Glossary of Sikh Terms - SikhNet.ch - Sikh Community in Switzerland

A

Adi Granth: The first rendition of the Sikh scripture compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1604.
Akal Purakh: The Timeless Being; a name for God used by Sikhs.
Akal Takht: "Throne of the Timeless One," the highest emphasis of temporal authority for Sikhs, located in Amritsar.
Akhand Path: A continuous, unbroken reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib, typically taking 48 hours.
Amrit: "Nectar of Immortality," the holy water used in the Sikh initiation ceremony (Amrit Sanchar).
Amrit Sanchar: The Sikh initiation ceremony, instituted by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
Amritdhari: A Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa Panth.
Amrit Vela: "The ambrosial hours," the early morning hours before dawn, considered ideal for meditation.
Anand Karaj: "Blissful Union," the Sikh wedding ceremony.
Anand Sahib: "Song of Bliss," a bani composed by Guru Amar Das Ji, recited at all Sikh celebrations.
Antam Sanskar: The last rite; the Sikh funeral ceremony.
Ardas: The standing prayer of supplication and remembrance recited at the beginning and end of Sikh tasks or services.
Asa Di Var: A collection of 24 Paudis by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, sung in the early morning.
Atma: The soul, considered a spark of the Divine Light.

B

Baba: A term of respect for a grandfather or a wise old man.
Baisakhi (Vaisakhi): Harvest festival and the day Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa in 1699.
Bani: Short for Gurbani; the spoken word of the Gurus.
Baoli Sahib: A well with steps descending to the water level, built by the Gurus.
Bhagat: A holy person or devotee; 15 Bhagats have their hymns included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Bhai: "Brother," a title of respect given to pious Sikhs.
Bhakti: Devotional worship of the Divine.
Bhatts: Bards or court poets who composed eulogies for the Gurus found in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Bir Ras: The essence of warrior spirit and courage.
Bole So Nihal: "Whoever speaks shall be fulfilled," the first part of the Sikh war cry.

C

Chanani: The canopy placed over the Guru Granth Sahib as a mark of royal respect.
Charan Pahul: Pre-Khalsa initiation ceremony involving water touched by the Guru's feet.
Chaur Sahib: A ceremonial fly-whisk waved over the Guru Granth Sahib to show reverence.
Chola: A long, loose robe worn by Sikh warriors (Nihangs) and religious leaders.

D

Darbar Sahib: "Divine Court," usually referring to the Golden Temple complex.
Dasam Granth: A separate scripture containing the writings attributed to Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Dasvandh: The practice of donating 10% of one's earnings to charity or religious causes.
Dastar: The Sikh turban, worn to protect the Kesh (uncut hair) and represent royalty and sovereignty.
Deg Tegh Fateh: "Victory to Charity and the Sword," signifying the dual responsibility of feeding the hungry and protecting the weak.
Dhadis: Traditional singers of heroic ballads, often performing at Gurdwaras.
Dharam Yudh: War enacted for the sake of righteousness.
Diwan: A religious congregation or court attended by Sikhs.
Dumalla: A larger, rounder style of turban often worn by Nihang Sikhs.

E

Ek Onkar (Ik Onkar): "There is One God," the opening phrase of the Guru Granth Sahib and the central tenet of Sikhism.

F

Fateh: "Victory." Part of the Sikh greeting "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh."
Five Ks (Panj Kakaar): The five articles of faith worn by baptized Sikhs: Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera, Kirpan.

G

Gatka: Traditional Sikh martial art involving stick fighting and swords.
Giani: A learned person, often a scholar of the scriptures.
Granthi: The custodian or reader of the Guru Granth Sahib in a Gurdwara.
Gurbani: The Guru's Word; the hymns contained in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Gurdwara: "Gateway to the Guru," the Sikh place of worship.
Gurmat: The Guru's wisdom or philosophy; the Sikh way of life.
Gurmukhi: "From the Guru's mouth," the script used for writing Punjabi and the Guru Granth Sahib.
Gurmukh: One who faces the Guru; a person who lives according to the Guru's teachings.
Gurpurab: A festival celebrating a special event in the life of a Guru, such as a birth or martyrdom.
Guru: "Dispeller of Darkness," a spiritual teacher and guide.
Guru Granth Sahib: The central religious scripture and eternal Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru Panth: The Guru's path or the collective community of the Khalsa.
Gutka: A small prayer book containing daily prayers (Nitnem).

H

Haumai: Ego or "I-am-ness"; the root cause of suffering and separation from God.
Harmandir Sahib: "Temple of God," famously known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Hola Mohalla: An annual festival held at Anandpur Sahib featuring martial arts displays and mock battles.
Hukam: The Divine Will or Command of God.
Hukamnama: A daily command or reading taken at random from the Guru Granth Sahib.

I

Ishnan: Ritual bathing or cleansing of the body, often before morning prayers.

J

Jaap Sahib: A morning prayer composed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, listing the attributes of God.
Japji Sahib: The first prayer in the Guru Granth Sahib, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Jatha: A group or band of Sikhs, often formed for singing Kirtan or for martial purposes.
Jathedar: The appointed leader of a Takht or a group of Sikhs.
Jivan Mukt: One who is liberated while still alive; a spiritually enlightened being.

