Sikhism > Rehat Maryada

Commencing the Non-Stop Reading
While undertaking the intermittent reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad) for offering should be brought and after reciting the Anand Sahib (six stanzas) and offering Ardas, Hukam should be taken.

While beginning the unbroken reading, the sacred pudding should first be laid. Thereafter, after reciting the Anand Sahib (six stanzas), offering the Ardas and taking the Hukam, the reading should be commenced.

Concluding the Reading
(a) The reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib (intermittent or non-stop) may be concluded with the reading of the Mundawani or the Rag Mala according to the convention traditionally observed at the concerned place. (Since there is a difference of opinion within the Panth on this issue, nobody should dare to write or print a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib excluding the Rag Mala). Thereafter, after reciting the Anand Sahib, the Ardas of the conclusion of the reading should be offered and the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad) distributed.

(b) On the conclusion of the reading, offering of draperies, fly whisk and awning, having regard to the requirements of the Guru Granth Sahib, and of other things, for Panthic causes, should be made to the best of means.

Karah Prasad (Sacred Pudding)
(a) Only the sacred pudding which has been prepared according to the prescribed method shall be acceptable in the congregation.

(b) The method of preparing the Karhah Prashad is this: In a clean vessel, the three contents (wheat flour, pure sugar and clarified butter, in equal quantities) should be added and cooked while reciting the Scriptures. Then, covered with a clean piece of cloth, it should be placed on a clean stool in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. The first five stanzas and the last stanza of Anand Sahib should be recited aloud (so that the congregation can hear), the Ardas offered and the pudding divided with the sacred Kirpan for acceptance. [If another vessel of the sacred pudding is brought in after the recitation of the Anand, it is not necessary to repeat the recitation of Anand Sahib. Simply dividing the pudding brought later with the sacred Kirpan is enough.]

(c) After this, before the distribution of the Karhah Prashad to the congregation, the share of the five beloved ones should be set apart and then recombined. Thereafter, while commencing the general distribution, the share of the person in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahib should be put in a small bowl or vessel and handed over (giving a double share to the person in attendance constitutes improper discrimination). The person who doles out the Karhah Prashad among the congregation should do so without any discrimination on the basis of personal regard or spite. He should dole out the Karhah Prashad equally to Sikhs, non-Sikhs, and persons of high or low caste. While distributing the Karhah Prashad, no discrimination should be made on considerations of caste, ancestry, or assumed untouchable origin.

(d) A minimum of two pice (a penny) in cash should be offered to Guru Granth Sahib if Karhah Prashad is to be distributed.

Exposition of Gurbani (Sikh Scriptures)
(a) The exposition of the Gurbani in a congregational gathering should be carried out only by a Sikh.

(b) The object of the exposition should only be promoting the understanding of the Guru's tenets.

(c) The exposition can only be of the ten Gurus writings or utterances, Bhai Gurdas?s writings, Bhai Nand Lal?s writings or of any generally accepted Panthic book or of books of history (which are in agreement with the Guru?s tenants) and not of a book of any other faith. However, for illustration, references to a holy person?s teachings or those contained in a book may be made.

Expository Discourse
No discourse contrary to the Guru's tenets should be delivered inside a gurdwara.