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Summary of Question:	I'm Taking Amrit In A Few Weeks ...
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 4/02/2008 3:43 PM MDT

Gur Fateh!

I’ve read through almost all of the posts relating to “Amrit”. I understand there must be hundred upon hundreds of questions asked regularly that have already been asked/answered.

Nonetheless, sometimes it feels more fulfilling to have a response to your particular topic/question.

I’m taking Amrit in a few weeks, and I feel excited, prepared and a bit anxious. A good anxious, like I did on my wedding day.

As far as my Sikh beliefs, I believe and follow the Sikh Reht Marayda of the Akal Thakt that is printed by the SGPC. I do not believe that one of the 5 Kakkar’s is Keski (turban).

My understanding of the Kakkar’s (not just from the Reht but from many other resources) is Kesh, Kirpan, Kanga, Kara and Kachera. I just want to clarify where I stand.

Of course, while none of us will really know what Guru Gobind Singh Ji ‘s original reht was that was orally recited to the first panj pyare, I still feel strong about the Reht as a unifying force.

I’m a female (I’m married at my husband and I are both keshdhari Sikhs) and my husband and I are taking Amrit together. Nonetheless, I don’t know if I’m ready or ever will be ready to keep my head covered all the time. While I think women wearing dastars is a great and a very normal thing, I’m not sure if that is for me.

So of course, I turned to my Reht. It says (and I’m translating this into English now) that a women can choose to wear a turban or not.

I’d like to hear the opinion of a moderator. I’m not asking if I’m wrong or right, or if I’ll “sin” if I do one or the other. I’m using the forum as a platform to help me figure out what is best for my relationship with the Guru and my relationship with Sikhi.

Thanks!
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Reply
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Dear one,

Blessings to you on your Amrit Sanchar. You are totally correct in your understanding of the 5 Kaka's. You will go to your Amrit to marry your Guru and receive the gift of nectar from Wahe Guru. I wish you well and encourage you to accept your Rehit Maryada with an open mind to GROW into a deeper understanding of the specialness of being an Amritdhari or a Khalsa. Let your commitment and understanding grow and be open to the direction and loving guidance of Wahe Guru. The path is one of commitment and example and living in the form of our undying Creator because this is the quintessence of the spiritual human.

The turban was given as part of the Bana of the beloved Punj Piare of the 10th Master.....living in a spiritual dress, as spiritually identified Humans with a cover over their tenth gate (Crown Chakra). You may choose to not cover your head and not wear a turban but that would be observing only part of the elevating technology of the Rehit Maryada. In the same regard the rehit of the Tibetan Lama is to shave their head as part of their bana. You see the Dalai Lama in his Bana and orange robes and you recognize him as a Tibetan Buddhist Monk.

I have noticed the Punjabi origin women who take Amrit and do not cover their head in public or, wear a turban and head covering only occasionally because their family or husband discourages the turban. But, you would not accept that for a Khalsa Man so why would you accept that for a Khalsa woman? To be complete and intact means to dress in your uniform of Khalsa and live with Bana Bani Simran and Seva.

Remember that Guru Gobind Singh taught that Khalsa has no gender. So why would you excuse yourself from the turban because you are a woman?

The turban is the regal royal crown that holds the delicate 28 bones of the skull in balance. Your awareness becomes elevated and your emotionality lessened and the sound bombardment from our surroundings dampened by the covering over the ears. The Turban protects your grace by impacting others to view you as an elevated or spiritually committed being rather than just another woman. The turban keeps your awareness high. The future of our society really does rest on the elevated consciousness of our women today.

Both you and your husband will be marrying the Siri Guru Granth Sahib when you take Amrit. So be open to your rebirth as a Regal Royal Khalsa and nothing less.

Blessings to you,
SK