Anand Kaaraj (AnMd kwrj)(101)

Ajmel Singh

8/5/2015

Questions?(svwl?)

Term “Anand Kaaraj) raises multitude of question

(Sbd “AnMd kwrj” nwl bhuq swry svwl ay~Tdy hn)

Maryada? Cultural?

Parrallelism?

Relationship?Kaaraj?

Traditions (rIqIAW?

Message?

Mariage?

Gurmat? Sikhyaa?

Pherey (Pyry)?

Reciting?

Significance (mh~qqw)?

Definitions (pirBwSw)Marriage (ivAwh): The legally recognized relationship of two persons as

husband and wife (do bMidAW dw knUUUnI svIkwr kIqw hoieAw sMbMD)

Anand Kaaraj (AnMd kwrj): A sacred union to achieve Ultimate Bliss

(AnMd dI prwpqI leI pivqr sMbMD)Anand Kaaraj combines two terms (AnMd kwrj do A~KrW dw joV hY)

- Anand (AnMd): Ultimate Bliss (sdIvI KuSI)- Kaaraj (kwrj): Social/Spiritual Deed/Function (smwjk/AiDAwqmk kMm/sMmyln)

That marriage where both with each other’s help can obtain union with God

(Ultimate Bliss)

(auh ivAwh ijQy iek dUjy dI shwieqw rwhIN dono vwihgurU dw imlwp (AnMd) prwpq kr lYx)

Laav (lwv): Severing old relationship to get into a new one

(purwxw irSqw qoVky nvyN iv~c juVxw) Laavan/Pherey (lwvW/Pyry): Bani; Circumambulating Sri Granth Sahib Ji

(bwxI; sRI gurU gRMQ swihb jI duAwly gyVy k~Fxy)

Significance (mh~qqw)Anand Kaaraj (AnMd kwrj)

Anand Kaaraj (AnMd kwrj) – It has Temporal and Spiritual significances

(ies iv~c dunIAwbI qy AiDAwqmk mh~qqwvW hn)– Legality (knUMnI hYsIAq)– Eternal Happines (sdIvI su~K/KuSI)– Eternal/True Relationship (sdIvI/s~cw sMbMD)

Whereas Marriage (ivAwh) has only legality (knUMnI hYsIAq) significance, but

– False/Temporary Happiness (JUTw/vkqI su~K/KuSI)– False/Temporary Relationship (JUTw/vkqI sMbMD)

False Happiness (JUTw su~K)Attributes (l~Cx)

False Relationship (JUTw sMbMD)• Receiving (lYxw)- Gain/Trade (lwB/vwpwr)• Love (ipAwr)- Conditional (SrqI)• Faith (ivSvws)- Wavering Trust (k~cw Brosw)• Selfishness (KudgrzI)

True Happiness (s~cw su~K- AnMd)Attributes (l~Cx)

True Relationship (s~cw sMbMD)• Giving (dyxw)• Prem (pRym)- Unconditional Love (a~kw ipAwr)• Faith (ivSvws)- Unwavering Trust (p~kw Brosw)• Sacrifice (Awpw vwr dyxw)

Requires Hard Effort (mS~kiq Gwl)

Sikhs aspire (is~KW dI cwhq) to achieve true

happiness (AnMd) with Anand Kaaraj

Traditions of the Sikh Rehat Maryada(is~K rihq mrXwdw dIAW rIqW)

• Religious

– Sikh Religion (is~K Drm)• Mostly Unique (bhuqIAW AnoKIAW)• Some Adopted (keI grYhx kIqIAW)

• Cultural (siBAwcwrk)– Indian Cultural (BwrqI siBAwcwr)

• Some (kuJ)

Anand Kaaraj (AnMd kwrj)Traditions (rIqIAW)

• Milnee (imlnI)- (Optional)

• Kirtan (kIrqn) Singing Hymns

• Groom Carrying Kirpan (ikrpwn)• Seating (bTwauxw)• Ardaas (Ardws)- Parents (mwpy)• Hukam (hukm)• Palla Handing (p~lw PVwauxw) • Sikhyaa* (isiKAw*)• Four Laavan (cwr lwvW) –

Sequential (qrqIbvwr)– Reciting (pVxIAW)– Singing (gwauxIAW)

-- Circumambulating (Pyry)

