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Summary of Question:	Standing For Ardaas?
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 2/03/2004 6:48 AM MST

Hello

Just a quick question. Is it essential for us to stand during ardaas, if so y do we stand.

The reason y i am asking this question is when ardaas is on in the house everyone in the family bar my dad stands. My dad is quite bitter due to misfortunes in his life and he used to be very religous and he says it isnt necessary and because he used to do paath at the gurdwara he always tries to prove he knows more than us (which frustrates me so much, is there any way i can control my frustration???)

Another reason y i am askin is i went to the gurdwara on monday and had just finshed my langar but was waiting fro my mother to finish, when ardaas came on. So i stood in the langar hall and listened/recited ardaas. The people around me were snickering at us (me and my mum) so my mum sat back down, but i remained standing as when i learnt Ardaas i was told to stand, and thats what i believe. My mother said she respected the fact that i had the courage to stand even though so may people were laughing at me. I told her that it didnt bother me as u r always supposed to stand when ardas is on.

Am i right or are there exceptions?

Thankyou for your time
God bless

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REPLY
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Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Bless you for setting that example for others. Yes, we stand for ardass and face towards Siri Guru, unless one is simply not able to stand due to some physical difficulty.

Your dad's bitterness is his problem. He has not learned that as Sikhs, we accept all that Guru gives us as a blessing and honestly attempt to learn from it. The best way to live a happy life is to chant the naam daily to develop neutral mind and also, because the devotee who chants the naam has his/her karma forgiven. Live dharma or karma. It is that simple, but it is not easy. So learn from your dad's mistakes and live as Guru teaches. Let go of your frustration, just let it go and let your dad be. Instead, forgive and pray for your father. You already know the truth, so now live it courageously and be an example in your home and outside.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK