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Sikh practice

Naam simran: turning the beads of the mind

Simran is continuous remembrance of Waheguru, woven into honest work and daily Nitnem. A counter can help a wandering mind settle until remembrance flows on its own.

Start countingGurbani · 9
Gurmukhi textAmrit vela simranPath tracking
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HinduMantras, path and sankalpJainNavkar Mantra and Paryushan
Simran

Choose what to keep in simran

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ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ

Waheguru Simran

Vāhigurū

Naam simran, repeating Waheguru with every breath.

108 a malaAny count
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ਸਤਿਨਾਮ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ

Satnam Waheguru

Satnām Vāhigurū

Simran of Satnam Waheguru.

108 a malaAny count
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ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ

Mool Mantar

Ik Oankār Sat Nām

The opening of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

108 a malaDaily
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See all 9 simran and Gurbani lines →
History

How simran has been practised

  1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539)

    Ik Onkar and Naam

    Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught Ik Onkar, One Universal Creator, and set Naam simran and kirtan at the heart of householder life, alongside honest work (kirat karo) and sharing with others (vand chhako).

  2. Sincerity over ritual

    Remembrance, not mechanics

    Gurbani warns against outward ritual when the heart is not engaged. A couplet widely attributed to Sant Kabir puts it simply: turning beads while the mind wanders is not simran. Many Sikhs still use a simrana as a humble aid to keep the mind steady.

  3. Nitnem and Ardas

    A daily rhythm

    The Gurus shaped a daily discipline of Nitnem: banis at amrit vela, Rehras Sahib in the evening and Kirtan Sohila before sleep. In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa, and Ardas closes with Sarbat da Bhala, the good of all.

  4. Today

    Simran in the sangat

    In gurdwaras around the world, the sangat gathers for kirtan and Sukhmani Sahib, and families hold Akhand Path, an unbroken reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji over about 48 hours. Many keep shared counts of Japji Sahib or Sukhmani Sahib paths for special occasions.

Simrana and counting

The simrana, and why we count

4 rounds of a 27-knot simrana = 108

Waheguru and Mool Mantar

The Gurmantar Waheguru and the Mool Mantar, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, are the main focus of counted simran. Some Sikhs also keep a daily count of Japji Sahib paths.

Sarbloh mala

Some Sikhs, especially in the Nihang tradition, use an iron (sarbloh) mala, reflecting the ideal of the sant-sipahi, the saint-soldier.

Woolen simrana

Many Sikhs carry a small woolen simrana, often of 27 or 108 knots. Four rounds of 27 make 108.

Swas giras to ajapa jaap

Many practise swas giras simran: 'Wahe' with the in-breath and 'Guru' with the out-breath. With steady practice, simran continues within, on its own: ajapa jaap.

Gurbani

Featured text: the Mool Mantar

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ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ
Ik Oankār Sat Nām Kartā Purakh
ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ
Nirbhau Nirvair
ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ
Akāl Mūrat Ajūnī Saibhaṅ
ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
Gur Prasād

Meaning

  • One Universal Creator. The Name is Truth. The Creative Being.
  • Without fear. Without hatred.
  • Timeless form, beyond birth, self-existent.
  • Known by the Guru's grace.

Preview text. Before launch, every line will be checked by a Gurbani scholar (giani).

Practice

Simran, Nitnem and path

How PrayerCount fits the way you already practise.

☀

Amrit vela

Simran in the early hours before dawn. Pocket lock and earphone counting let you keep your eyes closed.

Pocket lock · earphone tap
5

Nitnem

Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye, Chaupai Sahib and Anand Sahib in the morning; Rehras Sahib in the evening; Kirtan Sohila at night.

Daily path checklist
24

Sukhmani Sahib

Twenty-four ashtpadis. Track how many complete paths you have done.

Path counter
◷

Sehaj path

A complete reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at your own pace.

Progress by ang
✦

Gurpurab

Families and sangats often take up extra simran and path together.

Group simran
ੴ

Sangat simran

A gurdwara or family can count Waheguru simran together, with one live total.

Group plan
FAQ

Questions

Not here? Send us your question.

Do I need a mala for simran?

No. Simran can be done with or without a mala. Many people use a mala or counter only to keep a steady daily practice.

Is Gurbani shown correctly?

Gurbani is shown in Gurmukhi and every line is checked against Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by a giani before launch.

Can I track Japji Sahib and Sukhmani Sahib paths?

Yes. Path counters log each complete path, with a large-print text view and a bookmark so you can continue later.

Will there be ads near Gurbani?

Never. Gurbani and the counter are always ad-free.

Other traditions

Also on PrayerCount

HinduMantras, path and sankalp
JainNavkar Mantra and Paryushan

Begin your simran

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