Jaikara is a term used to refer to religious slogans practiced in Indic religions. They are usually shouted in a group-setting as a devotional practice. Jaikaras can be found in both Hinduism and Sikhism.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, there are Shaktist jaikaras to pay deference to specific Indic goddesses, known as Maa Aap Bulandi.[1] They are often shouted together as a group amongst devotees and sometimes in specific scenarios, such being in the midst of a religious trek.[1] They are believed to encourage the congregation and strengthen their resolve, it is also way of expressing devotion to a particular deity.[1] However, jaikaras can also be chanted when alone or when two groups of pilgrims cross paths with one another.[1]
Common Hindu jaikaras are as follows:
- Jai mata di ("victory of the Mother Goddess")[1]
- Jaikara sheranwali da ("salutations to the Divine Mother whose mount is a lion")[1]
- Sanchey Darbar Ki Jai ("obeisance to the sacred court")[1]
Sikhism
Amongst Sikh, the jaikaras function as a battle-cry, described as being a "shout of victory" or "war-cry" slogan, also referred to as a fateh.[2]Template:Rp[3][4][5] Jaikaras are said to conclude Sikh religious services.[2][5] They are used as phrasal slogans of respect, appraise, or obeisance and its purpose is a mixture of spirituality, euphoria, and preparation.[6] A common Sikh jaikara is: Jo bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal ("Blessed is the person who says God is Truth") and was used in-battle.[2][6][3] They are often uttered as a huzza shouted together in a group.[3] Jaikara slogans are called-out at the end of a Sikh religious service, being a critical part of them to mark an end of the program.[4] It additionally functions as an pledge to follow the path of truth.[4] A common practice during Sikh deliberations is to close the debate and go with the last suggestion after a particularly lively jaikara is shouted.[4] Jaikaras can also function as greetings.[4][5]
According to Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, the original form of the bole so nihal jaikara may have been: Jo jaikara bulaavai guru de man nun bhaavai; gaij ke bolnaa ji Akaal! Akaal! Akaal![6] He further claims this original phrase was shorterned simply to (Jo) bole so nihal, sat sri akal and that it should not be used as a greeting.[6] Another Sikh jaikara, used to greet another Sikh, is Waheguru ji ka (da) Khalsa Waheguru ji ki (di) Fateh.[6] Banda Singh Bahadur is charged with attempting to change the standard Sikh jaikara to Fateh Darshan.[7][8]
Some other popular Sikh jakaras are as follows:Template:Citation needed
- Bolnaji (Respectfully Utter) – Waheguru (Wondrous Enlightener)Template:Citation needed
- Deg Teg Fateh (Victory to Charity and Arms) – Birdh ki Paij Panth ki jit (Rout of the Enemy Victory of the Sikh Path)Template:Citation needed
- Bole So Nihal...Sat Sri Akaal ("Shout Aloud in Ecstasy... True is the Great Timeless One")Template:Citation needed
- Nanak naam charhdi kalaa (May Thy name be exalted O Nanak) – Tere bhaanae sarbatt daa bhalaa (and all people prosper by Thy grace)Template:Citation needed
- Waheguru ji ka Khalsa (the Community of the Pure belongs to the Wondrous Enlightener) – Waheguru ji ki Fateh (Victory belongs to the Wondrous Enlightener)Template:Citation needed
- Raj Karega Khalsa – (The Khalsa will rule) Aaakki Rahe Na Koye (And no opponent will remain)[9]
- Gaj ke jaikara gajaave fateh paave nihaal ho jaavae, Sat Sri Akaal gurbaar akaal hee akaal|| (excerpt from ardas of Buddha Dal prayerbook (gutka) praising the blessing of uttering jaikara proclaiming supreme truth)Template:Citation needed
- Fateh Singh Ke Jathe Singh
- Fateh Darshan (meaning 'bear witness to the victory'), historical jaikara used by the Bandai sect (followers of Banda Singh Bahadur)[7][8]
Ad-Dharmis
The Ad-Dharmi movement of colonial Punjab adopted the salutation Jai Guru Dev ("victory to the great God").[10]
Ravidassia
The Ravidassias, a splinter-movement from Sikhism, have their own jaikara which differs from the mainstream Sikh one, which is as follows: Jo bole so nirbheh, Shri Guru Raviassi Ki Jai ("whoever utters the following phrase shall be fearless, victory to Guru Ravidas").[2] The separatist faction of Ravidassias have coined their own jaikaras to mark their desired separateness from mainstream Sikhism.[2] In Ravidassia temples, some orthodox Sikhs and Sikh-affiliated Ravidassias have criticized their adoption of a unique jaikara that is different from the mainstream Sikh one, leading to tensions and incidents.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Understanding Culture and Society in India: A Study of Sufis, Saints and Deities in Jammu Region{{#if:Singh|, Singh}. Springer Nature(Jun 26, 2021). ISBN 9789811615986
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Young Sikhs in a Global World: Negotiating Traditions, Identities and Authorities{{#if:Lum|, Lum}. Routledge(Mar 9, 2016). ISBN 9781134790883
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Complete Guide to Sikhism{{#if:Singh|, Singh}. Unistar Books(2009). ISBN 9788171427543
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Dealing with Deities: The Ritual Vow in South Asia{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. State University of New York Press(Feb 1, 2012). ISBN 9780791482001
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Study of the Sikh Kanya Mahavidyalaya: Education, Religion and Gender Issues{{#if:Bassi|, Bassi}. Springer Nature(Jul 1, 2021). ISBN 9789811632198
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 The Sikh Reference Book{{#if:Dilgeer|, Dilgeer}. The Sikh Educational Trust(1997). ISBN 9780969596424
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bandai Sikhs. Division of Religion and Philosophy - University of Cumbria (www.philtar.ac.uk). Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sicques, Tigers or Thieves : Eyewitness Accounts of the Sikhs (1606-1810).{{#if:Singh Madra|, Singh Madra}. Palgrave Macmillan(2016). ISBN 978-1-137-11998-8
- ↑ ਆਕੀ - Meaning in English - ਆਕੀ Translation in English.
- ↑ The Evolution of a Sikh Community in Britain: Religious and Social Change Among the Sikhs of Leeds and Bradford{{#if:Kalsi|, Kalsi}. Community Religions Project Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds(1992). ISBN 9781871363036