Page 30 - Gurmat Book 7
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Chapter 11: Sohila (soihlw)
A Sikh’s life revolves around Gurbani. A Sikh starts his/her day with the Japu
bani and ends his/her day with Sohila. Sohila or Kirtan Sohila is a Sikh’s bedtime
prayer. It is the fourth Bani in Guru Granth Sahib. It starts on page no. 13 of
Guru Granth Sahib and there are 5 Shabads in it. Sohila is the shortest Bani
among Nitnem Banis. Sohila has been part of Nitnem since Guru Nanak’s time.
Bhai Gurdas ji also mentioned the importance of Sohila in his vaar number 6/3.
rwqI kIriq soihlw kir AwrqI prswd vfMdy]
Bhai Gurdas states that in Guru Nanak’s time, Japuji was recited in the morning
and Sodar and Arti were sung together in the evening. Then in 1604, Guru Arjan
Dev Ji added two more Shabads to three of Guru Nanak’s Shabads and called the
Bani, Sohila. In 1699, this Bani was prescribed as bedtime prayer by Guru Gobind
Singh Ji.
Sohila is also recited at cremation time because death is the ultimate sleep. It is
a protection shield around a Sikh. When a Sikh dies or goes to sleep, Waheguru
protects him/her.
The word ‘Sohila’ appears three times in the first Shabad alone. Sohila means
song of praise. When we read Sohila, we submit our whole body and mind to the
Divine. It is a fact that what we think about and read at bedtime will become
part of our subconscious mind. So, when we read Bani at bedtime, then bani
resounds all night in our mind and we are wrapped in the safeguard of Waheguru.
Sohila Bani consists of three Shabads written by Guru Nanak dev ji, one shabad
by Guru Ramdas ji and one shabad by Guru Arjan Dev ji. The first Shabad
visualizes the union of the personal self with Waheguru.
jY Gir kIriq AwKIAY krqy kw hoie bIcwro]
iqqu Gir gwvhu soihlw isvirhu isrjxhwro]1]
The second Shabad presents the singularity of the Waheguru despite endless
diversity of scriptures, teachers and philosophies.
Stepping Stones PSL Gurmat Sikhia Book 7G 2023 Edition Page 28
