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Summary of Question:	Daily Path
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Sunday, 3/10/2002 12:41 PM MDT

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh

I realize that doing daily path/simran is important, but why is it necessary to read the specific banis (Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav Parsad Swaya, Rehraas, and Sohila)? What importance do these banis have that others don't? In other words, why can't I just read from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee at my will instead of being required of reading 5 specific banis a day? Thanks, and if you could use gurbani to support your answer, it would be greatly appreciated.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh

REPLY:
Each of the banis has a different effect on the psyche, soul and conciousness. Guru Gobind Singh gave us these five to read daily as a formula to stimulate living as Khalsa, to help us in our quest for pure living. Japji Sahib is the essence of the universe, the extention of the mool mantra and Siri Guru Granth Sahib is the extention of Japji. Jaap Sahib gives you the power of action, the power of humility and the projection of the perfectness of Khalsa identity. Tev Prasad Swayiay gives you protection and power. Anand Sahib makes you blissful and beautiful. Rehiras Sahib cools you and takes care of your works of the day. And Kirtan Sohila comforts the mind, protecting you through the night.
These banis stimulate balance from day to day to hold us in the conciousness of Khalsa.
All of the Guru's banis stimulate the love of God within us, but each bani is formulated to have it's own power as well. For example, Sukhmani Sahib brings perfect peace and heals all illness, where Chandi Di Waar should only be used in times of war as it stimulates the warrior within.
There is nothing wrong with reading from the Guru as you like, but you should also understand that it was Guru Ji who gave us these 5 banis as a daily practise, not someone else. It is part of the Guru's teaching as much as anything else.
GSK