International Gatka Organisation
Sikh Martial Arts
A military dicipline for all mankind
Khalsa Akaal Puraak ki fauj, Pargatiou Khalsa Parmata ki Maouj
Glossary Of Terms
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
A
Aag Fire (pg. 19 Akaal Ustat DG)
Aasan Yogic posture, place or seat to sit in a particular aasan
Aasraa Protection or backing , aasraa de na, to give protection
Agny Astra Type of fire tipped dart discharged horizontal from a bamboo
Agny Purana The art of war using fire as ascribed in the different purans
Ajamal A sinful man who, on his death bed called his son Narayan ( Name of God ) and was taken to heaven by God
Akal God
Akarna Dhanur Asan The shooting bow posture
Akal Ustat In praise of the Timeless Being' the 2nd composition of the Dasam Granth. (271 and a half verses, 10 savaiyas (quarters) .
Arjun One of the five brothers of King Pandu who triumphantly transferred the seat of government to Indraprashhhtha, which is now the site of modern Delhi ) In the epic of Mahabharata
Ashtang Yoga Patanjali's system of Yoga-called Ashtang (eight fold) Yoga. based on eight principles pg35-DG
1. Yama Practice of nonviolence, truthfulness, non-covetousness, chastity and not receiving anything from another.
2. Niyama Austerity, contentment, purity and worship of God
3. Asana Postures and physical exercise to keep the body healthy
4. Pranayama Control and purification of breathing
5. Pratyahara Control of sense-organs by one's will
6. Dharna Holding the mind on some point or idea
7. Dhyana Meditation on a deity or God
8. SamadhiCondition of trance. Oneness with God
Atash-Baz Fireworks / rockets or weapons of fire ( see also Agny astra )
B
Bacjitar Natak 'The wondrous Drama' - An autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in poetic form (pg54 DG) The 3rd order in the Dasam Granth. ( total of 14 chapters - detailing the Eulogization of Kal, the dynasty of the Gurus )
Backie Battle Axe - single axe blade with an extended spear head following the shaft of the weapon
Bag'hnak Tiger Claw - Various types of concealed clawed hand held weapon consisting of may be 3, 4,or 5 sharpened steel claws attached to joining plates of steel with two or four rings for the insertion of fingers of the hand held as a fist.. ( Sivaji - founder of the Mahratta Empire , used this concealed weapon to kill his enemy Abdalla Khan) The Tiger Claw is also worn by the Sikh warriors on the Dastar Bunnga ( traditional turban worn by the Sikhs) along with various other weapons like the war quoits and small daggers
Barchha A lance used either on horseback or by foot soldiers
Beeraa To accept a challenge or a challenging task
Beer Vidya To obtain, gain knowledge of training in the art of warfare
Shastar Vidya dha abysa Training in the art of using weapons
Bhoome Battle field , ground, area
Bhujang asana The Cobra position
Bias An Indian Sage, also called Vyas
BichhwaDagger name given to a scorpion: small doubly curved blade, usually used in a ice pick grip of the hand while fighting.
Bir Aahsan The sitting position of warriors , and of kings in their courts
Brahama Known as the Creator, The first of the Hindu Trinity ( 2nd king ) see Kalket (Bachitra Natak Chp2)
C
Chak Nanaki The land of Makhowal bought by Guru Tegh Bahadur from Kehloor (Better known as Anandpur Sahib-1665 A.D)
Chakra asan The wheel position
Chakram / Chakar War Quoits as worn and used by the Sikh warriors and used by Arjun ( See Arjun ) Vary in dimension from as little as 2inches to 12 inches or more. Thrown towards the victim with great precision and accuracy.
Chooknaa To pick up or retrieve
D
Daan Vir A giver of donations, alms charity, benefaction
Daiaa Vir One who is compassionate, gracious, merciful, full of kindness and sympathy
Dal An organized group of people, an armed force, and army troop of fighting soldiers
Damaamaa Large Kettle drum
Dand A form of physical sitting and standing exercise
Dasam Granth The great poetic work, rich in spiritual conceptualization, philosophy vision and Imaginative sublimity. By the Tenth Master of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh.
Dastana Arm guards which were worn for protection against bladed weapons covering the hand and forearm, usually of metal and chain mail.
Dattatriya Datta for short - founder of the Sanyasis (Ascetics ) sect. ( Pg 715- Tatees Savaiye DG )
Dhal Circular Shield made from either steel, sambur skin, buffalo, nylghau, elephant, or rhinoceros hide. Can be of various size depending on it use and purpose.
Dhal Bafta Shield used by Brahmins who object using anything made from animal skins. Shield is made of forty folds of silk which is then painted and decorated.
Dhanur Veda The science of Bows as ascribed in different 'puranas' containing allusions to the art of war
Dharam The way of Righteousness-Spirituality (pg 57 Bachitar Natak .42 DG )
Dharam Vir A great warrior who is willing to fight for righteousness in the name of religion, faith, duty and belief.
