Sikh |
(Literally the word Sikh means
a student or learner)
A Sikh is a member of a religious order founded by Guru Nanak
in the 15th century. He is a believer in one 'God' and a keeper
of His 'IMAGE'.
To say that SIKHISM is a branch of Hinduism is as much correct
or incorrect as to say that Christianity is a branch of Judaism.
|
Guru |
(Literally the word guru means
teacher)
Second level of its meaning is that the guru is a spiritual
leader, a saint, a Enlightener. GU (darkness) RU (light); One
who brings light into darkness. A teacher..
However, the meaning of the word Guru in Sikh terminology is
at a further higher level, and it stands for the 'prophet'.
|
Waheguru |
(Literally the word Waheguru
means the wonderful teacher)
To Sikhs 'Waheguru' stands for 'the God', the Lord, the Creator.
|
Gurdwara |
(Literally the word Gurudwara
means Guru's door/place)
A Gurdwara is a place of worhip of the Sikhs. The use of the
word 'temple' or 'Sikh temple' for a Gurdwara is as much correct
or incorrect as to call a church- a Christian temple or a temple
as a Hindu Church. |
Gurpurb |
Guru's remembrance day- the birth
or death. May be treated as a holy day and holiday. |
Guru-Granth |
(Literally the word Granth means a
large book)
It is also called as the ADI-GRANTH; 'adi' means the original,
first. The holy Guru Granth is not only the scriptures of the
Sikh, it is regarded as the living 'body' (voice) of the Gurus,
and thus accorded an extreme respect worthy of a prophet. |
Granthi |
The professional reader of the Guru
Granth. |
Khalsa |
(Literally the word Khalsa means
pure)
The Sikh brotherhood. |
Khanda |
The emblem of the Sikh nation named
after the double edged sword in the middle. |
Singh |
(Literally the word Singh means
lion)
Suffix for all male Sikh names- e.g. Ranjit Singh, Parminder
Singh. |
Kaur |
(Literally the word Kaur means Princess)
Suffix for all female Sikh names- e.g. Ranjit Kaur, Parminder
Kaur. |
Amrit |
(Literally the word Amrit means the
elixir of life)
The holy water for the baptising ceremony; the nectar. |
Amritsar |
(Literally
the word sar or srovar means the pool or the tank - thus
the pool of nectar or elixir)
Amritsar is the name of the holy city of the Sikhs. |
Ardas |
The prayer- or the act of praying
with palms together. |
Parshad |
(Literally
the word Parshad means food)
The holy symbolic food (sweet) served after the conclusion of
Sikh service and Ardas. Also called 'Karrah-parshad'. |
Langar |
The kitchen- which serves free food
to all people irrespective of their caste, creed, colour or status.
Where there is a Gurdwara, there is LANGAR. |
Shabad |
(Literally
the word Shabad m eans word)
The 'revealed word' uttered by the Guru; a hymn or a verse from
the Holy Granth. |
Keertan/Kirtan |
The reciting or singing of God's
praises 'Shabad'. Usually accompanied by a Vaajaa (Harmonium)
and a set of Tablas (Drums) with occasional chhainay/kartaala
( cymbols) today. In olden-times, only string instruments were
used. Keertan was propogated by the Gurus to be sung in Sangat
(see below) in Raag ( measures of music). But, Panth has accepted
the use of Gursikhi-oriented tunes for this purpose. NOTE: The
central idea is always to sing the praises of the almighty. |
Raaggi |
The professional singer of the holy
word or the 'shabad'. |
Dhadhi |
The professional ballad singer and
narrator of Sikh history. |
Baisakhi/Vaisakhi |
The new year and the harvest festival
of Punjab. Also an important Sikh festival marking the birth of
the KHALSA. |
Bhangra |
The popular 'folk dance' of the
people of Punjab. |
Kesh |
Long hair. Sikhs keep long hair
as a symbol of humility and an acceptance of 'God's Will'. |
Kangha |
A special small wooden comb. Also
symbolic of cleanliness and care. |
Karra |
The steel bangle which is symbolic
of strength, unity and bondage. |
Kaccha |
A special type of pair of shorts
or underpants. |
Kirpaan |
A Sikh sword. A small 15cm (6")
kirpaan (sword) which a Sikh wears is symbolic of respect, justice
and authority. |
Panj
Piarey |
(Literally
the word Panj Piarey means the five beloved ones;
the original members of the Khalsa)
Nowadays a body of any five baptised or fully practicing Sikhs
(male or female) is regarded as capable of making decisions
and making judgements on most Sikh matters. |
Panth |
Community. The whole Sikh community
is considered the Panth.. The baptised Sikh comunity is known
as 'Khalsa Panth'. |
Sangat |
The congregration in a Gurdwara.
|
Sabha |
(Literally
the word Sabha means a society or an association)
Singh Sabha' means Sikh Organisation. |
Gurbanee/Gurbani |
The Gurus' Word. Divinely revealed hymns. Our
religion is the only one of its kind that has the GREAT benefit
of having our own Prophets record their hymns, in order to eradicate
controversy. Gurbaani is written in the volume of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Jee (Sikh holy book) by the fifth Guru (Guru Arjaan Dayv
Jee) and tenth Guru (Guru Gobind Singh Jee). |
Waheguru ji ka
Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh |
Sikh Greeting - Pure belongs to
GOD and Victory is of GOD. |
Sat Sri Akal |
Sikh Greeting - GOD is Truth. |
