Ardas

Ardas, also spelled Ardās, is a formal supplicatory prayer in Sikhism. The term derives from Punjabi and means a request or plea addressed to the divine. The Ardās serves as a ceremonial concluding or opening element in many Sikh rites and gatherings, and it is widely recited in gurdwaras and in homes during religious services, ceremonies, and important life events.

The content of the Ardās is a concise synthesis of Sikh devotion. It acknowledges the Oneness of God, recalls the contributions and sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus and martyrs, and seeks collective welfare and justice for the Panth (the Sikh community) as well as the wellbeing of all humanity. The prayer emphasizes humility, service, and remembrance, and it often includes petitions for courage, strength, and spiritual integrity in the face of hardship.

Practice and performance can vary by region and community, but the Ardās is typically performed in a standing posture, with hands joined, at the conclusion of prayers or at significant moments such as the opening or closing of a ceremony. It is usually led by a congregational reader and delivered in Punjabi, using the Gurmukhi script, with the audience listening attentively and often remaining silent or bowing in reverence.

Significance-wise, the Ardās functions as a unifying ritual that connects individual devotion with communal identity. It reinforces gratitude toward the Gurus and martyrs and invokes divine guidance for the collective good. The practice remains a steady, everyday articulation of faith for many Sikhs.