Glossary
Plain meanings of the Sikh and Punjabi terms used on this site.
A
- Adi Granthਆਦਿ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ
- Another name for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Adi means first or original, and sets it apart from the Dasam Granth.[EoS]Read more
- Akal Purakhਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ
- A Sikh name for God. Akal means beyond time and purakh means person.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Akal Takhtਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ
- "The Timeless Throne." The chief seat of Sikh religious authority, facing the Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Akaliਅਕਾਲੀ
- From Akal, the Timeless One. It first named the Nihangs, and now names members of the Shiromani Akali Dal, founded in 1920.[EoS]Read more
- Akhand Pathਅਖੰਡ ਪਾਠ
- An unbroken reading of all of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by a relay of readers, completed within 48 hours.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Amritਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ
- From the Sanskrit for nectar of immortality. In Sikh use it is the sanctified water of the initiation ceremony.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Amritdhariਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਧਾਰੀ
- A Sikh who has received amrit and keeps the vows and the five Ks.[EoS]Read more
- Anand Karajਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ
- "Joyful occasion." The Sikh marriage ceremony, in which the couple circle Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Lavan are sung.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Anand Sahibਅਨੰਦੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ
- A forty-stanza composition by Sri Guru Amar Das Ji in Raag Ramkali. A shortened form closes Sikh services and ceremonies.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Angਅੰਗ
- The word Sikhs use for a page of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The standard edition has 1,430.[EoS][Web][DB]Read more
B
- Babaਬਾਬਾ
- From a Persian word for father or grandfather, a title of affection and reverence. It was used for Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and for descendants of the Gurus.[EoS]
- Bandaiਬੰਦਈ
- A follower of Banda Singh Bahadur who regarded him as Guru after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The main body of Sikhs opposed them and expelled them in 1721.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Bandi Chhor Divasਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ
- The Sikh observance held at Diwali. It recalls the return of Sri Guru Hargobind Ji to Amritsar after being held at Gwalior on the orders of the Emperor Jahangir.[EoS][Web]Read more
- Bani or Gurbaniਬਾਣੀ
- The sacred compositions of the Gurus and the saints in the scripture. Gurbani means Guru Ji's bani, and for Sikhs it is the revealed word.[EoS]Read more
- Barah Mahaਬਾਰਹ ਮਾਹਾ
- A folk poetry form that follows the twelve months of the year. The scripture has examples in Raag Majh and Raag Tukhari.[EoS][DB]Read more
- Bhagatਭਗਤ
- A devotee. In Sikh use it names the saints and Sufis outside the line of Gurus, fifteen in all, whose hymns are in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.[EoS][Web]Read more
- Bhaiਭਾਈ
- Literally "brother". It became a title of respect for Sikhs of standing, in use by the middle of the seventeenth century.[EoS]
- Bhaktiਭਗਤੀ
- Loving devotion to God, and the name of the devotional movement of medieval India to which the bhagats of the scripture belonged.[EoS][EoS]
- Bhanaਭਾਣਾ
- God's will or pleasure. Sikh teaching sees all of existence as resting on it.[EoS]Read more
- Bhattਭੱਟ
- A bard. In Sikh history it names the poets whose savaiye in praise of the Gurus are in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, whose number is given as 11, 17 or 19.[EoS]Read more
- Bhatt Vahiਭੱਟ ਵਹੀ
- A scroll of family records kept by hereditary bards and genealogists. These scrolls were brought to scholarly use by Giani Garja Singh.[EoS][EoS]
- Bhogਭੋਗ
- The observances that accompany the concluding part of a reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.[EoS]Read more
- Bikramiਬਿਕ੍ਰਮੀ
- The calendar era on which older Sikh dates are based, written Bk. It began 57 years before the Common Era.[EoS]
C
D
- Dal Khalsaਦਲ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ
- The combined Sikh fighting force of the eighteenth century, made up of the warrior bands that became the misls.[EoS][EoS]
- Darbarਦਰਬਾਰ
