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InSikhism, theFive Ks (Punjabi:ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰ,Pañj Kakār,Punjabi pronunciation:[ˈpənd͡ʒ.ˈkəˌka:ɾ]) are five items thatGuru Gobind Singh, in 1699, commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times. They are:kesh (ਕੇਸ਼,keś, unshorn hair and beard since the Sikh decided to keep it),kangha (ਕੰਘਾ,kãṅghā, a comb for the kesh, usually wood),kara (ਕੜਾ,kaṛā, a bracelet, usually made of iron or steel),kachhera (ਕਛੈਰਾ,kachairā, an undergarment), andkirpan (ਕਿਰਪਾਨ,kirpān, a small curved sword or knife made of iron or steel).[1]
The Five Ks are not just symbols, but articles of faith that collectively form the external identity and the Khalsa devotee's commitment to theSikh rehni, 'Sikh way of life'.[2] A Sikh who has takenAmrit and keeps all five Ks is known asKhalsa ('pure') orAmritdhari Sikh ('Amrit Sanskar participant'), a Sikh who has not taken Amrit but follows the teachings of theSri Guru Granth Sahib is called aSahajdhari Sikh.
Thekesh, also known askesa, or uncut, long hair, is considered by Sikhs to be an indispensable part of the human body. It also emulates the appearance ofGuru Gobind Singh and is one of the primary signs by which a Sikh can be clearly and quickly identified. A Sikh never cuts or trims any hair as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation. The uncut long hair and thebeard, in the case of men, form the mainkakār for Sikhs.[3]
Theturban is a spiritual crown, which is a constant reminder to the Sikh that they are sitting on the throne of consciousness and are committed to living according to Sikh principles. Guru Gobind Singh told his Sikhs:
"Khalsa mero roop hai khaas. Khalsa mai ho karo nivaas... TheKhalsa is my image. Within theKhalsa I reside."[4] Wearing a turban declares sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety.
A noted figure in Sikh history isBhai Taru Singh, who was martyred when he refused to get hiskesh cut.
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Comb the hair twice a day, covering it with turban that is to be tied from fresh.
— Tankhanama Bhai Nand Lal Singh[5]
Akanga is a medium-sized wooden comb that Sikhs use twice a day. It is supposed to be worn only in the hair and at all times. Combs help to clean and remove tangles from the hair and are a symbol of cleanliness. Combing their hair reminds Sikhs that their lives should be tidy and organized.
The comb keeps the hair tidy, a symbol of not just accepting what God has given, but also an injunction to maintain it with grace. The Guru Granth Sahib said hair should be allowed to grow naturally; this precludes any shaving for both men and women. In the Guru's time, some holy men let their hair become tangled and dirty. The Guru said that this was not right; that hair should be allowed to grow but it should be kept clean and combed at least twice a day.[6][7]
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The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear an iron bracelet called aKara at all times. Thekara is a constant reminder that whatever a person does with their hands has to be in keeping with the advice given by the Guru. Thekara is an iron/steel circle to symbolize God as never-ending. It is a symbol of permanent bonding to the community, of being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs (the word for link is Kari).The kara should be of a cheap metal, such as iron or steel, to show equality and so that nobody can be shown as more important than anybody else with the material of their kara.[6]
ਸੀਲ ਜਤ ਕੀ ਕਛ ਪਹਿਰਿ ਪਕਿੜਓ ਹਿਥਆਰਾ ॥ The sign of true chastity is the Kachhera, you must wear this and hold weapons in hand.
— Bhai Gurdas Singh, Var. 41, pauri 15
TheKachera is ashalwar-underwear with a tie-knot worn bybaptised Sikhs. Originally, theKachhera was made part of the five Ks as a symbol of a Sikh soldier's willingness to be ready at a moment's notice for battle or for defense. The confirmed Sikh (one who has taken theAmrit) wears aKachhera every day. Some of them go to the extent of wearing aKachhera while bathing, to be ready at a moment's notice, changing into the new one a single leg at a time, so as to have no moment where they are unprepared. Further, this garment allowed the Sikh soldier to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction, because it was easy to fabricate, maintain, wash, and carry compared to other traditional undergarments of that era, like thedhoti. TheKachhera symbolizes self-respect, and always reminds the wearer of mental control over lust, one of theFive Evils in Sikh philosophy.
