by Harnaak Singh

The attached video is the extract related to the Q & A Session held on 02-06-2013 at Tat Khalsa Diwan.  The video shows the beginning introductions part, the part where the 5 Morning Banees are discussed and the concluding portions extracted from the video.  The complete video can be viewed at Link A:  

A brief summary of the discussion related to the Nitnem and Amrit Sanchar Banees is outlined in time sequence using dot points.

• • In essence the question was what are the Nitnem and Amrit Sanchar Banees?  
• • The Jathedar said that nitnem Banees are Jap, Jaap, Savaeyay, Chaupai and full Anand in the morning, Rehras Sahib in the evening and Kirtan Sohila before going to bed.  The 5 morning Baness are also the Amrit Sanchar Banees.
• • A question from the floor requested clarification as to why the Sikh Rehat Maryada only states 3 Banees for the morning Nitnem.
• • The Jathedar pointed out that the Sikh Rehat Maryada also states the Sikh should do SGGS Ji’s SEHAJ PATH.  Rarely do Sikhs perform Sehaj Path.  Then why are we adamant of the question of 3 Banees? 
• • He further added that Guru Gobind Singh conducted Amrit ceremony onto the 5 selected Sikhs and then he himself took Amrit from them.  The Amrit ceremony was conducted with the 5 Banees.  Guru Ji edicted that a Gursikh should be reciting 5 Banees so as to be ready to conduct Amrit ceremony.
• • And then he pointed out that in 1985 the 5 Singh Sahiban have passed a Matta (see  Figure 1) that the SRM include the 5 Banees (see Link B) .

Figure 1: Matta from Akaal Takhat revising the SRM

TRANSLATION
Today on 28-04-85, in the gathering of Five Singh Sahiban, the below written Matta, in unison has been passed.
In the ‘Sikh Rehat Maryada’ on page 9 and page 26, the Nitnem Banees have been revised as follows:
Jap, Jaap, 10 Savaeyay (from Sarawag Sudh), Benti Chaupai and Anand.
Approved by (-ਸਹੀ)
Gi Sahib Singh, Head Granthi, Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar
Gi Harcharan Singh Mahalon, Jathedar, Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib
Gi Pritam Singh, Head Granthi, Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Sri Amritsar
Gi. Kirpal Singh, Jathedar, Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Sri Amritsar
Sant Lakha Singh, Jathedar, Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo

My comment: The SRM as a document has not been updated to include this revision.  However as is the normal practice, the revision becomes a part of the original document and should be read together as a single unit (document).  Therefore if we TRULY are interested in, and dedicated to SIKHI and the SIKH PANTH, we should read the SRM together with this Matta.  It is the responsibility of each of us, big or small, organisation or individual, once we are aware to ensure that this information is passed onto the Sangat to make them aware.