Sat Sri Akaal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sat Sri Akaal (Punjabi: ਸਤਿ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, sati śrī akāla) is a Punjabi Sikh greeting (Sat = truth, Sri = conquers, Akaal = Timeless Being ie God). Complete usage is 'Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akaal'. It means roughly, "He/She Be Blessed Who says Truth is God". In Punjabi the greeting one uses is tied directly to the religion of the one being greeted. The proper greetings for Hindus is Namaste and for Muslims its As-Salamu Alaykum.

"Sat Sri Akaal" is used by Sikhs throughout the world when greeting other Sikhs regardless of their native language. For instance, two members of the Punjabi Diaspora who exclusively speak English may still greet each other with this blessing, although this is by no means universal.

The usage of Sat Sri Akaal as a greeting, although used by the majority of people who identify themselves as being Sikh, is regarded as incorrect usage by Amritdhari (Orthodox) Sikhs, as the term is historically the second half of the Sikh war cry, "Bolay So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal", and is still used in the same way. As per the Sikh Rehat Maryada, or Code of Conduct, Amritdhari Sikhs greet each other with Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, meaning "The Khalsa belongs to God, Victory belongs to God".