Kirtan Sohila

Kirtan Sohila or “Song of Praise” is the bani (prayer) typically recited by Sikhs at night directly before going to sleep. Kirtan Sohila contains a total of five different shabads—three by Guru Nanak (first Sikh Guru), one by Guru Ram Das (fourth Sikh Guru) and one by Guru Arjan (fifth Sikh Guru).

Sikhs believe that reciting Kirtan Sohila at bedtime brings harmony, neutralizes negativity and can help to prevent nightmares. This bani can help generate a protective energy before going to sleep.

This bani corresponds to the earth element or tattva. Kirtan Sohila focuses on longing for Divine union and celebrates the bliss of merging into the Infinite.

Kirtan Sohila is also recited by Sikhs to honor those who have passed away before cremation and help to guide and protect the soul on its journey onward, typically for 17 days following a person’s death. It is a calming and peaceful practice.

 

Access Kirtan Sohila in Gurmukhi and Transliteration and English from SikhNet

Listen to Kirtan Sohila on YouTube

 

~Resources: Sikh Spiritual Practice: The Sound Way to God (2010) by Siri Kirpal Kaur, Victory & Virtue: Ceremonies & Code of Conduct of Sikh Dharma (2001) by the Office of the Bhai Sahiba of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere, Living Reality (1994) by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa, “Tools to Elevate our Consciousness” (Sikh Dharma International) and “Daily Banis Given by Guru Gobind Singh” (Sikh Dharma International).

Note: For those who would like to begin a personal practice of Sikh banis and prayers, our marketplace has a Gurmukhi-Roman Nitnem available that contains Kirtan Sohila and other Sikh banis for daily recitation, as well as the Peace Lagoon with English translation of Sikh prayers and banis.