Be Prepared For A Few Dumb Questions... (Mature People)

[Guest Questions]

...Well, questions which may seem dumb to those who know the answers. I'd just like some responses to the following, if anyone could answer at least a few I'd be grateful

1. If you wear a dastar, are you supposed to sleep with a dastar on? If not, you take it off? But I don't understand the point of having your hair out while you sleep and covered during the day?

2. What time SHOULD we get up to pray (eg. amritvela)?

3. When you get up at amritvela, are you supposed to brush your teeth and shower? Are you supposed to get dressed and tie your dastar before you sit to pray at amritvela, or just cover your head and slip into your pyjamas?

4. Are you supposed to change your dastar more than once a day even if you don't need to?

5. I've heard your kashera is supposed to be on at all times. But what happens when you shower? Leave it at your ankles and let it get soaking wet?

6. Also, what is the significane of the kashera?

7. Can you comfortably wear jeans if wearing a kashera?

8. Um... when a married couple have you know what, how can they go through with it knowing the kashera is still on? Does it not make them feel impure and stop? Or is it taken off?

9. What about wearing the kashera when on your period?

10. What does Sikhi say about the period?

11. If we live in the age of kaljug, why isn't Guru Ji/ a prophet coming down to help us right now?

12. I know that a lot of amritdharis retake amrit after accidentily doing something like eating egg. But why do the majority of them continue to have sex/ talking dirty/ watch porn without feeling like they've done something wrong? All that is forbidden too?

13. Does Guru Granth Sahib Ji say that masturbation is forbidden? I would have thought that instead of releasing your urges by having sex outside of marriage, it'd be better to... you know.

14. Which leads to this point... if the main point is that we should obstain from sexual desires so that we can think about Waheguru, then what about sex after marriage? Surely having sex for pleasure then would be wrong too, if the point is not to make a child? I've seen people say that after marriage you can have all the rude thoughts that you want with your husband/ wife, but then why is this okay suddenly? I thought the point was to obstain from hedonistic acts and thoughts?

15. I hope this next question doesn't offend anyone... but I'd never be able to ask it without being gupt anywhere else. The Gurus who had children, presumably they indulged in kaami thoughts too... were the children planned...?

16. Why no women Gurus?

17. I head that women aren't allowed to do kirtan at Harmandir Sahib. Is that true?

18. Why do so many Sikhs act so hateful towards homosexuals? Surely you shouldn't judge anyone?

19. How on earth is one supposed to get rid of anger...? The kind of anger where you just lash out and don't see it coming, where you can hardly control yourself.

20. What is sachkhand described to be like? Heaven? Are you with Waheguru only or your loved ones, eg. is it like the paradise described by Christians?

21. What's the difference between gatka and shastar vidiya?

22. I've heard that Sikhs believe that people like Jesus and Mohammed were all prophets sent from God to try to deliver his message, but some got lost in the way. My question is that if God sent all these people, why do they have such different messages? Eg. Jesus thinks it's fine to drink, Guru Nanak Ji doesn't. Mohammed thinks it's okay to hit women, Jesus and Guru Nanak don't.

Wow, I didn't expect to come out with so many questions. Obviously I don't expect one person to attempt to answer loads, but if anyone has answers to any then please post

[sunny_love_kirtan]

no dumb questions

serious questions I would also like to knw the answers from gurmukhs

[motorcyclewale]

OMG!!! I WAS UP TO QuESTION 15 AND HIT BACKSPACE, MY INTERNET CRASHED!!!!!

now gotta start over, gimmie few minutes....

[Singh559]

...Well, questions which may seem dumb to those who know the answers. I'd just like some responses to the following, if anyone could answer at least a few I'd be grateful

1. If you wear a dastar, are you supposed to sleep with a dastar on? If not, you take it off? But I don't understand the point of having your hair out while you sleep and covered during the day?

The dastaar is there to keep the kesh covered and it is literally a king or princess crown. At night time even queens, kings, princes and princesses take off their crowns.

