Adi
Granth |
Adi
Granth is the name of the holy scripture of
the Sikhs compiled
by Guru Arjun Dev Ji in 1604. The prefix adi
menas first and Granth means the scripture.
The adi Granth was originally known as pothi
Sahib (Sacred Scripture).
. ..
|
|
Akal
Purukh/ Purakh |
Akal
Purukh is the name of God. Akal Purukh is the
being which
is beyond time. It is the name of God. This
term is applied to God in Sikhism.
. .. |
|
Akali |
A
baptized and practicing Sikh; (worshipper) of
Akal; a member of Shiromani Akali Dal, the political
party of the Sikhs.
. .. |
|
Akhand
Path |
Non-stop
reading of the complete text of Guru Granth
Sahib.
. .. |
|
Akhara |
Monastery,
seminary; arena.
. .. |
|
Amavas |
New
moon, new moon day or night.
. .. |
|
Amrit |
Amrit
is nectar or holy water used to initiate the
sikhs into the
KHALSA brotherhood. It is a water of immortality.
It is prepared by dissolving sugar or patasha
in water and stirred by Panj Piyaras with two
edged Khands to the accompaniment of scriptural
recitations of five banis in Sarb Loh (all iron
or steel) pot. Amrit is supported to confer
the eternal life on the neophytes.
. .. |
|
Amrit
Dhari |
According
to sikh code of conduct, any person who is
initiated into
Khalsa brotherhood is called Amrit Dhari.
. ..
|
|
Amrit
Veila |
Amrit
veila is the time before rise (Dawn) which
is considered to be the ideal time to pray to
God. It is period of peace and calmness for
contemplating to the name of God. It is also
the time for nam simran (meditation).
. .. |
|
Anand
Karj |
Anand
Karj is the word used for Sikh marriage ceremony.
Anand
means 'bliss’ and karj means ‘ceremony'. Anand
Karj is performed in presence of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib.
. .. |
|
Anand
Sahib |
Anand
Sahib is an spiritual composition of Guru Amar
Das Ji in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It consists
of fourty pauris and appears at page 917 of
Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
. .. |
|
Antim
Ardas |
The
prayer at the time of last rites of a deceased
is called Antim
Ardas in Sikhism. The sikhs cremate the dead
body. After the pyre is lit, all the relatives
and friends go to the Gurudwara. An Akhand Path
or Sahaj Path (Khulla path) is arranged in Gurudwara
or at the home in memory of the deceased. Final
ardas is offered after performance of the path
and Langar is served to all.
. .. |
|
Ardas |
Humble
request, supplication; supplicatory prayer of
the Sikhs. Ardas can
be aloud or silent in one’s thoughts. The ardas
was originally composed by Guru Gobind Singh
Ji with some additions made by Bhai Mani Singh.
. .. |
|
Asa
Di War |
It
is a composition of Guru Nanak Dev Ji enshrined
in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It includes some verses
by Guru Angad Dev Ji. It is set in Rag Asa.
Asa di var is divided into slokas and pauries.
It is sung at dawn in all the Gurudwaras.
. .. |
|
Athmi
/ Athvin |
Eighth.
. .. |
|
Baba |
Old
man, form of address for old men; honorific
prefix used with names of old men or other venerable
persons such as male members of Gurus families.
. .. |
|
Bairagi |
A
Shaivite cult of Hindu ascetics; any member
of such cult.
. .. |
|
Baisakhi |
A
festival held on the 1st of the Bikrami month
of Baisakh. Baisakhi has special importance
for Sikhs. Baisakhi takes its
name from the month of Baisakhi in Indian Calender.
It is the birth anniversary of the Khalsa.
. .. |
|
Bangla |
Banglow.
. .. |
|
Bani |
Speech,
utterance, scriptural hymns or text, same as
Gurbani. Bani
is arranged in 31 Ragas. The Sikhs recite bani
individually as well as in Sangat.
. .. |
|
Baoili |
A
well with steps leading down to water level
.
. .. |
|
Baramaha |
Barmaha
is the name of composition in Sri Guru Granth
Sahib
which mention the twelve months (Indian names
of the months) in a Calender year.
Baramaha
composed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Rag Majh is
generally read in Gurudwaras on the day of Sangrand.
Guru NanakDev Ji also composed Baramaha in Reg
Tukhari.
. .. |
|
|
Ber |
Same
as beri; fruit of beri, berry.
