Glossary of Sikhism

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Sikhism

* People
* Topics
* Outline
* History
* Glossary

Sikh gurus

* Guru Nanak
* Guru Angad
* Guru Amar Das
* Guru Ram Das
* Guru Arjan
* Guru Hargobind
* Guru Har Rai
* Guru Har Krishan
* Guru Tegh Bahadur
* Guru Gobind Singh
* Guru Granth Sahib

Selected revered saints

* Bhagat Kabir
* Bhagat Ravidas
* Bhagat Farid
* Bhagat Ramanand
* Bhagat Beni
* Bhagat Namdev
* Bhagat Sadhana
* Bhagat Bhikhan
* Bhagat Parmanand
* Bhagat Sain
* Bhagat Dhanna
* Bhagat Pipa
* Bhagat Surdas
* Bhagat Jaidev
* Bhagat Trilochan
* Bhatt Kalshar
* Bhatt Balh
* Bhatt Bhalh
* Bhatt Bhika
* Bhatt Gayand
* Bhatt Harbans
* Bhatt Jalap
* Bhatt Kirat
* Bhatt Mathura
* Bhatt Nalh
* Bhatt Salh
* Baba Sundar
* Satta Doom
* Balvand Rai

Philosophy

* Naam Japo
* Kirat Karō
* Vand Chakkō
* Charhdi Kalā
* Guru Maneyo Granth
* Five Thieves
* Five Virtues

Practices

* Sikh Rehat Maryada
* Prohibitions
* Ardās
* Kirtan
* Amrit Velā
* Dasvand
* The Five Ks
* Langar
* Sewa
* Simran
* Nitnem
* Dastaar (Turban)
* Naam Karan
* Amrit Sanskar
* Anand Karaj
* Antam Sanskar

Scripture

* Guru Granth Sahib
* Dasam Granth
* Sarbloh Granth
* Five Banis

Places and Takhts

* Gurdwara
* Harmandir Sahib
* Akal Takht
* Keshgarh Sahib
* Damdama Sahib
* Patna Sahib
* Hazur Sahib

Culture

* Literature
* Music
* Names
* Khanda
* Khalsa

General topics

* Ik Onkar
* Waheguru
* Panj Pyare
* Nirgun and Sargun
* Nanakshahi calendar
* Criticism
* Jathedar of Akal Takht
* War
* Sects

Sikhism and other religions

* Sikhism and Hinduism
* Sikhism and Islam
* Sikhism and Jainism

* Religion portal

* v
* t
* e

Sikh beliefs

* 1a. Simran (spiritual contemplation)
* 1b. Sewa (selfless service)
* 2\. Three Pillars
* 2a. Naam Japo (contemplating God's names) Meditating on God's name to control the five evils and living a satisfying life.
* 2b. Kirat Karo (work diligently) Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud
* 2c. Vand Chhako Sharing with others, helping those with less or those who are in need
* 3\. Five Thieves
* 3a. Kaam (lust)
* 3b. Krodh (anger)
* 3c. Lobh (greed)
* 3d. Moh (attachment, e.g. to material things or people)
* 3e. Hankaar (ego, pride)
* 4\. Five Virtues
* 4a. Sat (truth)
* 4b. Santokh (contentment)
* 4c. Daya (compassion)
* 4d. Nimrata (humility)
* 4e. Pyaar (love)
* 5\. Four Treasures

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* e

The following list consists of concepts that are derived from both Sikh and Indian tradition. The main purpose of this list is to disambiguate multiple spellings, to make note of spellings no longer in use for these concepts, to define the concept in one or two lines, to make it easy for one to find and pin down specific concepts, and to provide a guide to unique concepts of Sikhism all in one place.

Contents:

* Top
* 0–9
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* Q
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* Z

## A

[edit]

Amrit
elixir of immortality - the sanctified nectar or sugar water substitute used in ceremonies. It is prepared by stirring it in an iron bowl with the double-edged sword and continuous recitation of five banis by the five selected members of the Khalsa.

