Nitnem Paath

Nitnem is the prescribed daily spiritual discipline for Sikhs, encompassing the recitation of Seven Banis (prayers composed by the Sikh Gurus). These prayers include Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasad Svaiye, Benti Chaupai Sahib, and Anand Sahib in the morning, with Rehraas Sahib and Kirtan Sohila recited in the evening and at night respectively. Translating to “daily routine,” Nitnem serves as a foundation of devotion, introspection, and mindfulness for initiated Sikhs, who engage in this practice every day. This article will explore the essentials of each Nitnem Bani, their central messages, and the ways they contribute to a fulfilling spiritual life.

Jap Ji Sahib

  • Pronunciation: Jup Jee Saa-hib
  • Essence: Enlightenment through repetition and contemplation
  • Position: First of the morning prayers for Sikhs
  • Purpose: Guides on meditation techniques
  • Location: Found on Ang 1-8 in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
  • History: Compiled by Guru Angad Dev Ji under Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s guidance around 1535, in Kartarpur, Pakistan
  • Duration: Approx. 20 minutes
  • Core Message: Teaches universal truths about acceptance, compassion, and the infinite nature of ‘The One’
  • Impact: Offers answers to life’s deeper questions, inviting reflection and inner peace

Jaap Sahib

  • Pronunciation: Jaap Saa-hib
  • Essence: Praise and remembrance of ‘The One’
  • Position: Second morning prayer for Sikhs
  • Purpose: Instructs on the nature of The One to meditate upon
  • Location: Beginning of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji
  • History: Revealed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1682 at Paonta Sahib, India
  • Duration: Approx. 25 minutes
  • Core Message: Promotes constant worship and the warrior spirit, emphasizing The One’s omnipresence
  • Impact: Can be practiced in martial arts, enhances devotion without intermediaries, includes verses in multiple languages

Tav Prasad Svaiye

  • Pronunciation: Tha-ve Pra-saadh S-vay-ye
  • Essence: Grace-filled stanzas fostering detachment within worldly life
  • Position: Third morning prayer for Sikhs
  • Purpose: Encourages introspective detachment and critiques ritualistic practices
  • Location: Akaal Ustat in Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji
  • History: Revealed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji around 1685 in Paonta Sahib, India
  • Duration: Approx. 5 minutes
  • Core Message: Guides on internal devotion over external ritualism
  • Impact: Enlightens on true power’s value, inspires detachment from materialism, contains 10 stanzas

Chaupai Sahib

  • Pronunciation: Baen-tee Chao-pay-ee Saa-hib
  • Essence: A humble request for protection and guidance
  • Position: Fourth morning prayer for Sikhs, also part of Rehraas Sahib
  • Purpose: Teaches what and how to request from The One
  • Location: Part of Charitar-o-pakhyan in Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji
  • History: Revealed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji around 1696 in Punjab
  • Duration: Approx. 5 minutes
  • Core Message: Offers protection from ego’s vices, fostering strength and humility
  • Impact: Aids in overcoming challenges, fears, and anxiety, inspires resilience

Anand Sahib

  • Pronunciation: A-nun-dh Saa-hib
  • Essence: The song of True Bliss
  • Position: Fifth morning prayer for Sikhs, also part of Rehraas Sahib
  • Purpose: Teaches the attainment of bliss through surrender to a True Guru
  • Location: Found on Ang 917-922 in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
  • History: Revealed by Guru Amar Das Ji in 1554 at Goindwal Sahib, India
  • Duration: Complete version takes about 20 minutes
  • Core Message: Emphasises Guru’s importance, inspires joy and inner bliss
  • Impact: Encourages a blissful life, deeply connects to Sikh wedding ceremony (Anand Kaaraj), contains 40 stanzas

Rehras Sahib

  • Pronunciation: Reh-raas Saa-hib
  • Essence: The pathway to align oneself with ‘The One’
  • Structure: Comprises three parts, combining stanzas from multiple Gurus
  • Location: Part of the evening Nitnem
  • Duration: Approx. 30 minutes alone, 40 minutes in congregation
  • Purpose: Encourages reflection and refocusing after the day’s experiences
  • Core Message: Reminds one of life’s higher purposes and counteracts negativity
  • Impact: Uplifts and realigns the spirit, encourages introspection at day’s end

Kirtan Sohila

  • Pronunciation: Kee-r-tan So-hil-aa
  • Essence: Song of praise before sleep
  • Location: Found on Ang 12-13 in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
  • Duration: Approx. 5 minutes
  • Purpose: Encourages peaceful rest, reduces overthinking, and honors ‘The One’
  • Core Message: Invokes calmness and protection for restful sleep
  • Impact: Encourages meditation and positive mindset before bed, sung at Sikh death ceremonies

Conclusion

These Banis of Nitnem guide Sikhs in their spiritual journey, fostering resilience, devotion, and inner harmony. Each Bani offers unique insights and reflections, enriching both personal and communal aspects of life.