Sat Sri Akal (Punjabi: ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, sati śrī akāla) is a greeting in the Punjabi language (Sat, truth, Sri, an honorific, Akal, the timeless being, God; the whole phrase may be roughly translated "God is the ultimate truth") used by followers of the Sikh religion.
Sat Sri Akaal is exclusively used by Sikhs to greet each other, as their tenth master gave them the jaikara "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal". The saying implies that the one will be blessed eternally who says that God is the ultimate truth.[1] In contrast, Muslims living in Pakistan Punjab use the usual Muslim greeting "Assalam-o-alaikum" (peace on you, and the other replies "waa alaikum assalaam" peace on you too), and Punjabi Hindus use 'Namaskar' or 'Namaste'.
"Sat Sri Akal" 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 not universal. The saying is also the only formal greeting in the Punjabi language.
The usage of Sat Sri Akal as a greeting, although used by the majority of people who identify themselves as being Punjabi Sikh, is regarded as incorrect usage by Amritdhari (Baptized) Sikhs, as the term is historically the second half of the Sikh war cry, "Bolay So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal", 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 of God, Victory is of God".