Dhru An ancient Indian child-saint. Son of King Uttanpada
E
F
Fatah Victory, success, triumph-salutation or greeting
Flail weapon consisting of one or two iron balls attached to metal chains with one shaft. Used by aboriginal and non-Aryan tribes of central India. Commonly seen in hand of the Nihang’s
Feringha Large war cannon
G
Gatka The first stage of Gadha Yuddh (form of stick fighting) which is aided with a stick (Soti) usually 3ft in length, originally covered with leather and a well-padded hilt. Aided with a small leather shield called a Fari., which can be held in either hand. Two students then train in dual combat using the Fari Soti
as their weapons of defines and offence in techniques of Gadha Yudh.
Gadha Also known termed as Madhgar type of wooden clubs of various sizes, used in pairs for twirling around the upper region of the body by using circular movements of the arms and shoulder for balance, coordination and strength.
Garz Fighting Mace : Many small sharp bladed heads fixed in a circular form with shaft (BFS Collection)
Gajaan Elephant (holding a wild elephant at bay was regarded as a great and glorious feat of a warrior (pg14 Tav-Prasaad Savaiye DG )
Ganika A prostitute whom a saint gave a parrot which could utter 'RAM' She remembered the parrots word RAM which stands for GOD , at the time of her death and was thus saved from her sins.
Gupti A sword stick:
Gurj / Garz Fighting club: Known as a Mace: Globular head of steel on a round or octagonal steel shaft ( as used by the sixth Guru - Guru Hargobind Ji ( weapon of the Mahomedan period )Also used by warriors in the epic of Ramayana and Mahabharata
H
Haath The hands of a person
Haath Chukna To strike or beat with the hands
Halla To attack or assault, Halla Karan
Harvaaunaa To cause defeat
Hathiaar Weapons of an army, soldier or tools and instruments
Hatnaa To go back, with draw, give way
Hukam The divine law of all creation, Order, command mandate.
I
Ik One, signifying unity, uniformity or continuity, uniformly.
Indra King of Heaven, also known as the God of Rain
Insaan Man, mankind, a virtuous person
J
Jhatkaa Slaughtering by one stroke of the sword.
Jamdhar Broad- Dagger Curved- Sanscrit -Yama Dhara-Death Bringer ( period -Akbar )
Jamdhar Katari Similar to the katar but with a forked tip (Nepalese - Also used during the time of (Akbar)
Jap Sahib Part of the daily prayers of every Sikh.( 199 verses ) An introductory in the Dasam Granth Describes the numerous names given and remembered as God.
Jatta Growth of matted locks on the head (pg715 44 Savaiye (tatees Saviye DG)
Jatis A sect who remain celibate and keep away from women. ( pg. 13 - DG )
K
Kal The Lord - creator of the cosmos through Oankar (Bachitar Natak Chp 2 DG )
Kal The timeless one – death
Kaldhuj (Maha Vishnu) the 4rth king of whom descended the whole world (Bachitar Natak chp2 verse11)
Kali Goddess of death
Kalket (Brahma) the 2nd King
Karma Action, deed, destiny or fate
Kaman The archers Bow
Kaloo The dark age (see Kalyug )
Kalsen ( Vishnu ) The first king all beautiful and powerful of the cosmos
Kalyug The dark age - period of sin and corruption (pg54 Bachitar Natak DG )
Karim Means - Good - Referred to as GOD by Muslims (pg 19 Akaal Ustat DG)
Karta Means Creator - Referred to as GOD by Hindus (pg 19 Akaal Ustat DG )
Katar A quadrangular deeply grooved blade which thickness at the point with a hilt and side guards which follow
along the forearm, Used in close combat to penetrate chain mail or armor of the opponent. Length can vary from as little as 3 inches to more than 15 inches ( used by the Minas - aborigines from the Rajputana hills, also
a weapon commonly used by Sikh warriors. and by the soldiers during Akbars reign. Listed in the arms of the
Mahratta’s. A weapon also carried by the Bards of Guzerat
Katebas Reference to the Semitic scriptures, In total four (pg 715 Tatees Savaiye DG )
-
JABUR - of Prophet Daud ( David)
2. TOHRA- of Prophet Musa ( Moses)
3. BIBLE - of Prophet Christ
4. QURAN- of Prophet Mohammed
Khanjar Dagger - typically a two edged curved blade with a hilt of jade or stone shaped rather like the head of a parrot
Krurvarsh (Shiva ) the third King
Kirpa Merciful
Krishna Is called Murar - The killer of the demon Mur
Krishna Lord Krishna : The Charioteer of Arjun’s chariot during the War of Mahabharata
Krishna Lord Krishna : The son of Devki, regarded as an incarnation of God by the Hindus
L
Laraaee To clash or fight, a battle
Lachak Flexible, resilience
Lakshmi Goddess of wealth and the great light
Larnaa To fight with some one, to struggle
M
Maidaan An open field or area of land
Man Mind, soul, heart, desire, wish or intention
Massands Organisation of Sikh missionaries started by Guru Ram Das, abolished by Guru Gobind Singh because the massands had become corrupt. (pg 715 Tatees Savaiye DG )
Mastool State of dismay. Mastool Karnaa - to put someone in dismay
Mirja Beg Name of the messenger who destroyed the homes of the cowards who ran away from the Guru during the arrival of the prince of Aurangzeb in Punjab (Chapter 13 Bachitra Natak DG)
Mahavishnu see Kaldhuj
Maru Parrying Shield: Shield of metal with antelope horns tipped with brass (BFS Collection) Used by Hindu Fakirs
N
Nagaara The war drum (kettle drum) carried and played during battle on horse or camel back. Ranjit Nagaara
Nag Snake ( Cobra )
Nama To bow in humbleness, welcome some one ( Parnam )
Narad An Indian saint ( said to be the author of Bhakti Sutra )
Nataraj asan The pose of Siva
Nau niddha The nine treasures of material and spiritual life ( prab ke simran rid sidh nau nid ) By repeating the name of God you gain the 9 treasures of life
Neza Long spear
O
P
Paatshaah A king, emperor, sovereign
Paathshaahee Kingship, empire, imperial rule
Pada Hasth Asan the standing forward bend
Pahlwan Used to describe an athlete , wrestler , or strong fighter
Parmesar Name given to God (pg57 Bachitar Natak . 32 DG )
Pech Kabaz Dagger - Either a straight or pointed one edged blade with either a broad curved or straight back, the hilt can be of either ivory, walrus tooth or metal
Praan Life energy, breath Praan leh na to take some one’s life
Prahlad An Indian saint harassed by his father Harnakash. Vishnu appeared from a pillar in the form of a man-lion and tore Harnakash to pieces.
