Sikh Articles of Faith & Identity

What is the significance of the Kachhera?

KACHHERA/ KACHHA: One of the five Sikh articles of faith, given as gifts of love by Guru Gobind Singh Ji at the Vaisakhi Amrit Sanchaar in 1699 and worn by all initiated Sikhs, called the Khalsa. Both males and females Sikhs wear very similar under-garments. This was one of five articles of faith, collectively called Kakkaars that form the external visible uniform.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE KACHHERA

Should the 5 Ks be kept with you during sleep and head covered during sleep?

When Guru Gobind Singh Ji stood in front of the ocean of Sikhs holding the mighty curved sri sahib above his head asking for a head, he created an army called the Khalsa. Khalsa Akal Purakh Kee Fauj.

But this army of khalsa soldiers was not merely fighting the battle against Moghuls, Hill Rajas and thieves and bandits. These Khalsa warriors had the more important life of death struggle against the 5 enemies inside them to fight as well.

Why do some Sikhs believe 'Keski' as the Kakkaar and not 'Kes'.

According to the Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada, published by the SGPC:
The five K's are:
I. Kesh (unshorn hair),
II. Kirpan {sheathed sword} (The length of the sword to be worn is not prescribed.,
III. Kachhehra (The Kachhehra (drawers like garment) may be made from any cloth, but its legs should not reach down to below the shins.),
IV. Kanga (comb),
V. Karha {steel bracelet} (The Karha should be of pure iron.)

What is the difference between a Keski & Dastaar?

---------- WHAT IS A KESKI ----------
According to Mahan Kosh, Keski is เจ›เฉ‹เจŸเฉ€ เจชเฉฑเจ— เจœเฉ‹ เจ•เจฟ เจ•เฉ‡เจธเจพเจ‚ เจฆเฉ€ เจฐเจฟเจ–เจ† เจฒเจˆ เจชเจฟเจนเจฐเฉ€ เจœเจพเจ‚เจฆเฉ€ เจนเฉˆเฅค. In other words, Keski is small turban (chhottee dastaar) that is kept on at all times and worn underneath the larger turban.

Length
A Keski is usually half the length of a full turban. It can be from 2 to 3 metres (A keski should have at least 3 wraps around the head).

Function

What is the signifcance of the Karra?

Karra, one of the five kakars of the Sikhs, is neither an ornament nor a tool, but is a blessed gift from Lord, the Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Alas, this great gift to the humanity has been ignored or has not been appreciated in its true spirit.

Karra symbolises dignity, equality, independence and emancipation from slavery. It can be termed with certainty, whether it is known to the world or not that it is the prelude to the Charter of the UNO or foundation stone of the human rights' movements in the world.

What is the significance of wearing the 'Hazooria'?

The meaning of Hazooria:
Hazooria; hazoor: Being ready; being in presence.

There have been many maha-purkh (spiritual elevated persons) who have worn a hazooria, most of us don't know the real significance of the hazooria, and why we should wear it.

What is the definition of a Sikh?

According to the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada (Chapter 1, Article 1):

"Any human being who faithfully believes in
i. One Immortal Being,
ii. Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib,
iii. The Guru Granth Sahib,
iv. The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and
v. the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh"

In essence, one who is embarked upon the search for truth, is a Sikh.

The fifth Master, Guru Arjan Sahib Ji, says:

What is the Spiritual Significance of the 5Ks in relation to the Five Vices?

Desires/ Lust (Kaam)
Wearing the Kachhera, a Sikh is reminded to control his desire and only look at his own wife or husband. The Kachhera reminds us to self-control and to control the urges of Kaam.

Greed (Lobh)

Can Sikh ladies wear earrings, makeup, and other jewellery?

According to the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada, there is no objection to wearing any kind of jewellery by an Amritdhari person provided one does not have to pierce his/her ear, nose or any part of the body to wear it.

เจš) เจธเจฟเฉฑเจ– เจฎเจฐเจฆ เจ…เจฅเจตเจพ เจ‡เจธเจคเฉเจฐเฉ€ เจจเฉ‚เฉฐ เจจเฉฑเจ•, เจ•เฉฐเจจ, เจ›เฉ‡เจฆเจจเจพ เจฎเจจเฉเจนเจพเจ‚ เจนเฉˆ เฅค
"k. Piercing of nose or ears for wearing ornaments is forbidden for Sikh men and women."
(SRM: Ch. 10, Article 16)

Gurbani says:

Is it okay to wear a mini Kirpan in a necklace rather than a strapped Kirpan?

According to the Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada the Kakkaar or Article of Faith is a "Strapped Sword" (เจ•เจฟเฉเจฐเจชเจพเจจ เจ—เจพเจคเจฐเฉ‡ เจตเจพเจฒเฉ€).

At all Amrit Sanchaars that follow Gur Maryada the Panj Piyaare state that wearing a Kirpan on string, cord or necklace is not acceptable as a Kakkaar. The Kirpan is a Shastar (protective weapon) and therefore wearing it on a string or cord is not practical. The Kirpan can be be of any size, however it is must be practical to use and not blunt.

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