• 4 Laavan Process (lwvW dI iv~DI)– Matha Take (m~Qw tykxw)– Standing (KVHxw)– Circumambulating (Pyrw lYxw)– Standing(KVHxw)– Matha Take (m~Qw tykxw)– Sitting (bYTxw)

• Other Traditions (hor rIqIAW)– Kirtan (kIrqn)- Concluding

Specific Hymns (Kws Sbd)– Sikhyaa* (isiKAw*)– Bhog (Bog)– Langar (lMgr)

Milnee (imlnI)Ceremonial meeting (imlnI) and

embracing by relatives of bride and

groom

• Could be done at the Gurdwara((gurdvwrw)/some other place (hor QW)

• Could be performed outside/inside

(i.e., hallway) of the Gurdwara(gurdvwry AMdr/bwhr)

• Starts after the Ardaas (Ardws)-- During Ardaas everyone

stands quietly with both hands

folded together (swry h~Q joVky KVHx)• Relatives of each side, bride and

groom, are introduced (jwx pCwx) to

the other side and the Sangat

Kirpan Carrying (ikrpwn PVnI)The Groom will carry a kirpan (Sword) through out the Anand Kaarajceremony (AnMd kwrj dI swrI hI rsm dOrwn lwVw ikrpwn PVky r~Kdw hY)

Symbolic (sMkyqk): that he is ready to accept the responsibility to

protect his family (t~br dI rwKI) as a new householder (nvW gRihsqI)

Kirtan (kIrqn)Congregation’s Seating (sMgiq dw bYTxw)

Singing of hymns is usually in progress (kIrqn ho irhw huMdw hY) prior to the

to the start of the Anand Kaaraj ceremony

The members of marriage party (sMgiq) from both sides (i.e. groom & bride)

Matha Take and sit down (m~Qw tyk ky bYT jWdy hn) respectfully facing Sri

Guru Granth Sahib Ji and quietly listen to the hymns.

Tradition (rIqI)Groom Sits in Sangat (lwVw sMgiq ivc bYTdw hY )

Upon entering the Darbar Sahib, the groom will Matha Take (lwVw m~Qw tyk ky) respectfully before Sri

Guru Granth Sahib Ji and sit

down in the Sangat and listen to the Kirtan (sMgiq ivc bYT jWdw hY Aqy kIrqn suxdw hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Seating of Groom & Bride (lwVw Aqy lwVI dw ibTwhuxw)

Prior to the start of the Anand Kaaraj ceremony (rsm SurU krn qoN pihlW), the groom will be asked to sit in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

(lwVy nUM sRI guruU gRMQ swihb jI A~gy bYTn nUM ikhw jWdw hY)

As the bride arrives (jdoN lwVI AwauNdI hY), after Matha Take (m~Qw tyk ky), she will sit on the left side of the groom (lwVy dy K~by pwsy bYT jWdI hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Prayer (Ardws)

The Sikh congregational prayer

is then recited. Everyone else remains

seated (hor swry bYTy rihMdy hn) while

groom, bride, and the parents/guardian

of both stand with both hands folded

together in the presence of Sri Guru

Sahib Ji for divine blessing and for

the specific permission to proceed

with the marriage ceremony.

(jdoN ik lwVw, lwVI Aqy donW dy mwpy h~Q joV ky sRI gurU gRMQ swihb jI dI hzUrI iv~c ASIrvwd Aqy rsm dI AwigAw lYx vwsqy KVHy ho jWdy hn) The marriage is thus being witnessed and blessed by Guru Sahib Ji and all

those present.

Prayer (Ardws)Parents of Both (donW dy mwpy)

Parents stand wherever they were

seated when the Ardaas is performed

(mwpy Awpo AwpxI jgHw qy K~VH jWdy hn)

Tradition (rIqI)Hukamnama (hukmnwmw)

After the Ardaas, the Divine Order (Hukamnama) is read from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Ardws dy auprMq hukmnwmw ilAw jWdw hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Sikhya (is~iKAw)

Rehat Maryada recommends Sikhyaa after Ardaas and before the Palla tradtion. Bhai Sahib, a Raagi, or an elderly person (BweI swihb, rwgI, jW koeI bzurg) addresses the couple

(joVy nUM sMboDn) to delineate the important facets of their new life together (iek~iTAW dI izMdgI dy Av~Sk pYhlU ic~qrn kIqy jWdy hn)

Tradition (rIqI)Sikhya (is~iKAw)

