⟵ Back to podcasts

What does “Sikh” mean?

Ask SikhRI

Wednesday
,
27
December
2023

When we look at the two meanings as they existed at the time (in Sanskrit and in Pali) and incorporate them into what we now call Sikhi, it actually means learners who are of the Guru. Guru is a mentor, Guru in Sikhi is Perfection.

When we look at the two meanings as they existed at the time (in Sanskrit and in Pali) and incorporate them into what we now call Sikhi, it actually means learners who are of the Guru. Guru is a mentor, Guru in Sikhi is Perfection. A Sikh then becomes someone who is modelling their life as the Gurus lived it on earth.

Ask SikhRI is completely anonymous; it doesn’t require your name or contact information.

In This Podcast

Harinder Singh

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy
Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

View profile ⟶

Related Content

The Sikh Research Institute recognizes its ethical responsibility to promptly correct any factual small or large errors. Please get in touch with us via email to request a correction if you have identified a mistake.

Suggest a correction →

Latest Podcasts

Thursday
,
12
February
2026

The Only Ask: A Journey Through Nam

A reflective meditation by Inni Kaur on the prayer “Grant me the gift of Nam,” exploring longing, grace, and inner transformation.

LISTEN NOW⟶
Wednesday
,
11
February
2026

Explore Babarvani

Guru Nanak Sahib (1469-1539 CE) witnessed the destruction caused by Babur with his own eyes and vividly depicted the scenes of destruction in his Bani. These revolutionary Sabads revealed by the Guru that depict pain and empathy are known as ‘Babarvani’.

LISTEN NOW⟶
Friday
,
6
February
2026

Explore Mundavani

Within the Guru Granth Sahib, the term 'mudavani' or 'mundavani' appears in two saloks: one by Guru Amardas Sahib and one by Guru Arjan Sahib. Collectively, these saloks serve as a key to understanding the core message of the Guru Granth Sahib.​

LISTEN NOW⟶

Share on Social Media

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay informed with our weekly updates, important events and more at SikhRI.

Thank you! Your submission has been received.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.