I confess that I am not religious but I make a small attempt to
understand the meaning of what is recited in Gurbani. It helps me connect to my religion. After seva Simmi and me
found a comfortable place to sit and have langer
. Just next to us sat another lady who was evidently of a different faith, probably
a Hindu, as I could make out from her neatly draped saree. Fluently rattling a South Indian language she spoke to her kid and made arrangements for him to
sit.
Simmi: “Look at her Neet,
she is wearing a kada. Ajjkal wearing
a kada has become fashion. Everyone wears it. Ranveer Kapoor was also wearing a
kada in Rockstar.”
Neet: “Hmmm but when a Sikh
wears a kada it means a lot more. It
comes with a responsibility that we are to fulfill and that is the reason Guru
Gobind Singh ji adorned his Sikh as Khalsa and gave him the 5 Ks to follow”
Simmi: “ What
responsibility?? Kada is just worn to depict that we are Punjabi. All Punjabis wear
Kada.”
Neet: “ Do you know what the
5 K’s of Sikhism are?”
Simmi: “Oh yes ! Kesh (unshorn hair), Kanga (comb), Kashera or Kaccha
(breeches), Kirpan (Sword) and Kada (bangle)”
Neet: “Do you know what the
significance of each one of them is? Why should we follow these 5 Ks? “
Simmi: “What you mean why?
These are signs of Sikhism. We are Sikh so we wear kada, sport a turban and keep
long hair…………there is no why here. All Sikhs do it.”
Neet: “There is a reason why
Sikhs are supposed to follow the 5 Ks. Wearing a Kada , turban and kirpaan are
only external endorsements – there is a much deeper meaning to it and when we
imbibe their meaning into our life, that is when you become a true Sikh.
The five symbols of the Sikh faith are historically, practically and
spiritually significant. I am not 100% sure because there are so many sources
and they all explain different meaning but I will tell you what I could relate
the most to.
 |
| Kesh |
Kesh (uncut hair): A Sikh doesn’t cut hair. Apart from reasons
like it reminds us of the sacrifice of Bhai Taru Singh ji who preferred to have
his scalp removed rather than have his hair cut when forced to give up Sikh
religion or that a Sikh believes to keep intact all gifts given to him by God ,
stay in his will and not give them away for materialistic pleasures of looking
good in front of other people, one of the most important reason is that, there is
said to be a 10th inklet “Dasam Dwaar” which is located in the head
and is invisible. Just like more number of coils around an iron rod increases
the strength of the electromagnet , hair like the coil turned around the knot help
to attain and save more spiritual energy. Have you noticed all the sages, rishi
munis in the past used to have long hair tied in a knot on the head.
Through the turban we protect these hair . There was a time when only a
section of society was allowed to sport a turban as a sign of royalty - in Sikhism
everyone is same in Waheguru’s eyes hence everyone wears a turban irrespective
of the social or economic status.
 |
| Kanga |
Kanga (comb): A Sikh keeps a comb in the knot of the hair. It
is a symbol of cleanliness. Everyday a Sikh washes and combs the hair and gets
rid of the unhealthy dead hair. On a daily basis A Sikh bathes in the morning
to clean his body of impurities and does paath to understand and follow the teachings
our Gurus to clean his mind of unhealthy thoughts and impurities.
If you notice the Kanga is made of wood because wood does not create
static electricity unlike plastic or metal.
 |
| Kashera |
Kashera or Kaccha
(breeches): These boxer like shorts are worn by every Sikh which is a symbol of
continence (Self Control) and high moral character. It was also easy clothing which
during the time of war helped Sikh soldiers climb on and off a horse easily.
 |
| Kirpaan |
Kirpan (Sword): It is not
just a Talwaar that a Sikh carries,
it is a Kirpaan - combination of “Kirpa” (kindness) and “Aan” (Self Respect). A Sikh uses his sword either to protect himself
or to save another person, who is unable to protect himself, from atrocity. A Sikh
uses a Kirpaan only when all other
means of achieving the right outcome has exhausted and failed.
 |
| Kada |
Kada (bangle): A Sikh wears
a Kada on the right hand. It is a symbol that prevents us from doing any evil
or wrong doing. Mostly people work with their right hand so before you do
anything the kada reminds you of God’s will and helps you perform the most
righteous action.”
Simmi: “Neet, This is so
much deeper than I thought. It feels blessed to be part of a faith that
preaches such good things. But after listening to you I am thinking how many of
us actually follow all these teachings. I don’t even ordain myself outwardly leave
alone walk the most righteous path.”
Neet: “Neither do I. I try to be a good human being but I know my
goodness is not even the size of a drop in the ocean. We are too busy with materialistic
achievements and luxuries “
Simmi: “I see so many of us
who outwardly sport a turban, kada , kirpan but do they really live a righteous
life. People are so full of ego, jealously - they don’t embellish themselves inwardly”
Neet: “Who is to judge them
Simmi? We ourselves are lacking in so many ways – and who knows how the record
book of our actions is maintained. I don’t know if there is an easy answer to
this – but who is to decipher Babaji's plans
who has no beginning and no end, who is eternal and infinite”
ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਕੀ ਆਪੇ ਰਾਖੈ ਆਪੇ ਨਾਮ ਜਪਾਵੈ
The Lord Himself protects the honor of His servant and
makes him meditate on Naam
ਜੇਹ ਜੇਹ ਕਾਜ ਕਿਰਥ ਸੇਵਕ ਕੀ ਥੇਹਾ ਥੇਹਾ ਓਉਥ ਧਾਵੈ
Where the work of His servant is, He goes there to do
it
Very informative.
ReplyDeleteVery informative.
ReplyDelete