Glossary of Religious Terms S to Z
-
SSS
- Sach Khand
- The realm of
truth, the final stage of spiritual ascent where the believer becomes
one with God.
- Sadh Sangat
- The Sikh congregation
or community.
- Sahibzadas
- The four sons
of Guru Gobind Singh who all died as marytrs to the Sikh faith. Ajit
Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh, Fateh Singh.
- Sahaj
- The state of
spiritual peace resulting from the attainment of union with God.
- Sahaj Path
- A non continuos
reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib over any period of time.
- Sahib
- Term of respect
used for the Sikh Holy Book as well as applied to historical gurdwaras.
- Sakhi
- Story about
a Guru.
- Sangat
- Holy congregation.
- Sangrand
- The first day
of the month according to the indian calander. The reading of the
relevant portion of the composition Barhmaha by Guru Nanak or Guru
Arjun relating to each month is read out.
- Sant
- A holy person
or saint.
- Sarbat Khalsa
- A representative
meeting of all the Sikhs to consider important matters related to
the panth.
- Saropa
- A gift of honour
presented by the Sikh community. Usually a length of cloth for tying
a turban or a scarf worn over the shoulders.
- Sarovar
- The pool for
bathing found at many gurdwaras.
- Sat Guru
- The supreme
Guru, God.
- Sat Sri Akal
- The Sikh greeting
meaning "Immortal God is Truth".
- Satyug
- An era in which
Truth prevails, the opposite of Kalyug.
- Seli
- A woolen cord
worn by Guru Nanak around his turban. It was worn as a symbol of living
in the world but not in worldly matters. It was passed on to each
successive Guru upto Guru Hargobind who chose to wear the symbol of
two swords of meri & peri instead.
- Seva
- Service to ones
fellow beings, a cornerstone of Sikhism.
- Seva Panthi
- A Sikh whose
life is devoted to the service of the Sikh community.
- Shabad
- The religious
hymns contained in Sikh scriptures.
- Shaheed
- Title used before
the name of someone who has died for the Sikh faith as a martyr.
- Shlok
- Couplet found
in the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Shromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (S.G.P.C.)
- Committee which
overseas the administration of many Gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana &
Himachal Pradesh as well as involved in publication and education
related to Sikhism.
- Sikhi
- Sikh teachings.
- Sikhia
- Advice given
to the couple during the Sikh marriage ceremony.
- Singh
- Lion, the common
last or middle name of male Sikhs. It is a compulsory last name for
male Khalsa Sikhs.
- Sodar
- A composition
of Guru Nanaks which is read by Sikhs at sunset as part of Rahiras.
- Sukh Asan
- The ceremony
that takes place at the end of the day when the Guru Granth Sahib
is formally closed for the night.
- Sukhmani Sahib
- A major composition
of Guru Arjun found on page 262 of the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Swayya
- A group of hymns
composed by Guru Gobind Singh and found in the Dasam Granth.
-
TTT
- Takht
- A seat of Sikh
authority, there are five gurdwaras which are designated as takhts.
- Thambh Sahib
- A pole or tower
associated with a Guru.
- Tankhaiya
- A person who
has committed a religious offence meriting punishment.
-
ZZZ
- Zafarnama
- The Letter of Victory written by Guru Gobind Singh.