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.