2. What time SHOULD we get up to pray (eg. amritvela)?

Prabhjot veerji posted a very nice topic about amritvela, i can't find it right now, but i will try to explain what little bit i remember from it. It said that naturally what time animals wake up is the around the time we should wake up as well because that's how it is in nature and sleep after that is kind of like a sin.

I think the best thing is to slowly sleep earlier and try to wake up earlier, it's hard, i'm working on it right now too...

3. When you get up at amritvela, are you supposed to brush your teeth and shower? Are you supposed to get dressed and tie your dastar before you sit to pray at amritvela, or just cover your head and slip into your pyjamas?

I think you're supposed to take shower and can tie a keski and slip into your pajamas, i 'm not sure.

4. Are you supposed to change your dastar more than once a day even if you don't need to?

You can if you want?

5. I've heard your kashera is supposed to be on at all times. But what happens when you shower? Leave it at your ankles and let it get soaking wet?

Yes, that is what people say..

6. Also, what is the significane of the kashera?

Kashera is there to prevent lustful vibes and actions.

7. Can you comfortably wear jeans if wearing a kashera?

You can get different sizes.

11. If we live in the age of kaljug, why isn't Guru Ji/ a prophet coming down to help us right now?

We have Guru Ji here, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj <3. Our 10 Gurus have vested their power, lives, energy into Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

We all have the power to read Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and understand oru Guru Ji :D.

12. I know that a lot of amritdharis retake amrit after accidentily doing something like eating egg. But why do the majority of them continue to have sex/ talking dirty/ watch porn without feeling like they've done something wrong? All that is forbidden too?

Yes, that's forbidden as well, they don't have their prioritized. Eating of eggs is immoral because it supports the inhumane treatment of chickens and you are essentially eating an unfertilized fetus. The latter stuff is bad as well, something a Sikh should not do because it is lustful/krodh ect...idk about retaking amrit, i am not amritdhari yet but i really really want to be soon (mom's what's blocking me right now) but you're supposed to go to panj piyare and they will decide whether you did something that requires you to re-take amrit. From my understanding, you give your head to the Guru for the rest of your life and nothing can change that.

13. Does Guru Granth Sahib Ji say that masturbation is forbidden? I would have thought that instead of releasing your urges by having sex outside of marriage, it'd be better to... you know.

Kaam krodh lobh moh ankaar

16. Why no women Gurus?

Think about the time, it was a time where women were considered 2nd class, but Guru Nanak Dev Ji said this;

From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. - Guru Nanak Dev Ji Raag Aasaa Mehal 1, 473

THink about why no women stood up to give her head to Guru Ji, it wasn't because she was any less or incapable of fighting. It was simply the situation of the times. It's easy to look back at it now but Guru Nanak Dev Ji said something so powerful and amazing that till today no woman has as much equality in any other religion.

17. I head that women aren't allowed to do kirtan at Harmandir Sahib. Is that true?

No, that is anti-Sikh and anti-Gurmat

18. Why do so many Sikhs act so hateful towards homosexuals? Surely you shouldn't judge anyone?

I've seen this too, it's pathetic. I see all homosexuals the same way i would any human being as a brother or sister, but i do not believe a homoesxual should use his or her own orientation to marry and twist the meaning of Anand Karaj because when we become Khalsa, we give out our entire lives and literally our heads to the Guru. That means we give up our orientation and take up the way of the Guru.

19. How on earth is one supposed to get rid of anger...? The kind of anger where you just lash out and don't see it coming, where you can hardly control yourself.

Some people say anger sprouts from kaam, but i don't think there's a way to completely get rid of it. Best thing we can do is strive to control and stop it in my opinion...

20. What is sachkhand described to be like? Heaven? Are you with Waheguru only or your loved ones, eg. is it like the paradise described by Christians?

I don't know, but the second we start to understand the Guru's hukam we live our consciousness in sachkhand. What happens after i do not know.