- A royal court. In Sikh use it extends to Guru Ji's court, and Darbar Sahib, "the holy court", names both the scripture and the Harmandir Sahib.[EoS][EoS][EoS]Read more
- Dasam Granthਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ
- "The Tenth Book." The collection of compositions attributed to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.[EoS]Read more
- Daswandhਦਸਵੰਧ
- "A tenth part." The practice of giving a tenth of one's earnings as an offering to Guru Ji, for the shared funds of the community.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Deg Teghਦੇਗ ਤੇਗ
- "Kettle and sword." A Sikh saying that joins feeding others with protecting them.[EoS]Read more
- Deraਡੇਰਾ
- A tent, camp or dwelling, or a rural settlement. It also names a religious house, such as those of the Nirmalas and Udasis.[EoS]
F
G
- Gatkaਗਤਕਾ
- Mock battle with traditional weapons, displayed by parties at Sikh processions.[Web]Read more
- Ghallugharaਘੱਲੂਘਾਰਾ
- A massacre or great loss of life. Sikh history remembers the Chhota Ghallughara of 1746 and the Vadda Ghallughara of 5 February 1762.[EoS][EoS]
- Gianiਗਿਆਨੀ
- One who has spiritual knowledge. It is also a title of respect for a Sikh with mastery of Sikh doctrine.[EoS]
- Golakਗੋਲਕ
- The till or box for offerings in a gurdwara, usually placed in front of the sanctum.[EoS]Read more
- Granthiਗ੍ਰੰਥੀ
- The officiant who reads Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in public. The role is not a priesthood in the usual sense.[EoS]Read more
- Gurbilasਗੁਰਬਿਲਾਸ
- A verse biography of a Guru, written from the early eighteenth century on. These works are a later narrative tradition, such as Gurbilas Patshahi 10 of 1751.[EoS][EoS]
- Gurdwaraਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ
- "Guru Ji's door." The Sikh place of worship, defined by the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.[EoS]Read more
- Gurgaddiਗੁਰਗੱਦੀ
- The spiritual seat of the Gurus, and so the office of Guru. Being installed on it marks the succession.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Gurmatਗੁਰਮਤਿ
- The counsel of Guru Ji. The word covers Sikh doctrine and the Sikh way of life as a whole.[EoS]
- Gurmataਗੁਰਮਤਾ
- A resolution adopted by Sikhs assembled in Guru Ji's name, with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji present.[EoS]Read more
- Gurmukhਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ
- A person whose face is turned toward Guru Ji, meaning one guided by Guru Ji. The opposite is manmukh.[EoS][EoS]
- Gurmukhiਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ
- The script used to write Punjabi and the scripture. Its letters are older than the Gurus, and its shaping into a script is attributed to Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji.[EoS]Read more
- Gurpurabਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ
- A holy day marking an anniversary in the lives of the Gurus, such as a birth or a martyrdom.[EoS][Web]Read more
- Guruਗੁਰੂ
- A spiritual teacher. In Sikh use the title belongs to the ten Gurus and to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and no living person can hold it.[EoS][EoS]Read more
H
- Harmandir Sahibਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ
- "The house of God." The central gurdwara of the Sikhs, at Amritsar, known in English as the Golden Temple and also called Sri Darbar Sahib.[EoS]Read more
- Haumaiਹਉਮੈ
- Literally "I am". It means self-centred pride, which the scripture treats as a spiritual and moral illness.[EoS]
- Hola Mohallaਹੋਲਾ ਮਹੱਲਾ
- A Sikh festival held on the first day of lunar Chet, usually in March. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji held the first such march at Anandpur in 1701.[EoS]Read more
- Hukamਹੁਕਮੁ
- Literally "command". In Sikh thought it means the divine order that governs the universe, which a person is asked to accept and walk with.[EoS]Read more
- Hukamnamaਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾ
- A letter of command. The word first meant the Gurus' letters to their Sikhs, and now also means edicts issued from the Takhts.[EoS]
I
J
- Jaap Sahibਜਾਪੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ
- A morning prayer by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, part of Nitnem and recited as amrit is prepared.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Jagirਜਾਗੀਰ
- A grant of land or its revenue, given by a sovereign to someone owing loyalty.[EoS]
- Janamsakhiਜਨਮ ਸਾਖੀ
- "Life story." A traditional prose account of the life of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, told in anecdotes, in several traditions that grew up in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.[EoS]
