Plenary, 20 Sep 2000
Meeting date: Wednesday, September 20, 2000
Official Report
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Time for Reflection
Good afternoon. Our first item of business is time for reflection, which is led today by Mr Parminder Singh Purba, the honorary secretary of the Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha Association in Glasgow.
Mr Parminder Singh Purba (Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha Association):
Sir David and members of the Scottish Parliament, I am grateful for the opportunity to say a Sikh prayer at time for reflection. I will read the Ardas, the common prayer of the Sikhs.
Victory to the Lord, the eternal one. May almighty God assist us.
The Tenth Master's ode to almighty God.
Having first remembered God, turn your thoughts to Guru Nanak, then Angad, then Guru Amar Das. May Ram Das grant us aid; from Arjan to Hargobind and think of Hari Rai; recite upon Hari Krishan; think of Guru Tegh Bahadur; thus shall every treasure come; may they always grant their gracious guidance, help and strength in every place. May the tenth master, the revered Guru Gobind Singh, also grant us help and strength in every place. The light that shone from each of the ten masters shine now from the sacred Guru Granth Sahib. Call on God, saying, "Waheguru!"
The cherished five, the master's four sons, and the forty liberated; all who were resolute, devout and strict in their self-denial; they who were faithful in their remembrance of the divine name and generous to others, they who were noble both in battle and in the practice of charity; they who magnanimously pardoned the faults of others; reflect on the merits of those faithful servants and call on God, saying, "Waheguru!"
Those loyal members of the Khalsa who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their faith and who were steadfast in their loyalty to the uncut hair of the true Sikh; reflect on their merits and call on God, saying, "Waheguru!"
This is the first and foremost petition of the Khalsa, that God—Waheguru—may dwell eternally in the thoughts of the entire Khalsa, and that by that remembrance all may be blessed with joyous peace. May God's favour and protection be extended to the Khalsa wherever its members may be found. Sustain it in battle, uphold it in the exercise of charity, and grant it victory in all its undertakings. May its name be exalted. Call on God again, repeating, "Waheguru!"
Grant to your Sikhs a true knowledge of their faith, guidance in conduct, spiritual perception, patient trust, abiding faith and the supreme gift of the divine name. May your blessing eternally repose on all who sing your praises. Let us praise the way of truth and call on God, saying, "Waheguru!"
May Sikhs be humble of heart yet sublime in understanding, their belief and honour committed to your care. Merciful Lord, pride of the humble, strength of the weak, defence of the helpless, our true father and our God, we come before you praying; O Lord, give us a heart of wisdom that seeks your will and follows your commands.
Bless the Parliament to serve the nation regardless of colour, creed and culture. Bless us to practise true justice and peace and to serve the citizens of this country. May your blessings shower upon those who lead and work in the Parliament. Forgive us for any errors and grant to all the fulfilment of their due tasks and responsibilities. Bring us into the company of those devout souls whose presence inspires remembrance of your divine name.
Nanak prays that the name may be magnified; by your grace may all be blessed.
The Khalsa belongs to God; all victory is to the Almighty Lord.
Amen.