r/Sikh • u/-rising_spirit- • 5h ago
r/Sikh • u/TheTurbanatore • Jul 04 '17
Quality Post Resources to Learn about Sikhi
Note: As of December 2021, this post is STILL being updated regularly. So If you have any suggestions, message or email me.
Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
This post has been designed to make it easy for everyone to learn more about Sikhi. The next time someone says "where can I learn more about your beliefs" simply send them a link to this post.
New to Sikhi? Start here
General videos: Basics of Sikhi
Spiritual videos: Nanak Naam
Course: "The Why Guru Course"
Overview: Sikhi: Faith & Followers
Learning Gurmukhi (Punjabi)
Free Gurmukhi classes: Offical Sikh Discord & Gursevak Sevadars
Muharnee - Correct Pronunciation of Gurmukhi Letters and Vowels
"Gurmukhi Alphabet" App
Learning Sikh Philosophy
"Essentials of Sikhism" by Daljeet Singh
"Dynamics of Sikh Revolution" by Jagjit Singh
"The Sikhs, Ideology, Institutions and Identity" by JS Grewal
"Being and becoming a Sikh" by IJ Singh
"True Guru" - English commentary of Japji Sahib
Learning Nitnem
Free Nitnem classes: Gursevak Sevadars (DM them on Instagram)
Commentaries on Mool Mantar
Commentaries on Japji Sahib & Video commentary
Commentaries on Sohila Sahib
Commentaries on the full Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Book:Sri Jap Ji Sahib commentary series by Kamalpreet Singh Pardeshi
Book: Sri Jaap Sahib commentary by Kamalpreet Singh Pardeshi
Book: Sri Chopai Sahib commentary by Kamalpreet Singh Pardeshi
Learning Simran
Learning Sikh History
"Sri Gur Panth Prakash Vol 1 (English & Gurmukhi)" & Vol 2 - History of the Khalsa
The Suraj Podcast - Lives of the Gurus in Podcast form
Nanak Prakash - Life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Manglacharan - English translations of precolonial texts
"Sicques, Tigers or Thieves: Eyewitness Accounts of the Sikhs (1606-1810)" by Amandeep Singh Madra
"Empire of the Sikhs: Revised Edition by Patwant Singh and Joti M Rai"
"Warrior Saints: Four Centuries of Sikh Military History volumes 1 and 2 by Amandeep Singh Madra"
"Life of Banda Singh Bahadur Based on Contemporary and Original Records - Dr. Ganda Singh"
Free Sikh Books Websites
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Online
Free English Interpretation with Gurmukhi & Transliterations (Recommended)
English Translated physical copy of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, (Disclaimer)
Learning Kirtan
Kirtan Teacher: Manmohan Singh & Learn Kirtan
Online Kirtan School: Raj Academy
Kirtan classes: Tantisaaj
Sikh Apps
Sundar Gutka
Learn Shudh Gurbani
Gurbani Unlimited
Gurbani World
Basics of Sikhi
iGurbani (ios)
Gurbani Khoj (ios)
igranth (Android)
eGurbani (Android)
Gurbani Searcher
Gurbani Media Center
Daily Hukamnama Mobile App
Sikh Organizations that can Help
Note: If you have any more suggestions, please let me know, and I will add them.
Contact: theturbanatore@gmail.com
r/Sikh • u/Dangerous_Doubt8264 • 2h ago
Discussion The true power of Gurbaani and how we are losing alot by loss of trust in The Satguru ji's powers.
Most people think of Baani as just something that helps spiritually. Its all wrong. We have lost the faith in Gurbaani and Satguru. In reality, Gurbaani is able to fulfill any physical and wordly desire as well as spiritual desire.
ਕੀਤਾ ਲੋੜੀਐ ਕੰਮੁ ਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਪਹਿ ਆਖੀਐ ॥
Whatever work you wish to accomplish-tell it to the Lord.
