Ardas

Ardas came from the spiritual domain (heaven) with the man at his birth, and it manifested with his enlightenment. It has the capacity to take him back to this celestial realm, whenever he desires it through his humble and sincere appeal (prayer).

In its early period of development, Ardas was brief and so, short. The Fifth Guru enshrined the Pothi Sahib (Adi Granth Sahib. First version of Guru Granth Sahib - the Holy Book of the Sikhs) in the Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar (Golden Temple), and he ordained the Sangat to revere and bow to it. Naturally, anyone who bowed before it, thought of or beseeched for one thing or the other. This provided a firm plinth to the evolution of Ardas. It became a standard procedure in the Sangat (Congregational Ardas) at the time of Guru Hargobind. He would ask the Sangat to perform it for him and others.

Ardas is prayer of supplication performed by a Sikh. The word Ardas means to petition. Prayer may take the form of a request, an entreaty, or of an offering.
Too thakur tum peh ardaas||
"You are Lord Master; to You, I offer this prayer".

Ardas asks for pardon of mistakes, fulfillment of objectives, company of like minded souls, and prosperity of all persons.

Ardas is concluded with a salutation by all present of, "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh," which means the Khalsa, or initiated Sikhs, belong to God. Victory belongs to God.

This address is followed by who are all present calling out, "Sat Siri Akal," and is directed to the immortal enlightener, who is the destroyer of darkness.