THE WORD 'WAHEGURU'
Naam is the Gurmantar - formula given by the
Guru (Prophet) and for the Sikhs, it is the word ‘Waheguru.’ It means, ‘the wonderful one who removes ignorance” i.e. the giver of the light of God - His knowledge. It is also called ‘Shabad’ or “Word.” The word ‘Waheguru’ not combined with any other word is for the Sikhs to recite - to do Jaap. Only the word ‘Waheguru’ is the Naam. The pure Naam-Jaap is recitation only of the word ‘Waheguru.’ In the Sikh world, ‘Naam-Jaap’ pertains to recitation of the word ‘Waheguru.’
It is another story that some, even the advanced practitioners like established saints, combine ‘Waheguru’ with ‘Satte-Naamu’ (True Name) etc. for their recitation i.e. ‘Satte-Naamu - Waheguru,’ and advise their followers to do the same. ‘Satte-Naamu’ qualifies ‘Waheguru.’ It is the question of one’s faith, and practically is okay with whatever word Waheguru is combined. The central word is ‘Waheguru’ and it has to be there. In the Sikh faith, without the word ‘Waheguru,’ it is not the ‘Naam-Jaap,’ or Jaap of Naam. For the pure Naam-Jaap, nothing should be added to the word “Waheguru.”
