INSIDE THE GURU'S GATE - Anpere

Hukam and render the verse twice before the actual reading of the scripture starts on
page one. Two days later he will repeat the Hukam at the very end of the performance
before the scripture is put to rest. Many think that the Hukam pertaining to an Akhand
path is predicting or at least pointing to the result that will come out from a recitation
and should always be handed over to the sponsoring individual or family. In case the
client cannot attend the performance the gurdwara manager will send them the divine
order by mail after the reading has been completed. 469
Like other Sikh ceremonies, Akhand path always includes readings of the Ardas.
As I will discuss more in detail in the following section of this chapter, the supplication
consists of a standardized text that supplies a break or a textual “opening”, in
which people may insert personal or collective petitions to God. Accordingly, when
people are arranging Akhand path for special causes or purposes, they may formulate
their wishes or requests in the supplication. The reading of Ardas is always preceded
by the reading of Guru Amardas’ hymn Anand Sahib (GGS p. 917) which is believed
to support the Sikh prayer and boost blissful qualities to the sacred pudding, karah
prashad, which will be distributed afterwards. In the context of an Akhand path the
distribution of karah prashad is often perceived as a boon from the favorable reading.
These parallel acts of reciting Anand Sahib, Ardas and offering food demonstrate how
separated acts are bound to precision in time and sequence within the frame of a
performance. During the forty-eight hour long performance all these acts should be
repeated no less than three times: in the beginning, the middle and at the very end.
The actual reading from Guru Granth Sahib will only start after the Sikh prayer has
been read, and the sacred pudding should be distributed when the first five stanzas
of hymn JapJi Sahib have been completed. Twelve hours later, when the recitation
reaches page 705, or the “middle” of Guru Granth Sahib, the pudding will again be
served to participants. Consequently, when the reciter arrives at page 704, another
person starts reading Anand Sahib and Ardas, so that the food distribution coincides
with the reading of page 705. With a similar exactitude these three parallel acts
should be carried out in the very end of the reading, but before it concludes. An individual
reciter is therefore never working in solitude, but partnered by one to three
persons who answer for the prayer and the additional hymns, as well as the preparation
and distribution of the sacred food. During performances in the gurdwara the
granthi normally starts the actual reading of Guru Granth Sahib and answers for the
opening and concluding ceremonies as well as the reading of Ardas, while a reciter
will take over the recitation after five or more stanzas of JapJi Sahib and other employees
serve the pudding.
The Sikhs may offer many theological and practical rationales of the demand for
additional acts in Akhand path. Naturally, the scripture needs to be opened before a
469
When I got a Hukam from an Akhand path performed in year 2000 for a sick family member the
granthi expounded the meaning of it and advised me to convey it to my family member. At that
time, the Hukam reached Sweden by email; on another occasion the divine order was sent via
SMS from a friend’s mobile phone, as I was not present in Varanasi.
271
Published on www.anpere.net in May 2008