Prayers & Creeds · Sikh
Nitnem
The daily banis (hymns) prescribed for Sikh devotion: morning, evening, and night prayers from the Sikh scriptures.
Tagged: Daily Prayer Prayer Scripture Sikh
Historical Context
Nitnem, "daily practice," is the set of banis (sacred compositions) the Sikh code of conduct prescribes for each day: in the early morning, Japji Sahib by Guru Nanak, Jaap Sahib and Tav Prasad Savaiye by Guru Gobind Singh, Chaupai Sahib, and Anand Sahib; in the evening, Rehras Sahib; and at night before sleep, Kirtan Sohila. Most are drawn from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture and eternal Guru, with others from the Dasam Granth. Their full texts are lengthy and remain under the care of the tradition's published gutkas (prayer books), so this page links rather than reproduces them.
Use and Practice
A Sikh rises in the early morning hours, bathes, and recites the morning banis, returns to Rehras Sahib at sunset, and ends the day with Kirtan Sohila. The banis are read or sung at home and in the gurdwara, and each recitation is framed by the Ardas.
References
- SikhNet Free / open access
Related Prayers and Creeds
- Ardas — The formal standing prayer of supplication and remembrance that frames Sikh worship and undertakings.
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