K

Kachera: Special cotton undergarments; one of the Five Ks, symbolizing chastity and readiness.
Kamar Kassa: A sash or cummerbund tied around the waist to hold weapons, symbolizing readiness.
Kangha: A wooden comb worn in the hair; one of the Five Ks, symbolizing cleanliness.
Kara: A steel bracelet; one of the Five Ks, symbolizing the eternity of God and bond with the Guru.
Karah Parshad: A sweet pudding made of flour, sugar, and ghee, distributed in Gurdwaras as a blessing.
Kaur: "Princess," the surname given to all female Sikhs.
Kesh: Uncut hair; one of the Five Ks, regarded as a gift from God.
Keski: A small turban.
Khalsa: "The Pure," the collective body of initiated Sikhs instituted by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Khanda: The symbol of Sikhism, consisting of a double-edged sword, a circle (Chakkar), and two single-edged swords (Kirpans).
Kirat Karni: Earning a living through honest, hard work.
Kirpan: A ceremonial sword; one of the Five Ks, symbolizing the defense of righteousness.
Kirtan: The singing of hymns (Gurbani) from the Guru Granth Sahib, often accompanied by music.
Kirtan Sohila: The evening prayer recited before going to sleep.

L

Laavan: The four hymns composed by Guru Ram Das Ji recited during the Sikh wedding ceremony.
Langar: The free community kitchen in a Gurdwara where all are fed without distinction.

M

Mahalla: A term used in the Guru Granth Sahib to distinguish the compositions of different Gurus (e.g., Mahalla 1 is Guru Nanak).
Manji Sahib: The raised platform or cot on which the Guru Granth Sahib remains installed.
Manmukh: A person who follows their own ego/desires rather than the Guru's teachings.
Matha Tekna: Bowing down and touching the forehead to the ground before the Guru Granth Sahib.
Maya: Illusion; the temporary, worldy nature of existence that distracts from God.
Miri Piri: The concept of temporal (Miri) and spiritual (Piri) authority co-existing.
Misls: Sovereign Sikh confederacies that existed in the 18th century.
Mool Mantar: The "Root Mantra," the opening verses of the Guru Granth Sahib defining God.
Mukti: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death (reincarnation).

N

Naam: The Name of God; the Divine presence.
Naam Japna: Meditation or repetition of the Divine Name.
Naam Simran: Remembrance of God through meditation.
Nagar Kirtan: A Sikh religious procession involving the singing of hymns through the streets.
Nihang: A traditional order of Sikh warriors known for their blue attire and martial prowess.
Nirankar: The Formless One; a name for God.
Nishan Sahib: The saffron-colored Sikh flag flying outside every Gurdwara.
Nitnem: The daily routine of prayers Sikh is required to recite.

O

Onkar: The Creator and One Supreme Reality.

P

Paath: The devotional reading of Gurbani.
Palki Sahib: The palanquin or structure in which the Guru Granth Sahib is carried or seated.
Pangat: The row of people sitting together on the floor to eat in the Langar, symbolizing equality.
Panj Pyare: "The Five Beloved Ones," the first five Sikhs initiated into the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Panth: The Sikh path or community.
Patka: A simple head covering often worn by children or for sports.
Patit: An apostate; a Sikh who has broken the code of conduct (Rehat).
Prakash: Celebration of light; often refers to the installation or opening of the Guru Granth Sahib in the morning.
Prashad: Blessed food offered to God and distributed to the congregation.

R

Raag (Raga): A melodic framework or musical mode used in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Ragmala: The final composition in the Guru Granth Sahib, listing various Ragas.
Rehat Maryada: The official Sikh Code of Conduct.
Rehras Sahib: The evening prayer recited at sunset.
Rumala Sahib: The beautiful fine cloth used to cover the Guru Granth Sahib.

S

Sach Khand: "Realm of Truth," the highest spiritual state or the resting place of the Guru Granth Sahib at night.
Sadh Sangat: The holy congregation.
Sangat: The congregation or community of believers meeting for worship.
Sant: A saint; a person of great holiness.
Sarovar: The sacred pool of water commonly found at Gurdwaras.
Sat Sri Akal: "Truth is Timeless/Immortal," the common Sikh greeting.
Satguru: The True Guru.
Satnam: "Truth is His Name."
Seva: Selfless service to others, a core tenet of Sikhism.
Sevadar: A person who performs Seva (service).
Shabad: The divine Word or hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib.
Shaheed: Martyr; one who dies for their faith or a righteous cause.
Sikh: "Disciple" or "Student"; a follower of Guru Nanak and the nine successors.
Simran: Meditation or constant remembrance of God.
Singh: "Lion," the surname given to all male Sikhs.
Sukhmani Sahib: "Psalm of Peace," a major prayer composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Sukhasan: The evening ceremony of putting the Guru Granth Sahib to rest.

T

Takht: "Throne"; one of the five seats of temporal authority in Sikhism.
Tankhaiya: A Sikh who has committed an offense and must perform penance.
Turban: See Dastar.

U

Udasi: The missionary journeys undertaken by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

V

Vaisakhi: See Baisakhi.
Vand Chakko: Sharing one's earnings with the needy; one of the three pillars of Sikhism.
Var: An epic poem or ballad, often praising God or heroes.

W

Waheguru: "Wonderful Teacher," the most common name for God in Sikhism.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh: The Khalsa belongs to God, Victory belongs to God.

Z

Zafarnama: "Epistle of Victory," the letter written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to Emperor Aurangzeb defying tyranny.