21. What's the difference between gatka and shastar vidiya?

Gatka was introduced after the british took over india because it was the showman aspect of shastar vidiya. Shastar vidiya is the knowledge of weapons and literally is one of the most deadly war arts in the world, it was banned by the British to suppress the knowledge of weapons because they were so terrified how ferocious Sikh warriors were.

22. I've heard that Sikhs believe that people like Jesus and Mohammed were all prophets sent from God to try to deliver his message, but some got lost in the way. My question is that if God sent all these people, why do they have such different messages? Eg. Jesus thinks it's fine to drink, Guru Nanak Ji doesn't. Mohammed thinks it's okay to hit women, Jesus and Guru Nanak don't.

No one knows exactly what Jesus or Mohammad preached. Jesus' life was written almost 150 years after and same with the Bible. Most of it is speculation and changes have been made to accommodate rulers and control over people. Sikh scripture are 100% written by Guru Jis and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is our everlasting Guru.

Wow, I didn't expect to come out with so many questions. Obviously I don't expect one person to attempt to answer loads, but if anyone has answers to any then please post

I agree, no questions are dumb. Sikh means learner.

[VanHelsingh]

...Well, questions which may seem dumb to those who know the answers. I'd just like some responses to the following, if anyone could answer at least a few I'd be grateful

1. If you wear a dastar, are you supposed to sleep with a dastar on? If not, you take it off? But I don't understand the point of having your hair out while you sleep and covered during the day?

A keski or a mini-dastaar should be fine. The point is to keep your head covered as long as it's according to the rehat of a Gursikh.

2. What time SHOULD we get up to pray (eg. amritvela)?

I could be wrong but I've always considered amritvela to be between 1am and 4am.

3. When you get up at amritvela, are you supposed to brush your teeth and shower? Are you supposed to get dressed and tie your dastar before you sit to pray at amritvela, or just cover your head and slip into your pyjamas?

Brush teeth, shower, cover head (again, according to rehat for a Gursikh, i.e. no beanie hats!). Although don't wear the clothes you slept in.

4. Are you supposed to change your dastar more than once a day even if you don't need to?

Don't know.

5. I've heard your kashera is supposed to be on at all times. But what happens when you shower? Leave it at your ankles and let it get soaking wet?

Bathe with kachera, clean yourself, etc. Doesn't matter if it gets wet. But one leg must always be in a kachera - whether its the wet one being taken off or the fresh one being put on.

6. Also, what is the significance of the kashera?

Kachera Should be of White color only. Originally, the Kachera was made part of the five Ks as a symbol of a Sikh soldier's willingness to be ready at a moment's notice for battle or for defense. The confirmed Sikh (one who has taken the Amrit) wears a kachera every day. Some go to the extent of wearing a kachera while bathing, to be ready to at a moment's notice, changing into the new one leg at a time, so as to have no moment where they are unprepared. Further, this garment allowed the Sikh soldier to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction, because it was easy to fabricate, maintain, wash and carry compared to other traditional under-garments of that era, like the dhoti. The Kachera symbolises self-respect, and always reminds the wearer of mental control over lust, one of the Five Evils in Sikh philosophy.

7. Can you comfortably wear jeans if wearing a kashera?

Why not?

8. Um... when a married couple have you know what, how can they go through with it knowing the kashera is still on? Does it not make them feel impure and stop? Or is it taken off?

-

9. What about wearing the kashera when on your period?

Dunno - I'm a man.

10. What does Sikhi say about the period?

Dunno.

11. If we live in the age of kaljug, why isn't Guru Ji/ a prophet coming down to help us right now?

Why? We've been in Kaljug for thousands of years. The last time "Guru Ji came down" we were still in Kaljug. What's happening now that's so important that he needs to pay us a visit?

12. I know that a lot of amritdharis retake amrit after accidentily doing something like eating egg. But why do the majority of them continue to have sex/ talking dirty/ watch porn without feeling like they've done something wrong? All that is forbidden too?

