| Term |
Meaning |
Adi Granth |
Adi means first, Adi Granth is the first edition of the Guru Granth Sahib as was compiled by Guru Arjun Dev in 1604. |
Akal Purukh |
It means Timeless One, or The Being Beyond Time and is applied as a name of God. |
Akhand Path |
An uninterupted continuos reading of the Guru Granth Sahib. It is undertaken by a team of readers and takes approximately 48 hours. |
Amrit |
It means nectar. It is sugar water which is used during the Khalsa initiation ceremony. |
Amrit Bani |
A term applied to the Sikh Scriptures, meaning the words are as sweet as nectar (amrit). |
Amrit Vaila |
The early morning hours of dawn. This is considered an auspicious time for meditation and prayer as stressed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. |
Amritdhari |
A Sikh who has undergone the Khalsa initiation ceremony. |
Amritsanskar |
The rite of initiation into the Khalsa brotherhood. |
Anand |
A state of bliss which defies description. It is also the name of a composition by Guru Amar Das found on pg. 917 of the Guru Granth Sahib. |
Anand Karaj |
The wedding ceremony according to Sikh Rehat Maryada. |
Anand Sahib |
Composition by Guru Amar Das Ji found on page 917 of the Guru Granth Sahib. Parts of it are used in a number of Sikh ceremonies. |
Antim Ardas |
The last of the Sikh funeral rites. |
Asa Di Var |
A collection of hymns meant to be sung at dawn. |
Atma |
The soul which is considered immortal. |
Baisakhi |
The celebration which takes place every April 13th. Guru Amardas initiated the annual gathering of Sikhs at Goindwal in 1567. In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa order on this day. |
Bani |
An abbreviation of Gurbani, applied to any of the writings which appear in the Guru Granth Sahib. |
Baramaha |
Compositions about the twelve months. By Guru Arjun Dev in Raga Majh, by Guru Nanak Dev in Raga Tukhari and by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib in Krishavtar. |
Bhog |
The ceremony marking the conclusion of a Path or function in Gurdwara Sahib. |
Bole So Nihal |
Part of the Sikh salutation meaning anyone who speaks will be happy. |
Chandoa |
The canopy which is placed over the Guru Granth Sahib. |
What
is Sikhism
