The short answer
Ardas is the Sikh prayer of humble request before the Divine. Sikhs do Ardas before and after important tasks, at the close of services and in personal moments, to remember the Gurus and the sacrifices of the Panth, to ask for help and forgiveness, and to pray for Chardi Kala (rising spirits) and the good of all — Sarbat da bhala.
In detail
Ardas comes from a word meaning a humble petition. It expresses a basic Sikh attitude: we work hard and do our best, but everything ultimately depends on the Divine. Standing before the Guru with folded hands, a Sikh acknowledges that body, mind and life itself are gifts. Gurbani expresses this spirit: You are the Master, to You I offer my prayer; this body and soul are all Your gift.
The congregational Ardas, as set out in the Sikh Rehat Maryada, has a recognisable structure. It begins by remembering the ten Gurus and then Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It recalls the Panj Pyare, the Sahibzade, the martyrs and all who kept their faith through great suffering. It then offers the specific request of the occasion, asks forgiveness for mistakes, and closes by praying for the Name, Chardi Kala and the good of all humanity. The Rehat Maryada states that Ardas should be performed before beginning any undertaking.
This structure teaches something important. Before asking for anything, the Sikh remembers the Guru and the history of sacrifice. Personal needs are placed within a much larger story. And the prayer ends not with 'me' but with Sarbat da bhala — the well-being of everyone. The Sikh prays even for those who are strangers or opponents.
Alongside the formal Ardas, many Sikhs speak to the Guru in their own words, in any language, whenever they need to. A short personal Ardas before an exam, a journey or a difficult conversation is a common and valued practice. Families differ in the details, and that is fine; what matters is sincerity and humility. Ardas is not a way of giving orders to God or bargaining. It is surrender, trust and hope together — and after Ardas, the Sikh continues to act, now with a steadier heart.
What Gurbani says
ਤੂ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਤੁਮ ਪਹਿ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥ ਜੀਉ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਰਾਸਿ ॥
Too thaakur tum peh ardaas. Jeeo pind sabh teree raas.
You are the Master; to You I offer my prayer. This body and soul are all Your gift.
ਤੂੰ ਮਾਲਕ ਹੈਂ; ਤੇਰੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਸਰੀਰ ਅਤੇ ਜਿੰਦ ਸਭ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਾਤ ਹਨ।
Sukhmani Sahib: You are the Master; to You I offer my prayer — the spirit of Ardas.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ॥
Naanak naam charhdee kalaa. Tere bhaane sarbat daa bhalaa.
Through the Name, O Nanak, may our spirits stay in rising optimism (Chardi Kala); by Your will, may there be good for all.
ਨਾਮ ਰਾਹੀਂ, ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ, ਸਾਡੇ ਹੌਸਲੇ ਸਦਾ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿਣ; ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਭ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੋਵੇ।
The closing lines of the Panthic Ardas (not part of Guru Granth Sahib Ji), praying for Chardi Kala and the good of all.
ਹਮਰੀ ਕਰੋ ਹਾਥ ਦੈ ਰੱਛਾ ॥ ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਇ ਚਿੱਤ ਕੀ ਇੱਛਾ ॥
Hamaree karo haath dai rachhaa. Pooran hoe chit kee ichhaa.
Give me Your hand and protect me, so that the longing of my heart is fulfilled.
ਆਪਣਾ ਹੱਥ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰੋ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਦੀ ਤਾਂਘ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੇ।
Chaupai Sahib: a personal prayer for protection and fulfilment of the heart's longing.
What it means
The line from Sukhmani Sahib shows the heart of Ardas: humility before the One who gave us everything. The closing lines of the Panthic Ardas, recited by the sangat worldwide, widen the prayer to include everyone and ask for rising spirits whatever happens. The line from Chaupai Sahib shows that personal, heartfelt requests for protection and help are also a natural part of Sikh prayer.
Living it today
- Do a short Ardas in your own words before an important task, and a thank-you Ardas afterwards.
- Stand for the congregational Ardas at the Gurdwara with attention, not just habit — follow the meaning of each part.
- Include someone you find difficult in your prayer for Sarbat da bhala.
- Teach children a simple family Ardas at bedtime, ending with the good of all.
A real-life example
Ardas before the driving test
Before his driving test, Gurkirat asked his mother whether he should do Ardas 'so that I pass'. She said, 'Do Ardas — but not like ordering a pizza.' They stood together, and Gurkirat thanked Waheguru for his instructor and for the chance to learn, asked for a calm mind, and — at his mother's suggestion — prayed for the other nervous learners too. He passed, though with a few minor faults. That evening he did a short thank-you Ardas. 'I think the first one helped most,' he said. 'I stopped thinking only about me and just drove carefully.'
Common misunderstandings
Ardas is a way to make God give us what we want.
Ardas is a humble request and an act of surrender. Sikhs pray with trust and accept the outcome as Hukam.
Only a Granthi can do Ardas.
Any Sikh may perform Ardas. The Granthi often leads the congregational Ardas, but personal Ardas belongs to everyone.
Ardas replaces effort.
Sikhs pray and also work hard. Ardas steadies the heart for action rather than replacing it.
Sources
- Sikh Rehat Maryada, SGPC — Ardas
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 268 (Sukhmani Sahib)
- Chaupai Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji (part of Nitnem)