Part 1
Today marks the first day of the Indian month Savan . Today also marks the Shaheedi of the great saint Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh JI. In the month of Savan, Sri Guru Ji states:
ਸਾਵਣਿ ਸਰਸੀ ਕਾਮਣੀ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਸਿਉ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਰਤਾ ਸਚ ਰੰਗਿ ਇਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥
In the month of Savan those soul brides ( jeev estree) happily attach themselves to Sri Guru Ji holy feet with true love; thus, they take shelter in the one true name, and their mind and body becomes drenched in the divine color of Naam. Surely Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh Ji was such a obedient Sohaganee who had true love for Sri Guru Jis Charan in his heart and surely his mind and body was drenched in the divine colors of Naam.How does such a love develop that one is willing to bear the most gruesome torture for the sake of their beloved and how does one bear true witness to the shakti and divine color of Naam? Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh JI states:
ਜੋ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਸੇਤੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਉਹਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਚਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪਿਆਰ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ
Those who happily follow the Hukums of Sri Guru Ji they get engorssed in true love.
Gurmat Bibek
Bhai Taru SIngh Ji was an obedient Gurmukh of strong Gurmat principles. He always followed Sri Guru Jis Hukums without questioning. He chose death over dishonoring his Kes ( Kes beadbi). When Zakharia Khan threatened to cut Bhai Sahibs Kes , Bhai sahib replied.
ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਬੇਸ਼ਕ ਚਲੀ ਜਾਏ ਪਰ ਮੈਂ ਕੇਸਾਂ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਣ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ
My life will be offered, but I wont allow anyone to dishonor my Kes.
Sri Maan Shaheed Bhai Taru SIngh JI preferred to have his scalp removed instead of his Kes. How is it Bhai Taru Singh Ji had so much value for his Kes to such an extent he chose his Kes over his "own" life? Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh states
ਸਕੇਸ਼ ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਦੇ ਲਹਿਰ ਆਨੰਦ ਦਾ ਅਨਭਵ ਅਭਿਆਸੀ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ , ਅਤੇ ਉਹੀ ਇਸਦੀ ਕਦਰ ਪਛਾਣ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ
Through Amrit Ishaan of the Kes the practicing devotees experiences waves of divine bliss; thus, one begins to gain greater respect for Kes.
-Gurmat Bibek
In regards to valuing Kes Bhai Sahib also states
ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੀ ਕਦਰ ਜਿਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਬਿਬੇਕੀ ਰੂਪੀ ਹੁਕਮ ਦੇ ਕਮਾਵਣ ਦੀ ਪਰਵਾਹ ਹੀ ਨਹੀ
What do they know about respecting Kes if they do not show any concern in respecting the order and principles of washing Kes.
Those people who neglect the Gurmat principle of cleaning and taking care of their Kes can never value God's gift of Kes the same way Bhai Taru Singh Ji did. Kesi Ishnaan is a Gurmat principle mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Rehatnamey , and historical texts.
Sri Guru Ji has mentioned one who regards themselves as a Gursikh will Jaap Naam and do Gurmat Ishnaan .
ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥[/[/b]i]
In his book " Gurmat Bibek" Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh jI mentions Kes is our chief organ without washing Kes then our ishnaan is incomplete. Kesi Ishnaan is a Gurmat principle ( rehat) in fact one cant even do any major seva of without washing Kes first.
ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਦ ਛਕਾਨੇ ਕੀ ਬਿਧੀ , ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਕੋ ਕੇਸੀ ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਕਰਾਵੇ
This is the method of preparing Karah Parshaad. First wash the hair of the Sikhs.
Bhai daya singh ji
By neglecting the duty of Kesi Ishnaan we forfeit the right of performing Sri Guru Jis seva. Bhai Daya Singh Ji also states
ਕੇਸਾਂ ਮਾਤਾ ਕਾ ਸਰੂਪ ਹੈ ਜਹਾਂ ਕੇਸਾਂ ਕਾ ਜਲ ਪੜੇ ਸੋ ਅਸਥਾਨ, ਸਰੀਰ ਈ ਪਵਿਤਰ ਹੋਤਾ ਹੈ
The Kes is the form of the mother ( sacred) wherever water is poured on Kes that place and body becomes pure.
Mother earth becomes purified and prosperous through water likewise our body becomes purified vibrant through Amrit Ishaan ( reciting bani while take a bath).
ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਾਖ ਕੁਮਲਾਵਤੀ ਉਪਜਹਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਦਾਮ ॥
Plants become dry without water and thus they have no value.Likewise our maan becomes dry without the Gurmat principle of Kesi Ishnaan, and the value of Kes gets depreciated.So we are to wash our Kes on a daily basis. In addtion we should apply yogurt or oil at least once a week to keep the kes strong and healthy.
