What is the significance of doing Ardaas (supplication)?

A prayer that is recited by Gursikhs at least 3 times a day. There is a formal way of doing Ardaas, which is standing up with folded hands, and this is usually done after Nitnem (morning and evening after Rehraas). However, we are not just set to one way of doing Ardaas. As long as the mind is set in the right place and the prayer is said from the heart, it will be heard in Sach Khand (the realm of Truth). Our prayers are usually not heard (in most cases) because our concentration wavers and it is not said whole-heartedly or secondly we are still found wanting spiritually. When doing Ardaas straight after Abhiyaas or Nitnem our surtee (conscious state) should be very high and concentrated, thus we come to do a whole hearted prayer.

Ardaas is something we humbly do before our master, so that he may grant us what we want. Therefore, it should be done everyday to stay at a humble spiritual state. If we do not do Ardaas then we get ego, because Ardaas is also a way of thanking God for the little spiritual and physical treasures he blesses us with. Ardaas will help us to progress spiritually, it keeps us neech (down) but also gives us confidence in everything that we do, knowing we will do it successfully with the hand of God protecting and forever blessing us.

Every time you achieve something, whether it be at school or whilst doing Naam Abhiyaas then always do an Ardaas thanking God, you will realise that the blessings increase ten-fold and you obtain more Phal (fruit) from your Simran and Sevaa.

ਜੋ ਮਾਗਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਤੇ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਦੇਵੈ ॥
Jo māgeh ṯẖākur apunė ṯė so­ī so­ī ḏėvai.
“Whatever I ask for from my Lord and Master, he gives that to me.”
(Ang 681)