. .. |
|
Beri |
Ziziphus,
Mauritania.
. .. |
|
Bhagat |
Bhagat
means a Saint. In Sikhism, Bhagat generally
denotes
the devout Sikhs. This ward is also used for
those contributors whose bani finds place in
Sri guru Granth Sahib. Other than Bani of the
Guru’s,Sri Guru Granth Sahib contains Bani of
the Bhagats without any discrimination. Whatever
Bani is incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib
it is revered by the Sikhs at equal basis.
. .. |
|
Bhagat
Bani |
The
hymns of Bhagats and saints that appear in Sri
Guru Granth
Sahib are called Bhagat Bani. The whole Bani
of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is respected equally.
. .. |
|
Bhai |
Bhai
literally means brother. In sikhs it is respectfully
form
of address called for brother. Learned sikhs
and pious sikhs are acknowledged with the title
of Bhai Sahib. It is used as synonymous to priests,
Granthis and other employees working in Gurudwaras.
It is also used as an ordinary title for all
sikhs as a polite form of address for males,
Mr.
. .. |
|
Bhakti |
Bhakti
is devotion towards God. It is concentration
of mind
on
the name of God.
. .. |
|
Bhog |
Bhog
signifies pleasure or delight. In Sikhism, Bhog
is a ceremony
making the conclusion of path of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib. It may be conclusion of Akhand Path,
Khulla Path (Sahaj Path). Bhog also means funeral
services or Antim Ardas.
. .. |
|
Bhora |
Basement;
dugout.
. .. |
|
Bigha |
A
land measure equal to ˝ acre in Majha, but about
1/5 acre in Malva.
. .. |
|
Bikrami |
An
Indian era or calendar commencing from mid March
57 B.C.
. .. |
|
Bir |
Recension,
volume, copy (of Guru Granth Sahib). .
. .. |
|
Bole
So Nihal |
It
is a Sikh slogan. It is completed as Bole So
Nihal, Sat Sri Akal.
It means that whosoever calls on the true, the
supreme and eternal God is blessed by him. It
was started by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to palify
Sant Sipahis, while sikhs were fighting and
hiding in jungles and battlefields. It inspire
the sikhs to fight with courage and bravery
against injustice. It is uttered loudly after
all religion ceremonies.
. .. |
|
Bunga |
Hospice,
house.
. .. |
|
Chandoa |
The
Canopy which hangs over Sri Guru Granth Sahib
to
cover
that area respectfully, is called Chamdoa. Sri
Guru Granth Sahib cannot be opened without a
Canopy hanging over it. It is a sign of respect.
. .. |
|
Chardi
Kala |
The
inspiring spirit of Sikhs is called Chardi Kala.
It
affirms
the positive and firm belief in the bright side
of life and ever rising high spirit.
. .. |
|
Chaubara |
Room
on first or higher floor.
. .. |
|
Chaudas |
Fourteenth
of a lunar fortnight.
. .. |
|
Chaur |
Bunch
of hairlike attached to a handle to fan Sri
Guru
Granth
Sahib. It is prepared from feather of peacottle
or yak hair and waved as symbol of respect over
Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Arjun Dev Ji waved
the Chaur when Adi Granth was installed for
the first time at Sri Harimandir Sahib at Amritsar.
. .. |
|
Chauth |
Fourth
day or date.
. .. |
|
Chauthi |
Fourth.
. .. |
|
Chhemi/Chhevin |
Sixth.
. .. |
|
Chila |
Secluded
worship usually in a bhora.
. .. |
|
Daan |
Aan
art of giving as charity.
. .. |
|
Daat |
Daat
is bounty, gift, benefaction, generosity benevolence.
. .. |
Daata |
‘God’,
the Giver of Daat.
. .. |
Daftar |
Office.
. .. |
Dakshina |
Sacrificial
gift or honor.
. .. |
|
Dal |
A
group of persons.
. .. |
Dal
Khalsa |
The
name was given to the National Army militia
of Sikhs
–
a unified army of warriors which came into existence
during the turbulent period in Sikh history.
. .. |
|
Dam
Dami Taksal |
Taksal
refers tot he highest religious centre of learning
Sikhism.
An institution was established in 1705 in Dam
Dama (Talwandi Sahib) to impart education in
Gurbani and Sikh religion headed by Baba Deep
Singh. So the name goes.
