If we study various reputed references in Sikh Literature, then one finds different meanings of the word “WAHEGURU” given by various scholars supported by their own reasons and logics. Though the ultimate meaning of the divine word remains the same, but still before giving my own interpretation of the word, I would like to state the different meanings I could find in my research on the subject:

A. In simple terms, the word “Waheguru” means – Wonderful Guru or The Wonderful God or A wondrous enlightener.

B. As per some scholars, the word ‘Waheguru’ is combination of four first characters by which we can state the names of four Gods representing different yugs (ages), i.e.
W – Wishnu (Vishnu)
H – Hari
G – Gobind
R – Ram

C. According to modern scholar’s, “Waheguru” is a compound of two words, one from Persian and the other from Sanskrit, joined in together to define the indefinable Ultimate Power.

“Wah” is a Persian word meaning wonder or admiration and “Guru” in Sanskrit means great, respected or admired. Together they again mean A Wonderful Guru or A wondrous enlightener.

D. Another section of scholars explain it as a combination of three words,

“Wahe” meaning wonderful , awe inspiring Divine Force, “Gu” means spiritual darkness and “Ru” is the ray of light, brought to eliminate the darkness. Together “Waheguru” means “A Divine Light eliminating spiritual darkness”.

Now, coming to my interpretation of the word, it’s nothing hugely different from all the above mentioned versions. But the difference mainly lies in the way I would like to interpret the word from a distinctive point of view.

Before coming to the divine word “Waheguru” let me take examples of few words spoken in the similar style in URDU language.

Like “Haal-E-Dil”, “Shehenshah-E-Hind” or even “Shah-E-Shehenshah” which is used for singing praises of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Now as the above mentioned words are written in a particular style, similarly they are also defined in a particular way where the second word (after the -E- ) comes first defining the other.

For instance “Haal-E-Dil” means Dil Ka Haal or The State (Condition) of Heart,
“Shehenshah-E-Hind” means Hind Ka Shehenshah or The Emperor of Hind.

Similarly “Shah-E-Shehenshah” used in reference of Guru Gobind Singh Ji means Shehenshahon Ka Shah or The Ultimate Emperor of all Emperors.

Taking cue from all the above examples let me take the liberty to interpret the divine word, WAHEGURU in my own way with due respect towards all the already accepted scholarly meanings stated before.

Now as pronounced the word “WAHEGURU” can also be written as “WAH-E-GURU” like in Urdu as the above mentioned examples.

And defining it in the similar manner it brings us to its easiest and simplest meaning which says,
Guru Ki Wah  or  The Praise of Almighty  or  Wah Hey Guru.

So for me, the word “WAHEGURU” purely means as if one is saying “Wah Hey Guru” or “Wah Mere Maalka” and believe me, the recitation really works like wonder in that way.

So for myself it would always be “Wah-E-Guru” for eternity.

Harpreet Singh (Bobby Sing)
A Seeker On The Path.

HIS BLESSINGS

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(The above mentioned meaning of the Divine word is my own personal interpretation with love towards the almighty and is not meant to oppose or deny any other accepted meaning by the renowned scholars. So I request all to take it sportingly.)