Editing Waheguru (section)

== Meaning ==
The meaning of the word {{Lang|pa-latn|vāhigurū}} (usually spelled in English as ''Waheguru'') is [[folk etymology|traditionally explained]] as {{Lang|pa-latn|vāh}} 'wondrous!' ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] word analogous to "wow" in English), 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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kaur|first=Inderjit N.|year=2019|title=A Multisensorial Affective Ecology of Sonic Worship: The Sikh Sacred Song Culture|work=MUSICultures|volume=46|issue=2|page=122|url=https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/MC/article/view/30492}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nānak |first=Guru |url={{GBurl|id=LeWcb_rjupUC}} |title=Sri Guru Nanak Dev's Japji: in Gurmukhi, Devanagri & Roman script with English translation and commentary |date=2001 |publisher=Hemkunt Publishers |editor-first=G. S.|editor-last=Chauhan |isbn=81-7010-314-2 |location=New Delhi |pages=28 |oclc=634653555 |quote=The meaning of Waheguru is as under: Wah: It is an expression of exclamation on seeing something great and magnificent. He: an address to Him. Guru: One who takes from darkness to light. Thus "Waheguru" means, magnificent and great teacher who will take me from darkness to light. "Waheguru" is repeated by the Sikhs at the time of initiation into "Khalsa" and is repeated by the initiates in meditation and is used as an address for the God. Once one remembers Him as guru, He is bound to take that person across the ocean of maya and bestow His Grace and Divine Knowledge or Holy Science. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru gave the greeting slogan of "Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguruji ki Fateh." i.e. Khalsa belongs to Waheguru and glory be Him. Thus, His Name as "Waheguru" is very appropriate, pious and sanctified and can be repeated without seeking blessing from another human being. This Name is already sanctified.}}</ref>

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|Sikh Gurus]].<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Explorations of Visibility and Invisibility: An Exploration of the Experiences of British Sikh Women in the Workplace |url=https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/28260/ |publisher=City, University of London |date=2021 |degree=doctoral |language=en |first=Navneet |last=Sangha}} Page(s) 21–22.</ref> Waheguru is considered to be ultimate goodness, into which the purified soul merges whilst evil is vanquished.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nirmala Kumāra |url={{GBurl|id=xh69K5Ilm3EC}}|title=Sikh Philosophy and Religion: 11th Guru Nanak Memorial Lectures |date=2006 |publisher=New Dawn Press, Inc. |isbn=1-932705-68-6 |location=Elgin, Illinois |pages=24–25 |oclc=145506109}}</ref>