ਜੇਹੜਾ ਕੰਮ ਤੋੜ ਚਾੜ੍ਹਨ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਉਸਦੀ (ਪੂਰਨਤਾ ਲਈ) ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਕੋਲ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰਨੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ
ਕਾਰਜੁ ਦੇਇ ਸਵਾਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਚੁ ਸਾਖੀਐ ॥
He will resolve your affairs; the True Guru gives His Guarantee of Truth.
(ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ) ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸਿੱਖਿਆ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਕਾਰਜ ਸਵਾਰ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ
There are various people who say that don't do ardaas for physical things, you can not get them until you get free of their desire. It is completely wrong. Who gave you the authority to tell what I can ask my father for and for not? I am a beggar, where will I go for getting anything I want? to the King. Right? The king who is always compassionate
ਦੇਦਾ ਦੇ ਲੈਦੇ ਥਕਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
The Great Giver keeps on giving, while those who receive grow weary of receiving.
ਦਾਤਾਰ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ (ਸਭ ਜੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਰਿਜ਼ਕ) ਦੇ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਜੀਵ ਲੈ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਥੱਕ ਪੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
ਜੁਗਾ ਜੁਗੰਤਰਿ ਖਾਹੀ ਖਾਹਿ ॥
Throughout the ages, consumers consume.
(ਸਭ ਜੀਵ) ਸਦਾ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ (ਰੱਬ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਪਦਾਰਥ) ਖਾਂਦੇ ਚਲੇ ਆ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ।
If, I tell you about my personal life and how Gurbaani has improved it,
I always used to get runny nose. I am saying the level where at all year we all know that I am going to get it, and when I get it, I
wash my nose every 3 minutes. It lasts for a month or more when it happens to me.
I started doing Indra Kavach ( It is the baani (specifically kavach which is a form of chant that helps your specific limbs or desires) that fulfills all your desires)
I just did it 3 times, a day for just A WEEK.
I don't do it now, I have not gotten a single runny nose or any disease since that.
Same way, one of my friends wanted to get a house near anandpur sahib. They did ardaas at Bhora Sahib ( guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's historical gurughar). After that, they got a house there near the gurughar for a very low price from a family which had to settle to another place coincidentally at that time. This is not coincidence, this is a kirpa.
We don't do Paath with the vidhi we are suppossed to. That is the reason we guys don't get the benefits even after doing various paath.
( It is not some baman BS, It's just concentration)
r/Sikh • u/AstralvanRider • 5h ago
Question clarity on Sikh symbolic pieces
I've done a bit of googling but it hasn't given me the results I need (don't trust Google AI) so I'm hoping you all can.
I teach at a school that is diverse and has quite a lot of Sikh students. It's a relatively good school but around this particular grade, all the boys (both Sikh and not Sikh) end up with a massive testosterone boost that coincides with a bunch of other factors and leads to a LOT of disruptive behaviour. I had a class today that just left me lost for words overall, but I wanted clarity on two things that some of the Sikh boys were doing.
The first thing was that they were actively grabbing each others turbans/patkars/head coverings. They'd either poke or slap each others' head-coverings, or essentially "hug" that part of each others' heads and then use that as a way to wrestle each other. None of the boys seemed offended. I remembered having a Sikh teacher in school who screamed at some kids for touching his turban, so I thought this was something sacred and you weren't allowed to touch each others' head coverings. My question is is that true or what are the religious expectations on wearing and touching these garments?
The second thing is about the Karas/steel silver bangles. About 5 of the boys had them, and they were all spinning them on the tables "beyblade" style (their words) and refused to stop. It was incredibly loud and ongoing as they would fall like a Euler's disc and take forever to settle, before the boy would pick it up and do it again. After they were told (multiple times) to stop, two of the boys started using the Karas to destroy school pencils and glue sticks. I can't confiscate these as they are a religious item, which they know, but again, what is the religious meaning and expectations on wearing/using the Karas, and are actions like this considered disrespectful?
