Glossary of Sikhism - S

S

Sangat

Society (congregation). Compare Panth.

Sarbat da Bhalla

Welfare of mankind (sarbat = mankind, bhalla = welfare)

Seva

Service. One of the 2 foundations of Sikhism. (see simran). Three varieties of seva are sanctioned in the Sikh lore: that rendered through the corporal instrument (tan), that through the mental apparatus (man) and that through the material wherewithal (dhan). There are 4 types of Seva:

1. Dhan di Seva – the one people are most familiar with. Doing seva by performing deeds of service and virtue.
2. Mann Di Seva – done by doing Simran. Cleansing the Soul of polluted thoughts and Maya.
3. Guru di Seva – by having your Mann attuned to his Naam.
4. Satgur ki Seva.

Shabad, Śábda

The hymns contained in Sikh scriptures.

Shaheed

Title used before the name of a person who has died as a Sikh martyr.

Simran

Simran is the remembrance of Waheguru. Guru Nanak formed a new type of Bakti beginning with Simran and Jap of Waheguru Gurmantar.

Singh

Lion. Male Sikh middle or surname title.

Sloka

Stanza. The Sanskrit epic metre formed of thirty-two syllables: verses of two lines (distich) of sixteen syllables each or in four half-lines (hemistich) of each syllables each. Japu (recitation) comprises an introductory sloka, 38 stanzas traditionally called pauris and a concluding sloka attributed by some to Guru Angad.

Sukhmani

the Psalm of Peace.