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<p class="C1">&#65279AK&#256L-PURAKH stands in Sikh religious literature for the Divine Being, i. e. God. Like Ak&#257l, M&#363rati, it is composed of two units, viz. <i>ak&#257l</i> (non-temporal) and <i>pura<u>kh</u></i> (person). The latter figures in M&#363l-Mantra, the preamble to Gur&#363 N&#257nak's <i>Japu</i>, in conjunction with   <i>Kart&#257</i> (Creator), the whole expression implying the Creator Divine Person. In the Sikh tradition, the expression Ak&#257l-Purakh has gained common currency like the terms V&#257higur&#363 and Satin&#257m, equivalently used</p>

<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Purakh' as a linguistic symbol derives from the Sanskrit <i>puru&#7779a</i> (man), invariably employed in the masculine gender. In the Vedic literature, the term also stands for the world, indicating the entirety of universal existence. In the Indian systems of S&#257&#7749khya and Yoga, Puru&#7779a, as one of the two cardinal metaphysical principles, stands for spirituality or simply consciousness, which exerts influence on <i>Prakriti</i> (Nature) that is physical in its make-up. The core of <i>puru&#7779a</i>, therefore, is consciousness, denoted by <i>chit</i> in the Sat-Chit-Anand conception of the Absolute. This connotation of the term invests 'Purakh' with spirituality, signifying the Divine Person. In conjunction with <i>ak&#257l</i>, the expression as a whole means the Everlasting Divine Person (God), in the Sikh tradition and literature.</p>

<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'Ak&#257l Purakhu' as a single composite term appears only once in the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib (GG, 1038). We also come across the term in Gur&#363 R&#257m D&#257s, Gau&#7771&#299-P&#363rab&#299, Karhale (GG, 235), but in the inverse form as Purakhu-Ak&#257li. However, the <i>Dasam Granth</i> compositions of Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh often employ Ak&#257l-Purakh as a substitute for God, the Eternal Being. Ak&#257l being a cardinal and central concept in Sikhism, its use alongside of <i>Purakh</i>, accords it a distinct theological status.</p>

<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>See</i> AK&#256L</p>

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<p class="BIB">

BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> Talib, Gurbachan Singh, <i>Japuji : The Immortal Prayer-chant</i>. Delhi, 1997<BR>

<li class="C1"> Trilochan Si&#7749gh, &#8220Theological Concepts of Sikhism" in <i>Sikhism</i>. Patiala, 1969<BR>

<li class="C1"> Sher Singh, <i>The Philosophy of Sikhism</i>. Lahore, 1944<BR>

<li class="C1"> Nripinder Singh, <i>The Sikh Moral Tradition</i>. Delhi, 1990<BR>

<li class="C1"> Jodh Si&#7749gh, Bh&#257&#299, <i>Gurmati Nir&#7751aya</i>. Ludhiana, 1932<BR>

<li class="C1"> T&#257r&#257 Si&#7749gh Narotam, <i>V&#257higur&#363 Sabd&#257rth</i>. Patiala, 1862<BR>

<li class="C1"> S&#257dh&#363 Si&#7749gh, <i>Gur&#363 Sikhy&#257 Prabh&#257kar</i>. Lucknow, 1893<BR>

</ol><p class="CONT">Wazir Si&#7749gh<br></p><BR>

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