Sikh culture, Sikh way of life, Sikh code of conduct is unique among the world of religions. One who lives one’s life in accordance with Sikh philosophy is an ideal Sikh and an ideal human being. The routine of such a person should also be unique one. This essay mentions a part of the routine of a Sikh.
A Sikh’s routine begins with early rising. A Sikh should leave his bed as early as possible. It does not mean that a Sikh should get up at 2 A.M., have shower, meditate upon His Name (and again go to bed again). Early rising is not a mechanical activity. The concept of early rising means that one should not be lazy. One should remain in bed till one is not free from fatigue or slumber:
He who calls himself a Sikh of the Great True Guru (Satguru)
Should rise early and meditate upon His Name
He should make efforts, early in the morning
Take shower and have ablution in the tank of Word (Amritsar)
By repeating the Name of the Almighty under Guru’s instructions. (p. 305-06)
O Baba ! the pleasure of other rest is pernicious
By such sleep the body suffers and evil thoughts over ride the soul. (p. 17)
A Sikh must be careful about his diet. A Sikh should avoid such a diet, which creates unnecessary energy or arouses erotic feelings. One must not eat because of its taste or enjoyment. It does not mean that any particular food is prohibited for a Sikh. A Sikh, however, must not eat Halal (meat), otherwise there is no prohibition on eating any thing at all. Generally, a Sikh should avoid a diet, which leads him to sinful activities:
All eating and drinking are pure
The Almighty has given substance to every one. (p. 472).
But:
O Baba ! ruinous is the happiness of eating such food
By eating which the body suffers and evil thoughts over ride the soul. (p. 16).
and
They break the worldly bonds and live on paltry corn and water. (p. 467).
Every religion teaches that a man eats for one’s survival and does not live to eat. In spite of understanding this principle, most of the people choose to eat tasty, delicious, spicy, crispy, piquant, hard, flavoury, saucy, peppery, high-seasoned, savoury, vigour-giving food. Much of this type of food gives unnecessary energy, which leads to diseases, as well as erotic or aggressive feelings in a man. Guru Sahib stress simple diet for a Sikh. Guru Sahib don’t call simple food as a foolproof safety from diseases and carnal appetite but it certainly helps in checking the excessive trend of lust.
In Sikh ethics, there are references to the dress that is best suitable for a Sikh:
O Baba ! the happiness of other raiment is ruinous
By wearing which body suffers
and wickedness takes possession of the soul. (p. 16).
A Sikh should avoid a dress, which arouses carnal feelings in the wearer or those who watch her/him. Though a Sikh has an obligation to wear a Kachhehra (Sikh shorts) and turban and there is no restriction on wearing any other dress but there are reference in Sikh literature with regard to a dress code. If a dress provokes others to tease a female then it is un-Sikh like for that female. If wearing a dress arouses carnal urge in a man, it is unethical for the wearer.
All the countries and cultures have their specific dresses. In the Western world skirt, trousers, knickers, boxer shorts, petticoats, blouses etc. are a part of their culture. In Islamic world big and loose Salwar (trousers) as well as Purdah (veil) are a must. Among the Hindus Sari and Choli (Hindu blouse) is a national dress. Similarly, the Sikh women wear Salwaar-Kameez. If one analyses dress patterns of the West, one will find that the dress of a Western female is also symbolic of women’s slavery. Man invented skirt because it exposes woman’s body. Man might have chosen such a dress for exhibition of erotic parts of a woman. Man’s lust to see naked body of a woman is petty same in the East and West. And women, probably unknowingly, accepted it as a code. Similarly, pants (especially tight pants and jeans) too, are meant for exhibition of body. Among Hindus Choli and Sari too seem to be a result of man’s desire to watch the naked body of a woman. It seems that Salwaar-Kameez is the best dress for a woman. Not only the dress but the designs and colours of a dress too play a role in arousing carnal passions in the lookers-on. Men usually don’t tease or chase a woman in simple dress.
Now a question arises whether Sikh females don’t have a right to look nice and pretty? In Sikhism, piercing nose, ear or any other part of body for wearing ornaments is forbidden. But there is no prohibition or restriction on wearing ornaments without piercing a part of body. Sikhism, however, makes it clear that a woman may wear good clothes, ornaments or flowers (bracelets etc.) in order to please her husband. Sikhism does not allow exhibition of female body for any purpose (hence, beauty contests are against Sikh fundamentals). Even Islam or Hinduism don’t allow beauty contests. According to Sikhism (and Hinduism and Islam) a prostitute decorates her body for others (customers) whereas a wife decorates or beautifies herself to attract and please her husband. Dressing pattern of a prostitute is different from that of a housewife. There are several references in Gurbani (Sikh hymns) referring a woman’s attempt to look pretty and attractive to make her husband love her, appreciate her and be attracted towards her. Sikhism does not negate a man-woman relationship including sexual attraction and pleasure.
