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Summary of Question:	What Does My Name Mean?
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Saturday, 1/27/2001 9:45 AM MST

WJKK WJKF

My name is nirgon Singh(Don't ask about the spelling, this is how it is on my birth certificate). I would just like to know the meaning of my name, i have looked in many books and asked many people but i do not get a clear cut answer.

Thank you

WJKK WJKF
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Revised REPLY

Dear Nirgon Ji:

I made a mistake: there are THREE gunas, not 5. They are saatvas - pure energy, raajaas - creative/sexual energy, and taamaas - inertia/decay. They represent the cycle of life as well as the energetic status of our being. These are the qualities referred to in "gun". Rest of reply still OK. Sorry :>(
-DKK

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REPLY
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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Nirgon (I think a common spelling is also Nirgun) means "without qualities," literally. But really, it is another name for Waheguru. Since Waheguru is All in all (Nanak ayvai jaapee-ai sabh aapay sachiar; Japji, pauri 4), he does not have any of the specific qualities, known as 'gunas'. There are 5 gunas that match the five elements of earth, water, air, fire, ether. God is ALL of the gunas ('gun'), but does not have these specific qualities in His Individual Self, since he is Everywhere in All Things. So, "Nirgon" refers to this whole concept.

Think about what that might mean to you personally: Control the 5 passions ("Kam, krodh, lobh, moh, ahnkar," or lust, anger, greed, pride, attachment) and be without gunas controlling you. As described in countless passages of Siri Guru Granth Sahib, one who can control his gunas and the 5 passions knows the 'sahej' or neutral mind, and is in a position to know firsthand the EXPERIENCE of Waheguru. (Yoga is good for controlling both the gunas and the five passions.)

Guru Ang Sang,
-DKK