AKAL, lit. timeless, immortal, non temporal, is a term integral to Sikh tradition and philosophy. It is extensively used in the Dasam Granth hymns by Guru Gobind Singh, who titled one of his poetic compositions Akal Ustati, i.e. In Praise (ustati) of the Timeless One (akal). However, the concept of

BHAGATA, BHAI, an Ohri Khatri, figures in Bhai Gurdas`s roster of the principal disciples of Guru Nanak, Varan, XI. 14. To quote Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, Bhai Bhagata, accompanied by Bhai Japu Vansi, presented himself before the Guru and said, "Holy Sir, we are illiterate and

GUTKA, a small sized missal or breviary containing chosen hymns or barns from Sikh Scriptures. The etymology of the term gutka may be traced back to Sanskrit gud (to guard, preserve) or gunth (to enclose, envelop, surround, cover) through Pali gutii (keeping, guarding). A late eighteenth century scholar of UdasI

JAPU, with the Punjabi complimentary ji commonly suffixed to it as ah honorific, is the opening composition of Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. At the head of the table of contents of the volume, this composition is recorded as Japu Nisdnu, meaning the `flag composition Japu` or, according

JAPUPARAMARATH, by Bhai Ram Kishan, is an unpublished manuscript of the exegesis of Guru Nanak`s Japu. The only manuscript copy is available at Ace. No. 612 in the Dashmesh Library, Anandpur the other two in the Sikh Reference Library, Amritsar, and the Khalsa College Library, Patiala, having since been destroyed

JAPU, BHAI, a Khatri of Vansi subcaste, was a devoted Sikh of Guru Nanak. See Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 19 BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Mani Singh, Bhai, Sikhdn di Bhagat Maid. Ainritsar, 1955 2. Santokli Singh, Bhai, Sri Cur Pratdp Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-33 Gn.S. JAPU, BHAI, a devoted Sikh of

NIHAL SINGH, SANT, also known as Pandit Nihal Singh, a Sanskrit scholar well versed in Vedanta as well as in gurbdm, lived in Sikh times in the village of Thoha Khalsa, in district Rawalpindi, now in Pakistan. Pandit Nihal Singh is famous for his Sanskrit commentary on Japu, {hefapugudhdrthadipakd

NITNEM (nit: daily; nem; practice, rule or regimen) is the name given to the set prayers which every Sikh is commanded to say daily, alone or in company. These prayers or texts are five in number for early morning Guru Nanak`sJa/w and Guru Gobind Singh`s Jdpu and Savaiyye, for the

PANJ GRANTHI, a pothi or small book containing five chosen texts, from the Guru Granth Sahib. The word panj means `five` and grantht is the diminutive form from granth (holy book). The Guru Granth Sahib is a large volume and can be enthroned and opened for recitation only in the

PARYAI ADI SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI DE is a lexicon of the Guru Granth Sahib prepared by Sant Sute Prakash. The year of its completion as recorded in the colophon is 429 Nanakshahi (AD 1898). The work comprises 1440 pages of which 110 are devoted to a commentary on

SABHAGA, BHAI, Guru Hargobind`s devoted disciple who plied a prosperous trade in the western parts. He once arrived with an offering of five well bred and costly horses. Guru Hargobind, then at Ruhela, the scene of one of the armed engagements of his time, was pleased with the gift.