Satnam (Punjabi: ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ, lit.'true name',[1] pronunciation: [sæt̪ näːmɔ]) is the main word that appears in the Sikh sacred scripture called the Guru Granth Sahib.

Meaning and usage

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It is part of the Gurbani shabad called Mool Mantra which is repeated daily by Sikhs. This word succeeds the word "Ek-onkar" which means "There is only one constant" or commonly "There is one God". The word sat means "true/everlasting" and nam means "name".[2] In this instance, this would mean, "whose name is truth".[3] Satnam is referred to God as the Name of God is True and Everlasting.[4]

The word nam in Sikhism has two meanings. "It meant both an application and a symbol of the All-pervading Supreme Reality that sustained the universe. Guru Nanak in his teachings emphasized the need of repeating Sat-Nam to realize the All-pervading Supreme Reality."[5]

References

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  1. ^ Wani, Abid Mushtaq (2018). Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism: A Comparative Study. Educreation Publishing. p. 107.
  2. ^ Kaur Rait, Satwant (2005). "Chapter 2". Sikh Women in England: Religious,Social and Cultural Beliefs [Paperback]. Trentham Books Ltd; illustrated edition. p. 20. ISBN 1-85856-353-4.
  3. ^ Nijhawan, Michael; Mandair, Arvind (2009). "2 The Politics of Non-duality: Unraveling the Hermeneutics of Modern Sikh Theology". Shared idioms, sacred symbols, and the articulation of identities in South Asia. Routledge; 1st edition. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-415-95828-8.
  4. ^ Real Sikhism: Meaning of Term Satnam
  5. ^ Singh Dhillon, Dalbir (1988). "3 Evolution of Institutions and Ethical Doctrines". Sikhism Origin and Development. Atlantic Publishers and Distributors. p. 226.