Sarbat da bhala

Sikh term meaning blessings for everyone
Part of a series on
Sikhism
Khanda
  • People
  • Topics
  • Outline
  • History
  • Glossary
Sikh gurus
  • Guru Nanak
  • Guru Angad
  • Guru Amar Das
  • Guru Ram Das
  • Guru Arjan
  • Guru Hargobind
  • Guru Har Rai
  • Guru Har Krishan
  • Guru Tegh Bahadur
  • Guru Gobind Singh
  • Guru Granth Sahib
Philosophy
General topics and terminology
  • icon Religion portal
  • v
  • t
  • e

Sarbat da bhala (Punjabi: ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ (Gurmukhi); sarabata dā bhalā) is the final term in the Sikh prayer called the Ardas. The term outlines one of the most important of Sikh principles and is a point that is repeated in the Sikh Scriptures. The Sikh concept of sarbat da bhala which means "blessings for everyone" or literally "may everyone prosper".[1] This statement is repeated by all practicing Sikhs at least twice daily as part of their Nitnem (daily prayers). This concept is central to Sikhism and forms a very important and essential role in the religious philosophy of the Sikh Gurus.

The Ardas ends with the line:

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, teraa bhane sarbat da bhala.
Nanak, with Naam comes Chardi Kala and with your blessings, peace for everyone.

The term calls on the Sikh to request, pray and ask the Almighty for the well-being of all of humanity, prosperity for everyone (regardless of religion) in the worldwide community, global peace for the entire planet.

A Sikh selflessly prays daily for "all to prosper". This gesture comes from the clear and pure teaching of Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and forms the Gurmat code of conduct. Gurbani tells us that there are "no others", "there is only One". The same "One God resides within all". We are "all the children of that One God". As the potter makes pots of different forms and colors from the same basic clay; and as the goldsmith moulds jewellery of various types, colors and shapes from the same single homogeneous material, gold; similarly, we are all born of the same One Light: "There is no difference".

Sing the Praise of the One, the Immaculate Lord; He is contained within all. — Guru Granth Sahib, ang 706, line 30456

See the brotherhood of all mankind as the highest order of Yogis; conquer your own mind, and conquer the world. — Guru Granth Sahib, ang 6, line 292

Accordingly, by instruction from the Gurus, the true Sikh begs for "the good for all beings" of the world. Because he knows that within every one of us resides the same One God – the Sikh should realise that he is "one with the rest".

References

  1. ^ Kaur, Jagroop. “THE CONCEPT OF PEACE AND THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB.” The Indian Journal of Political Science, vol. 66, no. 3, 2005, pp. 649–60, JSTOR 41856155. Accessed 5 Sep. 2022.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Gurus
Philosophy
Practices
Scripture
Architecture
By country
Groups, Sects
and Communities
Sikh Empire
  • v
  • t
  • e
Rulers
Military
conflicts
Mughal-Sikh Wars
Afghan–Sikh wars
First Anglo-Sikh War
Second Anglo-Sikh War
Others
Military forces
Adversaries
Forts
Officials and warriors
Natives
Foreigners
Influential families
Treaties
Festivals
Other topics
Takht
Outline Category