Ik Onkar

Ik Onkār^[1], a Sikh symbol (encoded as a single character in Unicode at U+0A74, ੴ)

Ik Onkar (Gurmukhi: ੴ, ਇੱਕ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ; Ikk Ōankār IPA: [ɪkː oəŋkaɾ]) is a central tenet of Sikh religious philosophy.^[1] It is a symbol of the unity of God in Sikhism, and is found on all religious scriptures and places such as Gurdwaras. Derived from Punjabi, Ik Onkār is the first phrase in the Mul Mantar referring to the existence of "one constant^[2]" taken to mean "one God".^[3] It is found in the Gurmukhi script^[4] and is consequently also part of the Sikh morning prayer, Japji Sahib. It is a combination of two characters, the numeral ੧, Ikk (one) and the first letter of the word Onkar (Constant taken to mean God) - which also happens to be the first letter of the Gurmukhī script - an ūṛā, ੳ, coupled with a specially adapted vowel symbol hōṛā, yielding ਓ.

In Mul Mantra

Illuminated Adi Granth folio with nisan (Mul Mantar) of Guru Gobind Singh, showing Ik Onkār. Collection of Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib, Patna.

It was also the opening phrase of the Mul Mantar, present as opening phrase in the Guru Granth Sahib, and the first composition of Guru Nanak. Further, the Mul Mantar is also at the beginning of the Japji Sahib, followed by 38 hymns and a final Salok at the end of this composition.

Simplified transliteration: ikk ōnkār satināmu karatā puraku nirapǎ'u niraver akāl mūrat ajūnī sepàng gurprasād

English: One Universal Creator, the Name is Truth, Creative Being (personified), Without fear, Without hatred, timeless Image, beyond birth and Self-existent by the Guru's Grace.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Sikhism photpack. Fu Ltd.. 1995. p. 10. ISBN 1852767693. 
2. ^ http://www.heavenlygardens.org/Onkar/versecore.htm
3. ^ Mayled, John (2002). Sikhism. Heinemann. p. 16. ISBN 0435336274. 
4. ^ David Rose, Gill Rose (2003). Sacred Texts photopack. Folens Limited. p. 12. ISBN 1843034433. 

External links

Sikhism portal

• Discussion On Ek Onkar Translation
• Fast facts on sikhism and Ik Onkar
• Religious Studies Ik Onkar