TheKachera follows a generally practical and roomy design. It features an embedded string that circles the waist which can be tightened or loosened as desired and then knotted securely. TheKachera can be classed between underwear and an outer garment, as in appearance it does not reveal private anatomy, and looks and wears like shorts. As with all of the Five Ks, there is equality between men and women, and so women are also expected to wear it. Considering the hot climate in India, theKachera is often worn by men as an outer garment, keeping the wearer cool and being practical in manual work such as farming, but it is generally not considered respectful for women to wear theKachera as an outer garment (on its own) as it is considered too revealing.[6]
ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਹੀਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਨਹਿ ਹੋਈ, ਰਿਹਤਵੰਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋਈ ॥Those who never depart their arms, they are the Khalsa with excellentrehats.
— Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh[citation needed]
Thekirpan is a dagger that symbolises a Sikh's duty to come to the defense of those in peril. All Sikhs should wear thekirpan on their body at all times as a defensive side-arm, just as a police officer is expected to wear a side-arm when on duty. Its use is only allowed in the act of self-defense and the protection of others. It stands for bravery and protecting the weak and innocent.
Thekirpan is kept sharp and is actually used to defend others, such as those who are oppressed by harsh rulers, or a person who is being robbed, raped, or beaten. The true Sikh cannot turn a blind eye to such evils, thinking that they are "someone else's concern."[7] It is the duty of the true Sikh to help those who suffer unjustly, by whatever means available, whether that means alerting the police, summoning help, or defending those who cannot defend themselves, even if that means putting oneself in harm's way.[6]
The Five Ks are the bare minimum and are not the full extent of Khalsa uniform; thePanj Kapde is also part of Khalsa uniform. It is part of the tradition ofpanj kapare (five garments), comprisingdastaar (turban),hazooria (long white scarf worn around the neck), long chola (dress),kamar-kasaa (material tied around the waist like a belt) andkacchera (under-garment). Reference to this has been made byVaran Bhai Gurdas as well. Thedastaar andkachera are mandatory for Sikhs although more spiritual Sikhs also have the otherkapde.
Adastār (Punjabi:ਦਸਤਾਰ, fromPersian:دستار) which derives fromdast-e-yār or 'the hand of God',[citation needed] is an item of headwear associated withSikhism, and is an important part of Sikh culture. The word is loaned from Persian through Punjabi. In Persian, the worddastār can refer to any kind ofturban and replaced the original word for turban,dolband (دلبند), from which the English word is derived.
Among the Sikhs, thedastār is an article of faith that represents equality, honour, self-respect, courage, spirituality, and piety. TheKhalsa Sikh men and women, who keep the Five Ks, wear the turban to cover their long, uncut hair (kesh). The Sikhs regard thedastār as an important part of the unique Sikh identity. After the ninth Sikh Guru,Tegh Bahadur, was sentenced to death by theMughal emperorAurangzeb,Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru created the Khalsa and gave five articles of faith, one of which is unshorn hair, which thedastār covers.
Sikhchola is traditional dress worn by Sikhs. It is a martial attire that gives freedom of movement to a Sikh warrior. Sikhchola is also unisex attire, and may also be decorated with heavyembroidery all over it. It is meant to be either yellow, white or electric blue with many pockets to hold matchlocks[8] and other weapons.
Kamar kasa is a sash bound around the waist to hold weapons an essential part ofNihang (Sikh warrior) dress. It is also calledcumberband,belt,waist sash, orwaistband. The Kamar kasa is meant to be yellow if wearing a blue chola or blue if wearing a white chola.
Ahazooria (scarf) is a sign of humility which is grasped during theArdās. It is a constant reminder of surrendering one's mind to the Guru, along with the five Ks. Ahazooria is practical: it helps one keepsuchamta (cleanliness) duringseva (service) or readingGurbani (hymns). It can help keep the hands clean when touching the face or picking up objects. Thehazooria was also worn by servants and symbolises the Sikh surrendering toWaheguruji as their master.
Bhai Daya Singh and Ude Singh walked in front of the Guru, Mohkam Singh and Sahib Singh on his right, the second batch of baptized Sikhs on his left. His sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh followed with bows and arrows. Then came Bhai Himmat Singh carrying ammunition and matchlocks
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