Amritdhari
baptized Sikh who has undergone the Khalsa ceremony. According to Sikh Reht Maryada, any person who is initiated into the Khalsa is called Amrit Dhari.
Amrit Sanchar, Amrit Sanskar
Baptism (sanchar means ceremony)
Akal Purakh
Timeless Being - The name of God
Akal Sena
Military established by Guru Hargobind.
Akali Nihang
Sikh warrior order.

## B

[edit]

Bani
verses. An abbreviation of Gurbani, applied to any of the writings which appear in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Bhagat
A holy person or a member of a community whose objectives involve leading humanity towards God and highlighting injustices in the world.
Bhagat Bani
Any of the writings which appear in the Guru Granth Sahib which were not written by the Gurus.
Beadbi
Blasphemy, Sacrilege, Desecration or disrespect.[1]

## C

[edit]

Chola
Robe - Unisex Sikh attire.

## D

[edit]

Daan
Charity. One of the 3 petitions - Naam, Daan, Ishnan.
Darbar Sahib
Imperial Court - the main hall of a Gurdwara.
Dasband, daswand, dasvand
10% of earnings donated to the less advantaged.
Dastar
Turban (Pugree). It is an inseparable part of Sikh dress and is mandatory for a Sikh to tie his turban according to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh 'Code of Conduct'.
Deg Tegh Fateh
Victory to Charity and Arms - slogan and the title of an anthem in the Punjabi language that signifies the dual obligations of the Khalsa: The responsibility to provide food, and to provide protection, for the needy and oppressed.
Dharam di Kirat
To earn an honest living.
Dharamyudh
Term which means just war, a concept of war against tyranny.

## G

[edit]

Gatka
Sikh martial art
Gurdwara, gurudwara
Place of worship, meaning "Guru's door", or Guru's place
Gurbani
Collective writings of the Sikh Gurus. (See bani.)
Gurmukh
Person who is spiritually centered. (See manmukh.) A person who lives within the will of God and accepts all good and bad that happens to oneself without question or annoyance.
Gurmukhi
The written form of Punjabi used in the Sikh scriptures propagated by Guru Nanak and Guru Angad. Gurmukhi script is also called 'Paintis Akhri' because it contains thirty-five letters.
Gutka Sahib
Prayerbook containing daily prayers.

## H

[edit]

Hankaar
Pride, one of the five vices.

## I

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Ik Onkar
Phrase that denotes the One Universal Creater.
Ishnan
Purity of mind and body. One of the three petitions - Naam, Daan, Ishnan.

## J

[edit]

Japu, Japō
Recitation (from Jap: Recite).
Japji Sahib
The first 8 pages of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scripture), consisting of hymns composed by Guru Nanak.
Jatha
A group of Sikhs.
Jathedar
The leader of a Jatha.
Jhatka
Meat of an animal which is slaughtered without any rituals by severing its head instantly in one blow of an axe or sword to cause as less pain as possible.

## K

[edit]

Kakar
Panj (5) K's that must be worn by Sikhs.
Kachha/kachchhera
Short undergarments – one of the Five Ks that a Khalsa Sikh must wear. It is a symbol of self-control.
Kaam
Lust, one of the 5 vices.
Kanga
Wooden comb – one of the Five Ks that a Khalsa Sikh must west. It is a symbol of discipline.
Kara
A loose steel bracelet – one of the Five Ks that Sikhs must wear. It is a symbol of restraint. Variations include Jangi Kara for combat.
Kaur
Princess. Female Sikh middle name or surname.
Kesh
Unshorn hair – one of the Five Ks that Sikhs must wear.
Khanda
Emblem of Sikh faith that symbolizes the four pillars of Sikh belief. It consists of four symbolic weapons.
Khalsa
Pure – must carry panj kakkar.
Khalsa Fauj
The military stablished by Guru Gobind Singh.
Kirpan
Short sword – one of the Five Ks that a Khalsa Sikh must wear. It is a symbol of the fight against injustice and religious oppression.
Kirat karō (kirat karni)
One of the three primary pillars of Sikhism, the others being Naam Japo and Wand kay Shako. The term means to earn an honest, pure and dedicated living.
Krodh
Anger. One of the 5 vices.
Kutha
The meat of an animal which is ritualistically and slowly slaughtered. Prohibited.
Kurahit
kurahat: The cardinal sins for the Sikhs. These are cutting, trimming, shaving or removing hairs from one’s body, eating kutha meat, using tobacco, or any other intoxicant in any form or committing adultery.