. .. |
|
Damama |
Large
drum, battle drum.
. ..
|
Dambh |
Dambh
Guru Deceitful: Pakhand (Heresy) guru.
. .. |
Damdama |
Halting
or resting place.
. .. |
Damdama
Sahib, Talwandi Sabo |
Damdama
Sahib was added into the list of Takhts on November
18, 1966 and now is one of the Five Takhts of
the
Sikhs. It is located at village Talwandi Sabo.
Guru Gobind Singh stayed here after fighting
battles against Mughal atrocities.
. .. |
|
Danav |
Demon
. .. |
Dandant |
Kowtow,
Kotow, prostrate, a form of salutation by lying
prostrate
on the ground.
. .. |
|
Dar |
Door,
gate.
. .. |
Darbar |
Court,
Guru’s court’ Gurdwara.
. .. |
Darbar
Sahib |
Guru
Granth Sahib; name for some important Gurdwaras,
particularly the holy complex at Amritsar comprising
the holy tank, Harimandir, Akal Takht and other
shrines.
. .. |
Dargah |
Dwelling
place of God. Tomb of a Muslim Saint. A
mausoleum.
. .. |
|
Darkness |
Ignorance,
without the Guru, there is darkness without
the
Guru.
. .. |
|
Darshan |
Sight,
glimpse, audience; philosophy.
. .. |
|
Dasmi/Dasvin |
Tenth.
. .. |
|
Dharam
/ Dharm |
Dharma,
religion; duty especially religious duty.
. .. |
|
Dharmsal/Dharmsala |
Place
of worship; Gurdwara; temple.
. .. |
|
Deorhi |
Portal,
porch, gateway.
. .. |
|
Diwali
/ Divali / Dipavli |
Festival
of lamps falling on non-moon of the Bikrarmi
month of Kartik of Kattak.
. .. |
|
Divan |
Congregation,
service or session of Kirtan or Katha.
. .. |
|
Divanghar
/ Divanhall |
Hall
or pavilion for holding diwan.
. .. |
|
Doaba |
Part
of the Punjab lying between the Rivers Sutlej
and Beas.
. .. |
|
Duj |
Second
day or date usually of a lunar month. .
. .. |
|
Duji
/ Dusari |
Second.
. .. |
|
Ek |
One;
God is one and second is none. Guru Gobind Singh
Ji
says
that the type of ideal society contains neither
class nor caste distinction. It is one.
. .. |
|
Eka
Kavao |
One
creative principle.
. .. |
Ekadshi |
Eleventh
Lunar day, 11th day of Lunar fortnight.
. .. |
Ekam |
First
day of Lunar fortnight.
. .. |
|
Ekankar
/ Ekankar / Ek-Onkar |
One
absolute Being, One universal being. God is
one. The one God.
. .. |
Emanicipation |
Emanicipation
or Mukti means freedom from bondage,
liberation
from the cycle of birth and death by seeking
unity with God and this may be attained through
good deeds and Naam Simran.
. .. |
|
Falcon |
Eagle,
Hawk, Baaz.
. .. |
Fani
/Fanah |
End
of existence, destruction, death.
. .. |
Faqir |
A
saint or devotee or a religious minded person
who is
devoted
to meditation. The word is also used for Muslim
renunciants.
. .. |
|
Farangi
/ Firangi |
The
word is used for a person of European origin.
. .. |
Farman
/ Furman |
Divine
order, Royal order.
. .. |
Fateh |
Victory,
Salutation.
. .. |
Faujdar |
Garrison
commander; officer ruling over a sircar (during
the Mughal period).
. .. |
|
Gadar |
Mutiny;
name of an anti-British movement launched by
Indian revolutionaries in North America in 1913-15.
. .. |
Gaatra |
Sword
belt; Kirpan as an article of Sikh faith is
generally
worn
sheathed with a sword belt called Gaatra.
. .. |
|
Gach |
A
plaster of various mixes.
. .. |
Gaddi |
Throne
of Gurus. An elevated seat or office of spiritual
leaders.
. .. |
|
Gagan |
Sky,
Heaven
. .. |
Gakhro |
Hard,
difficult
. .. |
Gandharvas |
Divine
minstrets, celestial beings.
. .. |
Gaphil |
Negligent,
thoughtless, needless.
