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Answer from Shanti Kaur Khalsa:

As far as translations of Chandi di Vaar Sahib go - the one I like best is in the Dasam Granth translated by Surinder Singh Kohli. This one has a reverent slant. The other good one is by Dr. Jodh Singh. This one is more technically correct.

The customs and practices around the recitation of the Chandi di Vaar that you reference are based on the maryada of the Nihangs - certainly Budda Dal and Tarana Dal, and I think are universally accepted. That is: Bath before reciting, light a jot of ghee, sit on the floor on a clean sheet, start with Japji Sahib (specifically for this recitation, in addition to your morning bani), and don't recite at night (or if you do, recite all night).

Now, whether you accept the maryada or not is always up to you. In my opinion - the maryada means that you should respect the bani, understand that Guru Gobind Singh's bani builds Raudra Ras (martial spirit) in you and you should respect that as well, and understand that Guru's bani is highly cleansing of your subconscious mind and so if you read it before sleeping you will probably have nightmares. The ritual of the maryada is only to guide you in how to respect and manage the technology of the bani (but, of course, it is still ritual and whether you accept the maryada is up to you). No matter what you decide to do, just keep the posture of respect that this bani deserves.

Some say Chandi di Vaar will make you insane. Nope, not true. Some say Chandi di Vaar can be used against people like a black magic spell. Nope, not true. Some people say Chandi di Vaar was not written by the 10th Master. Nope, not true... it was written by Guru Gobind Singhji when he was 20 years old in Paonta Sahib. Although it is true, that the story of Chandi is a hindu mythological story from the Puraana called the Devi-Mahatmyam. The Chandi di Vaar Sahib is that same story told in the incredible verse of the 10th master.

A good source of information is in "Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Question and Answers" by GS Mann and Kamalroop Singh. They give good answers to questions about why Guru Sahib wrote this bani (in fact, the Chandi di Vaar is only one of three banis about Chandi). They point out that the Ardas (Pritam Bhagauti Simran Keh ...) is the mangla charn of the Chandi di Vaar, and the shabd "Deh Ha Shiva" comes from the Chandi Charitra Ukti Bilas. The Chandi bani may seem exotic, but it is closer to home than you may think.

I hope this helps. If you want to read it - you should. It is hard to read in Gurmukhi - and not that easy to read in English either. Just get your intention straight as to why you want to. If your intention has something to do with magic or spells - then get real, forget it, and cut the crap. But if you want to build your inner strength and courage - there is no better way than to reverently recite this bani.

• Shanti Kaur