Q: Why do Sikhs keep hair?

In my humble opinion, it would be better if you read the sikh philosophy and not listen to the kathakars who usually tend to misinterpret the sacred verses. This misinterpretations is the reason why many rituals, quite opposite to what has been preached by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, have crept into our religion.

The most illogical and funny arguments that I have ever heard about keeping the hair. Please note that:
1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji always opposed something that was not based on logic. He was against rituals because they were not logical. It is therefore necessary to view every argument logically.
2. Hair was given importance because the circumstances during Guru Gobind Singh Ji's time required it. At that time, Aurangzeb, the Mughal ruler, was a threat to sikhism. To oppose him, and to maintain an identity distinct from Muslims, Sikhs were asked not to cut the hair.
3. There is absolutely no spiritual power in hair. Cutting of hair doesn't make you smaller in the eyes of God. The things that makes a difference are your deeds.

Jodhbir Ji,

Could you be a little more specific on your views. According to keeping kesh is mere a ritual. How could you be so sure that there is absolutely no spiritual power. Please prove your statements with logical reasoning.

Thanks

1. Kesh grow to some extent, then the energy intake by us MAY be utilized by us for other constructive purposes, which wud otherwise hv gone towards growth of hair.
2. Man with a head gear, kesh, turban looks so majestic one. Guess thats why all kings and saints or royal families used to keep those.
3. Guru ji wanted Khalsa to be identifiable always. The identity which can not hide in a crowd. One can recognize a sikh with turban, kesh from a distance within a big crowd. Khalsa got to stand for the principles.
4. Kesh in turban acts as an air-conditioner in winter and summer, and even avoid serious brain injuries in an accident compared to helmet, due to uniform distribution of accidental impact.

Above might sound funny, illogical or whatever, but those are just my thoughts. Guide me, or point out appropriate source/link for the same to learn more about this.

With all respect to Khalsa, humbly yours, new sevadaar.

A sikh with a turban always stands out in any crowd. For a sikh to stand out, Our Gurus wanted us to be outstanding. Outstanding in all aspects of life.

Lots of famous people do stand out now a days with the handcuffs on, specially the executives of Enron, Worldcom and many more. Martha Stewart is another one. But they cease to be outstanding.

A Sikh stands out because alongwith his Turban and Kakaars, he is the walking poster of Sikh Way of Life.

A Turbaned Sikh can always be recognised from distance, however the glow ignited by his/her Rehat is what leaves the everlasting stamp of Sikhi with whom ever he gets in contact with.

For a Sikh it is a must to be outstanding before he/she stands out.

Peace & Love

Tejwant

Dear VaheguruSeekr ji,

Thanks for pointing out the difference between standing out, and outstanding. I agree.

The outstanding comes up automatically with the rehat as well mentioned due to glow (aura). Actually, I take a sikh as an ambassador of sikhi way of life, a living example of a soul, which practises on himself first instead of just preaching. And I believe, those EXIST.

Although I wish to say that it is necessary to point out ( I very much appreciate this personally) any controversial appearing words, but more necessary is to understand the idea expressed instead of getting into language errors, and not to overread the statements of this new ignorant sevadaar, who is just busy sorting out his way. I wont say that here, as I feel I will learn English language too, to express my views at better depth with more accuracy. So I urge sangat to point out those words especially in my posts. I need to learn faster.

Warm Regards.

Logically, if we measure goodness with man's deeds and if keeping hair had some effect on mind then, those who kept hair would have been far better than those who didn't. Unfortunately, when we look around us this doesn't seem to be true. As Guru Nanak Dev Ji said, wearing a thread doesn't make a Brahmin better than others similarly keeping hair, wearing a kara or a kirpan doesn't make some one better. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, as far as I know, never asked his followers to keep hair.
If you feel that I am going wrong somewhere, then please do mention.

regards,
jodhbir.

---- Guru Nanak Dev Ji, as far as I know, never asked his followers to keep hair. ---

Veer Jodhbir, We dont know what Guru Nanak did, said. We just guess from the history. So I am not sure, to what authority You or I can say something like this.
u r right, when u say that wearing 5Ks doesnt make a person noble. In other words, a person without these could be far better in deeds compared to the latter.

By saying all this, we are going as per outer appearance, the superficial one only. Lets get one step further. 5Ks is the baana, which is a part of others i.e. Baani, Baana, Simran and Seva. A person with Baana only cant be assumed to be having other 3 also, right? But he/she is supposed to have those four. The one who has is the sikh.

Agreed to the fact that we are not sure what actually was the scenario during Guru Nanak's time.. What ever we know is from and history can be wrong..
Regarding Bani, Seva, and Simran, these have effect on ourselves as well as others so are completely different from the 5 K's. 5 K's *might* have psychological effect on some. They might be a source of inspiration for these people but not for everyone.
Bani, shows the path we should follow in order to achieve happiness and for leading a truthful life. Seva, helps in eliminating ego, bring equality and an urge to help others. Simran, helps in freeing the mind from the worldly troubles thus controlling the social and mental problems like stress. Unfortunately, I don't see any such good ppint in maintaing the 5 K's.

Regards,
jodhbir.

Well... few gifted ones never attend a school, and get onto leading other learned ones. But for others like me, Guru ji set up the school with uniform (so that others can identify, as well as I get reminded always - of the school).

Do one thing. Get a man or lady dressed up in 5Ks, and other one without these. People getting influenced with dressed ones will be more, and the probability of messing up the lesser. I see a singhnee in dastaar, and she looks so amazing and what not. I cant think of anyone messing up with her, actually she will be a source of inspiration for others, who is going to leave her mark on them. I tend to agree with you, as I have undergone the same stage as of yours. But after entering the school and attending classes in the school, I could realize the hollowness of my arguments.

We are all learners anyways

Best Regards.

Well, I view the situation differently. When I see a sikh lady in dastaar, the thought that comes into my mind is why is she binding herself in unnecessary constraints. I usually don't think of messing up with anyone so she is no different. Other than the fact that I feel that it is not logical to keep hair, I feel that the 5 K's are the reason why sikhism has not infact become a universal religion when it is far better than other religions. There are other reasons like miserable failure of clergymen but hair could be a big stumbling block.
I feel that sikhism needs to evolve with time and hair has to be out of our focus if we wish Sikhism to increase its base. Unfortunately, over the years we have been concentrating on amrit, thus decreasing the base rather that evolution and increasing the base.