## L

[edit]

Lobh
Greed, one of the 5 vices.
Langar
Community kitchen of a gurdwara, which serves lacto-vegetarian meals to all free of charge, regardless of religion, caste, creed, gender, economic status, or ethnicity.

## M

[edit]

Manmukh
A self-centered person, contrast gurmukh. A person who lives within the will of the Mind as opposed to the will of God.
Miri Piri
Concept of having both temporal power and spiritual authority.
Moh
Attachment. One of the 5 vices.
Mul Mantar
Basic statement of creed.

## N

[edit]

Naam
Name. Remembrance of the divine name.
Nām Japō, Naam japna
Recitation and meditation on the Naam of the Lord.
Nitnem
Daily prayers which begin with Japji Sahib and are written in a Gutka (prayerbook).

## P

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Panj
The number 5
Panj dokh
The 5 thieves/betrayers. Ahankar (pride), Kam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed) and Moh (worldly attachment)
Panj weapons
Chardi Kala (positive energy), Daan (charity), Dayan (kindness) Nimarta (humility), Santokh (contentment)
Panj virtues
Daya (compassion), Nimrata (humility), Pyare (love), Santokh (contentment) and Sat (truth).
Panj Kakke
The Five Ks; the five external symbols worn by both male and female Sikhs. The name of each symbol starts with the letter k (kakka); kaccha, kanga, kara, kesh and kirpan.
Panj Pyare
Five Beloved Ones - refers to a gathered ad hoc quintet of five baptized (Amritdhari) Khalsa Sikhs who act as institutionalized leaders for the wider Sikh community.
Panth
Means path.
Patit
Apostate.
Sache Patishah
True Emperor - the name of God and title of all Gurus.
Panth Patishah

## S

[edit]

Sangat
Society (congregation). Compare Panth.
Sarbat da Bhalla
Welfare of humankind
Satguru
True Guru - The name of God.
Seva
Service. One of the 2 foundations of Sikhism. Three varieties of seva are sanctioned in the Sikh lore: that rendered through the corporal instrument (tan), that through the mental apparatus (man) and that through the material wherewithal (dhan). There are 4 types of Seva:

1. Dhan di Seva – the one people are most familiar with. Doing seva by performing deeds of service and virtue.
2. Mann Di Seva – done by doing Simran. Cleansing the Soul of polluted thoughts and Maya.
3. Guru di Seva – by having your Mann attuned to his Naam.[clarification needed]
4. Satgur ki Seva.[further explanation needed]

Shabad, Śábda
The hymns contained in Sikh scriptures.
Shaheed
Title used before the name of a person who has died as a Sikh martyr.
Simran
The remembrance of Waheguru. Guru Nanak formed a new type of Bakti beginning with Simran and Jap of Waheguru Gurmantar.
Singh
Lion. Male Sikh middle or surname title.
Sloka
Stanza. The Sanskrit epic metre formed of thirty-two syllables: verses of two lines (distich) of sixteen syllables each or in four half-lines (hemistich) of each syllables each. Japu (recitation) comprises an introductory sloka, 38 stanzas traditionally called pauris and a concluding sloka attributed by some to Guru Angad.
Sukhmani
the Psalm of Peace.

## T

[edit]

Tankhah
Salary, payment also social offense – He is not to commit any of the social offences (Tankhah), such as giving dowry, using liquors and intoxicants, raising monuments over graves and associating with apostates.
Turban
Dastar (Pugree). It is an inseparable part of Sikh dress and is mandatory for a Sikh to tie his turban according to Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh 'Code of Conduct'.

