What is the importance of hair in sikhism?

answered 2013-10-26 13:33:04 -0500

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Sat Nam,

I'll just start out with the questions you posed. A person is not a Hindu/Muslim/Sikh/Buddhist, etc. because they follow a prescribed set of "rules". They are any of those things because they UNDERSTAND what they are and WHY they follow what they do. If someone has cut hair, to assume that they are a Hindu is not possible only on this basis! And, might I add, so what if they are a Hindu!

Your second question, I believe you answered yourself. Hair does not make you pure. Wearing a turban is not what makes you pure. What makes you pure is your DEVOTION to THE DIVINE WITHIN. (Ask yourself: "Do I consciously work on myself so that I may be a better version than I am? Do I honor my serenity, peace and divinity?") Although people cringe from this, there are dirt-poor homeless people I have seen who embody a sense of peace and purity more so than the "fortunate" people who walk over or around them. Purity is not a look, but something that comes from within, by Grace. A flower does not blossom outwards in. It starts off as a bud and then the petals open completely as it matures. When someone understands WHY they have hair, WHY it always grows back when you cut/shave/wax/thread it off, then it ceases to be such a big deal. Everyone is pure, just as they are. If someone does not feel pure, maybe they have to sit down and have a talk with themselves and be honest about the true calling of their soul.

I agree with you that people--in every religion!--tailor things to fit their want at the moment. Yeah, WHY are people so insistent about OTHER people's hair, when they are so hung up on their "izzat" or being a Jatt, Khatri, etc.? Is hair some sort of status symbol? I don't understand their reasoning, but that's not important. I live my life from the Guide within, and I know that I will get where I have to be, even if it is slowly. Everyone does. What other people think, say, argue or freak out over is honestly, their problem.

I hope this helps, and that you get more opinions. You are very right that people are missing the point. Just don't let YOURSELF miss the point. :)

God bless you.

answered 2014-02-06 19:17:49 -0500

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why not cut hair? why cut nails? -> Gurmukhs follow Guru ji's instructions as his command. Gurmukhs never keep doubt in his Heart. otherwise, one will fail to connect with God. understand the Hukam. everything happening is God's will. Gurmukhs should not think life of Past & future, meaning What has happened & What will happen? Live the Present life accept the Hukam (Bana).

Historically, i read it somewhere can't point out to you but its true. Mugals forced Hindi People (People of India) to cut their hairs so mugals can grow hair as unique identity to themselves. Mugals commanded that no King will play Ranjit Nagara (Drum of Victory), whenever they won battle.

When Guru Gobind Singh Ji won in defense his first battle when returned to Anandpur Sahib, He commanded to play Ranjit Nagara (Drum of Victory).

Guru Gobind Singh was famous for wearing a Kalgi on his own turban. Because it was another command of mugals that no one will ever wear Kalgi on his Crowns.

You can read whole Historical event in Guru Granth Sahib as Shabad about Bhagat Namdev Ji: some important points. when Bhagat ji was arrested by King and forced to him to say Allah's name...

Bhagat's Mother-> Why don't you abandon your Lord Raam, and worship his Lord Allah? Naam Dev answered-> I am not your son, and you are not my mother.

He further tried to convince his mother by stating, "When I repeated Allah's name, it is by my own free will, my inner self's wish. For me, God is one whom people remember through varied names. However, I will not surrender to a royal decree to remember God by this particular Name and not by any other Name. I shall not say so under the emperor's order, even if I may say the same thing of my own free will." To Namdev, it was a question of freedom.

Our Guru and Bhagats are basically Freedom Fighters,. one who disciplines it in his life, cross over the terrifying world of ocean.

Future Hair gives beauty and protect our body in many ways, whereas nails are wastage and if broken accidentally its very painful.

Hairs for Gursikhs are Stamp of Guru saying his my Sikh.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ke Fateh