Sikhyaa mostly follows lines in the light of Guru Ji's Wisdom (Laavan):

(is~iKAw dw AwDwr izAwdw qr gurmiq hI huMdI hY (lwvW))• Life together calls for understanding and adjustment (sihmqI Aqy AnkUUlqw)• Be ready to sacrifice (kurbwxI) personal comfort and convenience

• The happiness lies in giving (dyxw)• Use sweet words together with humility and forgiveness (inmrqw Aqy iKmw)• Coveting another man/woman earns the religious censure (qnKweIAw krwr)• Sharing life together requires the same respect and love for each other's

parents (iek~iTAW dI izMdgI dI sWJ iv~c dono mwipAw nwl ieko ijhw ipAwr qy ie~zq)• Always keeping in touch with Guru Ji (hmySw gurU jI dI Srn iv~c rihxw)

will provide all the divine wisdom (gurmiq) to tread on the path of life of good

householders (soihxy girsq jIvn vwly sPr au~qy qurn leI)• A brief explanation of the Laavan & the process (sMKyp iv~c lwvW qy lwvW dI iv~DI)

The true marriage is union of the two souls with two bodies, working in unison

for mutual fulfillment spiritually and in performance of all duties

mÚ 3 ] Dn ipru eyih n AwKIAin bhin iekTy hoie ] eyk joiq duie mUrqI Dn ipru khIAY soie ]788

Tradition (rIqI)Matha Takes (m~Qw tykxw)

The both will Matha Take together (dono hI iek~Ty m~Qw tykx) and take their

original seats for the Palla tradition (p~ly dI rIqI vwsqy AwpxI jgHw bYT jwx)

Matha Take Signifies that both are acknowledging the Sikhyaa

(m~Qw tykxw is~iKAw dI prvwngI dw sMkyqk hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Palla Handing Over (p~lw PVwauxw)

The couple is now ready to take the vow (pRx leI iqAwr) of marriage in

unison by circumambulating Sri

Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as the

Divine witness. For this, the bride

holds the apron of the groom, which

her father offers her

• This signifies parent’s approval of the marriage (mwipAW vloNivAwh dI mnzUrI dw sMkyqk) and

unites her in marriage to the boy

The Ragis sing the following verse:

slok, mÚ 5 ] ausqiq inMdw nwnk jI mY hBvN\weI CoiVAw hBu ikJu iqAwgI ] hBy swkkUVwvy ifTy qau plY qYNfY lwgI ] 1 ] (Page 963)

Process (ivDI)Four Laavan (cwr lwvW)

This is the most significant (Av~Sk) and essential (qwqvk) part

of the Anand Kaaraj (AnMd kwrj) ceremony

• Certain rules will be followed (Kws nIXmW dI pwlxw kIqI jwvygI)– No one should stand between the couple & Guru Ji (joVI Aqy gurU jI iv~ckwr koeI nw KVHy)

• When taking Laavan both will observe specific protocols

(Pyrw lYNdy hoie donoN hI insicq rIqIAW dw iDAwn r~Kxgy)– Matha Take, Stand, Circumambulating,..etc. (m~Qw tykxw, KVHxw, gyVw k~Fxw, Awid)

• First Laav will be recited by Bhai Sahib and both will attentively listen (BweI swihb pihlI lwv pVHxgy Aqy donoN hI iDAwn nwl suxngy)

• First Laav will then be sung by the Ragis while circumambulating

(Pyr rwgI pihlI lwv dw kIrqn krxgy jd gyVw k~iFAw jWdw hovygw)• This process of the first Laav will be repeated for all four Laavan

(ieh pihlI lwv dI ivDI cOhW hI lwvW vwsqy duhrweI jwvygI)

Tradition (rIqI)Recitation of First Laav (pihlI lwv dw pwT)

Bhai sahib (BweI swihb) will complete the recitation of first Laav while

the groom and the bride listens attentively

(BweI swihb pihlI lwv pVHxgy qW lwVw Aqy LwVI iDAwn joVky suxngy)

The Laav is the instruction to both from the Guru Ji

(lwv gurU jI vloN donW vwsqy aupdyS hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Matha Takes (m~Qw tykxw)

The groom and the bride does the Matha Take

(lwVw Aqy lwVI m~Qw tyk dyNdy hn)

Matha Take signifies the acknowledgement of the instruction

(m~Qw tykxw aupdyS dI prvwngI dw sMkyqk hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Standing (KVHxw)

