Nitnem

Nit Nem (literally "Daily Naam") is a collaboration of different banis that were designated to be read by sikhs every day.

The Sikh religion is a way of life guided by the two principles of Simran and Seva i.e. Remembrance of the Creator and Service.
In fact they are linked in that what is to be remembered is the Divine virtues and commands, and carrying out the latter.

Nit-Nem purifies the mind, leads to the ethical living, and makes the person an instrument of good deeds. It uplifts the soul through understanding of the Truth, that the Lord is Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Creator, Doer, Supporter – Provider, and there is none else equal to Him, everything is under His Will, He has made all equal, and we should always keep Him In our minds to do the right things for our evolution. This liberates the Man while still living, and enables him to enjoy the heaven on earth.

Nit-Nem actually consists of two words:. 'Nit' means daily or always. 'Nem' is the short form of 'Nieam' meaning rule or practice.
'Nitnem’ thus means 'daily practice' and has been prescribed in the Sikh Reht Maryada the Sikh Code of Conduct.
This was finalized after a long discussion between leading Sikh scholars and personalities.
It comprises three sets of Baanis (compositions) from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and of the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

They are to be recited in the early morning, evening after sunset but before the evening meal and at bedtime.
The Baanis have been so chosen as to act as a continuous reminder of how a Sikh is to conduct himself in life.
There are two advantages of Nitnem.
Firstly it is the daily refresher guide and secondly one has something to look forward to for doing.
Time never weighs on those who do Nitnem. As a corollary, a person who follows the practice faithfully can never be forgetful or go into depression.
It helps to keep the mind on track in life both spiritually and temporally.
It has been the experience of many that conformance to this improves even professional performance by way of remaining in focus.

The Nit Nem bani's usually include the Panj Bania
(5 bani's) and sometimes
Rehras Sahib and Kirtan Sohila. as follows:
(Click on the respective Bani, to know more...)

• Japji Sahib
• Jaap Sahib
• Tav-Prasad Savaiye
• Benti Chaupai
• Anand Sahib
  
• Rehras Sahib
• Kirtan Sohila
  
  

Each of the banis carries the energy of a particular tattva (element) as follows:

Ether - Japji Sahib and Shabd Hazaaray (Amrit Vela)
Balances your natural earth energy with the etheric energy

Air - Jaap Sahib and Tav Prasad Savaiye (Morning)
Tunes your mind to the power of the Infinite

Fire - Anand Sahib (Morning)
Energizes and empowers you

Water - Rehras Sahib with Benti Chaupai (Sundown)
Moves you gracefully from the male sun energy of the day into the female moon energy of the night

Earth - Kirtan Sohila (Bedtime)
Prepares you to leave the earth

Understand the flow of your day as you live it, with your own work and sleep schedule, and recite the banis in the natural rhythm of that day.