Introduction
The essential five external
Sikh-Symbols (5 Ks) are a unique gift to a Sikh from the Great Guru Gobind Singh Sahib and
a baptised Amrit-Dhari Sikh should, under no circumstances, willingly part company with
any of them. Among four prohibitions (Kureht) removal of Kesh (hair) is the most
significant. To keep hair intact is the first and the foremost duty of a Sikh. The Guru
gave paramount importance to Kesh as is apparent from the fact that in the sweet memory of
First Sikh Amrit (Baptism) Ceremony of Five Beloved Ones, the relevant place at Anandpur
Sahib was named Kesh-Garh.
The Sikh Panth are proud of
one of their great sons, Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee, who lived a life of a true
Gursikh and suffered every hardship in the true sense of a determined and completely
dedicated Sikh of modern times in treading the path shown by the Gurus. He sang Akhand
Kirtan and loved Gurbani from the inner depths of his heart. His viewpoint on the basic
and fundamental question of Kesh (uncut hair) is best described in the dialogue between
him (Bhai Sahib) and the prison Superintendent at Nagpur Prison, where he spent 7 ½ years
out of his life-imprisonment because he had taken active part in the National Freedom
Movement during the first quarter of the 20th century. The dialogue makes an interesting
reading strictly from religious point of view. It reveals the deep faith Bhai Sahib held
and sustained in the supreme Will of the Karta Purkh (God, the Creator) and the acceptance
of God’s gift of Kesh, without meddling with it in any form.
What I have done in this
respect, is an attempt to translate in English Bhai Sahib's writing on the subject from
his book entitled "Letters from Prison", I have every hope that our younger
Sikhs will, by reading through this, further strengthen their faith in one of the most
prominent symbols of Sikh Dharma. This brochure is being printed with the concurrence of
the Central Office of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha.
Kirpal Singh M.A.
Kent, UK
7th September 1979 |
