ANAND SAHIB (hymn)
The name of this verse (Baani, hymn) is Anand (literally: joy/delight/bliss) and Sahib has been added to it to give it respect.
It is a hymn of 40 Pauris (steps) and sung on the Raamkali Raag tunes. According to Sikh Rahitmaryada (Code of Conduct), its first 5 and the 40th Pauri are to be read at the end of the complete reading of Guru Granth Sahib and before final Ardaas (prayer). These six are to be read during evening prayer too.
Along with four more Baanis, complete Anand Sahib too, is recited during preparation of Khande Di Pahul (nectar for initiation).
The main theme of the hymn is love for God, union with God, hence attainment of Bliss. It says: Anand is the Grace of God, attained through Guru, who helps banishing suffering and darkness and bestows the gift of the Name and the other gifts. The Name purges one of desires, lusts and fear of death; and, gives peace, tranquillity and bliss.
Guru is the source of light, which brings an end to ignorance, and veil of falsehood. Guru helps one to free oneself from the enchantment of Maya (delusion).
God is beyond the reach of a human being. Even the angels and the men of spiritual heights crave for nectar of (meditation upon) God’s Name. {Mediation upon God’s Name does not mean repetition of God’s name or one of many names (attributes) of God, or any hymn; it means remembering God all the time). His Name eliminates ego, sin, fear, doubt, ignorance etc. Rituals do not lead to self-realization; it is only the Name that can lead to the path of liberation. One must first purge one’s ego and surrender completely and only then one can be a candidate for achievement of liberation (but liberation will come with His grace).
Guru’s Shabad (teaching) is precious treasure and it is attained through His Grace. Rituals, Smritis and Shaashtras (books of knowledge) cannot eliminate Maya. Guru teaches concentration or meditation on the Name of God (the Creator, the Protector and the Sustainer). His Name is the real treasure.
Blessed are those eyes, which see God everywhere; blessed are those ears, which always hear His Name; blessed is the feeling of realization of His Omnipotence.
With such realization come the stage of Anand, this eliminates all sufferings, sorrows, and indispositions.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)