Sarbat da bhala

• "Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Teraa Bhanaa Sarbaht dah Phahla"
• Nanak, With Naam comes Chardi Kala and with your blessings, Peace for Everyone

(part of the Ardas performed daily by all Sikhs)

The Sikh concept of "Sarbaht dah Phahla" which means "Blessings for Everyone" or literally "May everyone Prosper" is a new concept for many people and is not common knowledge for most followers of the Sikh religion. This statements is repeated by all practising Sikhs at least twice daily as part of their Nitnem (daily prayers). This concept is central to Sikhism and forms a very important and essential role in the religious philosophy of the Sikh Gurus.

To put this in very concise and clear language, it means that the Sikh desires, prays and asks God for the:

• Well being of all of humanity
• Prosperity for everyone in the worldwide community and
• Global Peace for the entire planet.

A true Sikh selflessly prays daily for "all to prosper". This gesture comes from the clear and pure teaching of Gurbani (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) and forms the Gurmat code of conduct. Gurbani tells us that there are no "others". There is only One. The same One God resides within all. We are all the children of that One God. As the potter makes pots of different forms and colors from the same basic clay; and as the goldsmith moulds jewellery of various types, colors and shapes from the same single homogenous material, gold; similarly, we are all born of the same One Light. There is no difference.

Accordingly, by instruction from the Gurus, the true Sikh begs for "the good for all beings" of the world. Because he knows the within each and every one of us resides the same One God – The Sikh should realise that he is "one with the rest". If he does not than he is not a real Sikh, at least not yet. The all-inclusive Gurbani's teachings are wonderful, so Divine and so pure that if the follower meditates on the meaning of the pure Shabad, it takes one to a higher spiritual plane.