Sukhasan is a compound word derived from:
- Sukh meaning ease, contentment, peace, pleasure, or tranquility.
- Asan meaning pose, posture, prayer rug, seat, or stool.
The word sukhasan may be translated as easy pose, or peaceful repose, and signifies the resting place of the Guru Granth Sahib. The sukhasan may be a cot or bed of any size kept in an area where there is little or no traffic.
The word sukhasan may also refer to the actual ceremonial process and protocol involved in closing and the putting the Guru Granth Sahib to rest.To perform the Sukhasan Ceremony an attendant:
- Reads a hukam from the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Recites "Sohila", the bedtime prayer, (or "Benti Chaupai" if early in the day) while closing the Guru Granth and removing the ramalas, a kind of draped altar cloth like coverings.
- Covers the closed volume of Guru Granth with one of the side ramalas, and places the Guru on a clean cloth atop their head, which must be covered by a turban or scarf.
- Unfolds clean wrappings, usually kept on the cot folded and tucked beneath the Guru Granth, opens them to form a diagonal, and then positions the Guru in the center.
- Folds each corner of the covering diagonally over the closed volume of Guru Granth to form a kind of cloth wrapped package.
- Covers the wrapped Guru Granth with the side ramalas, and drapes the top most ramala to cover the entire package.
- Recites a short prayer of ardas.
When others are present, someone may carry, a whisk, or sword. Water may be sprinkled a head of the procession if the Guru is carried outside to be transported, in which case a second ardas may be performed upon reaching the destination. The congregation may recite verses of suitable hymns.
"Asthir bha-e bas-e sukh aasan||
Gur prasaad Naanak sukh baasan||
Eternally settled, abiding in peaceful repose,
By Guru's grace, Nanak enters the home of blissful content." SGGS||201