ਏਕ ਪਾਖ ਬੀਤੇ ਹੈ ਜਬਹੀ ਦਹੀਂ ਸੋ ਕੇਸ ਨ੍ਹਾਵੈ ਤਬਹੀ
One the first quarter of the night passes wash your hair with yogurt.
Bhai Desa SIngh JI
Bhai Nand Lal Singh Ji states
ਗੁਰੂ ਕਾ ਸਿਖ ਕੇਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਲਣਾ ਕਰੇ . ਦੋ ਵਕਤ ਕੰਘਾ ਹੋਵੇ , ਧੋਏ ਦਹੀਂ ਨਾਲ, ਮੈਲਾ ਹਥ ਨਾ ਲਾਏ
A Sikh of the Sri Guru Ji should take care of their Kes Twice a day they should comb it. They should wash their Kes with yogurt, and not touch their Kes with dirty hands.
We are to keep our kes clean at all times and we cannot even touch our sacred kes with dirty hands as mentoned by Bhai Nand Lal Singh JI. Bhai Chaupa Singh Ji echoes similar thoughts.
ਕੇਸਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਦਾ ਹਥ ਲਾਏ ਸੋ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ
One who touches their kes with bad ( dirty) hands is an apostate.
Bhai Chaupa Singh Ji also states
1.ਗੁਰੂ ਕੇ ਸਿਖ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਸਿਖ ਅਰਥੀ ਮਿਲੇ , ਹੋਦੇ ਬਲ ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਿਖ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਆਏ ਦੇਵੈ, ਕੇਸੀਂ ਨ੍ਹਵਾਲ, ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਦ ਛਕਾਏ
If one meets a needy Sikh they should according to their means provide them with clothes. In addition they should wash their hair and give them food.
Sri Guru Ji has placed the washing of Kes along with the basic necessities of life, and one who does not support this basic necessity is considered a Kurehiti.
ਘਰ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਦਹੀਂ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੇਸੀ ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਨਾ ਦੇਵੈ ਸੋ ਭੀ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ
If a Sikh does not offer a visiting guest ( lodger) yogurt to wash their hair then they should be summoned.
ਭਾਈ ਚੌਪਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ
In a Sakhi , Sri Guru Ji states
ਦੋ ਵਾਰੀ ਰੋਜ਼ ਕੰਘਾ ਕਰਿਆ ਕਰੋ , ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਹਥ ਪੈਰ ਧੋਇ ਕੇ ਏਕ ਚੁਲਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਸਾਫ਼ ਕਰੋ
ਕੇਸਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਜਲ ਪਾਓ
Twice a day comb your kes with a scented wooden comb. Wash your mouth, hands, feet, and Kes with water.
ਸਾਖੀ ਵਿਜੈ ਸੁਰ
In the olden days , dairy products were more in abundance so Yogurt was used to maintain Kes. Bhai Randhir Singh Ji mentions pure mustard oil is the best means to keep hair strong in addition it provides a good scent for the Kes. Providing good scent for Sri Guru Jis stamp ( Kes ) keeps Kes clean, and is also a Gurmat principle.
ਕੇਸਨ ਧੂਪ ਦੇਇ ਸੁਚ ਪਵਨ ਹੈ , ਇਹ ਗੁਰ ਜੇ ਮੋਹਰ ਸੁਹਾਵਨ
ਭਾਈ ਦੇਸਾ ਸਿੰਘ
Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji also mentions after doing IShnaan one should let kes dry in the fresh air while reciting Gurbani through memory. BHai Chaupa Singh Ji also states we should provide fresh air to our Kes.
ਕੇਸਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਜੀਆ ਪਵਨਿ ਨਾ ਦੇਵੇ ਸੋ ਆਲਸੀ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ
One who does not provide Kes with fresh air is a lazy apostate.
We only expose our Kes in the air to allow the Kes to dry before placing on our dastar. In part two I will discuss the importance of covering our Kes with a dastar. Every Gursikh does Gurmat Ishaan. Some obedient jeev estrees do Gurmat ishnaan seven times a week while others for numerous reasons may only do it once or twice a week. We should not look down on those who do not no Gurmat Ishnaan seven times a week instead we should educate and encourage them on the benefits of following Sri Guru Jis hukum seven times a week. The rehats above proof that both washing and combing our Kes is Sri Guru Jis hukum. In fact, one cannot even gain audience of Sri Guru Ji in Amrit Sanchar without doing kesi ishnaan. This is how important Kesi ishnaan is to Sri Guru JI. .
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