Ik Onkar, also spelled Ek Onkar, means “There is only one God or one Creator.” This phrase is important in Sikhism because it represents the idea of one supreme reality, a key belief in Sikh religious philosophy.
Ik Onkar (Photo credit: Pinterest)
New Delhi: Ik Onkar is not just words; it is more and is the core of spirituality in Sikhism. Ik Onkar believes in the “oneness of God and oneness of all beings.” It also represents God’s unity, everyone’s equality, and the universe’s interconnectedness. Ik Onkar inspires Sikhs and reminds them to live in harmony with the divine and each other. Its message of unity and love connects with people from all backgrounds, symbolising peace and unity. In this article, let us look at who coined the term “Ik Onkar” and more about it.
“Ik Onkar”: Origin, meaning, significance and more
Ik Onkar is a central symbol of Sikhism and is the key idea of this faith. It shows the belief in one God and emphasises the connection between God and all living things.
Origin & Meaning
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who founded Sikhism and was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, highlighted the unity of God and introduced Ik Onkar. Later Gurus emphasised and spread Ik Onkar’s message. It represents the belief in one eternal God who is both formless (Nirankar) and with form (Sakar). This symbol shows that God is single.
Ik Onkar Symbolism
Ik Onkar is a simple symbol that carries a deep meaning in Sikhism. It has two parts:
Ik means “1” and represents the idea of “oneness”. This belief supports the idea that God is One and rejects the idea of many gods.
Onkar is another form of the word “Om”, which is important in several Indian religions, including Hinduism. In Sikhism, “Onkar” represents God’s creation’s divine sound or vibration. It symbolises the unified creation of the universe by one creator.
Spiritual Significance
Ik Onkar is important in Sikhism. Its core belief is “Ik Onkar Satnam”, which means “One God is Eternal Truth”. Sikhs believe that one God is formless and exists in every living being. This belief reminds Sikhs to focus on God’s oneness and build a spiritual connection with the divine.
Ik Onkar is significant in Sikh prayers and rituals. It appears at the start of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures, and is central to the daily prayer “Japji Sahib”.
Sikhs often recite this symbol at the beginning of their daily prayers to show their commitment to acknowledging God’s presence.
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