Explore the deep-rooted traditions of Sankranti, celebrated with rituals, charity, and devotion, highlighting the cultural heritage and spiritual essence.
Discover the elusive spiritual insights of Sanaka and his brothers, sages who sought the Lord's mysteries beyond creation's bounds.
Explore the concept of Buddhi, the intellect in Sikhism, and its moral distinctions from gurbani, highlighting its role in ethical discernment.
Explore the concept of Maya in Indian tradition as the veil concealing reality, its cosmic power, and its unique interpretations in Sikhism.
BIR, a term used for a recension or copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, is derived from Skt. verb vid meaning "to make strong or firm, strengthen, fasten, or to be strong, firm or hard." The Punjabi verb birana which means "to fix, bind or fasten (something) firmly, or to lay (a gun)" is from the same root. Guru Arjan having compiled the Holy Book deputed one of his leading disciples, Bhai Banno, to go and get the volume bound in Lahore, perhaps because facilities for proper binding did not then exist at Amritsar.
Explore the sacred Anand Karaj, the Sikh marriage tradition, highlighting its rituals, significance, and historical evolution in Sikhism.
Learn why 'Kaur,' meaning princess, is the common surname for Sikh women, symbolizing equality & tradition. Explore its Sanskrit origins & cultural significance.
Explore Rahrasi, the Sikh evening prayer symbolizing faith over ritual. Learn about its evolution and significance in Sikhs' daily prayers.
DEATH, the primordial mystery and one of the cardinal conditions of existence. Scientifically, death is defined as "the permanent cessation of the vital function in the bodies of animals and plants" or, simply, as the end of life caused by senescence or by stoppage of the means of sustenance to body cells. In Sikhism the universal fact of mortality is juxtaposed to immortality (amarapad) as the ultimate objective (paramartha) of life. As a biological reality death is the inevitable destiny of everyone. Even the divines and prophets have no immunity from it. Mortality reigns over the realms of the gods as well.
Explore the significance of siropa, a Sikh honorary garment, symbolizing recognition of piety and devotion, bestowed by religious or social figures.