1. Kes or unshorn hair

…regarded as a symbol of saintliness. Guru Nanak started the practice of keeping the hair unshorn. The keeping of hair in its natural state is regarded as living in harmony with the will of God, and is a symbol of the Khalsa brotherhood and the Sikh faith. Hair is an integral part of the human body created by God and Sikhism call for its preservation. The shaving or cutting of hair is one of the four taboos or Kurehats.

2. Kangha or the comb

…is necessary to keep the hair clean and tidy. A Sikh must comb his hair twice a day and tie his turban neatly. The Gurus wore turbans and commanded the Sikhs to wear turbans for the protection of the hair, and promotion of social identity and cohesion. It has thus become an essential part of the Sikh dress.

3. Kara or the steel bracelet

…symbolises restrain from evil deeds. It is worn on the right wrist and reminds the Sikh of the vows taken by him, that is, he is a servant of the Guru and should not do anything which may bring shame or disgrace. When he looks at the Kara, he is made to think twice before doing anything evil with his hands.

4. Kachh or the soldiers shorts

…must be worn at all times. It reminds the Sikh of the need for self-restrain over passions and desires. Apart from its moral significance, it ensures briskness during action and freedom of movement at all times. It is a smart dress as compared to the loose dhoti which most Indian wore at that time.

5. Kirpan or the sword

…is the emblem of courage and self-defense. It symbolizes dignity and self-reliance, the capacity and readiness to always defend the weak and the oppressed. It helps sustain one’s martial spirit and the determination to sacrifice oneself in order to defend truth, oppression and Sikh moral values.

The Five K’s, along with the turban, constitute the Khalsa uniform, which distinguishes a Sikh from any other person in the world, and is essential for preserving the life of the community and fostering the Khalsa brotherhood.

The Five K’s are not supposed to foster exclusiveness or superiority. They are meant to keep the Sikhs united in the pursuit of the aims and ideals of the Gurus. They enable them to keep their vows made at the time of baptism. The Sikhs have been known to face torture and death rather than cut their hair or remove any of the sacred symbols.

The Khalsa cannot be anonymous. His religion is known to all. He stands out among people, and any unseemly behavior or action on his part would be noted as unbecoming of a follower of the Gurus. People would easily blame him if he deviated from the disciplinary code of Guru Gobind Singh.

Along with the maintenance of the Five K’s, the Khalsa is required to refrain from committing the four taboos or Kurehats. These are:

1. Trimming, shaving or removing hair from the body
2. Using tobacco or intoxicants in any form
3. Eating of meat
4. Committing adultery

A Sikh guilty of committing any of these serious breaches is regarded as the fallen one (Patit or Tankhahiya). Guru Gobind Singh declared that as long as the Khalsa followed the Five K’s and Sikh code of discipline, he would win glory, but if he showed indifference, his progress would be hampered.

A Sikh believes in One God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus, embodied in the Sikh Holy Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Additionally, he or she must take Amrit, the Sikh Baptism. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji at the beginning of the sixteenth century. The succeeding nine Gurus nurtured and developed his ideas and teachings. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, brought to an end to the line of human Gurus and in 1708, installed the Guru Granth Sahib, as the permanent Guru of the Sikhs.

The Sikh Gurus provided guidance for about 240 years. They taught the basic values of freedom, brotherhood, charity, obedience, understanding, sympathy, patience, humility, simplicity, and piety, and outlined the path to spirituality in life. The Gurus themselves said that they were not to be worshipped as Sikhs would have gotten attached to the bodies. Instead, Gurus connected Sikhs with the “word” or God . Guru Gobind Singh said:

“See me only as the slave of God.
Let this be known beyond the shadow of doubt.”

This shows how much humility Gurus have in them even though there is no difference between Guru and God. Compared to other prophets who did not show much humility and taught their followers to follow them not God.

The Basic Belief of the Sikhs

The Mool Mantar (literally, the root verse; the first hymn composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji) sums up the basic belief of the Sikhs. The Guru Granth Sahib begins with the Mool Mantar. Every Sikh is expected to recite it daily. The English translation is given below:

Ik Onkar
There is only one God

Sat Naam
His name is truth

Karta Purkh
He is the creator

Nir Bhau
He is without fear

Nir Vair
He is without hate

Akaal Moorat
He is beyond time (immortal)

Ajooni
He is beyond birth and death

Saibhang
He is self-existent

Gur Parsaad
He is realised by the Guru’s grace

Jap
Chant and meditate:

Aad Sach
True in the primal beginning

Jugaad Sach
True throughout the ages

Hai Bhee Sach
True here and now

Naanak
O Nanak

Hosee Bhee Sach
Forever and ever true