Saturday 31 August 2013

Punjabi Turban In Sikh Theology

By Kate McMahon


Dastaar, which is the name ascribed to the Sikh or Punjabi turban, is a symbol of faith that for long has been a mandatory mark of Sikhism. It may not be regarded as plain cultural paraphernalia. Rather, when a male or female Sikh faithful dons the head-dress, it ceases from being simply a clothing piece, but in contrast gaining unison with the head of the Sikh. Such a head wrap just as other faith symbols worn by these faithful have a deep as well as temporal meaning to the followers.

There in fact exist, multiple symbolic meaning ascribed to wearing of the hair clothing. These range through expressing self-respect, dedication, courage, piety and sovereignty. The reason however why all faithful practitioners of Sikhism put on the head dress is essentially as a mark of respect, love and devotion according to the standards set forth by their founding fathers.

Turbans are vital in many different religions as well as diverse cultures everywhere around the world. They are essential right from ancients Babylonian practices of faith all through present-day Christianity, Judaism plus Islam, together with some other eastern religions. Stringent instructions got relayed to faithful followers during the early practices relating to Judaism, with regards to undergarments worn when approaching the Consecrated grounds.

Need for putting on the head gear is indicated in various Old Testament scriptures. Moses for one is reported as having worn the turban along with a symbol for holy dedication on it. Punjabis have in particular worn the unique head dress beginning way back in time. The practice once in fact was so important that the piece of head gear might only have been worn by high-standing persons within society, like royalty.

Two persons would trade turbans as a mark of lasting friendship one towards another. By when SIkhism was founded, most individuals within India and today even, comprised lower castes, mostly composed of laborers, peasants as well as servants. A good number literally were owned by upper castes and got mistreated severely.

The prophets and teachers called Sikh Gurus were keen on uplifting those who were downtrodden, aiming to make them of equal standing with the highest authority in the land. Founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, when making his divine declaration, exclusively states of seeking to fellowship with the lowest in class within society. It helps not competing with individuals within high places.

Such benevolent action indeed led one to obtain the chance of showing Grace provided by the maker to other human beings. Gurus in Sikhism have to date done their best to eliminate all caste distinctions, while opposing stratification of people going by social cadre very strongly. The have created societies in which egalitarianism is practiced at its best by focusing on rendering social justice and equality to all.

The Punjabi turban expresses love as a gift in the manner that Sikhism founders intend it to be. It portrays the excellence of Divinity over plain humanity. There are indeed historical records which carry the importance of this head gown to followers of the Sikh faith.




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