. .. |
Garb |
Pride,
ego, hankar
. .. |
Garbh |
Womb
. .. |
Garhi |
A
fortress
. .. |
Garibi |
Poverty,
humility
. .. |
Garib
Niwaj |
Din
Niwaj: The Nourisher of the poor.
. .. |
Garuda |
Mythological
bird, Hindu Name, Garur Bhagwan.
. .. |
Gatka |
Swordmanship
– It is a sword practice with wooden swords
or
sticks – a part of martial art gifted to Sikhs
by Guru Hargobind Singh Ji.
. .. |
|
Ghallughara |
It
has reference to incidents that led to the loss
of Sikh
lives
and general destruction.
. .. |
|
Ghorian |
Wedding
song sung at the time of bridegroom’s ride on
a
Ghori
(Mare).
. .. |
|
Golak |
A
charity box, or a Money box.
. .. |
Granth |
Book,
tome; Guru Granth Sahib.
. .. |
Granthi |
Scripture
reader, Guru Granth Sahib.
. .. |
|
Gurbani
/ Gurbaani |
Utterance
of, hymns composed by the Gurus; text of Guru
Granth Sahib.
. . |
|
Gurdwara |
A
Sikh place of worship.
. . |
|
Gurgaddi |
Seat
of the Guru, Guru’s throne, pontificate.
. .. |
Gurmat |
Tenets
of Sikhs faith, Sikh theology, Sikhism.
. .. |
Gurmata |
Resolution,
plan of action approved by Sangat or Sarbatt
Khalsa in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib.
. .. |
Gurmukh |
The
word Gurmukh denotes a person whose way of life
is
according
to the Guru’s teachings or instructions and
is attuned to the Will of God.
. .. |
|
Gurmukhi |
Gurmukhi
is a script which is used for writing Punjabi
language.
Though it literally means words coming from
the mouth of the Guru.
. .. |
|
Gurpurab |
It
is the religious festival of the Sikhs and is
linked with theanniversary
of the Parkash utsav (birthday – Janam Din),
Guruship – coronation day (Gurgaddi Divas),
Shaheedi Divas (Martydom day) or death (Jyoti
jot Divas) of the Sikh Gurus.
. .. |
|
Gurughar |
Guru’s
house, Gurdwara.
. .. |
Guru
ka Langar |
Free
of joint community meal especially one arranged
in Gurdwaras; common kitchen attached to or
run by Gurdwaras.
. .. |
Haveli |
A
larve walled or fortified house.
. .. |
Hola
Mahalla |
Hola
Mahalla is an annual spring festival of the
Sikhs. It is believed
that Guru Gobind Singh used to train the Sikhs
in the art of mock battles on this day at Anandpur
Sahib. Literally Hola means Hamla or Halla (Attack).
. .. |
|
Hukam |
Order,
command;’ Divine Will, order or law; same as
vak.
. .. |
Hukam
Laina |
Hukam
Laina is taking order or command by a random
reading
from Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
. .. |
|
Hukam
Nama |
Hukam
Nama denotes injunction or order passed by the
Sikh
Gurus or the Jathedars of the five Takhts. It
is a strong edict which no one can defy in Sikhism
and is a binding on all. First Hukam Nama was
issued by Guru Hargobind Ji from Sri Akal Takht.
. .. |
|
Idol
Worship |
Idol
worship means worshipping of images / Idol /
Pictures etc. The sikh Gurus did
not approve such type of worship.
. .. |
|
Ik
Onkar |
It
is an important symbol and creed of Sikhism.
It is the essence
of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It means that ‘God
is One’.
. .. |
|
Janam
Asthan |
Place
of birth.
. .. |
Janamsakhi |
Biography
especially one of the early biographical – cum
– hagiographical accounts of Guru Nanak Dev’s
life.
. .. |
Jand |
A
desert tree, Prosopis spicigera.
. .. |
Jap
Sahib |
It
is the morning prayer of Sikhs and a complement
to
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Japji Sahib. It is in praise
of God who is most beautiful, omnipotent, inborn,
changeless and merciful. It is believed to be
the first composition written by Guru Gobind
Singh Ji around 1684 at Anandpur Sahib.
. .. |
|
Japji
Sahib |
It
was composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is one
of the
Banis
recited especially in the morning and while
preparing Amrit. It has 38 pauris, Mumantar
& two slokas Sri Guru Granth Sahib starts
with Japji Sahib and Japji Sahib starts with
Ik Onkar.
. .. |
|
