Sat Sri Akaal

Sat Sri Akaal (Gurumukhi ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, pronounced [sət sɾiː əkɑːl] (listen)) is a Jaikara (lit. Call of Victory) now used, often, as a greeting by Punjabi Sikhs. It is the second half of the Sikh Clarion call, given by the Tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal" (Shout Aloud in Ecstasy... Truth is the Timeless One’’ ).[1][2]

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Meaning

Sat is derived from the Sanskrit word "Satya" and means "Truth or Real". Sri (or Shri or Shree), an honorific word, is of Sanskrit origin used as a form of respect or veneration of the Almighty. Akaal or Akal [A+Kaal= The One beyond time] is one of the many names used for "the timeless being, God". Thus, the phrase means "Venerated Almighty is the Ultimate Truth".

Usage

Besides being the clarion call of Sikhism, the Jaikara has become an integral part of the Sikh liturgy and is spoken at the end of Ardas, the Sikh prayer in holy congregations. It is, nowadays, commonly used as a greeting between Sikhs and Punjabis.

"Sat Shri Akaal" is used by Sikhs throughout the world when greeting other Sikhs, regardless of their native language. For instance, two members of the Sikh Diaspora who exclusively speak English may still greet each other with this blessing, although this is not universal.

The usage of Sat Shri Akaal as a greeting, although used by the majority of people who identify themselves as being Sikh, is regarded as incorrect usage by "Amritdhari [baptized] Sikhs. As the term is historically the second half of the Sikh war cry, "Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akal", and is still used in the same way. As per the Sikh Rehat Maryada, or Code of Conduct, Amritdhari Sikhs greet each other with "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh", meaning "The Khalsa belongs to the Lord God! the victory belongs to God!".

Defense battle cry

Three regiments of the Indian Army – the Punjab Regiment, Sikh Regiment, and Sikh Light Infantry – use it as their battle cry.

References
  1. "First Gurpurab of Guru Nanak at White House in Washington". Punjab Newsline. 15 November 2009. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  2. "Bole So Nihal | Asian Ethnic Religion | Religious Comparison". Scribd. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
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