Sikh religious symbol
Ek Onkar: This is the symbol representing the "One Supreme Reality" or "One God"
This fundamental teaching of Sikhism that there is only one Essence or one reality that sustains all is paramount to the understanding of Sikh beliefs.
Bhai Gurdas Ji says of Ek-Onkar:
By writing 1 (One) in the beginning, it has been shown that Ekankar, God, who subsumes all forms in Him is only one (and not two or three).
Ura, the first Gurmukhi letter, in the form of Oankar shows the world controlling power of that one Lord...
Ek Onkar means "God is One." The symbol is an emblem of the Sikh religion and is found on Gurdwaras (Sikh temples). The symbol has some resemblance to the Sanskrit OM which is recited in the Hindu religion. Ek Onkar forms the cornerstone of Sikh belief in the unity and oneness of God.
There is but one God. Truth by name, the creator, all-pervading spirit, without fear, without enmity. Whose existence is unaffected by time, who does not take birth, self-existent, who is to be realised through his grace.
The Khanda (khaṇḝĝ) is one of most important symbols of Sikhism. Is emphasized by the fact that many Sikh flags, including the Nishan Sahib have the Khanda on them. It is a collection of four weapons commonly used by Sikhs at the time of Guru Gobind Singh.
The weapons are
- A double-edged sword called a Khanda sits in the middle.
- A Chakkar is a circular weapon that surrounds the Khanda
- Two single-edged swords, or kirpans, are crossed at the bottom and sit on either side of the Khanda and Chakkar. They represent the dual nature/duties of the Gurus, Miri and Piri.
The Khanda is an important emblem in Sikhism and can be compared to the symbol of Om in Hinduism and symbols from other Dharmic religions. The Chakar is the circle that indicates that God and eternal life is without end and perfect.
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