Agyani orgiani (Punjabi: ਗਿਆਨੀ(Gurmukhi)) is anhonorificSikh title used by someone learned inSikhism and who often leads the congregation in prayers, such asArdas, or in singing (kirtan). The wordgyan means "knowledge" inPunjabi, being a derivative of theSanskrit wordjnana. So a "gyani" is one who has spiritual and religious knowledge and can help the congregation, theSadh Sangat, in understanding the Sacred Texts and the history of the religion.
A gyani can be a male or a female, as the Sikh religion gives equal rights to both sexes. He or she will have undergone an intensive course of study and evaluation at an academic or religious institute, will have a thorough knowledge of theGuru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Scripture, and will have the ability to translate the words of sacred text into simple everyday language. Gyanis can also communicate in English (not always the case), a major bonus to western children who are not fluent inPunjabi orGurmukhi, the language of the holy scriptures. In religious contexts, a gyani may also be called a brahm gyani.
Gyani or Giani is also an academic degree conferred inPunjabi literature.[1]
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