When we sit for paath (recitation of Gurbani), stand in ardas (prayer), or join a satsang (spiritual gathering), sometimes tears begin to flow from our eyes, or yawns may come. Many people think of these as bad signs, but in truth, they are expressions of our inner state of mind.
If tears flow, it is not weakness—it is a sign of deep love for the Guru and the awakening of detachment from the world. These are tears of gratitude. They show that our heart is touched by Gurbani and that our soul is feeling its presence. It means our mind is truly connecting with the greatness of the Guru.
Guru Sahib’s own words tell us that to cry in the love of God is natural. When the Shabad touches the heart, the inner doors open. The first language of an open heart is tears—not of sorrow, but of humility and joy at feeling united with the Divine. Gurbani says:
“When one listens to the kirtan of the Giver of Peace, the eyes overflow.”
So if tears come, know that they are a blessing.
Of course, not everyone experiences the same thing. For some, tears come easily while listening to kirtan; for others, a deep and wordless peace fills the heart. Both are Waheguru’s grace. So if someone asks, “Why does this happen to me?”—the answer is simple: it is not wrong, it is right. It means your heart is opening, and when the heart opens, the true path to God also opens.
On the other hand, if yawns come during paath, it is not bad luck either. It shows that the mind is restless and not yet fully connected to Gurbani. It is not just physical tiredness, but the sign of a distracted mind that is trying to run away. But even this is part of the journey. The whole purpose of nitnem (daily recitation) is to bring the mind to stillness. With practice, the mind becomes calm, and yawns will naturally disappear.
So both tears and yawns are part of our inner spiritual journey. Tears mean closeness, yawns mean distraction. Neither is a curse—both are signs of where our mind is, and both guide us towards becoming more present with the Guru.
The true paath is not just when we read with our lips, but when our mind and heart are present with the words. If tears come, it means the mind has tasted the greatness of the Guru and the mercy of Waheguru. It is the heart realizing, “Where I cannot even describe a fraction of God’s glory, my Guru has composed endless praises for me to recite.”
So, these feelings are not superstition. They are signs of grace. They show that we are on the right path, moving closer to the Guru.
Often, we complain that the mind does not stay focused. But that is precisely why we do paath—to train the mind, to bring it to its true home. Gurbani is not just a ritual; it is the way to place ourselves in the Guru’s presence every day. Through it, we build a deep bond with our Guru, and the doors of mercy and blessings open in our lives.
In Sikhi, ardas is considered one of the most sacred forms of prayer. It is not just words, but the true presence of our heart and mind before the Guru. When tears come during ardas, it means the words have touched our soul. It is Guru’s grace flowing through our emotions.
Ardas also reminds us of the courage and sacrifices of the Panj Pyare and the four Sahibzade, which awaken a fire in our spirit. That is why ardas is not simply a prayer—it is a bridge to the Guru. Tears that flow in that moment are not weakness, but a sign of inner peace, surrender, and deep connection with the Divine.
✨ In short: Tears during paath or ardas are the Guru’s blessing, showing your heart is open. Yawns are the sign of a distracted mind, but they too are part of the journey. Both lead us closer to the Guru—because every time we engage with Gurbani, we are taking one more step into the light.
