Monday, 19 December 2016

Bhai Kulbir Singh Canada - Straight Talk about Clothes We Wear!!


Author: Bhai Kulbir Singh Canada
Taken from: http://www.gurmatbibek.com/contents.php?id=6163



Ones who wear Revealing Clothes
In olden days, there used to be a very fine silk material manufactured in Dhaka (now in Bangladesh). It used to be so thin and fine that it used to fit in a box as small as a matchbox. Once Aurangzeb noticed that his daughter was wearing very transparent clothes. He was very upset at her for not wearing proper clothes. At this she said to her father that she was wearing 7 layers of clothes but despite that her body was revealed through them. The disease of exposing their bodies in youth is not a new one. It was also prevalent even in olden days due to which Guru Sahib jee has written this Salok in Gurbani:

ਵਾਊ ਸੰਦੇ ਕਪੜੇ ਪਹਿਰਹਿ ਗਰਬਿ ਗਵਾਰ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਲਿ ਨ ਚਲਨੀ ਜਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਹੋਏ ਛਾਰੁ॥2॥
 (ਮ:5॥ ਪੰਨਾ 318)


Guru Sahib jee has declared that such thin clothes like air are worn by stupid people who are proud of their transient bodies. They think that their bodies are beautiful but they forget that their bodies will perish one day. Just like a flower with time loses its beauty and becomes dry, this body too after hitting the peak in youth, starts its journey towards getting perished. So why be proud of this body which is so fragile.

A Gursikh, whether male or female, wears such clothes that are suitable for the son or daughter of Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee and the most suitable dress for a Gursikh is Gurmukhi Baana. A Gursikh who wears Gurmukhi Baana, all the time, gets special Kirpa from Guru Sahib jee. Guru Sahib jee provides such Gursikhs special protection because Guru Sahib jee keeps “Birad Baane dee Laaj” i.e. He keeps the honour of His Baana.

Now a days, Gursikhs wear such clothes that are totally unsuitable and inappropriate for them to wear, considering that they are ambassadors of Gursikhi wherever they go. To dress up like Manmukhs and exposing body like them, is totally contrary to Gursikhi and as per the Salok of Siri Guru Arjun Dev jee quoted above, such people are definitely stupid and full of false pride.

Sikh males build their bodies, which is a good thing to do but to show off their body by wearing tight clothes is against Gurmat. Same way, for our daughters and sisters to wear revealing clothes like tight pants and tops, or flashy suits just shows how ignorant they are about Gurmat. Why would a daughter of Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee wear such clothes that reveal her body? A Gursikh’s treasure is Gurmat Naam and Gurmat Shubh Gunn (Gurmukh qualities) and not superficial things like body or flashy clothes.

One should think objectively tha if a person gets attracted towards one because of one's outer looks or flashy clothes, then what will happen when this body is no longer in the spring but hits autumn? Such persons who are attracted to you for your looks will not stay always faithful. Such is the way in this dark age of Kaljug that men and women seriously lack good qualities, therefore to attract others, especially the opposite sex, they show off their bodies. This is the height of Kaljug to use Kaam to attract the members of opposite sex.

May Guru Sahib jee do Kirpa and bless His Khalsa with Gurmukhi Baana and such wisdom to avoid wearing Manmukhi clothes.

Kulbir Singh
xkulbirsingh@outlook.com

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Sikh Weddings Vs. Punjabi Weddings: A Gurmat Pespective

A must watch video of Bhai Manvir Singh Khalsa explaining difference between Sikh and Punjabi wedding.



Thursday, 4 August 2016

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Bhai Manvir Singh U.K. - Modern day Punjabi Marriage Ritual Exposed

Article taken from the blog of Bhai Manvir Singh:
http://manvirsingh.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/a-mix-pot-sikh-wedding-modern-day.html

A mix pot "Sikh" wedding: The modern day Punjabi wedding...

What is nowadays labelled as ‘Sikh’ wedding by Punjabis,  in reality are a mix of Hindu, Islamic, Christian and Punjabi traditions. Most people unbeknown to them follow these rituals in good faith and enjoy them thinking they are part and parcel of Sikhi. However, it is usually the case that these rituals and customs are contrary to Sikhi and therefore defeat the objective of having an Anand Karaj, which is to receive the blessings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Due to a lack of knowledge and awareness about what a ‘Sikh’ wedding in reality should be, most people carry on following popular culture.


6 non-Sikh traditions that people think are part of "Sikh" weddings

(1) Rangoli/ Maaeeyaa (Hinduism)
Rangoli is an ancient Hindu form of drawing for special festivities. It is meant to welcome the Hindu deities into the home for blessings and is an offering of good luck. Before weddings take place, a Rangoli design is made on the floor, which consists of repeating patterns of flowers and geometric shapes made of flour and colour. In this pre-wedding ritual, the bride or groom sits on a stool before the Rangoli pattern and has a a turmeric paste applied to them. This Hindu ritual is meant to make their minds and bodies pure before the marriage ceremony. It is also used to lighten and beautify the skin.

