Bhagat Singh – sikhiart.com
Shabad Hazaray is one of the daily banis (Sikh prayers) prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, to support the spiritual development of the Sikhs. Sikhs typically recite Shabad Hazaray in the morning.
Shabad Hazaray was written by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. Shabad Hazaray corresponds to the ether element or tattva.
Shabad Hazaray is a bani of longing. It is the highest disciple’s love letter. It was written by Guru Arjan when he was separated from his father, Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, for a period of time. During this period of separation, he sent four letters to his beloved Guru and father, Guru Ram Das, and it is these four letters of Divine longing that open Shabad Hazaray. Following the four letters are six more Shabads by Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.
Each of the Shabads in Shabad Hazaray express the soul’s longing for God. Recitation of Shabad Hazaray can impart the benefit of a thousand Shabads. The soul shall merge directly with God. Separated ones come home with grace. Shabad Hazaray is a Bani for devotion, merging with the Infinite, and ending separation.
Shabad Hazaray opens with this verse:
My mind longs for a sight of my Guru. It cries out like the thirsty chatrik bird waiting for the rain.
But the rain does not come.
Peace does not come without the sight of my beloved Guru.
I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice,
Unto the sight of my Beloved Guru. (1)
Access Shabad Hazaray in Gurmukhi or Transliteration and English
Listen to Shabad Hazaray on Youtube
~Resources: Victory & Virtue: Ceremonies & Code of Conduct of Sikh Dharma (2001) by the Office of the Bhai Sahiba of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere; Sikh Spiritual Practice: The Sound Way to God (2010) by Siri Kirpal Kaur; Living Reality (1994) by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa and “Daily Banis Given by Guru Gobind Singh” (Sikh Dharma International).