## W

[edit]

Waheguru (ਵਾਹਗੁਰੂ)
Wonderous Guru - A term used in Sikhism to refer to God as described in Guru Granth Sahib.
Wand Shakna
To share one's bounty with others (See daan.)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "What is 'beadbi' or sacrilege in Sikhism, which sees Guru Granth Sahib as living Guru". ThePrint. 19 December 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Sikh Terms From Sikhs.org

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Sikhism

Glossary and History

Gurus|

* Guru Nanak
* Guru Angad
* Guru Amar Das
* Guru Ram Das
* Guru Arjan
* Guru Hargobind
* Guru Har Rai
* Guru Har Krishan
* Guru Tegh Bahadur
* Guru Gobind Singh
* Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book)

Philosophy|

* Beliefs and principles
* Guru Maneyo Granth
* Sikh Rehat Maryada
* The 52 Hukams
* Prohibitions
* Cannabis and Sikhism
* Diet in Sikhism

Practices|

* Khalsa
* Sikh practices
* Sikh rites
* Ardās
* Kirtan
* Langar
* Naam Karan
* Anand Karaj
* Amrit Sanchar
* Amrit Velā
* Antam Sanskar
* Three Pillars
* Kirat Karo
* Naam Japo
* Vand Chhako
* The Five Ks
* Simran
* Sewa
* Charhdi Kala
* Dasvand
* Jhatka

Scripture|

* Guru Granth Sahib
* Dasam Granth
* Sarbloh Granth
* Gurbani
* Mul Mantar
* Japji Sahib
* Chaupai
* Jaap Sahib
* Rehras
* Sukhmani Sahib
* Tav-Prasad Savaiye

Architecture|

* Gurdwara
* Harmandir Sahib
* Janam Asthan
* Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
* List
* Africa
* Asia
* Europe
* North America
* Bahadurgarh Fort
* Fateh Burj
* Hazuri Bagh Baradari
* Kesgarh Qila
* Khanda museum
* Moti Bagh Palace
* Nanak Shahi bricks
* Pul Kanjri
* Qila Mubarak, Patiala
* Ramgarhia Bunga
* Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
* Well of Dina Nath

By country|

* Diaspora
* Afghanistan
* Australia
* Austria
* Bangladesh
* Belgium
* Canada
* Vancouver
* China
* Denmark
* Fiji
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* India
* Jammu and Kashmir
* Kochi
* Punjab
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Italy
* Japan
* Malaysia
* Nepal
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Niue
* Norway
* Pakistan
* Panama
* Poland
* Singapore
* South Africa
* South Korea
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Thailand
* United Arab Emirates
* United Kingdom
* England
* Scotland
* Wales
* Northern Ireland
* United States
* U.S. Military

Groups, sects
and communities|

* Sects of Sikhism
* Khalsa
* Mina
* Namdhari
* Nanakpanthi
* Nihang
* Nirankari
* Sewapanthi
* Nirmala
* Ramraiya
* Udasi
* Mazhabi Sikh
* Piara Singh Bhaniara
* Agrahari Sikh
* Jatha
* Damdami Taksal
* Akhand Kirtani Jatha
* Singh Sabha
* Contemporary Sant Mat movements
* 3HO

Sikh Empire|

* v
* t
* e

Sikh Empire

Rulers|

* Ranjit Singh
* Kharak Singh
* Nau Nihal Singh
* Chand Kaur
* Sher Singh
* Jind Kaur
* Duleep Singh

Military
conflicts|

| Mughal-Sikh Wars|

* Battle of Bhangani
* Nadaun
* Basoli
* 1st Anandpur
* 2nd Anandpur
* Chamkaur
* Sarsa
* Muktsar
* Sonepat
* Samana
* Sirhind
* Sadhaura
* Chappar Chiri
* Rahon
* Lohgarh
* Jalalabad
* Jammu
* Gurdas Nangal
* Delhi

|

Afghan–Sikh wars|

* Battle of Attock
* Battle of Multan
* Battle of Shopian
* Battle of Nowshera
* Battle of Peshawar
* Battle of Jamrud

First Anglo-Sikh War|

* Battle of Mudki
* Battle of Ferozeshah
* Battle of Aliwal
* Battle of Sobraon

Second Anglo-Sikh War|

* Battle of Ramnagar
* Battle of Chillianwala
* Siege of Multan
* Battle of Gujrat

