RabDaJatt
SPNer
- May 1, 2025
- 1
- 0
- 24
Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh
I have often come across references in Puratan Granths stating that Singhs consumed liquor, not only in wartime but also casually in non-wartime settings. However, many Rehatnamas, both historical and modern, explicitly forbid alcohol consumption. Notably, alcohol is not listed among the four primary Bajjar Kurehits, unlike hookah/tobacco, which is strictly prohibited. Could this distinction explain why Singhs historically consumed alcohol but avoided hookah?
I want to clarify that I am not advocating for alcohol consumption or encouraging its use. My aim is to understand its historical usage within Sikh Spheres. For instance, we know that consuming meat is permitted as long as it is not halal or kutha maas. Similarly, the edible consumption of opium and cannabis, in the form of sukha, has been historically allowed in certain contexts. However, some individuals cite specific shabads from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib to argue that these practices contradict Sikh principles. I believe that taking shabads out of context or using the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a Rehatnama is inappropriate, as that is not its intended purpose.
While many Puratan Rehatnamas explicitly write against alcohol, I struggle to reconcile this with historical accounts in Granths that suggest Sikhs consumed it. There appears to be a disconnect between the prohibitions in historical Rehatnamas and the practices described in historical Granths. I don’t want to hear answers like “the Granths are Corrupted or that the Authors didn’t know what they were talking about”.
What accounts for this discrepancy?
Would it be fair to argue that the consumption of Alcohol is not forbidden but instead discouraged?
Thank you.
I have often come across references in Puratan Granths stating that Singhs consumed liquor, not only in wartime but also casually in non-wartime settings. However, many Rehatnamas, both historical and modern, explicitly forbid alcohol consumption. Notably, alcohol is not listed among the four primary Bajjar Kurehits, unlike hookah/tobacco, which is strictly prohibited. Could this distinction explain why Singhs historically consumed alcohol but avoided hookah?
I want to clarify that I am not advocating for alcohol consumption or encouraging its use. My aim is to understand its historical usage within Sikh Spheres. For instance, we know that consuming meat is permitted as long as it is not halal or kutha maas. Similarly, the edible consumption of opium and cannabis, in the form of sukha, has been historically allowed in certain contexts. However, some individuals cite specific shabads from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib to argue that these practices contradict Sikh principles. I believe that taking shabads out of context or using the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a Rehatnama is inappropriate, as that is not its intended purpose.
While many Puratan Rehatnamas explicitly write against alcohol, I struggle to reconcile this with historical accounts in Granths that suggest Sikhs consumed it. There appears to be a disconnect between the prohibitions in historical Rehatnamas and the practices described in historical Granths. I don’t want to hear answers like “the Granths are Corrupted or that the Authors didn’t know what they were talking about”.
What accounts for this discrepancy?
Would it be fair to argue that the consumption of Alcohol is not forbidden but instead discouraged?
Thank you.
