Recognise me as God's servant only

Have no doubt whatever of this.

I and the slave of the Supreme Being,

And have come to behold the wonders of the world.

I tell the world what God told. me,

And will not remain silent through fear of mortals.

[The Guru then continues his teaching and finally utters this prayer:]

Great-death, be Thou my protector;

All-steel, I am Thy slave,

Deeming me Thine own, preserve me;

Think of mine honour, whose arm Thou hast taken.

Preserve me and let none trample on me;

Be Thou ever my cherisher!

Thou art the Lord, I am Thy slave.

Deeming me Thine own, be gracious unto me;

Perform everything for me Thyself;

Thou art the King of kings;

It is Thou alone who cherisheth the poor;

I have arrived and am lying weary at Thy door.

Thou art my Lord, I am Thy slave.

Deeming me Thy slave, reach me Thy hand and save me

Destroy all mine enemies.

[The following words were uttered in Persian by Gobind Singh just before his death, and were adopted by Ranjit Singh for his coinage when he became Maharajah; ]

Gobind Singh obtained from Guru Nānak

Hospitality, the sword, victory, and prompt assistance.

A Modern Sikh Prayer

After the completion of the morning and evening obligatory divine services, and of the uninterrupted reading or chanting of the Granth Sāhib the Sikhs repeat a prayer or supplication called Ardas:

Sri Wāhguru Ji Ki Fatah!

Having first remembered the Sword meditate on Guru Nānak;

Then on Guru Angad, Amur Dās, and Ram Dās; may they assist us!

Remember Arjan, Har Gobind, and the holy Hari Rai;

Meditate on the holy Hari Krishan, a sight of whom dispelled all sorrow.

Remember Teg Bahādur, and the nine treasures shalt come hastening to your homes.

Ye holy Gurus, everywhere assist us.

May the tenth king, the holy Guru Gobind Singh, everywhere assist us.

God Himself knoweth, He Himself acteth; it is He who adjusteth.

Standing in His presence, Nānak, make supplication.

Sikhs of the true Immortal God, turn your thoughts to the teachings of the Granth Sāhib and the deeds of the Khalsa; utter Wāhguru!

Meditating on the Deathless One, endowed with all power, compassionate, and just, utter Wāhguru!

Meditating on the deeds of those who worshipped the Name, plied the sword, ate and distributed their food in companionship, and overlooked others’ faults, O Khalsa, utter Wāhguru!

O Deathless Creator, illimitable, this creature