Waheguru History, Prayers and Significance

Vāhigurū is a term that is used by all the Sikh people around the world for referring to God or Almighty.

Waheguru is made up of three words. The 1st is Wahe, which means wonderful or awe-inspiring. The 2nd word is Gu which means dark gooey attachment. The 3rd word is Roo, which means a liberating ray of light.

He is considered to be an expression that is used for referring to the supreme soul and the creator of Sikhism. This particular word is also used in the form of the main mantra in the Sikhism and is also called as Guru mantra.

History of Vāhigurū

He has been mentioned in various sacred books, texts, and scriptures which are dated somewhere around the 12th and the 13th centuries.

History of Waheguru
History of Waheguru

The followers of Sikhism have also been the ardent follower of Guru Granth Sahib and also the believers of the teachings of Guru Nanak. The term has been used more than 13 times in the holy book of Guru Granth Sahab.

Over time, this particular word has been used using different pronunciations and spellings. But the core effect, faith, and beliefs which are associated with the term have always remained the same.

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Mool Mantra of Sikhism

Mool Mantra of Sikhism
Mool Mantra of Sikhism

Mool mantra of Sikh (to learn) is:

ik onkar Sat nam karta puruskh nirbhau nirvair

akaal murat ajoooni Saibhang gur prasaad..

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Meaning

Ik means “alone”

Onkar means,” unstruck cosmic humming sound of Om”

Sat means,”absolute truth”

Naam means,”name”

Karta means, “which cause happenings of creation”

Purakh means,”root ancestor”

Nirbhau means,”which has nothing to do with fear of becoming”

Nirvair means,”without any other”

Akaal means,”having nothing to do with time, timeless”

Moorat means,”absolute stillness”

Ajooni mean,”having nothing to do with creation, birthless”

Saibhang means,”wherein everything else lose its meaning”

Guru means,”which illuminates from darkness of ignorance”

Prasad means,”gracious kind gift”

Wah means,”Wow..”

ik onkar Sat nam karta puruskh nirbhau nirvair

akaal murat ajoooni Saibhang gur prasaad means, “unstruck cosmic humming sound of Om alone is, it is precious chant in absolute truth, its root ancestor which cause all happenings of creation,

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It has nothing to do with becoming and fear of creation, wherein there is none another, its absolute timeless stillness, it’s birth less, which never got created from any joon (yoni)..being it everything of creation lose its meaning,

it is that Wow, which illuminates the darkness of ignorance as a gracious gift..”

This mool mantra refers Guru and it only points out at the God itself.

Examples of Citation of Waheguru

He is mentioned in the Gurbani. The Phrases and the scriptures which are present in Gurbani emphasize the importance of contemplating and pressing the Waheguru in various places and stanzas.

Examples of Citation of Waheguru
Examples of Citation of Waheguru

The word has appeared 13 times in the various scriptures present in Guru Granth Sahib, in the series of divine hymns which are composed by the famous Bhatt minstrel Gyand.

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And praise the excellence of this particular wondrous and enlightener. This verse is one example:

“Vaahehguroo Vaaheguroo Vaaheguroo Vaahe jeeo ||

Waahe Guru, Waahe Guru, Waahe Guru, Waahe Jee-o.

Kaval nain madhur bain kott sain sang sobh kehat maa jasod jiseh dehee bhaat khaahe jeeo ||

Lotus-eyed, sweet of speech, exalted and embellished with millions of companions, Mother Yashoda invited Thee [as Krishna] to partake sweet rice and curd.

Daekh roop at anoop moh mehaa mag bhee kinkanee sabad jhanatakaar khael paahe jeeo

Seeing Thy supremely beautiful form, and hearing the musical tinkling of Thy silver bells when Thee played, intoxicated the mother with loving delight.

Kaal kalam hukam haath kehhu koun maett sakai ees banmya gyaan dhyaan dharat heeai chaahe jeeo

Death’s pen is commanded by Thy hands, who can erase Thy writ? Shiva and Brahma meditate yearning to enshrine Thy spiritual wisdom in their hearts.

Sat saach sree nivaas aad purakh sadhaa tuhee vaaheguroo vaaheguroo vaaheguroo vaahe jeeo ||1||6||

Thou are forever just and true, the abode of Excellence, the Primal Supreme Being. Waahe Guru, Waahe Guru, Waahe Guru, Waahe Jee-o. “||1||6|| SGGS 1402

Sikhs are ultimately meant to contemplate Waheguru with every thought, deed, and breath.

