Page 48 - Gurmat Book 7

Chapter 18: An Introduction to Ardas

The word Ardas comes from the Persian word 'Arazdashat', meaning a request, a

supplication, a prayer, a petition or an address to a superior authority. It could

also be from Sanskrit. The root of the word of Ardas is related to the Sanskrit
word ard Ard (अअअअ) which means "request, ask, and beg".

Who Does Ardas?

The Ardas can be of two types. In Sikhism every Sikh has a right to communicate
directly with Waheguru, the higher power. We do Ardas when we need something

or we simply are grateful for all the gifts that Waheguru gives us. This can be
considered the personal Ardas, in which each devotee can connect with Waheguru

and present his or her petition to Waheguru. There are no words or rituals or

time prescribed for this Ardas. Only the person who believes in some higher
power (God) would pray. They state what their heart desires or feels to the

Supreme Being.

Ardas has many powers. It can help us deal with problems in a calm way. When we
have any problem, we should do Ardas and ask for wisdom to find a solution. We

can do Ardas to heal a sickness. We can do Ardas to study harder so we can do

well in a test. We can do Ardas for whatever we wish. If our wish gets fulfilled,
we should be grateful to Waheguru, and if our wish is not fulfilled, we should be

thankful to Waheguru because what we asked for was probably not good for us.

There is a story of a boy who had faith in Ardas. Once, his village had no rain for
several months. The grass dried. The crops dried. The trees started to dry. The

ponds were drying up. The villagers were worried. They decided to do an Ardas.

All villagers came. That boy came with his umbrella. People looked at him and
laughed. Someone asked him, “Why did you bring the umbrella? Do you not see

there is not even a cloud in the sky?” The boy replied calmly, “I thought we are

here to do Ardas for rain. So it is going to rain, and we will need umbrellas,
right?” He was the only one who had faith in Ardas. For all others, it was just a

ritual.

Stepping Stones PSL Gurmat Sikhia Book 7G 2023 Edition Page 46