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Nitnem & Gutke · Night

Sohila Sahib

Sohila Sahib (Kirtan Sohila) is the short night prayer read before sleep. Its five shabads turn the mind towards the Divine at the end of the day, and it is also recited at Antam Sanskar and when Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is taken to rest.

ਸੋਹਿਲਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ

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Composed by
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Source
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 12–13
Structure
Five shabads — three by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, one by Guru Ram Das Ji and one by Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Recited
Night

Read Sohila Sahib

Meaning Transliteration

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Context and purpose

Sohila Sahib closes the opening Nitnem section of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Its five shabads are in Raag Gauri Deepaki, Asa, Dhanasari and Gauri Poorbi. The first speaks of the home where the Creator's praises are sung; the third is the well-known Aarti in which the whole cosmos becomes a lamp-tray of worship.

Its themes gently prepare the mind for rest and for the reality of death: the Divine is the one host of all, the soul will one day meet its Lord, and the time left should be spent in remembrance.

Because of this, Sohila is recited both at bedtime and at the Antam Sanskar (funeral), and in gurdwaras when Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is placed in Sukhasan at night.

When it is recited

The Sikh Rehat Maryada asks for Sohila to be recited at night before going to sleep. It is also recited at the Antam Sanskar and at the evening Sukhasan of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

How it is structured

  • Shabad 1 — Raag Gauri Deepaki (Guru Nanak Dev Ji) — The home where the Creator's praises are sung, and the soul's coming meeting with its Lord.
  • Shabad 2 — Raag Asa (Guru Nanak Dev Ji) — Many schools and teachers, but one Divine behind all seasons and forms.
  • Shabad 3 — Raag Dhanasari (Guru Nanak Dev Ji) — The Aarti: the sky as a plate, the sun and moon as lamps, the whole cosmos in worship.
  • Shabad 4 — Raag Gauri Poorbi (Guru Ram Das Ji) — The body-town full of lust and anger, and meeting the Guru as the way to freedom.
  • Shabad 5 — Raag Gauri Poorbi (Guru Arjan Dev Ji) — A plea to the Sangat to pray together and use this human life well.

Key themes

Rest in remembrance

Ending the day with the Divine, so the mind lies down in peace rather than worry.

Universal worship

The Aarti shabad describes sky, sun, moon and stars as the natural offering of the whole creation.

Mindful of mortality

Gentle reminders that life is short and should be spent well.

Freedom from the inner thieves

Guru Ram Das Ji's shabad speaks of lust and anger within the body and the way the Guru's Word overcomes them.

Difficult words explained

ਸੋਹਿਲਾ
Sohila
A song of praise; here, the night prayer.
ਕੀਰਤਨ
Kirtan
Singing the Divine praises.
ਆਰਤੀ
Aarti
Worship with lamps; Gurbani describes the whole cosmos as the Divine's true Aarti.
ਸੁਖਆਸਣ
Sukhasan
Placing Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at rest at night.
ਅੰਤਮ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ
Antam Sanskar
The final rites after death.

Practical reflections

  1. Before sleep, what can I let go of from today?
  2. If creation itself is an act of worship, what did I notice today that filled me with wonder?
  3. How would I like to spend tomorrow, knowing my days are limited?

Audio recitation

A verified recitation will be added once a recording with clear rights is available. Audio & video library.

References & sources

  1. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 12–13
  2. Sikh Rehat Maryada, SGPC
  3. BaniDB Gurbani database