I know for a fact not all Sikh people are like this and that a lot of this behaviour comes from being a teenage boy (not that that is an excuse of course) but I do want some clarity so that I can handle these things better in the future. Thank you in advance.
r/Sikh • u/Hukumnama_Bot • 8h ago
Gurbani ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ • Sri Darbar Sahib Hukamnama • September 8, 2026
ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਚਉਪਦੇ ॥
Dhanaasaree, Fourth Mehl, First House, Chau-Padhay:
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਸੰਤ ਭਗਤ ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਸਭਿ ਪਾਪ ਨਿਵਾਰੀ ॥
Those Saints and devotees who serve the Lord have all their sins washed away.
ਹਮ ਊਪਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਖੁ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਤੁਮ ਜੁ ਪਿਆਰੀ ॥੧॥
Have Mercy on me, O Lord and Master, and keep me in the Sangat, the Congregation that You love. ||1||
ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਉ ਬਨਵਾਰੀ ॥
I cannot even speak the Praises of the Lord, the Gardener of the world.
ਹਮ ਪਾਪੀ ਪਾਥਰ ਨੀਰਿ ਡੁਬਤ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪਾਖਣ ਹਮ ਤਾਰੀ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
We are sinners, sinking like stones in water; grant Your Grace, and carry us stones across. ||Pause||
ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਬਿਖੁ ਮੋਰਚਾ ਲਗਿ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਾਧ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥
The rust of poison and corruption from countless incarnations sticks to us; joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, it is cleaned away.
ਜਿਉ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਬੈਸੰਤਰਿ ਤਾਇਓ ਮਲੁ ਕਾਟੀ ਕਟਿਤ ਉਤਾਰੀ ॥੨॥
It is just like gold, which is heated in the fire, to remove the impurities from it. ||2||
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਨੁ ਜਪਉ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੀ ॥
I chant the chant of the Name of the Lord, day and night; I chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, and enshrine it within my heart.
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਰੀ ॥੩॥
The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, is the most perfect medicine in this world; chanting the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, I have conquered my ego. ||3||
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਾਧਿ ਬੋਧਿ ਅਪਰੰਪਰ ਪੁਰਖ ਅਪਾਰੀ ॥
The Lord, Har, Har, is unapproachable, of unfathomable wisdom, unlimited, all-powerful and infinite.
ਜਨ ਕਉ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੈਜ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥੪॥੧॥
Show Mercy to Your humble servant, O Life of the world, and save the honor of servant Nanak. ||4||1||
Guru Ramdas Ji • Raag Dhanaasree • Ang 666
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Mangalvaar, 24 Bhadon, Nanakshahi 558
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.
Powered By GurbaniNow.
r/Sikh • u/SatoruGojo232 • 1d ago
News Singer Diljit Dosanjh kindly amd respectfully requests a foreign fan in a recent Italian concert to not put his name next to the Sikh symbol of Ik Onkar on his shirt.
r/Sikh • u/VolcanicVortex • 14h ago
Question Dealing with a toxic people
Hi everyone I have a question.
Anyone here felt discriminated from their own parents? For example I want to grow my beard as I like it a lot but my one of my family members, tell me I should shave it. It drives me crazy to even deal with especially considering it’s coming from a family member. Anyone have any tips on how I can handle this situation as I’m stumped.
r/Sikh • u/calgary_wandrer • 1d ago
Katha Do you believe in your Guru - Bhai Jagraj Singh Ji
r/Sikh • u/Gurkengasse • 13h ago
Question Where to learn informal punjabi?
Hi everyone!
I know it looks weird but i thought maybe smn could help me here.
I’m looking for a Punjabi tutor to help me improve my **spoken Punjabi**.
I understand quite a lot of Punjabi already, but I struggle to actually speak it myself. I often know what I want to say but can’t find the right words or put the sentence together naturally.
I’m mainly interested in **informal, everyday Punjabi** ; the kind people actually use at home with family and friends, rather than formal/book Punjabi.
I’d especially like to focus on:
Speaking and conversation practice
Everyday vocabulary
Sentence structure
Natural expressions and phrases
Common slang / casual Punjabi
Understanding Punjabi songs and lyrics
Vocabulary and expressions commonly used in Punjabi music
My main goal is simply to become comfortable speaking Punjabi with my family and friends and to expand my everyday vocabulary. Eventually, I’d also love to understand Punjabi songs better and be able to sing along.
