Sikhism ; Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖੀ), or Sikhi, is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent around the end of the 15th century. It is one of the youngest of the major world religions and the world's fifth largest organized religion, as well as being the world's ninth-largest overall religion. The fundamental beliefs of Sikhism, articulated in the sacred scripture Guru Granth Sahib, include faith and meditation on the name of the one creator, divine unity and equality of all humankind, engaging in selfless service, striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder's life. As of the early 21st century, there are 27 million Sikhs according to Oxford Sikhs.
A gurdwara is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs. People from all faiths, and those who do not profess any faith, are welcomed in Sikh gurdwaras. Each gurdwara has a Darbar Sahib where the current and everlasting guru of the Sikhs, the scripture Guru Granth Sahib, is placed on a takhat in a prominent central position. The raagis recite, sing and explain, the verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, in the presence of the congregation.
Parmanand saint-poet, one of whose hymns is included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Born in Kannauj, Uttarpradesh, in a Brahmin Family in 1483, he is believed to have resided at Kannauj. Parmãnand was a devotee of Vishnu and used in his songs the nom de plume Sarañg, the name of a bird ever thirsty for the raindrop.
Ravidas was an Indian mystic poet-sant of the Bhakti movement during the 15th to 16th century CE. Venerated as a guru (teacher) in the region of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the devotional songs of Ravidas have had a lasting impact upon the bhakti movement. He was a poet-saint, social reformer and a spiritual figure.
Guru Nanak, also referred to as Baba Nanak, was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Kartik Pooranmashi, the full-moon day in the month of Katak, October–November.
Bhat Vahis were scrolls or records maintained by Bhatts also known as Bhatra. The majority of Bhat Sikhs originate from Punjab and were amongst the first followers of Guru Nanak. Bhat tradition and Sikh text states their ancestors came from Punjab, where the Raja Shivnabh and his kingdom became the original 16th century followers of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The Raja's grandson Prince Baba Changa earned the title ‘Bhat Rai’ – the ‘Raja of Poets, and then settled himself and his followers all over India as missionaries to spread the word of Guru Nanak, where many northern Indians became Bhat Sikhs. The majority were from the northern Brahmin caste ,(Bhat ) as the Prince Baba Changa shared the Brahmin heritage. The sangat also had many members from different areas of the Sikh caste spectrum, such as the Hindu Rajputs and Hindu Jats who joined due to Bhat sikh missionary efforts. The Bhats also contributed 123 compositions in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (pp.1389–1409), known as the "Bhata de Savaiyye". There hereditary occupations consisted of bards, poets, missionaries, astrologists, genealogists, salesmen. According to John Nesfield as quoted in William Crooke's The Tribes and Castes of the North Western India (1896), Bhatts frequently visited the courts of princes and the camps of warriors, recited their praises in public, and kept records of their genealogies.
"Guru Maneyo Granth" refers to the historic statement of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), shortly before his demise, on affirming the sacred scripture Adi Granth as his successor, thus terminating the line of human Gurus. Installed as the Guru Granth Sahib, it is now the central holy scripture of Sikhism, and the eternal living Guru of all Sikhs. It is central to Sikh worship as it is said to imbibe the one light of the creator manifested in the Ten Sikh Gurus - one spirit in ten forms.
Bhatt Kal Sahar was a Sikh Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose 54 hymns are incorporated in Adi Granth. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins. Traditionally, Kal Sahar is believed to a collector of hymns of other Bhatts which were later incorporated into Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Arjan.
Guru Granth Sahib Ji, is the central religious text of Sikhism, considered by Sikhs to be the final sovereign Guru of the religion. It contains 1430 Angs (pages), containing hymns of 36 saint mystics which includes Sikh guru sahiban, Bhagats, Bhatts and gursikhs. It is the only religious script in the world that contains views and ideology of people of other religions, castes and creeds. It also contains teachings of Sikh gurus themselves and was written by Bhai Gurdas Ji and by Bhai Mani Singh Ji.
Bhatt Bhalh was a Sikh Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose one hymn is present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhatt Bhika was a Sikh Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose two hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhatt Gayand was a Sikh Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose 13 hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhatt Harbans was a Sikh Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose two hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhatt Jalap was a Sikh bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose five hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhatt Kirat was a Sikh Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose eight hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhatt Mathura was a Sikh Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose 14 hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhatt Salh was a Sarswat Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose three hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhatt Nalh was a Sikh Brahmin bard in the court of Guru Arjan, whose 16 hymns are present in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs. The title Bhatt is given to learned Brahmins.
Bhattan de Savaiye, also known as Bhatt Bani, is a name given to 123 Savaiyas composed by various Bhatts, which are present in Guru Granth Sahib, scripture of Sikhs. According to various scholars, these Savaiyas are eulogies of first five Gurus of Sikhism.