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Fifth Guru Arjan Dev wrote:

“Baitat ootat sovat jaagat visar naahee toon saas giraasaa ||1|| rehaao||

Sitting down, standing up, while sleeping or awake with each morsel of food, and every breath I never forget You.” ||1||Pause|| SGGS||378

Alternate Names Used for Waheguru

Various alternate names are used in place of Waheguru the wonder enlightener. The term vāhigurū is sometimes referred to as Vaheguru in various sacred texts and holy books.

Alternate Names Used for Waheguru
Alternate Names Used for Waheguru

It is sometimes also referred to as Vaahiguroo in different religious quotes and articles. Apart from the regular spelling of vāhigurū, the other most common alternate spelling used is Vaaheguru.

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All these alternate spellings can be easily found in different sources of religious importance. The change in the spelling does not signify the change in any feeling or faith.

Pronunciation

The correct pronunciation of the word vāhigurū is mentioned in many sacred texts and holy books.

Pronunciation of Waheguru
Pronunciation

It is written in many sacred textbooks and scriptures that the spelling of Waheguru starts with w. The Gurmukhi letter for w is very close to the sound of the letter V and is also pronounced with the teeth touching the lower lip.

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Different spellings are present for the term Waheguru. Some start with V while some start with w but the meaning and the essence along with the usage remains the same everywhere.

Significance

The term has a lot of religious significance related to it. The people who are the followers of Sikhism believe that he is the wondrous enlightener and is the one who teaches Grace and salvation to the devotees.

Significance of Waheguru
Significance of Waheguru

The word Guru refers to the teacher or the religious guide who directs his devotees on the right track or path during their life on earth.

The Sikh scripture Guru Granth as always preached its devotees that with the help of grace, salvation can be attended by meditating on the Naam and also by identifying the divine enlightener.

The people who follow Sikhism are always encouraged to remember God using a method which is known as Simran.

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The instructions are given to every follower during the time of initiation and also at the time of baptism for reciting the Guru Mantra, which is a term related to the reciting of different Mantra of the vāhigurū.

The Guru Mantra has to be recited in the form of mediation in the Amritvela, which is the morning hours and also throughout the day.

Prayer of Waheguru

Waheguru Prayers
Vāhigurū Prayers

too thaakur tum peh ardas

You are our Lord and Master; to You, I offer this prayer.

jee-o pind sabh tayree raas.

This body and soul are all Your property.

tum maat pitaa ham baarik tayray.

You are our mother and father; we are Your children.

tumree kirpaa meh sookh ghanayray.

In Your Grace, there are so many joys!

ko-ay na jaanai tumraa ant.

No one knows Your limits.

oochay tay oochaa bhagvant.

O Highest of the High, Most Generous God,

sagal samagree tumrai sutir dhaaree.

the whole creation is strung on Your thread.

tum tay ho-ay so aagi-aakaaree.

That which has come from You is under Your Command.

tumree gat mit tum hee jaanee.

You alone know Your state and extent.

naanak daas sadaa kurbaanee. ||8||4||

Nanak, Your slave, is forever a sacrifice. ||8||4||

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Conclusion

The term Waheguru refers to the teacher or the preacher who teaches his devotes to stay on the right path and to get attached to the various religious beliefs and faith in the religion of Sikhism.

It is pronounced in various ways and also has different spellings written in various sacred texts and scriptures, but the essence, meaning, and the beliefs related to the term remain the same irrespective of the spelling and the pronunciation.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Is Waheguru mentioned in any sacred text or scripture?

Yes, the term has been mentioned in many religious books, scriptures, and other such related authentic sources of religion and teachings. It is mentioned around 13 times in the holy book Guru Granth Sahib.

How can one become a true disciple of Waheguru?

One can become the true devote and disciple of vāhigurū by praying in his lotus feet every day without failing and also staying away from the ill doings and the path of sin.

Do the people who do not follow Sikhism believe in Waheguru?

Yes, even the people who are not the followers of Sikhism believe in vāhigurū. People, irrespective of their religion go the Gurudwara for praying and offering their prayers in the lotus feet of God.