Celebrating the Khalsa

The month of Vaisakh and the main day -- April 13 -- is of great importance and significance to the Punjabis, especially the Sikhs. Farmers harvest their crops during Vaisakh. It is a time of joy and prosperity. Colorful fairs and abundant feasts dot the Punjabi landscape.

On Vaisakhi Day, April 13, 1699, Guru Gobind Singh ji stood before the Sikh congregation and requested the ultimate sacrifice of his disciples. Five Sikhs volunteered to lay down their lives for God and the Guru. They would become famous as the Panj Piyaras, or the five beloved ones, of the Guru and the Sikh panth (religion). Their mission would be to defend humanity and righteousness.

The first “saint-soldiers” were initiated into the Khalsa army by drinking sword-stirred amrit from an iron bowl. Then, the noble Guru with great reverence knelt to receive the “nectar of immortality” from the Panj Piyaras. Thus, by example, he imbibed a sense of equality amongst the Khalsa that endures to this day.

As per the Guru’s wishes, the Khalsa dress, later adopted by all Sikhs, would be as distinguished as their code of conduct. Guru Gobind Singh advised them to keep “5 K”: Kesh (unshorn hair), Kanga (comb), Kara (iron bracelet), Kacha (long drawers), Kirpan (sword). The great Guru beamed with pride at his “decorated” army, “Khalsa, thy persona is special, live as a Khalsa.”

We will never know in detail the great mind’s thoughts and reasons for choosing the unique 5 Ks, especially the significance of keeping Kesh. However, it is necessary to have a reasonable explanation for those curious and inquiring of Sikhs’ distinguished and impressive dress. The Khalsa’s dress has both a practical purpose and psychological impact.

Since the dawn of human history, the uncut hair has been associated with men of God and men of letters. The angels, gurus, gods, prophets, sages and saints are depicted with beards and uncut hair: the Hindu gods -- Brahma, Ram and Shiva; Judeo Christian prophets Abraham, Moses, and Jesus; the other divine teachers like Buddha and Confucius. The joora (hair bun on top of the head) and beard are ancient symbols of holiness, honor, royalty and wisdom in India. The Guru wanted his chivalrous soldiers to behave with honor and dignity in peace and war. Therefore, he inspired and reminded his disciples of their code of conduct by manifesting them in a saintly image.

It is easier to explain the significance of the remaining four Ks. The Kanga is kept to comb and tidy the Kesh. The Kacha is a modest garment best suited to the long and hot summers of Punjab. Sikhs relied on quick hit and run tactics and forest cover to fight the mighty imperial armies. The simple piece of clothing didn’t hinder their maneuvering during battle, and their nomadic travails thru thick jungles. A more elaborate clothing would’ve been cumbersome and a burden on their meager resources.

For the same reason, the Sikhs wielded the Kirpan – the most formidable weapon of the time and region. It was the weapon of choice for battle readiness and close combat. The Kirpan is exalted and worshipped in the Sikh and Indian literature. Simplicity and Sikhs go together. The Kara is another inexpensive and simple yet effective piece of armor. The iron bracelets deflected enemy blows and protected the arms during combat.

The Sikhs were transformed from a peaceful sect to the martial Khalsa. They rose from humble beginnings to defeat the cruel, intolerant and oppressive Mughals and their cohorts in North West India. The marauding and pillaging foreign hordes were chased beyond the Khyber Pass for the first time in 800 years.

The Khalsa lived up to the code of conduct and distinguished themselves in word and deed.