How Do You Explain What A Kirpan Is To A Non-Sikh?

[findingmyway]

Our Guru's were super intelligent and had a reason for everything. Sikhi doesn't encourage blind faith but understanding.
There seem to be 2 camps:

One group says that the kirpan is now symbolic only. I would like to ask them why?

The other group says that the kirpan is a weapon to be used when absolutely needed only. I would like to ask them in that case is there a way we can have checks for anyone buying a kirpan to ensure that our reputation isn't sullied by someone not using it appropriately?

I would like to ask all why isn't the kirpan both symbolic and useful as intended by Guru Gobind Singh Ji? Why are we relegating it? IMHO a knife is a very sensible weapon in cases of self defence as it is subtle, requires skill, less likely to be misused against someone who is defenceless than a gun and is less likely to be visible therefore causing alarm in other situations. In the same breath it has a beautiful symbolic meaning as detailed above and helps the mindset of the wearer away from a victim attitude. why do we have to choose between the meanings? Should not both functions of the kirpan be embraced?:dunno:

 

[seeker3k]

When Gobind Singh created Khalsa the kirpan was needed. The enemy had kirpan too. Now is the age of guns. How can defend him self or others with 6” kirpan?

Guru gave the Khalsa 3’ kirpan to fight against injustice not 6?

Who changed it to 6” and who accepted it?

WHY?

 

[Seeker9]

Dear Seeker3k Ji

I am confused...where did you see the minimum requirement of 6 inches instead of 3

This is because I am aware of Sikhs who wear a symbolic Kirpan under their garments as one of the 5ks...but those are not useable weapons and are not 6 inches

Dear Findingmyway Ji

You provided a very elegant summary of the Kirpan as both symbolic and a practical weapon...personally though, I would like to focus on the former and not the latter....there are elements of Sikh youth who can take the martial aspects of the faith to far ..everything in moderation and all good!

If I could offer another example surrounding the wearing of knives....I'm a Scotsman and have worn the full highland dress on a number of formal occasions. I own a smallish jewelled knife with a gemstone in the hilt...it's about 8 inches and it's called a Scian Dubh (pronounced SKEEN-DOOH)

It is customary to have this on display by tucking it into the sock on one leg...which will be exposed from slightly above knee height from wearing a kilt

So just another real world example of cultures, and knives which I hope is helpful

 

[Archived_Member16]

source: http://www.indolink.com/printArticleS.php?id=022405023333

Kirpan(Sword) in Sikhism -
A Symbol of Benevolence and Dignity

by: Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD, FICS

Kirpan, which can be literally translated into sword, has a much deeper meaning in the Sikh religion. It consists of two words, Kirpa and Aan. The word Kirpa means benevolence and the word Aan means dignity. Therefore Kirpan is a symbol of benevolence and dignity.

Guru Gobind Singh made Kirpan as an integral part of the 5 k’s. The Kesh, meaning hair symbolizes devotion, asceticism, and renunciation. The hair is associated with spirituality in many other religions. But Guru Gobind Singh made Kangha (comb) also one of the five k’s, which symbolizes order and organization as well as purity and cleanliness. Karha the iron bangle around the wrist is the symbol of universality. Kachara the underwear is the symbol of piousness and sexual purity.

It is Kirpan, which imparts uniqueness to the Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh in the worship of Kirpanicalls it a symbol of justice, equality and struggle against oppression and discrimination and exploitation. The Guru Hails Kirpan as the liberator and sustainer of mankind and the destroyer of the oppressors and the exploiters. He also sees Kirpan as a symbol of bravery and knowledge because it can dispel cowardice and ignorance. He sees celestial beauty in the shining Kirpan.

The Guru asks us to worship Kirpan as one of the aspects of God. As opposed to the Judeo Semitic concept of creation, which considers the creation as a separate act of God that created the universe in 6 days, from Monday to Saturday and then rested on Sunday, the Sikh religion sees the creation as an uninterrupted and constant act. The Sikh religion believes that the creation has 3 aspects symbolized by Barhama, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). Barhama symbolizes creation, Vishnu symbols sustenance and Shiva symbolizes destruction.
Destruction is an integral part of construction because without destroying the worn out old, room cannot be created for the emerging new.

The outlook and attitude of the Sikh religion to Kirpan is fundamentally different than the others who generally view sword as a symbol of power and domination. The sword can generate and encourage arrogance. Arrogance always leads to ignorance.Kirpan constantly reminds the Sikhs of the power of the Almighty. Therefore Kirpan should promote humility. As arrogance and ignorance like each other’s company similarly humility and knowledge go together.

It is very important in the contemporary world that we use our power as Kirpan and not as a sword. Whereas Kirpan was used by Guru Gobind Singh to liberate the oppressed people, the sword of the colonialists was used to enslave the other people and nations.

The judicious use of force can help us to change the outdated old world order, which has outlived its usefulness and has become redundant and irrelevant.

The only way peace and harmony can be kept in the world and prosperity maintained is by upholding principals of equality, fairness, justice, benevolence and showing respect for other peoples beliefs and values.

We can only suppress others temporarily until they are strong enough to fight against the oppressor. On the other hand benevolence, compassion, universal concern and universal well-being are principles which can lead to a lasting peace and progress. This is the global perspective of Guru Nanak. What we should understand is that Guru Gobind Singh raised Kirpan not only to uphold the principles of Guru Nanak but also to give a practical shape to those principles.

Dr. Sawraj Singh is Chairman of Washington State Network for Human Rights, and Chairman of Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Gyani Jarnail Singh]

When Gobind Singh created Khalsa the kirpan was needed. The enemy had kirpan too. Now is the age of guns. How can defend him self or others with 6” kirpan?

Guru gave the Khalsa 3’ kirpan to fight against injustice not 6?

Who changed it to 6” and who accepted it?

WHY?

Not quite right..the enemy had GUNS back then too..and the KIRPAN is needed NOW..and IN the FUTURE too...when LASERS may be in fashion !!
KIRPANS will NEVER go out of fashion or style...as long as we have kitchens to cook in..we will have KNIVES ??...and Hammers and screw drivers....because the Five Ks are "TOOLS" of the KHALSA !!! to be used in conjunction with the TOOL BOX we have in the form of the SGGS !!!

Btw has anyone asked the Queen why she still uses the SWORD to KNIGHT to KNIGHTHOOD ?? hasnt she heard of the AK47 ?? or the BAZOOKA ???..and HORSE-riding Horsemen as Guards ceremonial guards..Horse drawn Coaches...when she has the Mercedes jaguar limos..??? There are some things one NEVER DISCARDS or changes...KIRPAN is one of them...cheers seeker 3

 

[Kanwaljit.Singh]

Kirpan in the Kamar Kasa (waist band) is always handy and part of you.

Plus as said in TDK by Joker, it can be used to hurt and scare the enemy without killing them. Gun could be death if the shot goes anywhere except the limbs.

Kirpan play is easy to learn and practice home. Not so expensive. And costs nothing to maintain and re-use.

Plus practicing with it is also a (now dying) sport!

 

[GSingh1984]

Kirpan comes from kirpa or to offer service aka your head to fight injustice. Guru ji gave no dagger that can't do anything. It used to be a long sword, accounts talk about in the 1800s upon taking Amrit a Sikh being given a pine, sword, bow and arrow, and a musket. The point is to be arms as a person, and as a nation.

A nuclear bomb, and fake-16 represents kirpa and the Sikh quom should have both and more.

VjkVjf

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.