The Five K's

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the last Guru of the Sikhs in human form. He created the Khalsa, a spiritual brotherhood and sisterhood devoted to purity of thought and action. He gave the Khalsa a distinctive external form to remind them of their commitment, and to help them maintain an elevated state of consciousness. Every Sikh baptized as Khalsa vows to wear the "Five K's".

Kesh - uncut hair and beard, as given by God, to sustain him or her in higher consciousness; and a turban, the crown of spirituality.

Kangha - a wooden comb to properly groom the hair as a symbol of cleanliness. Just as the kangha removes broken hairs and cleans the hair physically, it is also spiritually questioning the individual as to how many good and bad deeds have been committed during the day. Just as clean hair is attached to your head so are your good deeds. Similarly, as broken hairs are removed by your kangha, your vices should be removed in the same way. The hairs removed by the kangha are not to be thrown in a dirty place or on the floor. They are to be kept in a clean and dry place/container and when enough hair has gathered they are to be burnt.

Katchera - specially made loose underwear as a reminder of the commitment to purity and is a sign of sexual restraint.

Kara - a pure iron bracelet, worn on the wrist, signifying bondage to Truth and freedom from every other entanglement. The Kara is like a handcuff placed by the Guru upon the individual to remind us of our duty to God, stopping us from committing sins. According to scientific research, the Kara adds to the iron levels in the body by rubbing on the skin.

The Kara teaches us that these arms belong to Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji - with which we are not to steal, con, commit forgery, oppress, bully, persecute, sin or murder. Gambling and playing cards and gambling are not permitted. With these hands we should earn an honest living and share its benefits. In addition, your hands should serve your community and the Khalsa nation. The Kara is a precious gift bestowed upon us for life by Guru Sahib, which cannot be separated from the body. The Kara is circular, having no beginning and no end. Similarly, Vaheguru has no beginning or end and the Kara reminds us of this.

Kirpan - the sword, with which the Khalsa is committed to righteously defend the fine line of the Truth. The Kirpan is there to protect the poor and for self-defence. With patience and mercy, the Kirpan is to be used as a sword in order to destroy oppression. The Kirpan is to always be in a gatra and never to be removed from the body. The Kirpan protects us from hidden and seen enemies. The Kirpan is a weapon to protect the whole body, as a minimum it should be nine inches in length.

Khalsa also vows to refrain from any sexual relationships outside of marriage, and refrains from eating meat, tobacco, alcohol, and all other intoxicants.