term

bhai

BHAI, of Indo Aryan origin (Sanskrit bhratr, Pali bhaya), means brother in its literal sense and is employed as an honorific as well as in the dominant familial sense and as a title of affection between equals. It has been used in the Guru Granth Sahib in the latter sense and there are several apostrophic examples none of which seems to imply any special rank or status. However, by the middle of the seventeenth century, it was being used as a title implying distinction: the earliest example is the Bala Janam Sakhi (AD 1658) which refers to its putative author as Bhai Bala. The naturalness of its use in this particular context suggests that it must have developed the honorific connotation even earlier though it does not necessarily follow that these connotations were clearly apprehended in earlier usage.

pundittarasingh

Explore the origins of the Sikh term Vahiguru, its meanings, and usage in scriptures in Pandit Tara Singh Narotam's insightful tract.

din rain

Experience the timeless hymn 'Dinrain' by Guru Arjan Dev, exploring eternal devotion and the soul's yearning for divine reunion through day and night.

FERINGHEE is an adaptation of the Indo Persian term frangi or firingi used to denote a person of European origin. It is dervied from Frank, "a member of a group of ancient Germanic peoples dwelling in the regions of the Rhine, one division of whom, the Salians, conquered Gaul [modern France so named after them] about AD 500." Turks were the first Asian people to come in contact with Franks whom they called frangi, a name applied to all Europeans. Europeans who came to India following the arrival in 1498 at Calicut of Vasco de Gama, a Portuguese explorer, were also called Feringhees.

gharu

Explore the musical significance of GHARU in the Guru Granth Sahib, highlighting its unique role in raga variations and Indian musicology.

jatha

Discover the historical significance of 'jatha' in Sikh tradition, representing volunteer bands skilled in guerrilla warfare during 18th-century conflicts.

jiva

Explore Jiva, the essence beyond the body, breath, and mind. Discover the Transcendent Self or Atman in life and consciousness.

Explore the Khalsa, the community of baptized Sikhs, founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Discover its origins and significance in Sikh tradition.

Explore the legacy of Mahants in Sikh history, their influence on gurdwaras, and the impact of the Gurdwara Reform movement in the 20th century.

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1
4 years Ago

Explore the deeper meaning of Aarti in Hinduism and Sikhism, where true worship goes beyond rituals and embraces the beauty of nature and truth.

3
4 years Ago

Explore the profound concept of Aatma and its connection to Paramaatma, God, and the transcendental self in Sikh and Hindu philosophies.

5

Explore the distinctive and largely unknown Sikh architectural style, with its rich history in gurdwaras, forts, and palaces, by S.S. Bhatti.

7
18 years Ago

Explore the spiritual importance of sarovars, sacred bodies of water at holy sites, symbolizing purity and renewal in various religious traditions.

The Sikh Encyclopedia

This website based on Encyclopedia of Sikhism by Punjabi University , Patiala by Professor Harbans Singh.