Bani
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Bani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to various sections of the Holy Text that appears in their several Holy Books. These Banis are also found in small Gutkas or Small Books containing sections of Gurbani. These Gutkas can vary from just a few pages to hundreds of pages and are used by the Sikhs to read these Banis on a daily basis. The handy size of the Gutkas makes it easy to carry them in a coat pocket or purse. Although the Gutkas have to be treated with respect and care, the Sikhs do not accord the Gutkas the same treatment as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (more commonly called "Pothi") their perpetual Guru, which is treated like a living Guru.
Sikhs carry the Gutka covered in a clean clothe and wash their hands before handling the Gutka. One should not put any Gurbani script on the floor, handle with unwashed hands, read without covering one's head, turn the pages with licked fingers, or generally be disrespectful toward the words of the Gurus. This idea originates from ancient times where all books were given such respect.
The Sikh normally would sit comfortably on the floor or if this proves difficult on a bed or sofa, cross-legged with the spine in a straight position in a quiet place in their home or wherever you are and then read quietly the Banis from the Gutka or from memory.
The 5 Banis Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Anand Sahib, Benti Chaupai and Amrit Savaiye are usually recited daily by some devoted Sikhs in the early morning. Rehras Sahib is read in the evening and Kirtan Sohila before going to sleep at night. No exact time is stipulated by the Guru for the reciting of the Banis and it is left to the individual. However, the morning Banis are normally read early in the morning when the world is still asleep and it is peaceful and silent. One should endeavour to do this as early as possible in the "ambrosial" hours of the morning. Some devout Sikhs read their Banis as early as 4 am but most practising Sikh usually recite their Banis at about 6 am and it takes about 1 hour to complete their meditation.
The SGPC have recommended that the following 5 Banis should be recited by a Sikh on a daily basis: Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib and Amrit Savaiye in the morning, Rehras Sahib is to be read in the evening (about 6pm) and Kirtan Sohila before going to sleep at night.
- The Mool Mantra is the most important composition contained within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib; it is the basis of Sikhism. Its importance is emphasised by the fact that it is the first composition to appear in the SGGS and that it appears before the commencement of most of the Raags within the Sikh holy scripture.
- Japji Sahib forms the beginning of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is regarded as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs. This Bani was complied by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism.
- Jaap Sahib forms the first part of the Dasam Granth, which is the Sikh Holy Book.
- Anand Sahib is a complilation by the Third guru Guru Amar Das. This bani is part of SGGS.
- Rehras Sahib or Sodar Rehras which consists of hymns from SGGS plus
- Sawayya
- Benti Chaupai by the tenth Guru.
- Kirtan Sohila is a prayer to be recited before going to sleep, also recited just before the body is cremated.
- Kirtan Sohila — English translation
- Tav-Prasad Savaiye
- Tav-Prasad Savaiye — English translation
- Sukhmani Sahib
- 1,2,,4,6,8: part of SGGS.
- 3,5a, 5b,7: all complied by the tenth Guru of the Sikhs called Guru Gobind Singh Ji and part of Dasam Granth.
