Names of Waheguru in gurbani

God.

A word that has been in discussions for a long time. So many names and powers and rules are associated with it. When we talk about God, religions and tribes come in front of our eyes. Because to reach God or to experience God, there are some rules, and on the basis of rules a religion is defined.

Some rules are hard to follow and sometimes look barbaric as if it’s good if we keep them in the medieval times. One thing can’t be ignored though and that’s that people have been practising religions or some rules from a long time. They sometimes associated it with nature or something some supernatural beings.

And it’s the truth that when we try to understand a religion, and we are following a totally different religion, we judge or evaluate the other religion based on our beliefs. When we say it’s right or wrong, we have to have something to weigh it against, and it can be our morals too.

Without going into more philosophical way, let’s come to the point here.

Today (and in the upcoming days, as this post will be updated regularly) we will talk about the different names of God which came in gurbani.

First thing that we need to understand is that God was not created by some other person, or God was not born somehow like we humans do. God is different. God is unique. Over the period of time, so many names were given to God.

These days if we prefer to say the word ‘Ram’ for God, many Hindus will believe that we are talking about Ram Chandra ji, which will be wrong. This is the main purpose of writing this blog. We will have all the names of Waheguru (again a name of God) that are there in gurbani.

1. Abhekhe (AByKy) – A (A) means without + Bhekhe (ByKy) means a way of dressing. Waheguru is Prakash Saroop (pRkwS srUp), He is not like humans/aliens/animals or has a body. So, He is without any Bhekh, means without any special dresses that many people think Waheguru/God/Ram/Allah wears.
2. Abhinashi (AibnwsI) – Imperishable.
3. Akaale (Akwly, Akwl) – A (A) means without + Kaal/kaale (mOq) means death. Waheguru is without death.
4. Alekhe (AlyKy) – A (A) means without + Lekhe (lyKy) is something that can be described as an account of our actions on the basis of what we will be judged after our death. Waheguru can never be judged as there is no-one above Waheguru who will hold Him responsible for something and punish Him.
5. Anoope (AnUpy) – An (An) means ineffable + Oope (aUpy) means praises. His praises can’t be described fully in words.
6. Antarjaami (AMqrjwmI) – Inner-knower
7. Aroope (ArUpy) – A (A) means without + Roope (rUpy) means form/face/body. Waheguru is without any form.
8. Banwali (bnvwlI) – Protector of the World.
9. Brahm (bRhm) – Omnipresent One.
10. Daata (dwqw) – Giver.
11. Damodar (dwmodr) – (dwm+Edr) (One) who’s Maaya under His control.
12. Gobind (goibMd, goibd) – It’s made of two words Go (earth) + Bind (protector). Waheguru is the protector of the earth (all the earths that are there in the whole universe, not just Earth.)
13. Gopal (gopwl) – Go (earth) + Pal (nurture). Waheguru is the nurturer of the earth (all the earths that are there in the whole universe, not just Earth) and all the beings/animals and everything else.
14. Gorakh (gorK) – Go (earth) + Rakh (protector). Waheguru is the protector of the earth (all the earth that are there in the whole universe, not just Earth.)
15. Har (hir) – Har has so many meanings. When ‘Har’ word comes in gurbani for Waheguru, it means harna; Waheguru takes away all the bad thoughts away; Waheguru kills all the people. In Mahan Kosh, 44 different meanings are there including lion, moon, parrot, horse, king, yellow colour, etc. Har word is used for Vishnu too, but in gurbani when it comes to refer to God, it’s not for Vishnu but Waheguru.
16. Jagannaath (jgMnwQ) – Jagan (world) + Naath (someone who is supreme). Waheguru is the Supreme in the whole world.
17. Jagdeesh (jgdIs) – Jagat (world) + Eesh (owner). Waheguru is the one whom the whole world belongs to.
18. Kaal (kwl) – Destroyer. Waheguru destroys everything, so he is known as Destroyer too.
19. Karta (krqw) – Doer.
20. Kartaar (krqwr) – Doer. He is doing everything.
21. Khasam (Ksmu) – The Lord Husband.
22. Kirpaale (ikRpwly) – Waheguru is kind.
23. Maadoo (mwDau, mwDv) – Maa (Maaya) + Doo/Dav (Husband). Waheguru is the Lord Husband of Maaya, His creation power.
24. Madusudhan (mDusUdn) – (Waheguru kills) the ego-like Madh demon, so called Madusudhan.
25. Mahakaal (mhwkwl) – Kaal of kaal, means someone who even kills death. Waheguru is all powerful that at last He submerged everything into Him, and there is no one left to kill, that means the end of death. Some people who don’t have the knowledge of gurbani say that it’s for Shiv ji, which is wrong.
26. Mohan (mohn) – (mo+hn) Waheguru kills the worldly attachments, so called Mohan.
27. Narayan (nwrwiex) – (nw+rwiex) Waheguru doesn’t have Avidya, so called Narayan.
28. Nidhaan (inDwn) – Have-it-all. Waheguru has everything.
29. Niranjan (inrMjn) – Nir (without) + Anjan (maaya – illusion). Waheguru is the one Who can’t be influenced by maaya. Or without any illusion.
30. Nirankaar (inrMkwr) – Without any form.
31. Nirbha(u) (inrBau) – Fearless.
32. Nirvair (inrvYr) – Hatred-less.
33. Oan(g)kaar (Eå) (EAMkwr) – This is another word that is pronounced incorrectly by many people. It’s not Ohm-kaar, or Ohm. It’s Oan(g)kaar. Meaning Waheguru is Enlightener of All (sBnw dw pRkwSk).
34. Parbrahm (pwrbRhm) – Par (away; without any beginning and end) + Brahm (Waheguru). Waheguru doesn’t have any beginning and end.
35. Purakh (purK) – Complete; Waheguru is complete, there is nothing that Waheguru doesn’t have. And the second meaning is the Lord Husband.
36. Raghnaath (rGnwQ) – It’s made of two words, Ragh (Light or divine light) + Naath (someone who is supreme) Raghnaath means Waheguru is Divineful and Supreme.
37. Rahim (rhIm) – Merciful.
38. Ram (rwm) – Ramya hoya, means omnipresent. God is omnipresent that’s why he is called Ram in gurbani. (Here it is not for Ram Chandra ji.)
39. Rikhikes (irKIkys) – Waheguru is Lord of Senses (He gives chetna to senses.)
40. Sahib (swihb) – Supreme.
41. Sirjanhaar (isrjxhwru, isrjxhwrw) – Creator.
42. Thakur (Twkur) – Thakur is someone who is supreme like king. Sometimes ‘Thakur’ word was used to refer to worldly kings. But in gurbani, Thakur is used for Waheguru as he is the King of the World.
43. Veparwaah(o) (vyprvwhu) – Carefree.