Sikhism/Dictionary

This dictionary contains words and terms used in Sikhism arranged alphabetically.

Dictionary

• Amrit is a drink of water and sugar that young Sikhs take during their initiation into the Khalsa brotherhood. The drink is served in an iron bowl.

• Khālsā (Punjabi: ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, literally "Pure") is a term of Persian origin which refers to the collective body of all baptized Sikhs. The Khalsa was originally established as a military order of "saint-soldiers" on March 30, 1699, by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. It was the name given by the Guru to all his disciples baptized in the Amrit Sanchar ceremony.

• Sat Nam is a mantra. In Sanskrit, sat means "truth" and nam means "identity". There are various interpretations of this mantra: truth is my identity or The essence of God is within me. Other common interpretations include: express the truth within you or in name there is truth and the light shines in you with light as a metaphor for truth.