Note: A Sikh would want to invite Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to their home, rather than a deity or goddess. There is no such thing as good luck. Good actions lead to lead good results. Reciting and singing Gurbani brings blessings. One is beautified according to Gurmat by singing Vahiguru's Praises and living in accordance to the Guru's Teachings.


(2) Mehndi Ceremony (Islamic)
Dyeing the hands and feet with henna is something mustahabb (encouraged) for women in Islam, unlike for men. A number of Hadiths indicate that it is highly encouraged. Abu Dawood (4166) narrates, "A woman gestured from behind a screen, with a letter to the Prophet Muhammad in her hand. Prophet Muhammad withdrew his hand and said: “I do not know whether it is the hand of a man or a woman.” She said: It is a woman. He said: “If you were a woman, you would have changed your nails,” meaning, with henna. It is part of the Muslim tradition (Sunnah) for women to dye their hands with henna as instructed by Prophet Muhammad to be differentiated from men.

Note: A Sikh wears that which pleases the Guru, not another religion's respected prophets. The Guru is pleased with a Sikh wearing the Panj Kakkaar.


(3) Sehra (Hindu/Mughal)
A Sehra is decorative veil worn by a groom that originates from Northern India from Vedic times. It consists of an embroidered rectangular piece with strings that make up the veil. The stringed veil can be either made of flowers or beads. The Sehra is tied over the groom’s turban. Alternatively the groom’s turban can have the Sehra stitched into it. First, it covers the face of the groom like a veil and protects him from "Nazar" or the "evil eye." Second, it reminds the groom that the search for a life partner is over and a veil across the face indicates he should not look any other lady. Although it originates from Hindu culture, amongst Muslims the Sehra has been patronised and adopted into Islamic culture since the Mughal era where kings wore elaborate looking head gears encrusted with precious pearls and stones during their weddings. In fact, the word ‘Sehra’ literally means a poem sung during a ‘nikah', Muslim wedding ceremony.

Note: Gurbani does not believe in the 'evil eye' concept', and says reciting Vahiguru's Name rids one any perceived evil eyes or bad luck. Secondly, a Sikh lives by the principal of seeing every other woman as his daughter, sister or mother. Throughout Sikh history Sikh's have been known for their high moral character, and this was without the help or reminder of a Sehra or face veil.


(4) Jai Mala (Hindu)
The Var Mala ceremony is known as Jaimala also. The reference of this ritual is found in Vedic literature. In ancient times (during Vedic age), the kings used to arrange the system of selection of the groom by their daughters. They used to invite the son of kings (raaj-kumars) of the friendly states, a grand ceremony was arranged and the girl (or bride) was given the opportunity to select the groom of her choice. In this system, she was free to put the garlands in the neck of her groom of choice. The same concept is followed in modern times too, but with the changes that there is only one bride and groom.

Note: A Sikh couple's union in Gurmat is bound by Gurbani and blessings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji when one bows before the Guru and walks around the Guru to indicate the Guru is the centre of their lives. A Sikh's union is not made with garlands or necklaces, but bound by the Guru.


(5) Ring Ceremony (Christian)
Early Christian marriages had a ritual to wear the wedding ring in the third finger. As the priest recited during the binding, "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, he would take the ring and touch the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger; then, while uttering “Amen”, he would place the ring on the ring finger, which sealed the marriage. Nowadays, it is worn on the fourth finger. The church considers it as a symbol of love and faithfulness. It stands for the promise made between a man and a woman that binds them for eternity in love.

Note: A Sikh wears no symbol of any other religion or belief. A Sikh wears the Panj Kakkaar as their jewellery and symbol of commitment to the Guru.


(6) Throwing of Rice (Hindu/Christian)
In Hinduism as the bride steps out of her parent’s house to be a part of her husband’s family, she pauses at the doorstep to throw handful of coins and rice back over her head thrice. Throwing rice and or money, is a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi (the Hindu Goddess of prosperity and wealth). The bride wishes that her parent’s house always remain prosperous. Coins signify wealth, whereas rice is a symbol of health. This ritual also symbolises that the bride has repaid her parents for her upbringing and for everything they have bestowed on her.  In Christianity, the rice throwing tradition at weddings originates from Paganism. Throwing of rice in marriage ceremony is the same as throwing salt over ones shoulder. It's casting a spell for good luck and a blessing for fertility. In Christianity it was re-interpreted as a reminder to the couple that the primary purpose in marriage is to create a family that will serve and honour the Lord. Therefore, guests symbolically throw rice as a gesture of blessing for the spiritual and physical fruitfulness of the marriage.
Note: According to Gurmat as one acts, he reaps. To throw rice as a blessing is not Gurmat. To wish someone well and give blessings in Sikhi is through reciting Gurbani and doing Simran.

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Dera Maryada Vs. Akal Takht Maryada

Views of respected Gursikhs. A must watch.

Gyani Sant Singh Maskeen Ji



Baba Ranjit Singh Dhandrianwale Ji



Bhai Jagraj Singh Ji of Basics of Sikhi