Ek Onkaar
The most fundamental teaching of Sikhism.
The most interesting thing to me is that the first character of the Sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the numeral – 1.
Most translations that we read say “There is One God” or “One Creator God”. This plays down the importance of the numeral -1. There is a reason for Guru Ji using a numeral rather than letters. Numbers are universal and can be understood by all. This simple beginning to the Guru Granth Sahib indicates the universal nature of the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib. The teachings are open to all and apply to all.
Onkaar – is often translated as “God” or “Creator God”, but what comes to mind when we say “God”. Most people have a picture in their minds, but when we read Gurbani, the Guru’s tell us that “God” has no form, has no name and cannot be described. So where does that leave us. “What is God?”
“God” can however, be seen as a force. This force that is within us all, but has no shape. The force that created this universe and many more beyond. The force that resides within this creation.
So if we go back to the meaning of “Ek Onkaar”, we have:
“1 Universal Creative Force”
I feel that if we think of God as a force, we can better understand statements such as: “God is everywhere”, “God is within each of us” and “God is the Ultimate Creator”
Bhupinder Singh