Glossary of Sikhism

Adi Granth

("the primal book") The Sikh sacred text, also known as the Guru Granth Sahib.

Adiguru

("original teacher") God.

amrit

("immortal" or "undying") Holy, sweetened water used for initiation into the Khalsa.

Amritsar

("Lake of Immortality") Pool of water surrounding the Golden Temple.

Ardhangi

("the better half") Women.

chauri

Ceremonial whisk waved above the scriptures as a sign of respect.

Five Ks

Five items always worn by devout Sikhs: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (comb), Kirpan (steel dagger), Kara (steel bracelet), Kachh (undergarment).

gatka

Sikh martial art.

granthi

Sikh official who reads from the Guru Granth Sahib at the gurdwara and also looks after the gurdwara.

gurdwara

Sikh temple.

gurmukh

One who is devoted to God.

gurpurbs

Festivals marking the birth or martyrdom of a Guru.

guru

("weighty one") In Indian religion, a spiritual guide. In Sikhism, only God, one of the ten Gurus, or the sacred book (Guru Granth Sahib) may be called Guru.

Gutka

Small manual for home use, containing passages of the Adi Granth used in daily prayer. It is used instead of the Adi Granth itself because of the many rituals that must accompany the use of the Adi Granth.

hukam

God's will.

haumai

Egoism.

Ik Onkar

Affirmation that "There is one God."

Janamsakhis

Reverent accounts of Guru Nanak's life.

kachh

Undergarment (cotton shorts) that is suitable for battle, symbolizing moral strength and chastity. One of the Five Ks of the Khalsa.

karha parshad

Sacred pudding eaten on special occasions.

karma

As in Hinduism, the moral law of cause and effect.

katha

Sikh sermon.

Khalsa

("pure"). Dedicated Sikh community founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 in response to continual persecution by Mughal authorities. The Khalsa underwent an initiation ritual of baptism and wore the Five Ks.

khanda

Symbol of the Khalsa.

kirpan

Ceremonial steel dagger symbolizing determination to defend the truth. One of the Five Ks of the Khalsa.

kirtan

The singing of hymns.

langar

(Also called Guru-ka-Langar). Communal vegetarian meal in which all participants sit on the floor to symbolize equality.

mala

Prayer beads.

manmukh

A wrong-doer; one who indulges in the five deadly evils and is lost in maya.

maya

The error of placing value on material things over the spiritual.

melas

Sikh fairs.

mukat

Crown-shaped hat worn by Guru Nanak in artistic depictions.

Mul Mantra

("Root Belief"). Morning prayer composed by Guru Nanak.

nam kiran

Ritual of naming a child.

nam simaran

("remembrance of the name") Sikh meditation.

patit

("renegade"). A Khalsa who cuts off his hair.

prasad

Divine help; grace.

sahajdhari

("slow-adopter"). Someone preparing himself gradually for initation into the Khalsa.

sahib

Title of respect used for people, places and things (e.g. Guru Granth Sahib).

sachkand

Utter bliss; liberation from rebirth.

seli

Beaded necklace traditionally worn by ascetics. Guru Nanak nearly always wears a seli in artistic depictions.

sikh

Disciple or learner.

seva

Community service, a central value in Sikhism.

vak

Practice of opening the Adi Granth at random and reading from the left-hand page to obtain guidance.

Sources

1. John Bowker, ed., The Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford, 2000).
2. John Bowker, ed., World Religions (DK Publishing, 1997).