- Japji Sahibਜਪੁਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ
- The opening composition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, recited early each morning. It is not assigned to any raag.[EoS]Read more
- Jathaਜਥਾ
- A band of volunteers formed for a set task, whether armed or peaceful. The term was in common use by the early eighteenth century.[EoS]
- Jathedarਜਥੇਦਾਰ
- The leader of a jatha. The title is also used for the head of a Takht.[EoS][EoS][EoS]Read more
- Jiਜੀ
- A Punjabi honorific placed after a name to show respect, as in Japji.[EoS]
K
- Kachheraਕਛਹਿਰਾ
- The short drawers worn by initiated Sikhs, one of the five Ks, also called kachh.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Kanghaਕੰਘਾ
- The comb kept in the hair, one of the five Ks, which stands for cleanliness.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Kar Bhetਕਾਰ ਭੇਟ
- A voluntary offering made to Guru Ji, which in early Sikh usage was to come from one's own earnings.[EoS]Read more
- Karaਕੜਾ
- The steel bracelet, one of the five Ks. Its circle is read as a sign of perfection and of restraint.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Karah Prasadਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
- The soft sweet food of flour, sugar and ghee placed before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and shared by the sangat after Ardas. It is also called deg.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Kathaਕਥਾ
- A spoken exposition of a passage of scripture, with stories and quotations to bring out its meaning.[EoS]
- Kaurਕੌਰ
- From a Sanskrit word for a princess or young woman, the name added to the names of Sikh women.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Keshਕੇਸ
- Uncut hair, the first of the five Ks. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism gives it primacy among them.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Khalsaਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ
- The community of initiated Sikhs, formed by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. The word comes from an Arabic root meaning pure.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Khandaਖੰਡਾ
- A double-edged sword. It also names the Sikh emblem of a khanda inside a steel quoit with two curved swords.[EoS][Src]Read more
L
M
- Mahalaਮਹਲਾ
- The heading that credits a composition to a Guru, by a number in the line of succession. Mahala 1 means Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Mahala 5 means Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji.[EoS]Read more
- Mahantਮਹੰਤ
- The head of a religious establishment. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the word named hereditary controllers of gurdwaras, whom the reform movement of the 1920s removed.[EoS]
- Manjiਮੰਜੀ
- Literally a cot. It came to mean a preaching district set up under Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, named for the raised seat of the person in charge, and sources give their number as 22.[EoS]
- Manmukhਮਨਮੁਖ
- A person turned toward their own mind, meaning one guided by ego and not by Guru Ji.[EoS]
- Masandਮਸੰਦ
- A local leader who looked after Sikh sangats and carried their offerings to Guru Ji. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji abolished the office after charges of corruption.[EoS][EoS]
- Mayaਮਾਇਆ
- In Indian thought, the veil or illusion that stands between a person and reality. The Gurus' compositions use the word, without treating it as a power separate from God.[EoS]
- Minaਮੀਣਾ
- A hostile epithet meaning deceitful, given in Sikh tradition to Prithi Chand, eldest son of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, and to those descendants who stayed apart from the main body of Sikhs.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Miri Piriਮੀਰੀ ਪੀਰੀ
- The joining of temporal power (miri) and spiritual authority (piri), an idea linked with Sri Guru Hargobind Ji.[EoS]Read more
- Mislਮਿਸਲ
- An eighteenth-century brigade of Sikh warriors and the territory it won. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism counts both eleven and twelve of them.[EoS][EoS]
- Mool Mantarਮੂਲ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ
- The opening lines of the scripture, describing God as one, true, the creator, without fear or enmity, timeless and self-existent. All or part of it heads each new raag section.[EoS]Read more
- Morchaਮੋਰਚਾ
- Literally an entrenchment or front. Since the reform movement of the 1920s it has meant an organised campaign of peaceful resistance.[EoS]
- Muktiਮੁਕਤਿ
