GLOSSARY OF SIKH TERMS :)

GLOSSARY OF SIKH TERMS
Italicized words can be found elsewhere in the glossary
Adi Granth: Literally "the first book." The early compilation of the Sikh scriptures by Guru Arjan, the fith Sikh Guru, in 1604.

Adi Shakti: Symblo on the turban pin worn by Sikh women. It represents the Primal Feminine Creative Energy of the Universe

Akal Purakh: Literally "a timeless being that never dies." A Sikh name for God.

Akal Takhat: Literally "eternal throne." The pre-eminent of the five seats of Sikh temporal authority, In that the power exercised by its Jathedar is not shared by those of the other four Takhats. The actual building is located in the Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex of Amritsar, facing the Harimandir Sahib, and was constructed under the direction of Guru Hargobind.

Akali Dal: Literally "eternal army." The main political party of Sikhs in Punjab.

Akhand Path: A continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, lasting about 48 hours, by a team of readers.

Amrit: Literally "nectar." It is composed of water and sugar and is stirred with a double-edged sword while prayers are spoken. Initiation into Sikhism involves drinking Amrit. Can also refer, more generally, to the ambrosia of God's name.

Amritdhari: A Sikh who has taken part in the ceremonial initiation into the Khalsa.

Amritsar: Literally "pool of nectar." City located in the northern Indian state of Punjab, where the Harimandir Sahib complex is located.

Anand Karaj: Literally "blissful event." The Sikh wedding ceremony, literally translated as "blissful occasion." The lavan, or four stanzas, are sung to formalize Sikh marriages.

Anandpur: The city in India where the Khalsa was created in 1699.

Ardas: The Sikh congregational prayer, anonymously written during the 18th century. Although it is not in the Guru Granth Sahib, it occupies a prominent place in Sikh religious functions. It is said with the daily prayers, and often used to initiate or conclude any significant endeavor (i.e. child going away to school, starting a business venture).

Bhangra: A Punjabi folk dance.

Bhindranwale, Jarnail Singh: A charismatic preacher who was killed in the Indian army attack on the Harimandir Sahib complex in 1984.

Caste: A ranked, birth-ascribed group which determines social standing and occupation, based on the tenets of Hindu philosophy. For Sikhs, caste has no religious or social significance.

Chandigarh: The capital of the modern-day Indian state of Punjab.

Chunni: A long, flowingveil worn by some Sikh women with their turbans. A symbol that every women is a princess.

Dasam Granth: A sacred book of writings attributed by some Sikhs to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.

Dasvandh: One-tenth of personal income, which a Sikh is religiously obligated to donate to charity.

Gatka: The Sikh martial art form.

Golden Temple: A gurdwara of historical, spiritual, and emotional significance to Sikhs, called Harimandir Sahib in Punjabi. It was first conceived of by Guru Amar Das, although construction did not begin until Guru Ram Das became the Guru. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the structure plated with gold in the early 19th century. In 1604, the recently compiled Adi Granth was housed here. It was attacked by the Indian army in June 1984.

Giani: Someone learned in the Sikh religion. Often leads the congregation in prayers, such as Ardas, or in singing kirtan.

Granthi: A ceremonial reader of the Guru Granth Sahib. Duties include arranging daily religious services, reading from the Sikh scripture, maintaining the gurdwara premises, and teaching and advising community members. A granthi is not equivalent to a minister as there are no such religious intermediaries in the Sikh religious tradition.

Gurbani: The revealed wisdom of the Sikh Gurus in their own words, found in the Guru Granth Sahib; The devotional songs of the Gurus

Gurdwara: Literally translated "Home of the Guru." Any building or room dedicated to housing the devotional songs of the Guru for the prupose of spiritual practice; A Sikh place of worship, open to anyone. Provides food and shelter to travelers, and the needy.

Gurmukhi: Literally "from the mouth of the Guru." The written form of Punjabi, used in the Sikh scripture and in contemporary India.

Gurpurab: A Sikh holiday to commemorate the birth or death of a Sikh Guru.

Gursikh or Gurmukh: A Sikh devoted to Waheguru.

