Rama in Sikhism

Sikh woodcut of a battle scene from the Ramayana, Lahore or Amritsar, about 1870
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Rama (Punjabi: ਰਾਮ (Gurmukhi)), known as Ram Avatar (ਰਾਮ ਅਵਤਾਰ)[note 1] or Raja Ram (ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮ), is considered an important figure in Sikhism,[1] due to his inclusion as one among the 24 incarnations of Vishnu in the Chaubis Avtar, a composition in the Dasam Granth traditionally and historically attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. The discussion of Rama and Krishna is the most extensive in this section of the secondary Sikh scripture.[2][3][4] The composition is martial, stating that the avatar of Vishnu appears in the world to restore good and defeat evil, but asserts that these avatars are not God, but agents of the God. God is beyond birth and death.[5] The famous Savaiya and Dohra from the Rehras Sahib, read daily by devout Sikhs, comes from Ram Avatar Bani. However, it is not to be confused with Sikhs believing or worshipping Raja Ram or Krishan. It is clear from Guru Gobind Singh's verses in Chaupai Sahib, a part of Sikh Nitnem, or daily prayer.[6]

There have been claims that the Ram in Sikhism is not related to the Rama described in the Ramayana.[7] In Guru Granth Sahib, there are differences between Ram Chander (ਰਾਮ ਚੰਦਰ), the king of Ayodhya, and Ram, the all-prevailing God.[8]A common misconception associated by Hindus when looking at Sikhism is looking at Ram Chander , while for Sikhs it is derived from Gurmat (Guru's understanding/philosophy).Gurmat describes Rama as the omnipresent, all prevailing-lord.[9]


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  1. ^ Swami, p. 9.
  2. ^ Rinehart, Robin (2011). Debating the Dasam Granth. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-984247-6.
  3. ^ Jakobsh 2010, pp. 47–48.
  4. ^ Singh (Guru) 2005, p. intro..
  5. ^ SS Kapoor, Dasam Granth, Hemkunt Press, pp. 68–74
  6. ^ "Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Verse". www.searchgurbani.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  7. ^ Doniger, Wendy; Merriam-Webster, Inc (1999). Merriam-Webster's encyclopedia of world religions ; Wendy Doniger, consulting editor. Internet Archive. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster. p. 503. ISBN 978-0-87779-044-0. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ Singh, Surinder (1993). The Sikh and Sikhism. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. p. 34. ISBN 9788126930968.
  9. ^ "Ram of the Gurmat". Gurbani Blog ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਲੌਗ. 2019-03-01. Retrieved 2024-02-29.