Others|

Nepal–Sikh War, Sino-Sikh war, Katoch–Sikh War, Hill States–Sikh Wars, Panchayati Revolution, List of battles involving the Sikh Empire

Military forces|

* Sikh Khalsa Army
* Fauj-i-Khas
* Fauj-i-Ain
* Kampu-i-mu'alla

Adversaries|

* Mughal Empire
* Durrani Empire
* Emirate of Afghanistan
* British East India Company
* Kingdom of Nepal
* Qing Empire
* Hill States Alliance
* Kingdom of Mankera
* Namgyal dynasty
* Barakzai dynasty
* Sudhans of Poonch
* Maqpon Dynasty

Forts|

* Jamrud Fort
* Multan Fort
* Harkishangarh
* Lahore Fort
* Zorawar Fort
* Bahu Fort
* Gobindgarh Fort
* Phillaur Fort
* Firozpur Fort

Officials and warriors|

| Natives|

* Dhian Singh
* Diwan Dina Nath
* Diwan Bhawani Das
* Diwan Buta Singh
* Pratap Singh
* Misr Diwan Chand
* Diwan Mulraj
* Hari Singh Nalwa
* Mahan Singh Mirpuri
* Dewan Mokham Chand
* Khushal Singh Jamadar
* Zorawar Singh
* Tej Singh
* Lal Singh
* Gulab Singh
* Balbhadra Kunwar
* Jawahar Singh
* Mehta Basti Ram
* Sham Singh Attariwalla
* Sher Singh Attariwalla
* Chattar Singh Attariwalla
* Desa Singh Majithia
* Amar Singh Majithia
* Lehna Singh Majithia
* Ranjodh Singh Majithia
* Surat Singh Majithia
* Mangal Singh Ramgarhia
* Akali Phula Singh
* Chandu Lal
* Ajit Singh Sandhawalia
* Kahan Singh Nakai
* Sangat Singh Saini
* Hukma Singh
* Veer Singh
* Jarnail Ghaus Khan
* Ilahi Bakhsh
* Fakir Azizuddin
* Sultan Mahmud Khan
* Malik Fateh Khan Tiwana
* Sohan Lal Suri
* Moti Ram
* Diwan Ram Dayal
* Diwan Kirpa Ram

|

Foreigners|

* Jean-François Allard
* Jean-Baptiste Ventura
* Claude Auguste Court
* François Henri Mouton
* Alexander Gardner
* Paolo Avitabile
* Josiah Harlan
* Johann Martin Honigberger
* Henry Lawrence

Influential families|

* Sandhawalia family
* Majithia family
* Tiwana family

Treaties|

* Treaty of Amritsar (1809)
* Tripartite Treaty (1838)
* Treaty of Chushul (1842)
* Treaty of Lahore (1846)
* Treaty of Amritsar (1846)

Miscellaneous|

* Khalsa Darbar records

Festivals|

* Bandi Chhor Divas
* Hola Mohalla
* Maghi
* Mela Maghi
* Vaisakhi

Culture|

* Art
* Music
* Films
* Literature
* Music
* Names

Other topics|

* History
* Ik Onkar
* Waheguru
* Khanda
* Panj Pyare
* Places
* Politics
* Sikhs in the British Indian Army
* 11th Sikh Regiment
* Sikh Regiment
* Sikh Light Infantry
* Nanakshahi calendar
* Ramananda
* Fariduddin Ganjshakar
* Kabir
* Sardar
* Dastar
* Dharamyudh
* Islam
* Jainism
* Hinduism
* Rama
* Sikhs
* Ravidassia
* Women in Sikhism
* Sikhism and sexual orientation
* In Fiction
* Idolatry in Sikhism
* Criticism
* Punjab
* History
* Punjabis
* Punjabi language (Gurmukhī)
* Sacred trees

Takht|

* Akal Takht
* Damdama Sahib
* Kesgarh Sahib
* Hazur Sahib
* Patna Sahib

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