Sikh Terms &
Gurbani Glossary
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A
Ajooni
Ajooni means beyond birth, a Divine attribute in the opening of Gurbani.
Akaal Moorat
Akaal Moorat refers to the Timeless or Undying in the opening of Gurbani.
Akal Purakh
The Timeless Being; the Supreme Creator or God.
Akal Takht
The primary temporal seat of Sikh authority, standing beside Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Decisions affecting the Panth have historically been deliberated here.
Akhand Path
The continuous, uninterrupted reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji from beginning to end, typically taking 48 hours.
Amrit
The sacred nectar used in the Khalsa initiation ceremony.
Amrit Sanchar
The formal Sikh rite of initiation into the Khalsa, often referred to as Khande di Pahul.
Amrit Vela
Amrit Vela — the ambrosial hours before dawn, set aside for Nitnem, simran and quiet remembrance of Waheguru. Its meaning, timing and how to begin.
Amritdhari
A Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa through the Amrit Sanchar ceremony.
Anand Karaj
The Sikh marriage ceremony, literally translating to 'Blissful Union'.
Anand Sahib
A Bani of Guru Amar Das Ji recited for joy and completion. It is part of daily Nitnem and is also read at Anand Karaj and other services.
Ang
The respectful word for a page of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Sikhs say "Ang," not "page," because the scripture is living Guru.
Antam Sanskar
The Sikh funeral rites. The body is usually cremated, Gurbani is read, and the emphasis is on Hukam rather than prolonged mourning ritual. See the Life & Maryada guide.
Ardas
Ardas is the formal Sikh prayer of supplication, offered before and after Gurbani and every significant task. Its history, structure and how it is recited.
Asa di Var
A collection of hymns composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, traditionally sung at dawn.
Ashtpadi
Ashtpadi is a Gurbani composition form associated with eight stanzas.
B
Baana
The traditional Sikh attire, representing the distinct identity of a Khalsa.
Bandi Chhor Divas
The day commemorating Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's release from internment along with other prisoners. Often falls near Diwali and is marked with lights at Gurdwaras.
Bani
The spoken words or writings of the Gurus; often used interchangeably with Gurbani.
Bhagat
A holy person or saint whose writings are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Bhog
The ceremony marking the conclusion of a Path or religious service.
C
Chardi Kala
An ever-rising spirit of optimism and high morale, even in hardship, grounded in trust in Waheguru.
Chaupai Sahib
Chaupai Sahib is a Bani from the Dasam Granth recited for protection and courage, and part of morning Nitnem for initiated Sikhs. Its meaning and how to recite it.
Chaur Sahib
The ceremonial whisk waved over Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a mark of reverence, recalling royal honour given to the living Guru.
Chhant
Chhant is a poetic and musical form used in Gurbani.
D
Darbar
The royal court; the main hall of a Gurdwara where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is seated.
Dasam Granth
The holy scripture containing the writings attributed to the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Dastar
The Sikh turban. It covers uncut hair and is a public sign of commitment, equality, and identity. See the Sikhi Basics guide.
Dasvandh
The practice of donating one-tenth of one's earnings to the community or charitable causes.
Deg Teg Fateh
Deg Teg Fateh — the Khalsa's dual duty of providing food (Deg) and protection (Teg). Its origin in Sikh history and its meaning for the community today.
Dhadi Meaning in Sikhism: Ballad Singers & Dhadi Jatha
Dhadi is a performer of historical narrative ballads in Sikh tradition.
Diwan
A Sikh religious assembly or congregation gathered for worship.
F
Five Kakars
The five articles of faith worn by Amritdhari Sikhs: Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kirpan, and Kachera. Also called the Five Ks.
G
Ghar
Ghar is a numbered notation found in some Gurbani headings.
Giani
A learned scholar of Sikhi, deeply versed in the scriptures and history.
Golak
The offering box in a Gurdwara where sangat place donations for the upkeep of the house of the Guru and for sewa.
Granthi
The custodian of the Guru Granth Sahib who maintains the Gurdwara and leads daily services.
Gur Prasad
Gur Prasad means by the Guru's grace in the opening of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Gurbani
The sacred literature and words of the Sikh Gurus and Bhagats enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Gurdwara
The Sikh place of worship, literally meaning 'Door to the Guru'.