As soon as Bhai Sahib completes the recitation of a Laav (lwv dy pwT dIsmwpqI qy BweI swihb)• With reverence, he covers Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with Rumalaa (rmwlw)• After Matha Take, both will Stand up in their own place

(m~Qw tyk ky donoN Awpo AwpxI jgHw qy KVHy ho jwxgy)

This signifies that they are ready to follow the Guru Ji’s instruction

(ieh sMkyq krdw hY ik auh gurU jI dI is~iKAw qy Aml krn leI iqAwr hn)

Tradition (rIqI)Singing (gwien krnw)

As soon as the singing of that Laav begins (lwv dy kIrqn dy SurU hox qy), circumambulating is started (Pyrw ArMb kIqw jWdw hY)

• Circumambulating (Pheraa) is

done at a slow pace

(Pyrw sYhjy sYhjy qur ky ilAw jWdw hY)

Pheraa signifies that now the Guru Ji will become focus of their lives

(Pyrw lYxw sMkyq krdw hY ik hux gurU jI hI aunHW dI izMdgI dw Durw bx jwxgy)

Tradition (rIqI)Beginning of Circumambulating (Pyrw lYx dI ArMbqw)

Walking around Sri Guru

Granth Sahib Ji (Pyrw/gyVw)• Clockwise (isDw gyVw) • Both Together (donoN iek~Ty)

– Groom in Front (lwVw A~gy)– Bride Behind (lwVI ip~Cy)

Pheraa signifies that the Guru Ji has become focus of their lives

(Pyrw sMkyq krdw hY ik gurU jI hI aunHW dI izMdgI dw Durw bx gey hn)

Tradition (rIqI)Continuation of Circumambulating (Pyrw jwrI)

Continuation of circumambulating Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

(sRI gurU gRMQ swihb jI duAwly gyVw jwrI)

Tradition (rIqI)Continuation of Circumambulating (Pyrw jwrI)

Continuation of circumambulating Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

(sRI gurU gRMQ swihb jI duAwly gyVw jwrI)

Tradition (rIqI)Completion of Circumambulating (gyVw pUrw hoxw)

Upon completion of the circumambulating around Sri Guru Granth

Sahib Ji, the bride and groom will remain standing until the singing of the Laav stops (lwv dy kIrqn dI smwpqI qk lwVw qy lwVI KVHy rihxgy)

This standing signifies that they are now committing to follow the

Guru Ji’s instruction in that Laav

(ieh KVHxw hux vcnb~Dqw dw prgtwvw krdw hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Completion of 1st Circumambulating (pihly Pyry dw pUrw hoxw)

The groom and the bride does the Matha Take (donoN m~Qw tykdy hn) and take their original seats together (iek~Ty pihlI jgHw qy bYT jWdy hn)

Matha Take now signifies the acknowledgement of the instruction

(hux ieh m~Qw tykxw aupdyS dI prvwngI jwhr krdw hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Completing Four Lavaan (cwr lwvW dI sMpUrxqw)

As soon as they both sit down the recitation of the next Laav begins

(jd hI donoN bYYT jWdy hn, A~glI lwv dw pwT ArMb kr idqw jWdw hY)

Process of 1st Laav is repeated until all four Laavan are completed

(pihlI lwv dI iv~DI cONhW hI lwvW dI sMpUrnqw vwsqy duhrweI jWdI hY)

Essence of Laavan (lwvW dw incoV)rwgu sUhI mhlw 4 CMq Gru 1

hir pihlVI lwv privrqI krm idRVwieAw bil rwm jIau ] … ] 1 ] First Laav (with Waheguru’s blessings) Guru Ji affirms one’s task of Remembering God (gurU jI r~b nMU Xwd krn dw kwj p~kw krw dyNdy hn)

hir dUjVI lwv siqguru purKu imlwieAw bil rwm jIau ] … ] 2 ] Second Laav, the soul is sacrifice unto the Lord for the Divine favor of meeting with the Guru Ji (gurU jI dw imlwp)

hir qIjVI lwv min cwau BieAw bYrwigAw bil rwm jIau ] … ] 3 ] Third Laav, O, All Pervading Lord, it is Your favor, that the yearning for You is developed in mind (vYrwg)

hir cauQVI lwv min shju BieAw hir pwieAw bil rwm jIau ] … ] 4 ] 2 ]Fourth Laav, (purged of all ego and worldliness) the mind attains a sense of equipoise and union with the Lord (r~b dw imlwp - AnMd)

After Laavan (lwvW auprMq)Shabads (Sbd): Mood of Thanksgiving (SukrIey dw mhOl)

This ending of the Anand Kaaraj ceremony brings immense satisfaction,

happiness and mood of thanksgiving.

