Lehal Library

From Lhe Pacifist Sikh to the Militant Khalsa 81 symbolized a rebinh, by which the initiated were considered as having renounced their previous occupations (krit ruis) for that of soldiering; of having severed their family ties (kul niis) to become the family of Gobind; of having rejected their earlier creeds (dharma niis) for the creed of the Khalsa; of having given up all ritual (karm nas) save that sanctioned by the Sikh faith. Five emblems were prescribed for the Khalsa. ~y were to wear their hair and beard unshorn (kes); they were to carry a comb (kanghli) in the hair to keep it tidy; they were always to wear a knee-length pair of breeches (/tack), worn by soldiers of the times; they were to carry a steel bracelet (karii) on their right wrist; and they were to be ever armed with a sabre (kirpan). 16 In addition to these five emblems, the converts were to observe four rules of conduct (rah.at): not to cut any hair on any pan of their body (this was a repetition of the oath regarding the Ju,s); not to smoke, chew tobacco, or consume alcoholic drinks; not to eat an animal which had been slaughtered by being bled to death, as was rustoman· with the Muslims, but only jluifka meat, where the animal had been despatched with one blow; and not to molest the person of Muslim women. 17 At the end of the oath~aking the Guru hailed the converts with a new form of greeting: Val, guru Ji kii !Jliilsii Viih guru , - Iii Ja1,h Thee- Khalsa are the chosen of God Victorv be to our God. Having injtiated the five Sikhs, Gobind asked them to baptize 16 Since Lher all begin with the letter •k' Lhe)· are kno\\11 ns Lhe five liakii.f, lhe letter in Lhc Gunnukru alphabeL corresponding co k. The Rnlint11iimiis do not prescribe lhe five lwltiis or lhe mhats with anvthing like Lht' precision wilh. which Sikh historians have now begun to hsL them. TI1ese were ob,iously cl)·sialli~ed into a code at a !mer dale. 17 Al the lime when the Sikhs were fighling Muslims, the Gums outlawed retaliation against women This raluu was subsequemlv widened to forhid carnal knowledge of any woman other than one's wife.