Gurmat
Gurmat is the Guru-guided way of understanding and living Sikhi.
Gurmata
Gurmata is a collective Panthic resolution, distinct from Gurmat.
Gurmukh
Gurmukh describes one oriented toward the Guru and the Guru's teaching.
Gurmukhi
Gurmukhi is the script of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Punjabi language. Its origin, how it is read, and why learning it deepens Gurbani study.
Gurpurab
A day honouring a Guru Sahib — birth, Gurgaddi, or other remembered occasion — marked with kirtan, langar, and often an Akhand Path.
Guru Granth Sahib
The eternal Guru of the Sikhs. The living scripture installed in every Gurdwara and the source of daily Hukamnama and Nitnem.
Gutka
A small prayer book containing daily prayers (Nitnem) and selected hymns.
H
Harmandir Sahib
Sri Harmandir Sahib, also called the Golden Temple, in Amritsar. The daily Hukamnama taken here is the Mukhwak shared worldwide.
Haumai
Ego or self-centeredness; considered a primary spiritual obstacle.
Hukam
Hukam means Divine order or command in Gurbani; it is wider than the daily Hukamnama.
Hukamnama
The 'Order of the Day,' referring to a hymn read at random from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to seek divine guidance.
I
Ik Onkar
The opening of the Mool Mantar. It affirms one Creator, beyond number and division, with which Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji begins.
J
Jaap Sahib
A Bani of Guru Gobind Singh Ji recited in the morning Nitnem, praising the formless Creator through a long sequence of names and attributes.
Japji Sahib
The first 8 pages of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scripture), consisting of hymns composed by Guru Nanak.
Jatha
Jatha means a group, such as a kirtan or sewa group.
K
Kachera
Cotton under-shorts, one of the Five Kakars. A reminder of modesty and readiness for a disciplined life.
Kangha
A wooden comb, one of the Five Kakars. It keeps kesh clean and tidy and stands for order in daily life.
Kara
A simple iron or steel bracelet worn on the wrist, one of the Five Kakars. It reminds the wearer of restraint and of the unending Creator.
Karah Parshad
A sacred, sweet pudding served at the end of a Sikh service as a sacrament.
Karta Purakh
Karta Purakh points to the Divine as the creative Being in the opening of Gurbani.
Katha
Spoken exposition of Gurbani or Sikh history, given in sangat so listeners can understand and apply what has been sung or read.
Kaur
Meaning 'Princess,' the mandatory name given to female Sikhs to promote equality.
Kesh
Uncut hair, one of the Five Kakars. It is kept intact as given and covered with a dastar or other respectful covering.
Khalsa
The community of the pure; initiated Sikhs who wear the Five Ks.
Khanda
The emblem of the Sikh faith, consisting of a double-edged sword, a chakar, and two kirpans.
Kirat Karni
One of the three pillars: earning an honest living through work, without exploitation.
Kirpan
A short sword, one of the Five Kakars. It represents the duty to protect the weak and to live with courage, not aggression.
Kirtan
The devotional singing of Gurbani accompanied by traditional musical instruments.
Kirtan Sohila
The night Bani recited before sleep and also at Antam Sanskar. It closes the day in remembrance.
L
Langar
The community kitchen of a Gurdwara, which serves free meals to all regardless of background.
Larivaar
Larivaar is a continuous-script presentation of Gurbani without modern word spacing.
M
Mahalla
Mahalla is a heading marker identifying the Sikh Guru associated with a composition.
Manmukh
Manmukh describes self-directed conduct contrasted with living by the Guru's teaching.
Maryada
Maryada is a Sanskrit and Indian language word that means boundary, limit, rule of conduct, or moral decency. It refers to the ethical lines, social norms, and personal honor that keep human behavior orderly, respectful, and righteous
Maya
Maya in Gurbani often points to worldly attachment and mistaken ideas of permanence.
Miri-Piri
The Sikh pairing of temporal responsibility (Miri) and spiritual authority (Piri), lived together rather than split apart.
Mool Mantar
The root verse that opens Japji Sahib and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, stating the nature of Ik Onkar.
Mukhwak
The spoken Hukamnama — the hymn taken from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the day's command, especially the morning Mukhwak from Sri Darbar Sahib.
Mukti
Mukti means liberation; Sikh teaching also speaks of freedom while living.
