Johal
ChArDi KaLaN
WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh
The Rehat Maryada Sikh Way of Life
Akhand Paath & Sehaj Paath
Sehaj Paath
At the start/Arambh and end/Bhog of Sehaj Paath, Karah Parshad made of
clarified (un salted) butter/ghee is to be made. At the start of the Paath, the Ardas and Hukamnama must be recited followed by a minimum of five verses of Sri Japji Sahib, before distributing Karah Parshad. Upon completion of the Sehaj Paath, fives verses of Sri Japji Sahib and the last Salok (‘Pavan Guru…’) are to be
recited after the Rag Mala and Ardas performed.
When the person performing Ardas says,
karee paaksaal soch pavitaraa hun laavhu bhog har raa-ay. ||2||
"Food has been prepared with purity, please do Bhog to the food and bless it Lord."
(SGGSJ Ang 1266)
Upon hearing this verse, the Blade of the Kirpan is simultaneously ‘placed’ into the Parshad and out.
When placing the offered Rumalas over Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, the following is not to be recited,
paraym patolaa tai seh ditaa dhakan koo pat mayree.
"Oh Lord, you have given me this gift of love (silk cloth) to cover my faults
and keep my status." (SGGSJ Ang 520)
This Shabad can only to be recited when a Siropao is given to a person.
Sri Akhand Paath
The Akhand Paath is to be started by performing the Ardas and reciting the Hukamnama. After this the Granthi Singh is to immediately begin the Paath, there must not be any interruptions, breaks or request for permission from the Sangat nor should the Granthi utter the Fateh. The Karah Parshad is to be distributed only after the completion of Sri Japji Sahib.
At the start of "Jaitsari Dee Var" is Madh Bhog (halfway point of Sri Akhand Paath). Ardas is to be performed.
once the Raagmala and complete Japji Sahib have been recited at the Bhog
(completion) of Sri Akhand Paath, a Jakara is not to be sounded and nor is the Fateh to be said. The Ardas is to begin immediately. Fateh is only to be announced after the Hukamnama has been ‘sounded’. Shabad Kirtan or discourses on Gurmat are to be conducted. If Shabads of Arti are recited then candles/lamps are not to be lit and waved around.
Along side the Sri Akhand Paath, Sri Japji Sahib must be continuously recited. Over the container of water, a coconut wrapped in white or saffron (not red) cloth is to be placed. Red string is not to be tied around the coconut or container. In order to create a pleasant atmosphere, incense sticks (air-fresheners, non-alcoholic fragrances etc) should be used. At night time, there should be additional lighting provisions in case the light bulbs or electricity fails. Ghee lamps can be used, but those which use paraffin, white spirit or gas, should not be used in the same room as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. None of the Paathis are to be non-Amritdharee or those that have committed any of the cardinal sins (without having re-taken Amrit).
The Paathi Singhs are to wear clean clothing and must bathe before starting on their Paath seva. The Akhand Paath should be completed within 48 hours. The Granthi Singh is to be Amritdharee, passionate about Sikhi, perform Nitnem, meditation and have high levels of Gurmat knowledge.
Any financial and other offerings to the Paathis, should be of a reasonable level, enough to provide a respectable living. If the family listen to the Paath with ‘love’ and carry out seva themselves, and the Paathi Singhs are passionate and pronounce the Paath correctly, then the rewards are endless:
ka-ee kotik jag falaa sun gaavanhaaray raam.
"Reading and listening to Gurbani has the reward of many ages."
(SGGSJ Ang 546)
kot punn sun har kee banee.
"To listen to Gurbani is similar to thousands of good actions."
(SGGSJ Ang 238)
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