Amrit (a+mrit) literally means beyond death. Amrit is that substance which frees one from death. It has also been used as synonymous with nectar and ambrosia. Meaning of Amrit, in Sikhism, is altogether different from the Hindu concept. According to a Hindu myth, the gods and the demons jointly churned the sea and created (distilled) Amrit. When finally Amrit was ready, both (gods and demons) began fighting to posses and consume it. This led to a prolonged battle. During this battle the whole of Amrit was spilled and none could drink it; hence none became immortal. The Brahmins were very clever. Now, they created another myth of immortality and transmigration of soul. The Brahmins propagated that the soul would never die and it will be transmigrated to another body, hence, still, one could be immortal. But, on the other hand, this also means that soul is not a part of the Supreme Soul and it will never merge with the latter.
Sikhism rejects the myth of forever living and even transmigration. According to Sikhism, human beings have a pre-destined span of life. Human body is made of five elements (air, water, fire, earth, ether), which rejoin their base after human being’s death. The soul in man rejoins Supreme Soul.
In Sikhism, Amrit seems to have more than one shade of meanings but all these have one basic root that (meditation) of Shabad (the Word) i.e. Name of God is Amrit:
The Name of God is ‘nectar’, that is the base for all.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1429).
Name is the treasure of nectar, join and drink O! Brother
Remembering whom we get all happiness, and quench our thirst.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 318)
O! God your word is all nectar.
By listening it, I am emancipated.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 103)
To achieve this Amrit, one has to churn it by repeating His name with one’s tongue (mouth) repeatedly:
One’s tongue should meditate upon His Name
And this churning will grant one Amrit.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 728)
The hour when we repeat His Name and ponder upon His Excellences is the moment of achieving Amrit:
(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 2)
Singing the praise of God with one’s tongue is (drinking) Amrit.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.1219)
I see only One, none else.
By the grace of Guru I drink nectar.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 113)
For the treasure of water (nectar), you have come to this world,
That nectar is with Guru, O! Lovable.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 598)
Hence, in Sikhism, Amrit is realization of God. There can not be any physical nectar which will make a human being living forever i.e. immortal. It is only God who is and will be ever-existenct; hence God is Amrit.
Amrit is also being used (though incorrectly) by some writers for the nectar taken (drunk) by a Sikh at the time of ceremony of initiation. This ceremony is in fact Khande Di Pahul. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib himself performed the first Sikh initiation on March 29, 1698 (according to some sources 1699). Khande Di Pahul is prepared and granted by Punj Piaray (Five Chosen/beloved Ones). As Amrit i.e. Shabad (The Word) is the basis of the Sikh initiation ceremony; hence it has come to be known as Amrit Samskaar.
AMRIT BAANI: Literally: nectarous (blessed) hymn/hymns. It is another term for Gurbaani.
AMRITDHAARI: Literally: one who has taken Amrit. In Sikhism, Amrit has been used as synonym of Gurbaani too. In Sikh culture, an initiated Sikh is also known as Amritdhaari. It is wrong to call an Amritdhaari (an initiated Sikh) as “baptized” Sikh because ‘baptism’ is a specific Christian ceremony, which means initiating into Christianity.”
AMRIT SANSKAAR: Amrit Sanskaar is another popular term for the Sikh ceremony of initiation. See: Khande Di Pahul.
AMRIT VELA: Amrit Vela has been defined by some as the ‘hour before the dawn of the day’. In Sikhism, there is no concept of any auspicious hour or moment. A Sikh, however, is supposed to get up as early as possible and have shower before beginning his Nitnem (daily recitation of hymns). It does not mean that meditation at other times is less auspicious. According to Sikhism, all the days, hours and moments are auspicious for remembering God. A Sikh should remember God throughout the day:
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)