Guru: Literally "teacher." One of the most important words in Sikhism, it has a number of related meanings. It can refer, depending on context of usage, to one of the ten Sikh prophets, the Sikh scripture, the Sikh community (Guru Panth), or God. The Sikhs had ten living Gurus, and the 10th Guru transferred the Guruship to the holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Arjan Dev: The fifth Guru of the Sikhs and their first martyr. He compiled the Guru Granth Sahib. It was on his martyrdom day in June 1984 that the Indian army attacked the Golden Temple.

Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708): The tenth and last living prophet of the Sikhs, he passed the guruship onto the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, and the Sikh community (Guru Panth). Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the order of the Khalsa during Vaisakhi 1699.

Guru Granth Sahib: The Sikh scripture, written in poetry organized in 31 sections, with each section corresponding to a particular melodic scale, or raag. It includes the poetry of six Sikh Gurus, and 36 other saints, including Muslims and Hindus. It is 1430 pages long and is the embodiment of the spiritual knowledge and authority of all of the Gurus. The words from the Guru Granth Sahib are the central focus at all Sikh Gurdwaras. It is used by Sikhs for meditation, guidance, comfort, and inspiration.

Guru Hargobind: The 6th Guru of the Sikhs. Following the martyrdom of his father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, he was the first Guru to maintain a standing army and symbolically wear two swords, representing spiritual and temporal power. Responsible for the construction of the Akal Takht.

Guru Har Krishan: The 8th Guru of the Sikhs, who was only 5 years old when he became Guru in 1661. He died three years later.

Guru Nanak: The founder of the Sikh faith. Born in 1469, he began his mission by proclaiming that there is "neither Hindu nor Muslim," stressing common truths fundamental to diverse faiths. He preached against caste and advocated the equality of women.

Guru Panth: Literally "Guru’s path." The name used by Sikhs to describe the worldwide Sikh community.

Guru Teg Bahadur: The 9th Guru of the Sikhs, who was killed by Mughal rulers in 1675 for defending Hindus facing forcible conversion to Islam.

Harimandir Sahib: Literally "Temple of God." The Punjabi name for the Golden Temple.

Haumai: The self-centeredness (ego) of a human, which can only be overcome through mediatation on God’s name (naam).

Hukam: Literally "divine will." A decree by a high authority. Can also refer to a passage from the Guru Granth Sahib, selected by randomly opening the Sikh scripture during a daily ceremony. The passage is considered by Sikhs as the divine "command of the Guru" for the day.

Jathedar: A leader of Sikh volunteers. Also refers to the appointed leader of one of the five Sikh takhats.

Kachehra: Undershorts. One of the five Sikh articles of faith, given as gifts of love by Guru Gobind Singh, compulsorily worn by a baptized Sikh.

Kanga: Comb. One of the five Sikh articles of faith, given as gifts of love by Guru Gobind Singh, worn by a baptized Sikh.

Kara: Iron bracelet. One of the five Sikh articles of faith, given as gifts of love by Guru Gobind Singh, worn by a baptized Sikh. Worn as a symbol of devotion

Kaum: A term used by many Sikhs to refer to corporate the Sikh nation or Panth.

Kaur: Literally "princess." The name given to all female Sikhs.

Kesh: Uncut hair. One of the five Sikh articles of faith, given as gifts of love by Guru Gobind Singh, worn by a baptized Sikh.

Khalistan: The state of mind in which a pure human lives. Its not to take anything with any seprate state from India.

Khalsa: Literally "belonging only to the divine;" The collective body of all initiated Sikhs, who drink the amrit instituted by Guru Gobind Singh, and agree to live by the highest ideals of Sikh principles. Committed to one's own purity of consciousness and actions.

Khanda: Double-edged sword. When surrounded by a kirpan on each side and a quoit, a symbol of the Khalsa.

Kirpan: Miniature ceremonial sword. One of the five Sikh articles of faith, given as gifts of love by Guru Gobind Singh, worn by a baptized Sikh. Represents the Sikh commitment to Truth and Protection of the innocent

Kirta: Traditional unifrom worn by Sikh men

Kirtan: The devotional singing of sacred hymns, or shabads, from the Guru Granth Sahib, usually accompanied by instruments.

