Why I wear a Turban?: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Guru Gobind Singh 1.jpg|thumb|200px|right|{{Cs|'''[[Guru Gobind Singh]]'''}}]] | [[Image:Guru Gobind Singh 1.jpg|thumb|200px|right|{{Cs|'''[[Guru Gobind Singh]]'''}}]] | ||
Most people | Most people outside of Asia and the Middle East who wear a [[turban]] are [[Sikh]]s. Male Sikhs who have taken Amrit or [[Pahul]] and added the name [[Singh]], are required to don the [[Dastaar]] due to the pronouncement in 1699 by the tenth Sikh master [[Guru Gobind Singh]]. The Dastaar, is the native [[Punjabi]] word used to refer to this head dress. Even some Sikh women, who are not required to wear a turban do so after taking Amrit and gaining the name [[Kaur]]. Even today some 300 years later, it is in compliance to the [[Hukam]] (or order) of this supreme Sikh leader that all Singhs today wear the [[dastaar]]. It is in honour and obedience to this one person! | ||
Though Sikh boy are not technically born 'into the Sikh religion' (they must freely choose to be a Sikh in the same manner that Protestant children must as to be Baptisted) they most likely will be raised wearing a [[Patka]] due to the respect of their parents for Guru Gobind Singh. | |||
The Sikh prime minister of [[India]], [[Dr Manmohan Singh]], displays his sky blue trademark turban out of respect for the [[Sikh Guru]]; the famous record breaking, 95-year-old marathon runner, [[Fauja Singh]] proudly wears his [[dastaar]] in honour of the tenth Sikh teacher; [[Bhagat Puran Singh]] the humble humanist and philanthropist used to don a simple [[turban]] in respect of the Sikh master. Why do the Sikhs go to all this trouble so many years after the diktat? | |||
[[Image:DrManmohanSingh.jpg|thumb|200px|left|{{Cs|'''[[Dr Manmohan Singh]], PM of India'''}}]] | [[Image:DrManmohanSingh.jpg|thumb|200px|left|{{Cs|'''[[Dr Manmohan Singh]], PM of India'''}}]] | ||
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The [[dastaar]] comes in many different colours and styles and, to the keen eye, each [[turban]] is different. Some are simple but regal; others may be bright and sporty; yet others may be stylish and extravagant – each one has its own special and unique statement. Every morning, most Sikh men and many Sikh women, spend some 5 to 20 minutes to comb their long hair and then carefully handcraft their | The [[dastaar]] comes in many different colours and styles and, to the keen eye, each [[turban]] is different. Some are simple but regal; others may be bright and sporty; yet others may be stylish and extravagant – each one has its own special and unique statement. Every morning, most Sikh men and many Sikh women, spend some 5 to 20 minutes to comb their long hair and then carefully handcraft their Dastaar—the link to their [[Gurus]] – a daily reminder of their heritage and its responsibilities. What begins as a simple 4 to 8 metres of plain coloured cloth is then transformed into a statement. Each person is instantly elevated and recognised as being 'different'. | ||
While the messages emanating from this simple piece of coloured cloth may vary from day to day depending on the creativity of the individual, the reason for and purpose behind this simple religious garment is a message which never varies for it is an extremely serious message. | While the messages emanating from this simple piece of coloured cloth may vary from day to day depending on the creativity of the individual, the reason for and purpose behind this simple religious garment is a message which never varies for it is an extremely serious message. | ||
For those of you who have no clue about [[Sikh history]] and tradition, what follows will be a revelation and a real eye opener – a total surprise. | For those of you who have no clue about [[Sikh history]] and tradition, what follows will be a revelation and a real eye opener – maybe even a total surprise. | ||
I will try and keep the history brief so that it does not distract us from the main theme of this article. In 1675 in old [[Delhi]] at {{Wiki|Chandni Chowk}} a most horrific event that was to change the course of Sikh history | I will try and keep the history brief so that it does not distract us from the main theme of this article. In 1675 in old [[Delhi]] at {{Wiki|Chandni Chowk}} a most horrific event that was to change the course of, not only Sikh history, but the course of [[Indian]] history took place when the most pious and benevolent leader of the Sikhs, [[Guru Tegh Bahadur]] was, after several days of torture, beheaded in front of the Laal Kila in the city's most public place on the orders of the Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]]. | ||
[[Image:FaujaSingh.jpg|thumb|200px|right|{{Cs|'''[[Fauja Singh|Bhai Fauja Singh]], Record breaking Marathon runner'''}}]] | [[Image:FaujaSingh.jpg|thumb|200px|right|{{Cs|'''[[Fauja Singh|Bhai Fauja Singh]], Record breaking Marathon runner'''}}]] | ||
The reason for this barbaric act | ==The reason for this barbaric act== | ||
The Guru had challenged the mighty Emperor on behalf of a Group of Hindu Pandits who had been told to convert to Islam or die. He hoped to end the savage way the Hindus were being treated and show Aurangzeb the folly of his 'Godless ways.' After offers of worldly power failed in converting the Guru. The Emperor had three of the Guru's devotees (Sikhs) tortured to death, each in a hideously different way, in front of the Guru's eyes. Then he was asked to perform a miracle (against the Guru's beliefs) finally, after failing to submit to Islam and renounce his faith the 9th Guru was executed. It is recounted that the ground shook and the winds roared as a mighty sandstorm overtook Delhi. Was it a display of anger at such a traumatic event – against a most saintly and loving soul. | |||