Depends on the individual's morals and shardaa. Why do a lot of people do a lot of bad things? Human nature I guess.

13. Does Guru Granth Sahib Ji say that masturbation is forbidden? I would have thought that instead of releasing your urges by having sex outside of marriage, it'd be better to... you know.

It's kaam either way.

14. Which leads to this point... if the main point is that we should obstain from sexual desires so that we can think about Waheguru, then what about sex after marriage? Surely having sex for pleasure then would be wrong too, if the point is not to make a child? I've seen people say that after marriage you can have all the rude thoughts that you want with your husband/ wife, but then why is this okay suddenly? I thought the point was to obstain from hedonistic acts and thoughts?

Marriage (between Gursikhs) isn't meant to be a free-for-all. The main idea is procreation. Although I can't comment further as I don't find myself in that situation yet.

15. I hope this next question doesn't offend anyone... but I'd never be able to ask it without being gupt anywhere else. The Gurus who had children, presumably they indulged in kaami thoughts too... were the children planned...?

Everything Guru Ji's did was planned.

16. Why no women Gurus?

Who knows? Only Waheguru knows this for sure.

17. I head that women aren't allowed to do kirtan at Harmandir Sahib. Is that true?

I don't know about this.

18. Why do so many Sikhs act so hateful towards homosexuals? Surely you shouldn't judge anyone?

It's against maryada as established by Akal Takhat Sahib. Doesn't mean we have to "hateful" but homosexuality is not looked upon favourably in Sikhi.

19. How on earth is one supposed to get rid of anger...? The kind of anger where you just lash out and don't see it coming, where you can hardly control yourself.

Through Naam Simran. It's possible but it takes a lot of hard work.

20. What is sachkhand described to be like? Heaven? Are you with Waheguru only or your loved ones, eg. is it like the paradise described by Christians?

Not sure. I think it's a place where we join together with the Creator. It's not filled with earthly pleasures or anything material like that.

21. What's the difference between gatka and shastar vidiya?

Not sure but shashtar vidiya is also used to describe martial arts, hand to hand combat, etc.

22. I've heard that Sikhs believe that people like Jesus and Mohammed were all prophets sent from God to try to deliver his message, but some got lost in the way. My question is that if God sent all these people, why do they have such different messages? Eg. Jesus thinks it's fine to drink, Guru Nanak Ji doesn't. Mohammed thinks it's okay to hit women, Jesus and Guru Nanak don't.

I don't know enough about the inner workings of the minds of prophets to answer why they differ in their approaches to saving mankind. I guess some prophets had their message distorted by their followers over the years. Our Gurus left their message in the Guru Granth Sahib (primarily) and that - to my knowledge - has not been messed with.

[motorcyclewale]

1. yes, you wear dastar to sleep

2. majority of people get up at anytime between 12:30 - 4:30 am. this is most popular times, but does not mean these are the only times.

it all depends on your scheduale, and how you plan your day.

3. yes, you brush your teeth, and take a shower, and put on clean cloths, and tie dastaar.

4. there is a rehatnama that says we should do kanga 2 times a day, so that allows us to tie dastar 2 times as well, which is what the majority does.

5. you can put it on one leg, or the ankles. however you feel comfortalbe. as long as you dont take it off totally, your good.

6. kashera is a symbol that reminds us to remain in jat sat. reminds and helps us control our kaam. and reminds us that we shouldnt be going around haveing sex with everybody.

7. yea, jeans go perfectly with kashera. people do it all the time, everyday. im doing it right now as i type!

8. same deal as the shower. however you feel comfortable, as long as you dont take it off completely.

9. ill let a bibi respond to this one

10. see number 9

11. guru ji has been here since 1469, and now is currently in the roop of guru granth sahib ji maharaj. prophets come down when needed, or sent by maharaj.

12. its all forbidden, because of the very high pressure of kaljug, and environtment around us people still do what they know is wrong. but in the end, they will pay the price.

