ONGKAAR, EKANGKAAR & NIRANKAAR
Bhai Gurdas, in his Vaar 39, Pauri 3 used three words in consequential order: Nirankaar, Ekangkaar and Ongkaar (he has repeated the same in Vaar 3, Pauri 15, Vaar 18, Pauri 1, Vaar 22, Pauri 1 etc).
God is Nairankaar (Formless) resting in trance in perfect void, in complete haze. In such a siruation there is no creation, nor even vibration. In such a complete stillness He desires to create.
He creates material within Himself (Ekangkaar) and then later, expands through Ongkaar within Himself and putting life in it. He activates it in various forms and colours through within Himself.
This process of creation continues consecutively in circular manner. Hence, creation and life are synonymous. Ongkaar is God that animates life even in stones.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)