When the Guru's son | When the Guru's young son [[Guru Gobind Rai]] to whom his Saintly father had passed the Guruship to before his departure for the Emperor's Darbar, found out about the tragic death of his father, he asked [[Bhai Jaita]], a witness of the event: "Wasn't there any Sikh in the crowd" – meaning wasn't there any brave people in the crowd who would have stopped such a tragedy from taking place. The answer that was received led to the Guru's eventual gift of the [[dastaar]] as part of the [[Articles of faith|5 Kakkars]] which would change the outward appearance of Sikhs so that they would be sure to stand out in any future crowd as an island of hope for anyone in trouble. | ||
[[Bhai Jaita]] replied, "Guru Ji, many Sikhs must have been there in the crowd, but they could not be recognised." You see, in 1675, the Sikhs were not required to wear a turban. All the Sikh Gurus had worn [[turban|turbans]] but not all of their followers ([[Sikhs]]) did. | [[Bhai Jaita]] replied, "Guru Ji, many Sikhs must have been there in the crowd, but they could not be recognised." You see, in 1675, the Sikhs were not required to wear a turban. All the Sikh Gurus had worn [[turban|turbans]] but not all of their followers ([[Sikhs]]) did. | ||
Revision as of 14:39, 19 May 2008
Most people outside of Asia and the Middle East who wear a turban are Sikhs. Male Sikhs who have taken Amrit or Pahul and added the name Singh, are required to don the Dastaar due to the pronouncement in 1699 by the tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh. The Dastaar, is the native Punjabi word used to refer to this head dress. Even some Sikh women, who are not required to wear a turban do so after taking Amrit and gaining the name Kaur. Even today some 300 years later, it is in compliance to the Hukam (or order) of this supreme Sikh leader that all Singhs today wear the dastaar. It is in honour and obedience to this one person!
Though Sikh boy are not technically born 'into the Sikh religion' (they must freely choose to be a Sikh in the same manner that Protestant children must as to be Baptisted) they most likely will be raised wearing a Patka due to the respect of their parents for Guru Gobind Singh.
The Sikh prime minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, displays his sky blue trademark turban out of respect for the Sikh Guru; the famous record breaking, 95-year-old marathon runner, Fauja Singh proudly wears his dastaar in honour of the tenth Sikh teacher; Bhagat Puran Singh the humble humanist and philanthropist used to don a simple turban in respect of the Sikh master. Why do the Sikhs go to all this trouble so many years after the diktat?
The dastaar comes in many different colours and styles and, to the keen eye, each turban is different. Some are simple but regal; others may be bright and sporty; yet others may be stylish and extravagant – each one has its own special and unique statement. Every morning, most Sikh men and many Sikh women, spend some 5 to 20 minutes to comb their long hair and then carefully handcraft their Dastaar—the link to their Gurus – a daily reminder of their heritage and its responsibilities. What begins as a simple 4 to 8 metres of plain coloured cloth is then transformed into a statement. Each person is instantly elevated and recognised as being 'different'.
While the messages emanating from this simple piece of coloured cloth may vary from day to day depending on the creativity of the individual, the reason for and purpose behind this simple religious garment is a message which never varies for it is an extremely serious message.
For those of you who have no clue about Sikh history and tradition, what follows will be a revelation and a real eye opener – maybe even a total surprise.
I will try and keep the history brief so that it does not distract us from the main theme of this article. In 1675 in old Delhi at Chandni Chowk a most horrific event that was to change the course of, not only Sikh history, but the course of Indian history took place when the most pious and benevolent leader of the Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur was, after several days of torture, beheaded in front of the Laal Kila in the city's most public place on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The reason for this barbaric act
The Guru had challenged the mighty Emperor on behalf of a Group of Hindu Pandits who had been told to convert to Islam or die. He hoped to end the savage way the Hindus were being treated and show Aurangzeb the folly of his 'Godless ways.' After offers of worldly power failed in converting the Guru. The Emperor had three of the Guru's devotees (Sikhs) tortured to death, each in a hideously different way, in front of the Guru's eyes. Then he was asked to perform a miracle (against the Guru's beliefs) finally, after failing to submit to Islam and renounce his faith the 9th Guru was executed. It is recounted that the ground shook and the winds roared as a mighty sandstorm overtook Delhi. Was it a display of anger at such a traumatic event – against a most saintly and loving soul.
