Glossary of Terms (H to L)

HHH

Hankar
Pride, one of the weaknesses.

Hazare Shabad
The common name given to 7 Shabads from the Guru Granth Sahib and 10 from the Dasam Granth.

Haumai
Pride and self centeredness.

Hola Mohalla
Annual spring gathering of Sikhs at Anandpur Sahib for sports contests, music and poetry compositions. The annual celebration was initiated by Guru Gobind Singh in 1680.

Hukam
The ordered will of God.

Hukamnama
Instructions issued by the Gurus, or other people in Sikh authority.


III

Ik Onkar
It is found at the beginning of the Mul Mantra meaning Their is Only One God.


JJJ

Jalous
Outdoor procession led by the Guru Granth Sahib and five Khalsa Sikhs.

Janam Sakhi
A bibliographic account of the live of Guru Nanak, or other Gurus.

Jap
Devout repetition of the divine name of God, or a scripture.

Japu Sahib
A composition of Guru Gobind Singh read by Sikhs as part of their daily prayers.

Jathedar
The appointed head of one of the five Sikh Takhts.

Jhatka Meat
Meat of an animal which has been killed quickly with one stroke. Guru Gobind Singh dictated that Sikhs can eat jhatka meat of any animal but cannot eat Muslim Halal meat, where the animal has been slowly bled to death.

Jivan Mukti
The Sikh belief that a person may achieve spiritual liberation during their lifetime and not necessarily only on their death.


KKK

Kachha
Drawers or briefs. One of the five physical symbols that a Khalsa Sikh must wear. It is a symbol of self control.

Kalyug
An age in which righteousness and godliness is forgetten.

Kam
Lust, one of the weaknesses.

Kanga
Comb, one of the five physical symbols that a Khalsa Sikh must wear. It is a symbol of hygiene and discipline.

Kara
Steel bracelet, one of the five physical symbols that a Khalsa Sikh must wear. It is a symbol of restraint and rememberance of God.

Karah Parshad
A standard dish served at religious ceremonies in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib and sanctified by prayers. It is a symbol of equality of all members of the congregation.

Karma
The reward or punishment of any action of man is given by Gods order according to merit, God may give it or withhold it.

Kaur
Middle or last name of a Sikh female. Mandatory last name for a Khalsa Sikh female.

Kar Seva
Term used to describe any voluntary work carried out for religious purposes, especially the building of gurdwaras. Also used to refer to the removal of silt from the tank surrounding Harmandir Sahib every 50 years.

Karta Purukh
A name of God, the Creator of all.

Katha
A religious lecture on Sikhism.

Kes
Uncut hair, one of the five physical symbols that a Khalsa Sikh must have. It is a symbol of spirituality.

Kesdhari
A Sikh who does not cut their hair, they may or may not be amritdhari.

Keski
Head covering worn between the turban and hair by some Sikhs. Also worn by some boys before they begin wearing turbans.

Kirpan
Sword, one of the five physical symbols that a Khalsa Sikh must wear. It is a symbol of the Sikh fight against injustice and religious oppression.

Kirtan
Musical rendering of Sikh gurbani.

Kirtan Sohila
Collection of 3 hymns by Guru Nanak, 1 by Guru Ram Das and 1 by Guru Arjun. It is recited as part of Nitnem at bed time and also forms part of the funeral rites.

Krodh
Anger, one of the weaknesses.

Kurahts
The vows of abstinece that one takes on becomming a Khalsa. Not to cut your hair, not to eat muslim halal meat, adultury, intoxicants.


LLL

Langar
Free community kitchen found in all Sikh Gurdwaras. A cornersone of the Sikh religion and a symbol of equality, it was instituted by Guru Nanak.

Lawan
Circumventing the Guru Granth Sahib during the Sikh marriage ceremony. Also the name of the four stanza composition by Guru Ram Das found on page 773 of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Lobh
Greed, one of the weaknesses.


All contents Copyright Sandeep Singh Brar, 1996 and all rights are reserved.