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Summary of Question:	Salutations To Sikhs
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 1/30/2002 10:40 AM MST

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh

Shouldnt this be the basic salutation with which Khalsas greet each other? The Guru has said that if we do not believe in God we will be lost in a meaningless and goaless life. Sat Sri Akal Ji was a War cry or greeting, and we under the guidance of the Guru Granth Sahib have been so lost.
Isnt it our duty to revive the tradition which has been the word of the Guru, and as The Guru has mentioned to us that he speaks for the lord.
Also what does Sat Sri Akal mean?
Yours Sincerely,
Raman

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REPLY
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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Dear Raman-
The above greeting is the one used between Amritdhari Sikhs; when we take AMrit we are reminded to greet other baptized Sikhs this way.

There is nothing wrong with this salutation for all Sikhs, but I have noticed that there are those who are not baptized who do not feel comfortable being greeted this way. That is where Sat Siri Akaal is used (or Sat Naam). Sat Siri Akaal means Great Undying Truth; Sat Naam means True Name; both are an affirmation of our existence as undying spirits in human form. There is nothing wrong with greeting any Sikhs with either phrase. When you KNOW that someone is Amritdhari, then by all means use the Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa salutation.

If Sikhs are "lost" as you say, it is because Sikhs have not LISTENED to the Guru or kept Guru's discipline. Have we meditated daily on the Naam? Served others selflessly and often? Given our heads/egos to Guru's will? Seen God and Guru in all around us? Everything we need for guidance is in Siri Guru. It is our mandate as Gursikhs to follow and act on those teachings; to walk the talk.

Guru rakha,
-DKK