INSIDE THE GURU'S GATE - Anpere

LOCAL INTERPRETATIONS
Scholars sometimes observe that the Ardas text summarizes Khalsa standards and
does not reflect the more diverse Sikhism. Seen from the perspective of the performance
contexts, that is, in which settings and for whom Ardas is read, the supplication
extends far beyond the segment of Amritdhari Sikhs who explicitly confirm to Khalsa
standards. In the gurdwaras of Varanasi it is quite common to find Amritdhari Sikhs
reading the congregational Ardas with Hindus, Sindhis, and Muslims side by side,
who all jointly participate in religious services. The fact that the referential content of
Ardas conveys normative Khalsa values does not pose any confessional dilemma to
adherents of other religious traditions who have reverence for the Sikh tradition and
faith in the Guru Granth Sahib. Participants do not need to personally believe in the
normative Sikh values in order to take part in a prayer which communicates these
values. Similarly, their individual intentions or motives for taking part in an Ardas
reading do not affect the formal performance or the right to be present and partake in
it. Locally and globally the reading of Ardas has become iconized as “the prayer” of
the Sikhs and stands as an exemplification of Sikhism. To participate in this speech
event generates illocutionary forces of affirming a connection with and respect for the
Sikh history, community and the Guru Granth Sahib.
The popularity of the Sikh supplication among local Sikhs seems to be connected
with strong religious beliefs related to the Ardas and multi-leveled functions
attributed to the enactment of the text. Below I will quote a few expositions which
some of my informants gave when they were invited to answer the question “What is
an Ardas?”.
1. A young female student
Ardas is to remember God. We do it when something happens and in
the daily ceremonies. On special occasions we get Ardas performed by
the granthi.
2. A young businessman
It is the final stage of a puja. If I am doing Ardas I am asking God to
help people, I ask for me also, to get strength so that I can do whatever
I want to do.
3. A young businessman
The Ardas which comes from Amritsar is not fully correct. Ardas is a
request that should come from the heart. This Ardas people do just by
reading. The reading is not the request. Only in the last part of this Ardas
people request from their heart.
4. A young female student
Ardas is to take the name of the ten Gurus, the remembering of them.
We also remember the five beloved [panj pyare] who were created by
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Published on www.anpere.net in May 2008