I’d also be open to a **younger tutor**, preferably someone who is familiar with modern, casual Punjabi and current Punjabi music. I think that would be a good fit for what I’m looking for.
I’m looking for **1-on-1 lessons**, either online or in person, and I’m flexible regarding the platform.
If you’re a Punjabi tutor yourself, or know a good place/person where I could book lessons, please let me know. Recommendations are also very welcome!
Thanks!
r/Sikh • u/Bhatnura • 21h ago
Discussion Respecting all religions doesn't mean you loose your self respect. We have to leave behind the cloak of inclusiveness for sometime as the current situation doesn't allow that.
r/Sikh • u/spicytotino • 1d ago
Question Any knowledge on what exactly this is? My great-grandpa brought it with him in 1920 when he immigrated to the US.
Unfortunately, I don’t know much about my family history, but here’s what I do know:
My great grandpa was from Budh Singh Wala. He ended up working as police in the Himalayas, then Tibet, then Hong Kong about 15 years total. In 1920 he took a ship from Japan to San Francisco and planted roots in California. It was never treated like an heirloom or anything particularly special, but it’s been kept as something to leave at your bedside incase of emergency that eventually floated it’s way to me.
News Respecting all religions doesn't mean you loose your self respect. We have to leave behind the cloak of inclusiveness for sometime as the current situation doesn't allow that. This is about protecting our children.
r/Sikh • u/Effective-Weakness50 • 21h ago
Kirtan WJKK, WJKF, Can someone provide me the Punjabi lyrics and English translation of the Dharmic Geet/ song "Rise of Baba Banda Bahadur" written by Jarnail Singh Sabrawa, produced by Kam Lohgarh?
r/Sikh • u/Euphoric-Gift-284 • 18h ago
Question Losing a lot of hair at a young age
Hi all. I am 21M and have experienced a lot of hair fall over the last year. I am actually seeing a bald patch on my head now and my hair is thinning rapidly. I want to keep my hair but worried I am losing it very quickly. Any advice would be appreciated as this is very concerning.
r/Sikh • u/iMahatma • 1d ago
Discussion New Social Media Trend in Punjab... Showing up to the Gurdwara with guns. Good or Bad?
There's a new social media trend on Instagram in Punjab where you show up to the gurdwara with guns.
This doesn't seem genuine at all and it's 100% for attention. The clock is ticking where there will be an incident with these guns and it won't be good.
r/Sikh • u/super_man3273 • 1d ago
Discussion I feel embarassed making sardar jokes as a child
I was searching for something on my Facebook profile when I came across some of my old posts from 2012 in which I had shared sardar jokes. I was shocked and immediately deleted them. I couldn’t believe I had posted such nonsense on Facebook. What surprised me even more was that the posts had likes and comments from people who were laughing along.
It wasn’t just Facebook. Even in school and while playing with friends in the colony, we often cracked sardar jokes and “12 o’clock” jokes, essentially branding the Sikh community as dumb and stupid.
When I read the history of 12 o clock, I realised how brave the Sikhs are.
And I feel really embarrassed about it now. I am truly sorry.
I think a lot of it had to do with the media. It’s also possible that these jokes started and spread more widely because we had a Sikh prime minister for ten years around that time. Bollywood has also played a role in reinforcing these stereotypes.
I truly hope the coming generations learn from our mistakes and grow up to be more logical and free of such stereotyping.
r/Sikh • u/ijassingh • 1d ago
Discussion Gurudwara Manji Sahib Patshahi Dasvi located in Alamgir, Ludhiana district, Punjab, India
News Respecting all religions doesn't mean you loose your self respect. We have to leave behind the cloak of inclusiveness for sometime as the current situation doesn't allow that.
r/Sikh • u/Hukumnama_Bot • 1d ago
Gurbani ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ • Sri Darbar Sahib Hukamnama • September 7, 2026
ਗੂਜਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
Goojaree, Fifth Mehl:
ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਭਾਈ ਸੁਤ ਬੰਧਪ ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਬਲੁ ਹੈ ਥੋਰਾ ॥
Mother, father, siblings, children and relatives - their power is insignificant.
