Giani

Gyani

Gyani

Honorific Sikh title

A gyani or giani (Punjabi: ਗਿਆਨੀ (Gurmukhi)) is an honorific Sikh title used by someone learned in Sikhism and who often leads the congregation in prayers, such as Ardas, or in singing (kirtan). The word gyan means "knowledge" in Punjabi, being a derivative of the Sanskrit word jnana. So a "gyani" is one who has spiritual and religious knowledge and can help the congregation—the Sadh Sangat—in understanding the Sacred Texts and the history of the religion.

For other uses, see Giani (disambiguation).
Portrait of an old Sikh teacher

Characteristics

A gyani can be a male or a female, as the Sikh religion gives equal rights to both sexes. He or she will have undergone an intensive course of study and evaluation at an academic or religious institute, will have a thorough knowledge of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Scripture, and will have the ability to translate the words of sacred text into simple everyday language. Gyanis can also communicate in English (not always the case), a major bonus to western children who are not fluent in Punjabi or Gurmukhi, the language of the holy scriptures. In religious contexts, a gyani may also be called a brahm gyani.

Gyani or Giani is also an academic degree conferred in Punjabi literature.[1]

Notable people known as 'gyani'

See also

References

  1. [1]
    A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism from W. Owen Cole and Piara Singh Sambhi, Curzon Press, p.68, ISBN 0700710485


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