Langar: Free community kitchen. The devotional meal eaten by the congregation, as part of the religious service. Langar is free and open to all, regardless of religious background. It is an illustration of putting into practice the Sikh belief in the equality of all humanity, and the rejection of the Hindu caste system, which forbade people of different castes from eating together.

Matha taykna: Bowing down and touching the floor with one’s forehead in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs do not bow before the book as some type of idol worship. By bowing, Sikhs are submitting themselves to the scripture, and the knowledge and true words of God contained therein. Sikhs perform matha taykna as they enter the main hall. Most worshippers opt to place a donation in front of the scripture before bowing, which is used for the management of the gurdwara.

Maya: Literally "delusion." Sikh theology explains that everything in this world is an illusion, and that the only true reality is Waheguru. A person affected by maya is described, in the Sikh scripture, as suffering from the delusion of believing that those things which are fleeting and impermanent are worth pursuing. A person attached to maya cannot escape the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, which is the goal of every Sikh. A Sikh strives to avoid rebirth through living a meritous life of honest work, service to others, and remembrance of God’s name.

Naam: Name. The divine name of God.

Naam Simran: Remembering God's name through meditation. This is a seminal form of worship for Sikhs.

Nitnem: The daily Sikh prayers. Sikhs recite prayers three times a day. Including Japuji Sahib, Jaap sahib, Tav Parsad Svaiyye, Choupai sahib and Anand sahib in morning, Rehraas sahib in evening, and Kirtan sohaila before sleep.

Operation Blue Star: The Indian army attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar and other gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana and Himachel Pradesh in June 1984.

Panj Piare: "Five beloved ones;" Five Amritdhari Sikhs. Often refers to the first five initiated Sikhs, during the Vaisakhi celebrations of 1699, who volunteered to give up their lives as a sign of their faith and love for their Guru. Currently, panj piare are necessary to perform baptisms, make important corporate decisions, and officiate over special occasions.

Panth: The Sikh community.

Patit: A lapsed Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa, but failed to observe the Khalsa code of conduct.

Prakash: A short ceremony performed when the Guru Granth Sahib is formally opened everyday.

Punjab: Literally "five rivers." Fertile, agriculturally productive region in South Asia which today is divided between India and Pakistan. Birthplace of the Sikh religious tradition. Name of state in both India and Pakistan.

Raag: A term used in Indian classical music to refer to a series of five or more notes upon which a melody is based. The poetic works in the Guru Granth Sahib are categorized according to the raag in which they are sung.

Ragi: A musician who is trained in performing kirtan.

Rehat Maryada: A formalized code of conduct for the Khalsa way of life.

Sangat: Literally translated "community." A Sikh congregation. Believed to be an essential aspect of living a spiritual and God-centered life.

Sant Sipahi: Literally "saint-soldiers." Guru Hargobind decreed that Sikhs should be both devout followers of the teachings of the Gurus, while being prepared to take up arms for self-defense and defense of the oppressed.

Sat Sri Akal: A common Sikh greeting, meaning "God is True and Timeless."

Seva: Community service. A central aspect of Sikh theology; Selfless service, which is believed to bring one closer to God

Shabad: Literally "word." A sacred Sikh hymn.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (S.G.P.C.): Established in 1920, this elected governance committee, located in Amritsar, is responsible for the administration of gurdwaras in India.

Sikh: Literally "student, disciple." According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada, a Sikh is someone who believes in God, the ten Sikh Gurus, in the Guru Granth Sahib, in the importance of the Khalsa initiation, and in no other religion; "Seeker of Truth"

Singh: Literally means lion. The name given to all male Sikhs.

Sukhasan: A short ceremony performed when the Guru Granth Sahib is formally closed everyday.

Takhat: Literally "throne." One of five centers of Sikh secular authority.

Turban: A cloth covering of the head. Worn as a sign of devotion to God

Vaisakhi: A spring harvest festival in Punjab, usually held around April 13. It holds special significance for Sikhs, as it serves as a time to commemorate the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. Considered the beginning of the Sikh new year, it is a time of religious observances and festive celebration.

Waheguru: Literally "the wonderful Lord"; the most popular Sikh name for God; Traditional Sikh prayer which means "My Purity belongs to God, My Victory belongs to God."