Definition:

Vichar is word meaning consideration, contemplation, inclination, judgement, opinion, Pondering, reflection, thought, understanding.

In Sikhism, vichar also means to contemplate, debate, discuss, or offer opinions, ponder and reflect on any religious matters, including controversies. Vichar may be done alone, or in study groups with sangat, in person and online. Vichar is one of the subjects offered at Sikhism classes and Gurmat camps.


Gurbani Vichar - Religious contemplation, discussion, inclination, reflection offering an opinion, or judgement, specifically with a focus of pondering upon Sikhism scriptures.

Pronunciation: The i in vichar sounds like the i in which and the a like the a in are, so that vichar sounds very similar to which-are.

Alternate Spellings: Vichaar, wichaar, wichar

Examples:

Phonetic Gurbani spellings differ according to grammatical use:

• "Gaaveh sidh samaadhee andar gaavan saadh vichaarae ||
  The sidhas in meditative mood sing, the sadhus sing in contemplation." SGGS||6
• "Chalae chalanhaar vichaaraa lae-e mano ||
  Transitory bodies pass away, Reflect on this with your mind." SGGS||488
• "ketarriaan tthaattheriaan ketharriaan lohaar vichaarae||
  Many are the copper-smiths and many considered to be iron-smiths." Var Bhai Gurdas||8
• "Danddaa giaan vichaar doot sadhaaiaa ||
  Knowledge is the staff with which messengers having differing inclinations of the mind are cultured." Var Bhai Gurdas||20
• "Satigur moorat pargattee gurmukh sukhfal sabad vichaaraa ||
  With emergence of the True Enlightener, enlightened ones obtain the pleasurable fruit of pondering the divine word.

Don't Miss:
Sikh Controversy: Panthic Arguments, Conflicts, Debates and Distortions

Browse Definitions of Sikhism Terms From A - Z:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

(Sikhism.About.com is part of the About Group. For reprint requests be sure to mention if you are a non-profit organization or school.)