Quick Lesson in Sikhi : The Four Taboos

The under mentioned four practices are taboos for a Sikh. These must be avoided.

1. Dishonoring the hair;
2. Eating the Kutha (meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way);
3. Cohabiting with a person other than one’s spouse;
4. Using tobacco in any form and other intoxicants such as alcohol or any other drug.

Quick Lesson in Sikhi : Five K’s

These are the five symbols, all beginning with the letter ‘K’ and hence are called ‘Kakars’. These are carried by a baptized Sikh, after the Amrit Ceremony. ‘Kesh’ and ‘Karha’ are supposed to be worn by all the Sikhs, whether baptized or not-baptized.

Kesh ---- Unshorn hair ------ Acceptance
Kangha ---- Comb ----- Cleanliness
Karha ---- Steel bracelet ----- No superstitions
Kachhaira ---- Shorts ----- Character
Kirpan ---- Sword ----- Bravery

Quick Lesson in Sikhi : Five Takhats (Temporal Seats)

Takhat means a throne or a royal seat. It symbolizes a seat of authority, both temporal as well as spiritual. Among these, Sri Akal Takhat Sahib at Amritsar , is the central seat of the Sikh Path. The issues concerning the entire community are debated here and resolutions are passed, with the consent of whole Panth.

Sri Akal Takhat Sahib ------ Amritsar , Punjab
Sri Keshgarh Sahib ------- Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
Sri Harmandir Sahib ------- Patna , Bihar
Sri Hazur Sahib ----------- Nander, Maharastra
Sri Damdama Sahib -------- Sabo ki Talwandi, Punjab

Quick Lesson in Sikhi : Four Great Sons

These are the great sons of tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji. The two elder ones attained martyrdom at ‘Chamkaur Sahib’ while fighting against the Mughals and the two younger ones were bricked alive at ‘Sirhand’ in December 1705 AD. They gave their lives for freedom of the faith and values. They are remembered for their bravery, courage and fearlessness. Their names signify some special qualities of the Sikhs.

Baba Ajit Singh -----------Invincible
Baba Jujhar Singh ------- Struggling
Baba Joravar Singh ------ Powerful
Baba Fateh Singh --------Victorious

Quick Lesson in Sikhi : Five Beloved Ones

They were so designated by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, after the historic event of ‘Expose of Khalsa’ at Anandpur Sahib on the Baisakhi day, 1699 AD. They were first five to receive the Sikh baptism (Khande di Pahul) from the tenth Master. The name of these ‘Panj Piaras’ depict an important virtue, a human should have.

Bhai Daya Singh -------- Compassion
Bhai Dharam singh ------ Righteousness
Bhai Himmat Singh ------ Courage
Bhai Mohkam Singh ------ Balanced life
Bhai Sahib Singh --------- Mastery

Quick Lesson in Sikhi : Ten Gurus

Ten Gurus

There are ten Gurus of the Sikhs. A Sikh regards all Gurus as the effulgence of one light and single entity. After the tenth Guru, the Guruship is vested in Guru Granth and Guru Panth. Below are the names of the ten Gurus with one of their chief virtues.

Guru Nanak ---------- 1469-1539 ----- Humility
Guru Angad ---------- 1504-1552 ------ Obeying Hukam
Guru Amardas ------- 1479-1574 ------ Service
Guru Ramdas --------- 1534-1581 ------ Kindness
Guru Arjun ----------- 1563-1606 ------Accepting God’s Will
Guru Har Gobind ------ 1595-1644 ------Miri-Piri (Saint-Soldier)
Guru Har Rai ---------- 1630-1661 ----- Respect for Gurbani
Guru Har Krishan ------ 1656-1664 ---- Caring the sick
Guru Teg Bahadur ----- 1621-1675 ---- Fearlessness
Guru Gobind Singh ----- 1666-1708 ---- Endurance

Life and Death

Life, as a whole is a cycle. It starts from birth and ends with death. It is a known phenomenon. As long as, anything is in process, you cannot judge its impact. As long as a performer is performing on the stage, you cannot judge the show. You cannot judge the success or failure of the show. In the same way, as long as you are living...no one can actually evaluate your life. It is only after the death that one can feel the impact of your life...cry for you, feel proud of you and remember you in a certain way.

So, in short...we should do things in our life...in the best possible way that we can. Live our life in a way that no one else would have can lived and then leave the stage.