Institute for Understanding Sikhism
The Research Journal Institute for Understanding Sikhism
The Research Journal

JOURNAL ARTICLES

2022, Volume: 24, Number: 1

Sikhi And Sikhism

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

EDITORIAL
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) laid the foundation of Sikhi (philosophy) during the Period of Renaissance (between 14th century and 17th century). It was the time, when many scientists were challenging some of the wrong axioms of the Church in Europe. At the same time, Guru Nanak was busy in opposing the ancient mythology and rituals, which were prevalent among the peoples of South Asia. These people were shackled by these outdated ideas for centuries. Thereby they were unable to express their free will in any way as their lives were controlled by their religious mentors. During this Period of Renaissance, in Europe, Nicolaus Copernicus (1473 - 1543), a contemporary of Guru Nanak, rejected the axioms of the Bible that Sun revolves around the Earth and the Earth is the center of the Universe. Based on his astronomical observations, he asserted that the Earth is not the center of the Universe, rather it revolves around the Sun. Thereafter, Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642), on the basis of his experiments, proclaimed that it is the Earth that revolves around the Sun and it is not the center of the Universe

2022, Volume: 24, Number: 1

Khalsa, Khalisan, Khalis, And Khalseh In Sikhism خالصا خَالِصًا خالص خالصہ

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD
Muhammad Shoaib Sarwar, MA Arabic, MS student

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

In this research article, we are trying to investigate the true meanings of Arabic/Persian/Urdu words, Khalsa, Khalisan, Khalis, and Khalseh (خالصا خَالِصًا خالص خالصہ) and their use in the Aad Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh literature, and the Quran. It has been discovered that the ‘Khalsa’ of Guru Gobind Singh has two meanings. Sangat (congregation) is his ‘Khalsa’ (owned by him); therefore, all the donations should come to him. The ‘Khalsa’ is used for those who are free from superstitions and rituals. ‘Khalseh’ was used by Bhagat Kabir, not as the plural form of ‘Khalsa,’ but in the singular form means ‘pure.’

2022, Volume: 24, Number: 1

Sikh, Sikhi, And Sikhism

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

The intrinsic meanings of the terms Sikh, Sikhi, and Sikhism are not understood properly by many Sikh scientists, theologians, and Sikh and non-Sikh writers. In this article, I have tried to define who is a Sikh and what Sikhi is. After that, it was described how Sikhi was converted to a highly institutionalized religion, Sikhism, step by step by the Sikh Gurus who succeeded to the House of Nanak.

2022, Volume: 24, Number: 1

Mantra System

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

Originally in Hinduism and Buddhism, a word or sound is repeated to aid concentration in meditation. Most of the time, people repeat or chant a word or a phrase so that their wishes are granted. A religious leader or a Sant /Baba also gives a word or phrase to be repeated to get their wishes granted when initiating their follower. This article contains different types of mantras: Mool Mantra, Mahan Mantra, Naam Mantra, Bij Mantra, Bani Mantra, Vaheguru Mantra, etc., found in the Sikh Scripture (Aad Guru Granth Sahib- AGGS) have been discussed if these are simple mantra or used as metaphors.

2022, Volume: 24, Number: 1

Relationship Among Yuga,vedas, Bani Of Guru Nanak, And The Evolution Of Humans

Prof Devinder Singh Chahal, PhD

FEATURE ARTICLE:
ABSTRACT

First, I have tried to explain Yuga System and Vedas according to Vedic science; afterward, Guru Nanak describes the philosophies in these Yugas and four Vedas in his two slokas. It indicates a close relationship between the Yugas and Vedas in Hinduism. Guru Nanak explains the similarity in his bani (two slokas), written about Yuga and Vedas in Hinduism. However, at the end of each sloka, Guru Nanak explains that his philosophy is different from that of the Yuga system and Vedas. When we look into the evolution of humans, it appears that there were no humans when the Hindu gods (Setambar, Rama, and Krishna) appeared during these different Yugas.