(rsm dI pUrqI hox qy Aiq dI sMquStI Aqy Ku~SI kwrn SukrIey dw mhOl bx jWdw hY)Now the Ragi Jatha sing the following Shabads*

• vIAwhu hoAw myry bwbulw gurmuKy hir pwieAw ]O, my father! With guidance from the Guru Ji, I have found my Lord

and stand united with Him through marriage

• hir pRBu myry bwbulw hir dyvhu dwnu mY dwjo ]O, my father! I ask for dowry of God's Naam

• pUrI Awsw jI mnsw myry rwm ]… khu nwnk mY vru Gir pwieAw myry lwQy jI sgl ivsUry] 4 ] 1 ]O, Lord! With Your Grace all my desires are fulfilled….Says Nanak, I have

found my Lord husband and all my sufferings have ended

*Number & selection of Shabads may vary for each Anand Kaaraj ceremony

(SbdW dI igxqI Aqy cox hryk AnMd kwrj qy v~KrI ho skdI hY)

After Laavan (lwvW auprMq)Shabads (Sbd): Blessings (ASIrvwd)

At the culmination of the ceremony, the singing is on behalf of the Guru Ji and

the congregation to congratulate the happy couple and shower blessings.

(rsm dy is~ty vjoN KusI joVy nUM vDweIAW qy ASIrvwd leI gurU jI Aqy sMgiq vloN gIq) This fills everybody, especially the couple with blissfulness and thankfulness,

feeling of richness with humility.

Few Shabads* could be

• lK KusIAw pwiqswhIAw jy siqguru ndir kryie ] A favor of the Guru Ji is like acquisition of a million of kingdoms and

happiness.

• pUqw mwqw kI AwsIs ] inmK n ibsrau qum@ kau hir hir sdw Bjhu jgdIs ] 1 ] rhwau ] O, child! This is the blessing of your mother! May you never forget the Lord

even for a moment, ever engaged in contemplation of Him ] 1 ] Pause ]

*Number & selection of Shabads may vary for each Anand Kaaraj ceremony

(SbdW dI igxqI Aqy cox hryk AnMd kwrj qy v~KrI ho skdI hY)

Anand Sahib (AnMd swihb)Bhog Kirtan (Bog dw kIrqn)

The Ragis then sing the six stanzas of Anand Sahib

(rwgI j~Qw Pyr AnMd swihb jI dIAW Cy pauVIAW gwien krdy hn)

Tradition (rIqI)Bhog (Bog)

Then, the ANAND KAARAJ ceremony brought to a close (Pyr AnMd kwrj dIrsm dI sMpUrnqw kIqI jWdI hY)• Ardaas is performed

(Ardws kIqI jWdI hY)• Hukamnama is taken

(hukmnwmw ilAw jWdw hY)• Karah Prasad is distributed

(kVHwh pRSwd vrqwieAw jWdw hY)

Tradition (rIqI)Langar (lMgr)

The Langar is served after the Bhog

(Bog mgroN lMgr vrqwieAw jWdw hY)This tradition was started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji

(ieh lMgr dI rIqI gurU nwnk dyv jI dI clweI hoeI hY)

True human equality in practice

(s~cI mwnv smwnqw dw AmlI AiBAws)

Summary (incoV)

Anand Kaaraj (AnMd kwrj) is considered by the Sikhs a sacred

union (pivqR sMbMD) of a couple for living together and achieving

everlasting happiness (sdIvI su~K) in their marriage. It is

performed in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Anand Kaaraj must be accomplished with

(AnMd kwrj zrUrI ies FMg nwl hoxw cwhIdw hY )• Utmost Reverence (AiqAMq SrDw, mwx, Aqy siqkwr) • Humility (inmrqw Aqy grIbI Bwv)• Deep Sincerity (fUMGI suihrdqw)• Firm Commitment (p~kI vcnb~Dqw)• Meaningful traditions endorsed by our Guru Ji

(gurU jI dIAW puStI kIqIAW hoeIAW ArQpUrn rIqIAW)