NIGHT TIME AND DEATH

Kirtan Sohila

KIRTAN SOHILA, ‘Hymn of Praise’, is the finale to the evening prayers. It is recited just before going to bed as the Guru Granth is closed and ceremoniously carried to rest. It is also recited at cremation ceremonies. As with Rahiras, the hymns within Kirtan Sohila have a chorus which is placed in italics after the first stanza.

Kirtan Sohila consists of five hymns. The first three are by Guru Nanak, followed by one each from Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan. The religions and artistic value of these hymns is superb. The first hymn visualizes the union of the individual self with the Ultimate Reality. The second presents the singularity of the Ultimate despite the endless diversity of scriptures, teachers and philosophies. The third rejects all modes of external piety and rituals, and vividly portrays the entire cosmos making a harmonious worship. Instead of salvers with lamps placed on them with incense and other offerings, the skies become an integrated platter, the sun and moon the lamps, stars the beads, and all vegetation an offering of flowers. Loud chanting is replaced by the inner unstruck melody playing motionlessly. The fourth hymn in the Sohila is by the Fourth Guru and it explains the import of the divine Name through which all suffering and transmigration is annulled. The fifth hymn, by Guru Arjan, celebrates life here in this world: we must avail ourselves of this wonderful opportunity to serve others and to win divine merit. The unknown Mystery becomes known to the enlightened person who thereafter enjoys the bliss and freedom of immortality. (Guru Granth, pp. 12–13.)