Nirankar

Attribute associated to God in Sikhism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nirankar (Punjabi: ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ, lit. 'formless'[1]) is one of the many attributes associated to God in Sikhism and means The Formless One.

'Baba Nanak and Nirankara (formless reality, Waheguru, or the Supreme God)', Janamsakhi painting from a Kashmiri manuscript, early 19th century

Etymology

The word has its roots in the Sanskrit word nirākārā (Sanskrit: ਨਿਰਾਕਾਰਾ/निराकारा) and is a compound of two words: Nir meaning "without" and Akar (or Akaar), "shape" or "form"; hence, The Formless.[2]

Meaning and usage

The term is used as one of the names of God by Sikhs.[3]

It finds usage in the Guru Granth Sahib:

ਸਚ ਖੰਡਿ ਵਸੈ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ॥

सच खंडि वसै निरंकारु ॥

Sacẖ kẖand vasai nirankār.

In the realm of Truth abides the Formless Lord.

— SGGS. Pg 8

Conjunction

The words is sometime conjoined with other terms. Some examples are below:

  • Nirankar Purusha[4]
  • Nirankar Alepa[4]

History

The term was first used to describe the divine by Guru Nanak.[1] The name later would become the namesake of the Nirankari sect founded by Baba Dayal Singh.[1]

References

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