਨ ਬਹਰਾ ਹੋਇ
ਜਾ ਕਾਰਨਿ ਤੂੰ ਬਾਂਗ ਦੇਹਿ ਦਿਲ ਹੀ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਜੋਇ
Kabir MulaaN Munaaray Ki-aa Chadheh SaaN-ee Na Bahraa Ho-ay, Jaa Kaaran TooN BaaNg Deh Dil Hee Bheetar Jo-ay.

Kabir: O Mullah, why do you climb to the top of the minaret? God is not hard of hearing. Look within your own heart for the One, for whose sake you shout your prayers.-----Kabir Sloke #184, AGGS, Page, 1374-7, 8

Prayer can be said at any time and at any place. It is not a formal ritual. God is father, mother, sibling, relative, friend, lover, etc. with whom you have the liberty of being informal. One does not need a middleman for prayer and does not need any physical posture but needs honesty.

ਸਿਰ ਤਲਵਾਏ ਪਾਈਐ ਚਮਗਿਦੜ ਜੂਹੈ
ਮੜੀ ਮਸਾਣੀ ਜੇ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਖੁਡਾਂ ਚੂਹੇ ----ਵਿਣੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਉ ਘਰੁ ਵਿਣੁ ਬੂਹੇ
Sir Talva-ay Paa-ee-ai Chamgidrh Joohai, Marhee MasaNee Jay Milai Vich Khuddan Choohai-----ViN Gur Mukat Na Hova-ee Jeo Ghar ViN Boohay.

If bowing only could grant liberation then the bats in the forests, which hang from trees upside down, should be the first to be liberated and if liberation could be achieved in the loneliness of crematories than rats should get it in their holes. --- One cannot get liberation without the Guru as a house is useless without a door.----Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 36, Pauri, 13

Prayer describes a state of mind of complete surrender to God in which a person becomes humility incarnate. God is always merciful and kind. Its nature is giving not taking. God never bounces back prayer from humble servants. However, all powers are with God, which implies that to answer prayer is God’s prerogative. It is not a check that you can draw on the bank of God, whenever you are hard put to meet your needs. Prayer always springs out of a sense of need and belief, that God is a rewarder of them who seek it diligently whether literate or illiterate. A true prayer coming out from the depths of the heart and bereft of selfish desires with complete unconditional surrender is always answered. The only way to compel  God is to love and praise, appreciate and be thankful with an attitude of gratitude.

We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. Contemplative prayer is the opening of mind and heart- our whole being- to God, the ultimate mystery, beyond thoughts, words and emotions. We open our awareness to the God whom we know by faith within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking and closer than consciousness itself and is perceptible in each one’s heart.
ਬਿਰਥੀ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥ 
 ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋਰੁ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਕਾ ਪੂਰਨ ਗੁਣਤਾਸਿ ॥੨॥੧੩॥੭੭॥
birthee kaday na hova-ee jan kee ardaas. naanak jor govind kaa pooran guntaas. 

Prayer of God's humble servant is never offered in vain. Nanak takes the strength of the Perfect God of the Universe, the treasure of excellence.  -----Guru Arjun, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 819
The guidelines for prayer:

  1. Choose a sacred word of your understanding (Lord, Jesus, Allah, Waheguru, Ram, Gobind) as a symbol of your intentions to consent to God’s presence and action within.
  2. When you become aware of your thoughts, return gently to the sacred Word. Thoughts are an umbrella term for any sense perception, including feelings, images, sounds, memories, and reflections and are a normal part of centering the prayer.
  3. We are all parts of One Universal Spirit. The true meaning of spirituality is to know God. You will realize that God is your Self, and It exists equally and impartially in all beings.
  4. To pray is to offer one’s heart to Eternal God and thus conveying the attitude of the conscience therein.
  5. Prayer says I am helpless, impure, and weak. I need you O’ Supreme Universal Power to strengthen me, to purify me and I offer my constant gratitude. 
Conclusion:

Prayer is not a way to manipulate God in doing what an individual desires but it is an attempt to get into fellowship with God.  In prayer, one should try to figure out what he or she should be as God wants him/her to be rather than asking God what It should do. In prayer, one should accept God’s Will (ਭਾਣਾ) and say that “Thy Will is done”. The wording of the prayer does not matter and can be individualized by the petitioner. It is the sincerity of the prayer, which matters. It is the motive that makes the difference between true and false prayer. Only the prayer coming from the depths of the heart is accepted at the door of the Creator. Other prayers are self-deception and hypocrisy.

Prayer is the constant yearning to know the Truth and be worthy of it. It is the striving of the mind towards its parent Divinity the Universal Spirit. Outwardly prayer should express itself in actions by which we strive to manifest, which is best in us.


ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਚਲਈ ਨਾਲਿ ਖਸਮ ਚਲੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥੨੨॥ 
Nānak hukam na cẖal▫ī nāl kẖasam cẖalai arḏās.

O Nanak, no one can issue commands to God and Master; but offer prayer instead. ----Guru Angad, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 474-19

ਬਿਰਥੀ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਜੋਰੁ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਕਾ ਪੂਰਨ ਗੁਣਤਾਸਿ ॥੨॥੧੩॥੭੭॥

Birthī kaḏe na hova▫ī jan kī arḏās. Nānak jor govinḏ kā pūran guṇṯās. 


The prayer of God's humble servant never goes in vain. Nanak takes the strength of the Perfect God of the Universe, the treasure of excellence.  ----Guru Arjun, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 819

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