When the Guru's young son Guru Gobind Rai to whom his Saintly father had passed the Guruship to before his departure for the Emperor's Darbar, found out about the tragic death of his father, he asked Bhai Jaita, a witness of the event: "Wasn't there any Sikh in the crowd" – meaning wasn't there any brave people in the crowd who would have stopped such a tragedy from taking place. The answer that was received led to the Guru's eventual gift of the dastaar as part of the 5 Kakkars which would change the outward appearance of Sikhs so that they would be sure to stand out in any future crowd as an island of hope for anyone in trouble.
Bhai Jaita replied, "Guru Ji, many Sikhs must have been there in the crowd, but they could not be recognised." You see, in 1675, the Sikhs were not required to wear a turban. All the Sikh Gurus had worn turbans but not all of their followers (Sikhs) did.
Guru Gobind Rai said, "Bhai Jaita ji, I will create the Khalsa, who will stand out in the crowd and who will never flinch from performing their duties whatever the odds."
Over the next 24 years, the Guru prepared the Sikhs to reach a high level of consciousness; to become brave and strong; to love truth and dharma more than pleasure and materialist gain. Then in 1699, he announced: "Saava lakh say ek laarrau, tabh Gobind Singh namh kaahaoo" – "When one will stand and fight 125,000, then I shall be called Gobind Singh." In those 24 years he transformed a passive, feeble and subservient people of India into a brave and fearless warrior people who were extremely courageous and valiant but at the same time were compassionate and just – a real Sant Sipahi - a "warrior saint".
His father Guru Tegh Bahadur had sacrificed his live in 1699 in the cause of the path of righteousness when young Gobind Rai was only nine. From that day onwards, Guru Gobind Singh led 'from the front' and taught the Sikhs how to master their balance of saintliness and gallantry; how to be compassionate and to fight for the weak; to be strong but humble. In the days after the betrayal at Anandpur and the broken oaths of the Pahari Rajas (the hill chiefs) and their Mughal overlords the Guru would lose his mother and his four sons as they sacrificed their lives in the cause of righteousness, choosing death in their fight against evil. Though the loss of his family must have weighed heavily on his heart the Guru never failed in showing his people how to follow the path of righteousness. He never wavered in his belief in truth and honesty right to the end.
Though most of his family was lost; his two eldest, teenage, sons martyred in battle; his two youngest sons martyred as they refused to bow to Islam; his aged, weakened and starved mother dying as she heard of her two grandchildren's tortured death, the 10th Guru's spirit was never defeated. He remembered God, even when all wealth was gone; he barely had clothes on his back; most of his companions had perished in battle – what did he say to God – "God, I am not happy with you. I have never done anything wrong. Why are you punishing me like this?" – Most definitely not!
This is the actual Shabad which he sang at the time:
| ਮਿਤਰ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਹਾਲ ਮਰੀਦਾ ਦਾ ਕਹਿਣਾ ॥
ਤਧ ਬਿਨ ਰੋਗ ਰਜਾਈਆ ਦਾ ਓਢਣ ਨਾਗ ਨਿਵਾਸਾ ਦੇ ਹਹਿਣਾ ॥ ਸੂਲ ਸਰਾਹੀ ਖੰਜਰ ਪਿਆਲਾ ਬਿੰਗ ਕਸਾਈਆਂ ਦਾ ਸਹਿਣਾ ॥ ਯਾਰੜੇ ਦਾ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸੱਥਰ ਚੰਗਾ ਭਠ ਖੇੜਿਆ ਦਾ ਰਹਿਣਾ ॥ |
| mithr piaarae noo(n) haal mureedhaa dhaa kehinaa ॥ thudhh bin rog rajaaeeaa dhaa oudtan naag nivaasaa dhae hehinaa ॥ |
| Please tell my dear friend (God) the plight of his disciples.
Without You, comfort of rich blankets is a disease; living in a home is like living with snakes. Our water pitchers are like torturous stakes and our cups have edges like daggers. Neglecting You, is like the suffering of animals at the hands of butchers. My Beloved's straw bed is more pleasing than living in costly furnace-like mansions. |
Remembering the Lord is more important than all the wealth and all relationships in the world! Guru Gobind Singh's contribution to the world has been undeniable and proof of that lies in the accomplishments of millions of Sikhs who everyday wear his token on their head; to honour his life and remember the wonderful example that he set for the rest of us. May his memory live forever! Waheguru.