Prasur An ancient Indian saint
Puranas The ancient Hindu Books of fiction, war fare and mythology
Q
R
R'ad Andaz Form of grenades used during battle
Rahim Means - Compassionate- Referred to as God by Muslims (pg19 Akaal Ustat DG)
Razak Means - Sustainer -Referred to as God by Muslims (pg19 Akaal Ustat DG )
Riddhi Miraculous powers ( Riddhi Sidhi )
Roknaa To stop or obstruct interception
Vaar roknaa to stop an attack
Rumna An Indian Saint (also called Lomahra Khan) - the disciple of saint Vyas
S
Safajang Tomahawk - Battle axe
Sarabkal The ever - existent Lord
Saravagas A sect of Jains who deliberately remain dirty. (pg 13 - DG)
Satyuga
Shashpar Name given to a six bladed maze
Shastras The six books of Indian philosophy
Shesh Nag The mythological multi-hooded cobra said to be the king of the nether world.
Sidhi Miraculous powers
Shiva Known as the Destroyer. The third of the Hindu trinity
Siddhas Yogis who possess occult powers ( pg. 35 DG )
Simritis Traditional Law books of the Hindus
Suddhs A sect who keep very clean ( pg. 13 - DG )
Surya Namaskar The sun salutation
Sri Glorious
Swaas Breath, respiration
T
Tabar Battle Axe - with various circular, crescent, knife shaped blades with either a wooden shaft or hollow metal shaft which could conceal a small dagger. ( used as early as the times of the invasions of the Aboriginal and non-Aryan tribes- to the present times )
Tabar Zaghnol Double axe ( one end is wide and the other blade is narrow and curved like a claw
Takhsh Andaz Rockets of destruction which were propelled against the enemy's during battle
Tarkash Quivers - used to hold arrows
Tir Arrows used with the Bow (usually made from bamboo shaft with various types of metal heads) used from the earliest invasions to the present time by all invaders and conquers of India (BFS collection)
Tir - O- Tarkash Arrows and Quiver
Transmigration Cycle of birth-death-rebirth
Trigun The Three states of the mind which causes people to do work (pg709 42 Shabad Hazare Ramkali 3.1 DG)
1. Rajas - implies energy, desire and attachment ( causes one to work )
2. Tamas- implies ignorance and sloth ( makes one lazy )
3. Satva- implies goodness and purity and promotes the pursuit of knowledge, creative arts and healthy living
Trikun asan The triangle pose
Turang Horse
U
Ustati Praise of God , the eulogy of God
V
Vaar To attack, strike a blow, or too turn
Vasudev Father of Lord Krishna
Vedas The four scriptures of the Hindu religion
Vikheter A fighter in the field of battle
Vir Brother ( see also Yuddh Vir, Dya Vir, Daan Vir, Dharam Vir )
Vishnu Known as the sustainer or preserver. Second of the Hindu trinity.
Vishnu Also Called Madhsudan - the killer of the demon Madhu
W
X
Y
Yama A descriptive name given to the Mughals
Yogis A sect who practice austerities, physical and meditational exercises.
Yuddha A male fighter
Yuddh War, Battle, Combat, hostilities –
Dharam Yuddh, The battle for righteousness Fight,
yuddh karna kise nal' fighting, to battle against someone
Yuddh Vir Gallant, brave , valiant warrior-fighter
Yug An era, Period
Z
Zafar Namah The Letter of Victory, written by Guru Gobind Singh and addressed to Aurungzeb
(pg1392 DG)
Zarbuzan Name given to a small war cannon
Zirah Baktar Coat of chain mail: usually made from unriveted links of steel, brass or copper arranged in various designs.
Zirih Chain Mail