GURU
In pan-Indian traditions, guru is someone more than a teacher, in sanskrit Guru means the one who dispels the darkness and takes towards light, traditionally a reverential figure to the student, with the guru serving as a "counselor, who helps mold values, shares experiential knowledge. In Sikhism, the guru tradition has played a key role since its founding in the 15th century, its founder is referred to as Guru Nanak, and its scripture as Guru Granth Sahib.
FAQ on Guru (5)
1.What is Sikhism and how did it start?
Sikhism is the world's fifth-largest organized religion, founded in the late 15th century CE in the Punjab region of South Asia (modern-day India and Pakistan). It was established by Guru Nanak, the first of ten living human Gurus. He traveled extensively teaching a message of love, the oneness of God, and the absolute equality of all human beings regardless of caste, gender or race.
2.Who or what is the Guru Granth Sahib?
The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy scripture and the eternal spiritual guide of the Sikhs. Following the passing of the tenth human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, the spiritual authority was permanently transferred to this sacred text. It is treated with the utmost reverence as a living Guru. Uniquely, it contains not only the hymns of the Sikh Gurus but also spiritual writings from Hindu and Muslim saints who shared the same message of divine oneness.
3.What is a Gurdwara and what happens inside?
A Gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship, study, and community gathering, which translates to 'the gateway to the Guru'. It houses the Guru Granth Sahib on a raised platform. Anyone is welcome inside a Gurdwara, regardless of their background, provided they remove their shoes and cover their head. A central feature of every Gurdwara is the Langar, a community kitchen that serves free, nutritious vegetarian meals to all visitors without discrimination.
4.What do the names "Singh" and "Kaur" mean?
To dismantle the oppressive caste system where a person's last name indicated their social status, Guru Gobind Singh gave all Sikhs a collective last name:
* Singh: Meaning 'Lion,' given to all male Sikhs.
* Kaur: Meaning 'Princess,' given to all female Sikhs.
This practice gave everyone a shared identity of nobility and equality, ensuring that no one could judge a Sikh's social standing based on their lineage.
5.Why do Sikhs grow their hair and not cut it?
Sikhs grow their hair, a practice known as Kesh, out of deep devotion, spiritual identity, and alignment with the divine. Uncut hair is one of the mandatory '5 Ks' (articles of faith) that initiated Sikhs commit to keeping throughout their lives. Five reasons why Sikhs do not cut their hair:
1. Acceptance of God’s Perfect Creation
The core philosophical reason for keeping Kesh is living in harmony with Hukam (the divine will). Sikhs believe that God created the human body perfectly just as it is. By leaving their hair untouched, a Sikh demonstrates complete acceptance of God's design, choosing not to alter or vanity-modify the natural form they were given.
2. A Symbol of Spiritual Growth and Energy
In Sikh mysticism, hair is viewed as more than just dead cells; it is seen as a living extension of the body that interacts with a person's spiritual energy. Long hair is believed to act as a natural antenna that helps channel cosmic energy, enhancing meditation (Naam Simran) and aiding a person's focus on spiritual awakening.
3. Emulating the Sikh Gurus
All ten living human Gurus in Sikh history, starting with Guru Nanak, kept their hair uncut. For a practicing Sikh, maintaining Kesh is a profound way to honor, connect with, and physically look like their spiritual masters. It acts as a continuous, daily pledge of allegiance to the path laid out by the Gurus.
4. Sovereignty, Dignity, and Equality
Historically in South Asia, long hair and turbans were privileges strictly reserved for royalty, rulers, and the high-caste ruling elite. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Guru) revolutionized society by establishing the Khalsa (the community of initiated Sikhs) and mandating that all Sikhs keep their hair uncut and wear a turban. This acted as a radical statement of social justice: it declared that every individual possesses equal royal dignity, sovereignty, and self-worth, completely dismantling the oppressive caste system.
5. High Visibility and Accountability
The Gurus intentionally designed Sikhs to have a highly distinctive appearance. A Sikh with long hair and a turban cannot hide in a crowd. This visible identity holds a Sikh strictly accountable to the highest moral and ethical standards of their faith. Historically and today, it signals to anyone in danger that a Sikh is nearby and obligated by their faith to stand up for the weak and defend justice.
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