In so-called modern society, moral values are at its lowest ebb. Prostitution, extramarital relations, adultery, carnal pleasure etc. have reached its apex. Men are dissatisfied with their wives and women enjoy having affairs with such men. Besides, exhibition of body has become a fashion and a craze among women. Moral values are of no importance to such people. This phenomenon has reached such a stage that this type of women don’t like to remain well-dressed or presentable in the presence of their husbands when they are at home but like to look fascinating, sexy, beautiful damsel and even erotic in the presence of other men. Sikhism forbids such sinful exhibition of a female body. A Sikh female, however, has not to live under veil nor is she supposed to look shabby in public. But, she must wear such a dress, which does not invite a man to tease her or consider her as a sexy model.
Not only women but men also should be careful about their lives. A Sikh male should not wear such a dress, which arouses erotic sensation in him or on the onlookers. Earlier, Sikh men and women used to visit Gurdwaras in simple, usually white or light shaded dresses. But nowadays people visit Gurdwaras in gaudy, fashionable arousing dresses.
People with lower intelligent quotient or unstable mind become slaves of fashion very soon but intelligent people can distinguish between nice and nonsense.
Should Sikhs have some sort of entertainment too? If yes, what should be the “entertainment” of a Sikh? Is there any prohibition whether a Sikh can’t play, dance, sing or laugh? Sikhism does not prohibit any sensible hobby, entertainment, pleasure or enjoyment. Guru Sahib has said, “One can achieve liberation while laughing, playing, wearing, eating as well.”
Dancing and leaping are mind’s yearnings
Nanak, those who have God’s fear in their mind have real joy. (p. 465)
and
While laughing, playing, dressing, eating
One gets emancipated/self-realised. (p. 522).
But we must understand that Guru Sahib has put wearing and eating secondary and inferior to laughing and playing. We wear our clothes to cover our body but laughing and playing (i.e. entertainment) is done for pleasure or for relaxation of mind. A Sikh, thus is not prohibited to have sensible entertainment but it does not mean that one should defile one’s mind by watching erotic movies, listening or watching vulgar songs, plays, dances and such other things and activities. In Sikhism, music has not been rejected but even music has certain guidelines. For example, when we enjoy Keertan (singing of hymns) our main love should be the thought in the hymns and not the sounds of instrument or the Ragas. Classical singing has its value but it should be secondary and not primary. Today, good CDs, cassettes on one hand and expensive musicians on the other hand, have changed the purpose of singing of hymns. Hymn singing is meant to immerse oneself, through music of Word, into the Almighty but nowadays one is lost into voluptuous intoxication through music only and the “Word” is missing from it. It can be classified as mere entertainment minus spiritualism.
The Sikh way of life does not teach one to give up all the wealth and comfort one has achieved through hard labour. But a Sikh can not become Malik Bhago. He has to live the life of Bhai Lalo. Bhai Lalo is a symbol of honest earning, sharing with others and meditation, and, Malik Bhago is a symbol of injustice, parasitism and encroachment upon others rights. Sikhism does not forbid earning wealth and having a lot of income and property but this prosperity should not have been achieved through dishonesty, corruption, cheating, usurpation of others’ rights and other evil means. Wealth, however, is ephemeral, it is a short-lived phenomenon, and rather it has always created problems in this world:
For this wealth many are ruined and it has disgraced many.
Without misdeeds it is not amassed
It does not accompany a man at the time of death.(p. 417).
A Sikh should live simple life. He should earn earnestly and share his fortune with the others:
He, who eats what he earns honestly
And from his earnings shares something (with others)
He alone, O Nanak ! knows the true way of life. (p. 1245).
A man is a slave of desires. There is no end to desires till man is not dead. Desires lead to more desires and there is never a break. One who achieves an easygoing life, comfort and prosperity always desires for more and more:
The caving of even the great kings and the big landlords is never quenched. (p.672).
Without contentment no one is sated. (p. 279).
One who earns a thousand, runs after a lakh (one hundred thousand)
One does never get satisfied in pursuit of wealth. (p. 279).
Man’s mind never forsakes the thought of wealth
One goes on craving for more and more with every breath. (p. 1093).
A Sikh should earn as much wealth as he needs for an easy life. One should be rich at heart and not in dress or exhibition.
These basic virtues, if achieved, make a Sikh superman. Sikhism is Truthful life. If one lives as per the teachings of Guru Sahib then it is Truthful life, otherwise wearing of five K’s (articles of Sikh faith), reciting hymns, visit to a Gurdwara will be condemned as mere ritual (Brahmin-like spiritualism).
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)