From: mba2@Rosie.UH.EDU (Puneet_S)
Subject: Re: Long hair and closemindedness (A small correction)
Reply-To: mba2@Rosie.UH.EDU
Organization: University of Houston
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 19:38:41 GMT

In article <1992Oct13.073743.1360@ringer.cs.utsa.edu>, abhandar@ringer.cs.utsa.edu (Anil Bhandari) writes:
>In article <1992Oct12.194355.23510@cbnewsi.cb.att.com> alok@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (alok.vijayvargia) writes:
>>
>>BTW, Manish, you mentioned Sikhs grow 'kesh' as a sign of virility.
>>No they do not grow it as a sign of virility but as part of a tradition.
>>Guru Nanak, the founding father of Sikhism started this tradition of 
>>growing hairs while he was exiled in the forest. Clearly he had no means 
>>to cut his hairs in the forest in those times. He was exiled for speaking 
>>up against Hindu orthodoxy.
>>
>>Incidentally he also kept a knife, a comb, a sword and a bracelet. 
>>Thus started the tradition in Sikhism of keeping these items and growing 
>>hairs after the founder of the religion.
>>
>>Alok
>>
>>
>
>Alok as far as I know the 5 K's were given by Guru Gobind Singh and not
>by Guru Nanak. The 5 K's
>		Kesh , Kanga, Kachha, Kripan, Kada were meant to give the
>sikhs an identity as a group(khalsa) or the "pure ". On a deeper level
>it was to symbolize the sikhs to be both the warrior and a saint.
>From there comes the kesh(long hair.. just like the rishis and munis of
>ancient india) . The kanga is to keep the hair clean and groomed the 
>kaccha symbolizes control over self (various emotions desires etc which both
>a saint and a warrior must have in control) . The kripan is to protect 
> oneself and the weak. The kada is the identity of the group.
>Please let me know if they had other meanings, I would be interested.
>
>Ps. I really liked your article  in which you had discussed the pro's and 
>con's of marrying an indian girl compared to an IA girl giving the example
> of your wife. My feelings are the same but I feel you were very lucky 
>to marry a woman with the sort of qualities as you have described your wife
> to be . 
>
>				BULL1 on irc ..(some one stole my nick:)

Sometime ago I had the 5 K's explained to me.
The 5 K's Kesh, Kanga, Kacha, Kurpan, Kada.   In the beginning when Gurudev
Gobind Singh formed the SIKH philosoply he formed it for the purpose of
producing a society of "warriors".  The problem with war is surprise attacks.
In the day if an army was caught sleeping or off guard it would loose.  
Hence, the Kacha, Kesh, Kanga - By keeping long hair the individual was
provieded with a "helmet" to prevent getting hurt.  Also, if a man did not
shave than he was not caught shaving.  The "breechcloth" is a simple dress
requiring little effort to don and provides extensive mobility.  The 
Kurpan is the ideal killing edge.  The weapon is designed strictly for 
gutting or wrenching out internal (sorry no graphics).  The weapon is
not used for "slashing" or "cutting".  It is meant strictly for stabbing.
The Kada represents the unity of the group but is also a weapon.  If you
notice the Kada is circular steel band with a raised edge.  When the band
is slipped over the wrist into the palm of the hand it can be used as a
very effective weapon (i.e. brass knuckles).  The "SIKHS" as it has 
been explained to me were the best and brightest men.  It was an honor to
be chosen to serve and learn from Gurudev Singh.  This was explained
to me by my cousin, who is the only "Hindu" in the Sikh regiment in
the Indian Army.  Ideologically, by doing the above the army was never
"off-guard". ...... Opinions welcomed.

VCD,  Puneet (D-Poon) 
 
              {:-()  EveryOne's Entitled to your Opinion  ()-:}