- Liberation or release, the spiritual goal. It is sometimes translated as salvation, though the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism distinguishes it from the Christian idea.[EoS]
N
- Naamਨਾਮੁ
- Literally "name". In Sikh teaching it stands for the revealed being of God, which a person is called to contemplate and live by.[EoS]Read more
- Naam Japnaਨਾਮ ਜਪਣਾ
- Repeating and holding to God's Name. With honest work and sharing, it makes up the threefold rule of Sikh life.[EoS]Read more
- Nadarਨਦਰਿ
- From the Arabic for a favourable glance, it means divine grace. Sikh scripture treats it as indispensable to spiritual progress.[EoS]Read more
- Nagar Kirtanਨਗਰ ਕੀਰਤਨ
- A large street procession held before a gurpurab, led by the Panj Piare and the palki of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.[Web]Read more
- Namdhariਨਾਮਧਾਰੀ
- A Sikh movement of the nineteenth century, also called Kuka after the ecstatic cries of its members at worship. Namdhari means one attached to God's Name.[EoS]Read more
- Namkaranਨਾਮਕਰਨ
- The Sikh naming ceremony, held before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The SGPC code has the name start with the first letter of the hymn read at the time.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Nanakpanthiਨਾਨਕਪੰਥੀ
- A follower of the path of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Dabistan-i-Mazahib used it for Sikhs in general, and some later writers for those who did not keep unshorn hair.[EoS]Read more
- Nanakshahiਨਾਨਕਸ਼ਾਹੀ
- A Sikh era counted from the birth of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469. The SGPC dates its calendar by it.[EoS][Web]
- Nihangਨਿਹੰਗ
- A member of a distinctive armed Sikh order, recognised by dark blue dress and tall steel-decked turbans.[EoS]Read more
- Nirankariਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੀ
- A reform movement begun in northwest Punjab by Baba Dayal in the nineteenth century, against image worship. The name comes from Nirankar, the Formless One.[EoS]Read more
- Nirmalaਨਿਰਮਲਾ
- An order of Sikhs devoted mainly to religious study and preaching. It is commonly dated to the time of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, though some trace it to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.[EoS]Read more
P
- Pahulਪਾਹੁਲ
- The Sikh initiation ceremony, also called amrit sanskar. Since 1699 it has been given with the double-edged sword as khande di pahul.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Pangatਪੰਗਤ
- Sitting in a row on the ground to eat from a common kitchen, without regard to caste, creed, sex or status.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Panj Piareਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ
- "The five beloved." The five Sikhs named by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib in 1699 and first to receive his initiation: Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh.[EoS]Read more
- Panj Vikarਪੰਜ ਵਿਕਾਰ
- The five evils named in Sikh teaching: lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride.[EoS]
- Panthਪੰਥ
- Literally a path. In Sikh use it means both the Sikh faith and the Sikh people as a whole.[EoS]Read more
- Pathਪਾਠ
- Reading or reciting holy texts, whether daily prayers or Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.[EoS]Read more
- Patitਪਤਿਤ
- A Sikh who has broken the code of conduct without leaving the faith, and who may return after penance.[EoS]Read more
- Patshahiਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ
- A numbered title for a Guru, from patshah, a king. Patshahi 10 means the tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.[EoS][EoS]
R
- Raagਰਾਗ
- A musical mode of the Indian tradition. Most of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is arranged under 31 raags.[EoS][EoS][Web]Read more
- Rababਰਬਾਬ
- A stringed instrument, played by Bhai Mardana as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji sang. A rababi is a player of it.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Ragmalaਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ
- "A rosary of raags." A composition of twelve verses at the very end of the 1,430 angs, listing raags.[EoS]Read more
- Rahitnamaਰਹਿਤਨਾਮਾ
- A manual setting out the approved way of life for a Sikh. Rahitname, the plural, name a whole genre of such writings.[EoS]Read more
- Rakhiਰਾਖੀ
- "Protection." The levy that the Dal Khalsa took from villages that sought its protection in the eighteenth century.[EoS]
S
- Sach Khandਸਚ ਖੰਡ
- The realm of truth, last of the five spiritual stages described in the Japji.[EoS]
- Sahajਸਹਜ
- A state of natural, effortless calm and spiritual balance, with ego stilled.[EoS]
- Sahajdhariਸਹਜਧਾਰੀ