ਅਨਿਕ ਰੰਗ ਮਾਇਆ ਕੇ ਪੇਖੇ ਕਿਛੁ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਚਾਲੈ ਭੋਰਾ ॥੧॥
I have seen the many pleasures of Maya, but none goes with them in the end. ||1||
ਠਾਕੁਰ ਤੁਝ ਬਿਨੁ ਆਹਿ ਨ ਮੋਰਾ ॥
O Lord Master, other than You, no one is mine.
ਮੋਹਿ ਅਨਾਥ ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਗੁਣੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਮੈ ਆਹਿਓ ਤੁਮੑਰਾ ਧੋਰਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
I am a worthless orphan, devoid of merit; I long for Your Support. ||1||Pause||
ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਚਰਣ ਤੁਮੑਾਰੇ ਈਹਾ ਊਹਾ ਤੁਮੑਾਰਾ ਜੋਰਾ ॥
I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice, a sacrifice to Your lotus feet; here and hereafter, Yours is the only power.
ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰਸੁ ਪਾਇਓ ਬਿਨਸਿਓ ਸਗਲ ਨਿਹੋਰਾ ॥੨॥੭॥੧੬॥
In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, Nanak has obtained the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan; my obligations to all others are annulled. ||2||7||16||
Guru Arjan Dev Ji • Raag Gujri • Ang 499
Monday, September 7, 2026
Somvaar, 23 Bhadon, Nanakshahi 558
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.
Powered By GurbaniNow.
r/Sikh • u/Sikh-Lad • 23h ago
Question Will any nihangs get pissed if I wrap a blue hajooria around my head?
Question for nihangs only.
I know that you guys give a blue hajooria to mahapurakhs and they wear it in their dumalla, but I just want to wrap it around my head for a style.
I don't want to piss of the 96k gang, that is my excuse for why this question might feel redudant.
r/Sikh • u/calgary_wandrer • 1d ago
Kirtan In Waheguru’s care, fear fades away- Guru Arjan Dev ji
r/Sikh • u/Empty_Lawfulness7694 • 1d ago
Question why are the khands understood as realms rather than stages of realization?
genuine question: when i read the five khands in Japji Sahib, they seem to describe stages of spiritual development, changes in consciousness, understanding, conduct, and relationship with the Divine; rather than destinations or separate supernatural places.
the passage that stands out the most to me is:
ਤਿਥੈ ਘੜੀਐ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਮਤਿ ਮਨਿ ਬੁਧਿ ॥
in Saram Khand, consciousness, intellect, understanding, and the mind are being shaped. that sounds like inward transformation.
Pauri 38 then uses a goldsmith’s workshop to describe spiritual refinement through patience, understanding, and love.
if that imagery is metaphorical, why not read the khands similarly as stages through which realization unfolds? (Ang 8)
Guru Arjan Sahib also says:
ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ॥੨॥
liberation occurs while laughing, playing, dressing, and eating. this suggests that realization can unfold within ordinary life rather than by reaching another place. (Ang 522)
Bhagat Kabir says:
ਕਵਨੁ ਨਰਕੁ ਕਿਆ ਸੁਰਗੁ ਬਿਚਾਰਾ ਸੰਤਨ ਦੋਊ ਰਾਦੇ ॥
the saints reject both heaven and hell. while this does not necessarily deny their existence, it shifts attention away from supernatural destinations and toward lived realization. (Ang 969)
i recognize that Sach Khand includes cosmic language about worlds and creation. still, could that describe the expanded vision of awakened awareness rather than a separate location?
If Dharam Khand emphasizes moral order, Gian Khand expands understanding, and Saram Khand reshapes consciousness, why assume these are realms rather than successive transformations in how reality is known and lived? what is the point of living if all of this would happen after death?
are there teekas, scholars, or passages that support either interpretation? if you understand the khands as spiritual realms what specifically in Gurbani makes that reading more convincing than stages of realization-which imo is the “goal” of sikhi?