Why do Sikhs wear a turban? Also why are they not allowed to remove it in public?
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I would like to share my understanding/reasoning
Sikhi has two aspects:
1. Peeri : Spiritual Aspects >>First 5 Gurus worked on this>> SGGS is our spiritual guide today!
2. Meeri : Social Aspects >>Last 5 Human Gurus worked on this>> Established Khalsa (for social integration, security, and prosperity) and 5 Pyaare are our social guru/guide! (Guru Gobind Singh became Chella of 5 pyaare and gave them the authority to make decisions, except 4 Bajjar kurahaits, also established 5 takhats for them).
Important Note: The objective of establishing Khalsa was aimed at building a society that is liveable, secure, and prosperous so that spiritualism can flourish without many social hurdles.
Also, note that since Khalsa is a social concept, 5Ks of Khalsa is linked with the same. 5Ks are not directly related to Spiritualism, which most Sikhs believe in, unfortunately.
Now about the TURBAN
Turban doesn’t belong to Sikhism, It belongs to culture. It is the Symbolic of RESPONSIBILITY.
Even before the inception of Sikhism, before Guru Nanak, honorable and responsible persons of society used to wear Turban. Those honorable persons were responsible for resolving disputes and maintaining harmony among a group of people and also were responsible for leading the group. They were called Sardar of that group. (NOTE that the term Sardar existed before Guru Gobind Singh ji as he said “tin hi ko sardar banau, tabai gobind singh naam kahau”)
Turban was a dress code, just like police and Judges have. People can identify them and allow them to intervene in their issues.
At a higher level, members of the kingdom also used to wear Turban. Brahmins, Rajputs, and honorable Hindus also used to wear turbans. Hindus have stopped wearing Turbans within the last 2-3 generations only. You see the pics of Lala Lajpat Rai, Sir Ganga Ram, Vivekananda, Founder of MDH, and so many other leaders. Manu Hindus (Brahmins mainly) wear turban now also. Just google “Brahmins in Turban”
Now you see, Hindus still wear Turbans in their marriages. “Pagri di rasam” is the custom where upon the death of a senior-most male in house Turban tieing is done to the living most senior male after him in house. Again, as a symbolic of Responsible and honorable member. This means, in cases of conflicts and disputes, his decision will be followed by everyone.
BUT lower classes of society like SC/ST never had the right to wear a turban. They were not respected and had never enjoy the honor.
Guru Gobind Singh has given honor and responsibility to Khalsa irrespective of their caste, rather based on principles. By giving everyone Turban and the knowledge, he had created many leaders who can and who have the guts to speak up and act against injustice. That is the essence of Khalsa.
Another important point:
When Sardars were created, who would obviously wear a turban, there exists a loophole!!! To understand that loophole, just imagine what if Sikhs wear turban for respect for social honor only, and run away from their responsibility in testing times just by removing turban? What if they remove their turban and become ordinary persons in order to execute their malicious plans.
(Just taking Amrit doesn’t mean people will become free of malicious thoughts, but the identity they are carrying strongly discourages them)
Therefore, Kesh was made compulsory by Guru Gobind Singh ji to enforce turban all the time and to ensure Khalsa doesn’t become opportunistic. Khalsa behaves responsibly all the time irrespective of whether the circumstances are favorable or unfavorable.
Otherwise, Kesh has no significance spiritually, It is significant only for social reasons.
See what SGGS say about it VERY CLEARLY
ਕਬੀਰ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਇਕ ਸਿਉ ਕੀਏ ਆਨ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਜਾਇ ॥ਭਾਵੈ ਲਾਂਬੇ ਕੇਸ ਕਰੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਘਰਰਿ ਮੁਡਾਇ ॥੨੫॥
Veer jio kindly site some Gurbani Tukkan in promotion of Miri please. Also please site any examples of Guru Sahiban having established Miri anywhere during their lifetime.
Gurbani is only for spiritual aspects, not for social aspects. Society and social problems always keep changing, so 5 Pyaare were given the responsibility to assess the problem and guide us time to time.
Gurbani doesn’t have any reference to Khalsa, Amrit (only Naam is Amrit spiritually), doesn’t have any reference which suggests keeping Hair, or any of the 5Ks.
Please do note that, first 5 guru sahiban has worked on spiritual aspects and have a major contribution to SGGS. Adi granth was prepared and established at Darbar Sahib (which was created as a spiritual centre).
Then after the martyrdom of Guru Arjan ji, Guru Hargobind ji marked the beginning of Miri. As history/literature suggests Guru Hargobind ji coind the term Miri-Piri. Does any of last 5 gurus have any contribution to SGGS?
No, Right !!
Guru Teg Bahadur Ji has a very little contribution, that too because Guru Gobind Singh ji had to re-write the Granth, because of not having the access to Adi Granth.
Just like piri is established with SGGS / Adi granth and Darbar Sahib.
Miri was established by the creation of Khalsa. 5 pyaare and 5 takhats for them.
5 pyaare are meant to lead Khalsa on Social/political matters.Guru Gobind Singh ji actually transferred the rights of decision making to 5 pyaare by taking Amrit from them. Which means 5 pyaare are the Guru / Leader of Khalsa, but at the same time Guru Gobind Singh ji said Guru Manyo Granth.
So, Sikhs have 2 gurus:
1. SGGS – Spiritual Guru
2. 5 Pyaare – Social / Panthic Gurus/Leaders.
Thank you for asking this very pertinent question.
This question is not directly covered in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Your question is like asking, why do kings wear a crown?
Turban, traditionally has been the dress of the individuals in honored positions.
Sikhs wear it with pride to declare their faith in Sikhi.
Most important is to learn the true Sikhi values and proudly display that you hold these values.
Second part of your question is why are they not allowed to remove their turban in Public.
Once again, it is not that they are not allowed to take off their turban in Public, it is that they chose not to take of their turban in Public. It is in Public that Sikhs declare their faith and values they live by.
Exceptions of Sikhs taking off their turban are when they freed captured Hindu ladies, who were unclothed by the Ahmad Shah Abdali when taking them to Afghanistan. Sikhs took off their turban to clad the unclothed ladies, freed them, and safely returned them to their homes. There are other such example of Sikh taking off their turban and using it as bandage to stop bleeding, using it as a rope for drowning to save someone’s life.