Sikh Hymns, Prayers and Blessings for All Occasions

In the Sikh tradition, no ceremony, event, or occasion is complete without the hymns of kirtan being sung. Kirtan is adoration and praise expressed musically in the melodious hue of raag. A Sikh hymnal is collection of hymns from among the most popular poetic compositions of Guru Granth Sahib. Hymns written in Gurmukhi script are arranged according to spiritual themes.

• Amrit Kirtan Hymns of Immortal Nectar
• All About the Sikh Tradition of Kirtan

Hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib praise woman as the mother of all humanity and exalt the wedded woman as an example of a blissful soul bride in union with the divine groom.

• "Bhand Janmeeai"- Sikh Hymn In Praise of "Woman"
• Shabad Ratee Sohaaganee - "Hymn of "The Happy Soul Bride"

A series of matrimonial hymns are sung during the progression of the Sikh wedding ceremony. Each shabad signifies a particular aspect of the bond between husband and wife as symbolizing a union between the soul bride and divine husband.

• "Keeta Loree-ai Kaam" - "Tell Your Wishes to the Lord"
• "Dhan Pir Eh Na Akhee-an" - "One Soul Shared by Two Bodies"
• "Pallai Taiddai Laagee" - "I Grasp Hold of Your Hem"
• The Hymns of "Laav" - The Four Wedding Rounds
• "Veeahu Hoa Mere Babula" - "My Marriage Has Been Performed"
• "Pooree Asa Jee Mansaa Mere Raam" - "My Desires Are Fulfilled"

These hymns may be sung, read or recited as a blessing, or to instill hope and dispel worry:

• When parents are hoping to conceive.
• To bless an expectant mother.
• On the occasion of a child's birthday.
• Following a complete reading of the Guru Granth Sahib

and on any occasion to express hopes and blessings for a child of any age.

• "Poota Mata Kee Asees" - "A Mother's Blessing for Her Child"
• "Jamia Poot Bhagat Govind Ka" - "A Son Is Born"
• "Kaahae Rae Man Chitveh Udam" - "O Mind Why Do You Worry, Plot and Scheme?"
• "Parmaesar Ditaa Bannaa" - "The Transcendent Lord Has Given His Support"

Sikh hymns encourage, inspire and uplift the soul during difficulties and hard times. Gurbani instructs that pleasure is a disease, and pain the medicine, for it is when experiencing troubles that one turns to God.

• "Angeekaar Keeaa Prabh Apnai" - "God Has Made Me His Own"
• "Dukh Santap Na Lagi" - "Suffering and Sorrow Touch Them Not"
• "Jo Mageh Thakur Apane Te" - "What Ever I Ask For I Am Blessed With"
• "Mil Satigur Dhan Pooraa Paaiaa" -"Meeting the True Enlightener, Perfect Wealth Is Received"

The illusory sense of separation from the divine is the root of suffering, causing mental anguish and ravishing the body with painful ailments. The soothing hymns of Gurbani have the power to heal at the soul level eradicating the effects of egoism, calming the mind and instilling ease of spirit to impart bodily relief.

• "Simar Simar Kattae Sabh Rog" - "By Ever Remembering Him in Contemplation Are All Diseases Healed"
• "Mera Bad Guru Govinda" - Prayer For Healing: "My Physician is the Enlightener Lord of the Universe"

Hymns sung during a Sikh funeral ceremony convey a message of resignation to the natural process. They provide comfort and solace to the bereaved by focusing on the departed soul's mergence with the divine.

• "Jeevan Maran Sukh Ho-e"- "In Life and In Death, Peace Resides With Those Who Attain Their Guru"
• "Jot Milee Sang Jot - My Light Merges With the Supreme Light, My Labors Are Over"
• "Sooraj Kiran Milae - The Sunbeam Blends With Sunlight"
• "Oudhak Samund Salal Kee - Like Droplets of Water In an Ocean Wave I Am Immersed In the Divine"

Hymns composed by or about Tenth Guru Gobind Singh are known as Dasam Bani. These hymns may be sung to celebrate Amritsanchar, the Sikh initiation ceremony, or during the Vaisakhi Day holiday which commemorates the origins of Khalsa and the first Sikh baptismal initiation ceremony of rebirth.

• Vaisakhi Hymn "Khalsa Mahima" - "In Praise of Khalsa" by Guru Gobind Singh
• "Waaho Waaho Gobind Singh" - "Hail, Hail, Gobind Singh Master and Disciple"

The Gurmat Gian Group are all female singers of classical raag. Their collection of Gurbani kirtan audio CD's bhajans, shabads and hymns for all occasions, are each based on a spiritual theme:

• Divine healing: "Mera Baid Guru Govindaa"
• Beatitude and gratitude: "Mohan Ghar Aavho Karo Jodariya"
• Dependency on divine favor: "Mo Kao Taar Le Raama Taar Le"
• Divine Love: "Priya Kee Preet Piyaree"
• The endearing Divine: "Saajanrraa Mera Saajanrraa"
• Devotional Service: "Sewa"
• Praises of Divine virtue: "Tere Kavan Kavan Gun Keh Keh Gawan"

Learn how to sing and play shabads at home with Learn Gurbani Kirtan booklet, DVD and CD compiled by kirtan teacher and professional ragi, Bhai Manmohan Singh of California.

Lessons include:

• Voice tips.
• Introduction to harmonium, parts and care.
• How to read Indian classical music notation.
• Keyboard diagram and finger positions along with 10 exercises.
• Instructions for Gur Mantar, Mool Mantar and 10 shabads including two Raags.