N
Naam
Naam refers to the Divine Name and remembrance of the Divine in Gurbani.
Naam Japna
One of the three pillars: remembrance of the Divine Name through simran, recitation, and a remembered life.
Nadar
Nadar means grace or a gracious glance, often referring to Divine grace in Gurbani.
Nirbhau
Nirbhau means without fear, a Divine attribute in the opening of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Nirvair
Nirvair means without enmity, one of the Divine attributes in the opening of Gurbani.
Nishan Sahib
The saffron (or sometimes navy) Sikh flag that flies above a Gurdwara, marked with the Khanda, showing the house of the Guru.
Nitnem
The daily prayers prescribed for Sikhs, typically consisting of morning, evening, and nighttime Banis.
P
Paath
Paath (derived from the Sanskrit word patha) primarily means the religious reading, recitation, or study of holy scriptures. In a general linguistic or South Asian context (Hindi/Sanskrit/Punjabi), it can also mean a lesson, a reading text, or a designated portion of a textbook. It can also be used like Nitnem Paath for example. Read the full Paath explanation
Pangat
Sitting in a line to eat langar as equals. Together with Sangat it expresses that worship and a shared meal belong to everyone.
Panj Pyare
The 'Five Beloved Ones'; the first five Sikhs initiated into the Khalsa who act as leaders for the community.
Panth
Literally 'path,' used to describe the entire Sikh community worldwide.
Parkash
The ceremonial opening and installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at the start of the day's worship.
Pauri
A stanza form used in Gurbani, notably throughout Japji Sahib. Each pauri is a complete step in the hymn.
Pothi
Pothi means a book or volume and can refer to a collection of sacred writings.
R
Raag
Raag is a melodic framework; named raags organize much of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Ragi
Ragi is a musician who sings Gurbani as kirtan.
Rahao
Rahao marks a refrain or pause in a Gurbani composition.
Rehat
Rehat is disciplined Sikh conduct or way of life.
Rehat Maryada
Rehat Maryada is a Sikh code of conduct; the SGPC publishes a code under this name.
Rehras Sahib
The evening Nitnem Bani, read at sunset. It gathers hymns of praise and petition at the close of the working day.
Rumala Sahib
The cloth robes that cover Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji when the saroop is at rest or between readings.
S
Saibhang
Saibhang, often rendered self-existent, appears in the opening of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Salok
Salok is a poetic verse or stanza found in several Gurbani compositions.
Sangat
The holy congregation or assembly of Sikhs.
Santhiya
Santhiya is guided study of correct Gurbani reading and pronunciation.
Sarbat da Bhala
Sarbat da Bhala means wishing well-being for all, a familiar phrase in Ardas.
Sarbat Khalsa
Sarbat Khalsa is a collective gathering for Panthic deliberation.
Saroop
A saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a complete physical copy of the scripture.
Sat Naam
Sat Naam, often rendered “True Name,” appears in the opening of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Satguru
Satguru means True Guru, a term of reverence in Gurbani and Sikh practice.
Sehaj
Sehaj is the steady, natural spiritual poise spoken of in Gurbani.
Sehaj Paath
Sehaj Paath is a complete reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at a flexible pace.
Seva
Selfless service performed without expectation of reward.
Shabad
A sacred hymn within Gurbani. Sikhs receive guidance through Shabads, including the daily Hukamnama.
Simran
Simran is the remembrance of Naam — holding Waheguru in mind and on the tongue through the day. Its meaning, practice and place in daily Nitnem.
Singh
Meaning 'Lion,' the mandatory name given to male Sikhs.
Sukhasan
The ceremonial closing and rest of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at the end of the day's Parkash.
T
Tav-Prasad Savaiye
A morning Nitnem Bani of Guru Gobind Singh Ji that rejects empty ritual and asks for sincere devotion.
Tuk
Tuk means a line of verse; read a Gurbani tuk in the context of its full shabad.
V
Vaar
Vaar is a ballad-like form of Gurbani, often arranged in pauris and saloks.
Vaisakhi
The spring harvest festival and the day the Khalsa was revealed in 1699. Marked with Nagar Kirtan, Amrit Sanchar, and sangat gatherings.
W
Waheguru
The primary Sikh term used to refer to God, translating to 'Wondrous Enlightener'.