Preferred form
Main variants
Explanation
The Eternal One. A designation frequently used of God by Guru Nanak.
Akal Takht
Akal Takhat
Throne of the Eternal; throne of the Timeless One. Building facing the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where Sikhs gather for political purposes.
Akhand Path
Continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib from beginning to end.
Amrit
Nectar. Sanctified liquid made of sugar and water, used in initiation ceremonies.
Amrit ceremony
Amrit Sanskar Amrit Pahul
Khande di Pahul Sometimes just 'Amrit' or 'Taking Amrit' ('Amrit Chhakna')
The Sikh rite of initiation into the Khalsa. 'Baptism' should not be used.
Anand karaj
Anand Sanskar
Ceremony of bliss. Wedding ceremony.
Ardas
Prayer. The formal prayer offered at most religious acts.
Vaisakhi
A major Sikh festival celebrating the formation of the Khalsa, 1699 CE.
Bangla Sahib
The site of the martyrdom of Guru Har Krishan (Delhi).
Bhai Khanaya
A Sikh commanded by Guru Gobind Singh for serving water to the enemy wounded.
Bhai Lalo
A humble carpenter who opened his house to Guru Nanak. The Guru preferred Bhai Lalo's simple food to the offerings of a local rich merchant.
Chandni
Canopy over the scriptures, used as a mark of respect.
Chauri
Chaur
Symbol of the authority of the Guru Granth Sahib. Fan waved over scriptures, made of yak hairs or nylon. It should not be called a 'fly whisk'.
Dasam Granth
Collection of compositions, some of which are attributed to the tenth Sikh Guru, compiled some years after his death.
A person learned in the Sikh scriptures.
Granthi
Reader of the Guru Granth Sahib, who officiates at ceremonies.
Gurbani
Bani, Vani
Divine word revealed by the Gurus. The Shabads contained in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Gurdwara
Gurudwara
Sikh place of worship. Literally the 'doorway to the Guru'.
Gurmat
The Gurus guidance.
Gurmukh
One who lives by the Guru's teaching.
Gurmukhi
From the Gurus mouth. Name given to the script in which the scriptures and the Punjab! language are written.
Gurpurb
Gurpurab
A Guru's anniversary (birth or death). Also used for other anniversaries, e.g. of the installation of the Adi Granth, 1604 CE.
Guru
Teacher. In Sikhism, the title of Guru is reserved for the ten human Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Arjan
The fifth Guru who was the first Sikh martyr (1563-1606).
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Govind Singh (Original name: Guru Gobind Rai)
Tenth Sikh Guru. It is important to note that the title 'Guru' must be used with all the Gurus' names. Sikhs usually use further terms of respect, e.g. Guru Gobind Singh Ji or Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Guru Granth Sahib
Adi Granth (Granth' by itself should be avoided)
Primal collection of Sikh scriptures, compiled by Guru Arjan and given its final form by Guru Gobind Singh.
Guru Har Gobind
Guru Hargobind Guru Hargovind
Sixth Sikh Guru
Guru Har Krishan Guru Harkishan
Guru Harkrishan
Eighth Sikh Guru
Guru Nanak
The first guru and the founder of the Sikh faith (1469-1539).
Guru Tegb Bahadur
The ninth Guru who was martyred for the principle of religious tolerance (1 622-1 675).
Egoism. The major spiritual defect.
Hukam
God's will.
Hukam
Vak
Random reading taken for guidance from the Guru Granth Sahib.
Ik Onkar
There is only One God. The first phrase of the Mool Mantar. It is also used as a symbol to decorate Sikh objects.
Janam Sakhi
Birth stories. Hagiographic (worshipful) life stories of a Guru especially Guru Nanak.
Japji Sahib
A morning prayer, composed by Guru Nanak, which forms the first chapter of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Jivan Mukt
Jivan Mukht
Enlightened while in the material body; a spiritually enlightened person, freed from worldly bonds.
Traditional underwear/shorts. One of the five K's (see panj kakke).
Kakka
Singular of the Punjabi letter K (plural 'Kakke')
See panj kakke
Kangha
Kanga
Comb worn in the hair. One of the five K's (see panj kakke).
Kara
Steel band worn on the right wrist. One of the five K's (see panj kakke).
Karah parshad
Karah Prasad
Sanctified food distributed at Sikh ceremonies,
Kaur
Princess. Name given to all Sikh females by Guru Gobind Singh (see Singh).
Kesh
Kes
Uncut hair. One of the five K's (see panj kakke).
Khalsa
The community of the pure. The Sikh community.
Khanda
Double-edged sword used in the initiation ceremony. Also used as the emblem on the Sikh flag.
Kirat karna
Earning one's livelihood by one's own efforts.
Kirpan
Sword. One of the five K's (see panj kakke). 'Dagger' should be avoided.
Kirtan
Devotional singing of the compositions found in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Kirtan Sohila
A prayer said before retiring for sleep. It is also used at the cremation ceremony and when the Guru Granth Sahib is laid to rest.
Kurahit
Prohibitions, e.g. intoxicants.
Guru ka Langar
Guru's kitchen. The gurdwara dining hall and the food served in it.
Fair. Used of Sikh festivals which are not gurpurbs
Manji
Manji Sahib
Small platform on which the scripture is placed
Manmukh
Munmukh
Self-orientated (as opposed to gurmukh).
Mool Mantar
Mul Mantar
Basic teaching; essential teaching. The basic statement of belief at the beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Nam Simran
Nam Simaran Naam Simran
Meditation on the divine name, using passages of scripture.
Nankana Sahib
Birthplace of Guru Nanak. Now in Pakistan
Nishan Sahib
Sikh flag flown at gurdwaras,
Nit nem
The recitation of specified daily prayers.
Panj kakke
The five K's. The symbols of Sikhism worn by Sikhs.
Panj piare
Panj Pyare (other forms may also be found)
The five beloved ones. Those first initiated into the Khalsa; those who perform the rite today.
Panth
The Sikh community.
Patases
Patashas
Sugar bubbles or crystals used to prepare Amrit
Punjab
Panjab
Land of five rivers. The area of India in which Sikhism originated.
Sikh musician who sings compositions from the Guru Granth Sahib.
Raheguru
Wonderful Lord. A Sikh name for God.
Rahit
Sikh obligations, e.g. to meditate on God.
Rahit Maryada
Rehat Maryada
Sikh Code of Discipline
Sangat
Congregation or assembly of Sikhs.
Sewa
Seva
Service directed at the sadhsangat and gurdwara, but also to humanity in general.
Shabad
Sabad Shabd
Word. Hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib; the divine word.
Sikh
Learner,. disciple. A person who believes in the ten Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib, and who has no other religion.
Singh
Lion. Name adopted by Sikh males (see kaur).
Sis Ganj Sahib
The site of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Delhi)
Vaak
A random reading taken for guidance from the Guru Granth Sahib.
Vand chhakna
Sharing one's time, talents and earnings with the less fortunate.