Waheguru
Waheguru is a term used in Sikhism to refer to God as described in Guru Granth Sahib. It is the most common term to refer to God in modern Sikhism.
Meaning
The meaning of the word vāhigurū is traditionally explained as vāh 'wondrous!', and guru, Sanskrit for 'teacher, spiritual guide, God', which taken together are said to carry the meaning, 'Wondrous Lord'. It is built upon an expression of awe and amazement of the divine. Another explanation for the term's meaning is that it refers to a great instructor who takes away the darkness from their pupil and enlightens them.Waheguru is described and envisioned as a formless and omnipresent deity by Sikhs with whom a devotee is able to establish a personal relationship with by following the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. Waheguru is considered to be ultimate goodness, into which the purified soul merges whilst evil is vanquished.
History
The hymns to Waheguru contained in Guru Granth Sahib have been composed by Bhatt Gayand. A golden mohur, known as a butki, issued by the Lahore Mint of the Sikh Empire from 1828 onwards features Waheguru inscribed thrice over in Gurmukhi.Usage
The word is also used in Sikhism as a main mantra and is called gurmantra or gurmantar.File:Hukamnama of Guru Gobind Singh addressed to the congregation of Varanasi, dated 3 February 1708.jpg|thumb|Hukamnama edict of Guru Gobind Singh addressed to the congregation of Varanasi, dated 3 February 1708. The congregation is addressed as "Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa" and not as "my Khalsa" or "the Guru's Khalsa".
The term also finds usage in the jaikara, greeting, and parting phrase introduced by Guru Gobind Singh: "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh". This phrase is used in the Amrit Sanchar ceremony, the Sikh baptismal ritual for initiation into the Khalsa order.