Spiritual Value of Number 1: A Sikh Perspective

In most religions, if not all, numeric, alphabetic and geometric symbols are used to explain the spiritual message. For example, in Sikhism, number ‘1’ connotates oneness not only of the Supreme being but oneness of its creation- humanity too. Similarly, in Christianity, number one is important to symbolise unity and oneness of all things. In Islam too, number 1 symbolises one belief in Allah.
In this reference, the polytheism of Hindu philosophy is quite different, according to which there exist many gods.
This was the initial concept reversed by the very first Guru (Spiritual teacher of Sikhs), Guru Nanak Ji in the 15^th century.
The very first prayer in Sikhism was written by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak ji. It is called ‘Jap ji Sahib’ (Jap: pray, Ji & Sahib are terms used to express respect). Jap ji is also known as ‘Mool Mantra’ (Mool – Basic, core, founding), Mantra – statement, formula, belief) which means the core statement of belief, which starts with ‘one’ :
‘Ik On(g)kar: (Ik= one. On(g)=Supreme being and is pronounced as ‘Aung’ with nasally sound, and Kar = being- pronounced as ‘kaar’ or car).
Many attempts have been made to distort the word ‘On(g)’ by misspelling it as OM,  which refers to Hinduism. (Sikhs respect all religions, but Sikhi principles are quite different to Hinduism, hence, clarification is relevant here.)
Ik On(g) Kar means that there is Only One Supreme being- One God.    
Guru Nanak’s lesson in Jap Ji Sahib proceeds to define the concept of oneness further:
Satnam: (Sat= true, Nam= name)
Truth is God’s name, which sustains all creation.
Praying for Sikhs is thus, ‘Naam Japna’ (To recite the true name).
Reciting the name of the One God reminds us to live life by his truth, and not by our deceit, lie, or pretence. ** The pronoun, ‘He’ does not refer to gender here but only to simplify understanding. God has no gender. **
Karta Purakh: (Karta= the all doer, Purakh= the complete being).
The essence of the Complete Being is in its omniscient state. In simple terms, Karta Purakh is the creator of all. Therefore, we all are connected and related through the everlasting power of the only truth, whose creation we all are.
Nir-Bhau: (Nir = without, Bhau = fear).
One that is without any fear. He (Not in the gender sense) is the only complete sovereign.
Being the progeny of the Omni-sovereign, each one of us is free too- free to choose and free to act by the choice we make, which is our greatest legacy and also the deciding responsibility by which we sculpt our life – here and beyond.
Nir- Vair: (Nir = without, Vair = Hate, intolerance, prejudice).
The One God is without prejudice. Hence, has no hate towards anything/anyone, nor considers any of his creation unequal. In other words, all humanity is equal.
Akal – Murat: (Akal = timeless, Murat = Form/being).
The only ‘form’ of the One God is, being everlasting. In other words, he (or she or it) is a timeless and formless power.
Guru Nanak is also denouncing idol worship here.
Ajuni: Pronounced as ‘Ajooni.’ This means outside the cycle of birth and death.
Hence, the One God does not belong to any species, creed, nationality, colour, or any other manmade pigeonholes of categories, yet God exists in every species, creed, nationality, and colour. All that is temporary is still the creation of the timeless Lord. Thus, one that is omnipresent exists everywhere and in everything.
Saihbhang: Exists by its own grace.
One that is not born of another. One that has neither a beginning nor an end. God that simply ‘is.’
Gur-Prasad: By Guru’s grace.
The lesson or the knowledge, through Jap ji Sahib, is given to us by the grace of the Guru.
For Guru Nanak, the Akal Purakh is the guru from whom he learnt all that he is passing on to his student, his Sikh (student).

The universality of Jap ji Sahib lies in its message of Oneness- One God, One humanity, as his One creation.