Guru Granth Sahib on Adornment
SGGS on make-up
There is some confusion within the Sikh community on whether a woman is allowed to wear makeup or not and if one is allowed to "dress-up" in expensive embroidered Punjabi salwar kameez, etc. The nearest word in Gurmukhi to "makeup" or "dressing-up" is "shegar" (ਸੀਗਾਰ or "sīgĝr") which means "decorate" or "adorn". This article deals with the guidance provided by Guru Granth Sahib and some other Sikh practices. The first thing to note is that if decorating was wrong, then we would not decorate our Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib with such beautiful and expensive rumalla.
What does the Guru say about this matter? It must be noted that there is a fine line drawn on this point in the Holy Scripture and one must be prepared to understand the finer points that are highlighted in the holy text. The Guru clear says that by just decorating oneself, you cannot obtain any long lasting happiness thus:
| ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਜਉ ਮੈ ਕੀਓ ਸਗਲ ਸੀਗਾਰਾ ॥ ਤਉ ਭੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਨ ਪਤੀਆਰਾ ॥ |
| Āsĝ mehlĝ 5. Jao mai kīo sagal sīgĝrĝ. Ŧao bẖī mėrĝ man na paṯīĝrĝ. |
| Aasaa, Fifth Mehl: Even though I totally decorated myself, still, my mind was not satisfied. |
On the other hand, in the following Shabad, the Guru tells us that if one remembers the Lord all the time (ie: "within whose home the Husband Lord abides"), then he or she will be "totally adorned and decorated" by the Lord. So if you live according to the Waheguru's hukam, then you may decorate yourself as you like. But remember that without the remembrance of the Lord, the "sheegar" (decorations) will bring no happiness or comfort.
| ਜਿਸ ਘਰਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਕੰਤ ਸਾ ਵਡਭਾਗਣੇ ॥ਤਿਸ ਬਣਿਆ ਹਭ ਸੀਗਾਰ ਸਾਈ ਸੋਹਾਗਣੇ ॥ ਹਉ ਸਤੀ ਹੋਇ ਅਚਿੰਤ ਮਨਿ ਆਸ ਪਰਾਈਆ ॥ ਹਰਿਹਾਂ ਜਾ ਘਰਿ ਆਇਆ ਕੰਤ ਤ ਸਭ ਕਿਛ ਪਾਈਆ ॥੪॥ |
| Jis gẖar vasiĝ kanṯ sĝ vadbẖĝgṇė. Ŧis baṇiĝ habẖ sīgĝr sĝī sohĝgṇė. Hao suṯī hoė acẖinṯ man ĝs purĝīĝ. Harihĝʼn jĝ gẖar ĝiĝ kanṯ ṯa sabẖ kicẖẖ pĝīĝ.(4) |
| Very fortunate is she, within whose home the Husband Lord abides. She is totally adorned and decorated; she is a happy soul-bride. |
also:
| ਫੂਲ ਮਾਲਾ ਗਲਿ ਪਹਿਰਉਗੀ ਹਾਰੋ ॥ ਮਿਲੈਗਾ ਪਰੀਤਮ ਤਬ ਕਰਉਗੀ ਸੀਗਾਰੋ ॥੨॥ |
| Fūl mĝlĝ gal pahirugī hĝro. Milaigĝ parīṯam ṯab karugī sīgĝro.(2) |
| I will decorate my neck with garlands of flowers. When I meet my Beloved, then I will put on my decorations.(2) |
Other Shabads
1.
| ਮੀਠੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਪਿਰ ਕੀ ਲਾਗੀ ॥ ਸਉਕਨਿ ਘਰ ਕੀ ਕੰਤਿ ਤਿਆਗੀ ॥ ਪਰਿਅ ਸੋਹਾਗਨਿ ਸੀਗਾਰਿ ਕਰੀ ॥ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੀ ਤਪਤਿ ਹਰੀ ॥੧॥ |
| Mīṯẖī ĝgiĝ pir kī lĝgī. Saukan gẖar kī kanṯ ṯiĝgī. Paria sohĝgan sīgĝr karī. Man mėrė kī ṯapaṯ harī.(1) |
| The Order of my Husband Lord seems so sweet to me. My Husband Lord has driven out the one who was my rival. |
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