- A gradualist Sikh, who believes in the ten Gurus and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji but does not keep the hair unshorn.[EoS]Read more
- Sahibਸਾਹਿਬ
- An honorific from the Arabic for lord or master. It is added to revered names, books, flags and places.[EoS][EoS]
- Sahibzadaਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦਾ
- A son of a Guru. The plural Sahibzade most often means the four sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, all martyred while young and named in Ardas.[EoS]
- Sakhiਸਾਖੀ
- A story from Sikh tradition about a Guru or a Sikh. Collections of such stories about Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji form the Janamsakhis.[EoS]
- Sangatਸੰਗਤ
- A gathering of Sikhs met in worship, especially before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In the time of the Gurus it also meant the Sikh community of a particular place.[EoS]Read more
- Santਸੰਤ
- A title for a holy person, usually translated as saint. It came into wide use with the devotional movement of the middle ages.[EoS]
- Sarbat da Bhalaਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ
- "The good of all." The closing words of Ardas, which ask for the welfare of all humankind and not of one community.[EoS]Read more
- Sarbat Khalsaਸਰਬੱਤ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ
- The whole body of the Khalsa, and the assembly held in its name. In the eighteenth century it met at Amritsar, especially at Vaisakhi and Diwali.[EoS]Read more
- Sardarਸਰਦਾਰ
- From a Persian word for one who holds headship. Sikhs first used it for leaders of their fighting bands in the eighteenth century.[EoS]
- Sarovarਸਰੋਵਰ
- A tank or pool at a sacred place, used for ritual bathing and other ceremonies.[EoS]Read more
- Savaiyeਸਵੱਈਏ
- Verses in the savaiya form. The word is used for the Bhatts' poems in the scripture and for the Ten Savaiye of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Nitnem.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Sehaj Pathਸਹਜ ਪਾਠ
- A complete reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with no time limit, also called sadharan path.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Sevaਸੇਵਾ
- Selfless service. In Sikh usage it joins service to people with worship of God, and common forms include work in the langar and cleaning the gurdwara.[EoS][Src]Read more
- SGPCਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਕ ਕਮੇਟੀ
- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. This elected body, set up by statute, manages gurdwaras, and it grew out of the reform movement of the early 1920s.[EoS]Read more
- Shabadਸ਼ਬਦ
- A hymn from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In a theological sense it is the Word revealed by Guru Ji.[EoS]Read more
- Shahidਸ਼ਹੀਦ
- A martyr. The word comes from an Arabic root meaning testimony, for one who bears witness to their faith by giving up their life for it.[EoS]
- Sikhਸਿੱਖ
- A learner or disciple, from the Sanskrit shishya. The SGPC code counts as a Sikh anyone who believes in one timeless God, the ten Gurus, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's amrit, and who follows no other religion.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Singhਸਿੰਘ
- From the Sanskrit for lion, the name ordained for Sikh men by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.[EoS][Src]Read more
- Singh Sabhaਸਿੰਘ ਸਭਾ
- A Sikh reform movement that gathered force in the 1870s, aiming to recover the original inspiration of the faith.[EoS]Read more
- Siropaਸਿਰੋਪਾ
- A garment or length of cloth given as a mark of honour by a religious or social body.[EoS]Read more
- Sohilaਸੋਹਿਲਾ
- Five hymns recited before sleep, also called Kirtan Sohila. Three are by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, one by Sri Guru Ram Das Ji and one by Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji.[EoS][EoS]Read more
- Sriਸ੍ਰੀ
- An honorific placed before a revered name or title, as in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.[EoS]
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jiਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ
- The scripture of the Sikhs, compiled by Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji and honoured as the living Guru. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji ended the line of personal Gurus and declared it Guru.[EoS]Read more
- Sudiਸੁਦੀ
- The light half of a lunar month, when the moon waxes. Dates such as Chet sudi 5 count from the start of this half.[EoS]
T
U
V
W
Cite this page
"Glossary of Sikh terms". Sikh History: lives of the Gurus. https://sikh-history.co.uk/glossary/