Gurbani

Everything contained within the Guru Granth Sahib is considered Gurbani or bani. Nitnem is a collection of different banis that are read everyday by Sikhs. This includes Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye, Benti Chaupai, Anand Sahib, Rehras Sahib, and Kirtan Sohila. Many Sikhs also recite Sukhmani Sahib.

Japji Sahib

• Japji Sahib is the first bani in the Guru Granth Sahib.
• It was compiled by Guru Nanak Dev.
• Japji Sahib consists of the Mool Mantar as the beginning followed by 38 hymns and a final Salok at the end.
• Japji Sahib is regarded as one of the most important banis by the Sikhs and is recited every morning.

Jaap Sahib

• Jaap Sahib is made up of 199 verses and is the first bani of the Dasam Granth.
• This bani was composed by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
• Jaap Sahib is also recited by the Panj Pyare during an Amrit Ceremony.
• It is a rhythmic hymn in which each verse praises a different aspect of God.

Tav-Prasad Savaiye

• Tav-Prasad Savaiye is from the Dasam Granth and was written by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
• It is a short hymn of 10 stanzas.
• Tav-Prasad Savaiye is a part of Guru Gobind Singh's classic composition Akal Ustat which means 'The praise of God'.

Benti Chaupai

• Benti Chaupai (also referred to as Chaupai Sahib) is from the Dasam Granth and was written by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
• Benti Chaupai is also part of the Rehras Sahib, which is recited in the evenings.
• Sikhs recite this bani to gain spiritual safety and defend against external and internal enemies, worries and afflictions.

Anand Sahib

• Anand Sahib is called the 'Song of Bliss' and consists of 40 stanzas.
• This bani was written by Guru Amar Das, the third Guru of the Sikhs.
• It appears on pages 917 to 922 of Guru Granth Sahib.
• Anand Sahib is also recited in part at all religious ceremonies.

Rehras Sahib

• Rehras Sahib is the evening prayer of the Sikhs.
• It contains the hymns of four different Gurus: Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Amardas, Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan Dev.
• Each section of the prayer casts light on a different aspect of God.

Kirtan Sohila

• Kirtan Sohila is recited by Sikhs before going to sleep at night.
• It contains a total of five shabads from three different Gurus: Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan Dev.
• Kirtan Sohila is also recited before a cremation, following a death.
• This bani is found on pages 12 to 13 of Guru Granth Sahib.

Sukhmani Sahib

• Sukhmani means Peace of Mind.
• This bani is believed to bring peace to one's mind and peace to the world.
• This set of 192 hymns was compiled by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev.
• Sukhmani Sahib is divided into 24 sections. Each section is called an Ashtpadi which consists of 8 hymns.

Asa Di Var

• Asa Di Var is a composition by Guru Nanak Dev.
• It is sung at Sikh congregations or gatherings as part of the early morning service.
• Asa Di Var is found in the Guru Granth Sahib from pages 462 to 475.