13. we are supposed to live life according to guru ji example set by them in their own jeevans. example of that would be nitnem, simran, reading bani, keeping rehat of 5 kakkars.

and if we do this majority of the time, our minds wont even go near the thought of masturbantion.

14. this is a very personal question, but marriage is also a tool to help us contorl our sexual desires. as we are all human and everybody has this inside them.

having sex for making baby's is differnt from having sex every single day after you get married. differnt people will give differnt responces. there is nothign wrong with having sex after

marriage, but letting it take over you life, that can become a problem.

15. all the sahibzade of all the guru sahibs happend just like jesus. there was no sexual activity that took place. there is no such thing as kaam or kaami thoughts in guru sahib.

16. this is a very good question, and should be discussed in good detail to get the best answer, maybe we shoudl make a seperate thread, and have discussion. but easy way to think of it,

its just the way it is, no guru sahib would have been possible if it wasnt for their matas jis. but some things cant be questioned, and just have to be accepted with sharda, and this is one of those things.

maybe others can give a better answer.

17. dont know why this is done, but women are supposed to be equal in sikhi, and can do kirtan anywhere a singh can.

18. personal question, differnt responces from differnt people. we should be nice to everyone. period.

19. nitnem, sirman and seva helps control the 5 vices, and anger is one of them. just take it easy and think before you speak. try to hold it in as much as possible. takes practise.

20. heard this in katha, sachkhand is the exact same place as we have here on earth, harmandir sahib, just bigger size. but samething. the best way to find out for sure, is to go and have a look.

21. gatka, sikhi martial art, the actual battle tactic. shastr vidiya can be same thing, but doesnt have to be actual battle, where you can just get knowledge of each shastr itself, whats the name, how to handle it, how to take care of it. etc.

22. they all have their own messages based on their own understanding. guru sahib says he only says what god wants him to say, and that there is nothing that guru sahib tells us from himself. its all what god wants guru ji to tell us.

in gurbani, guru ji says he only speaks what the lord tells them to speak, nothing more, nothing less.

sorry for not going into much more detail, this is just to get you basic answers. if still more in depth detail is needed, maybe we can do that for which ever question needed.

[Guest jassa]

1. If you wear a dastar, are you supposed to sleep with a dastar on? If not, you take it off? But I don't understand the point of having your hair out while you sleep and covered during the day?

Dastar is to keep hair clean and tied well in a Rishi Knot. People who dont tie dastar while sleeping wake with their hair open.

2. What time SHOULD we get up to pray (eg. amritvela)?

It depends on what time a person in geting up normally. Dont accept to wake up 3 am in morning if ur normal routine us waking up at 8. Anytime before sunrises is good. In old times people used to work according to natures clock which animals and birds still follow. Go to bed when sun sets and get up before it rises u should be ready to go to work as soon as theres light outside. Sikhs had to do their nitname as well as their work for living so they wake up 2-3 hours before sunrise.

3. When you get up at amritvela, are you supposed to brush your teeth and shower? Are you supposed to get dressed and tie your dastar before you sit to pray at amritvela, or just cover your head and slip into your pyjamas?

You should try both the ways getting bath walking around dressing up would make up more active then just getting up and covering your head. I would surely go to sleep if i do that. Physical activity will make ur brain and body fully awake.

4. Are you supposed to change your dastar more than once a day even if you don't need to?

Not change ur dastar but do kanga twice a day. If you do kanga twice a day u will be tieing your dastar twice as well. You can do it once before going to school/job and once in evening when you are back and need not to go out. Do kanga and tie a small dastar parna etc.

5. I've heard your kashera is supposed to be on at all times. But what happens when you shower? Leave it at your ankles and let it get soaking wet?

Just make sure you dont remove it from both the legs.

6. Also, what is the significane of the kashera?

Search katha by maskeen ji called 5 kakkar on youtube

7. Can you comfortably wear jeans if wearing a kashera?

Yes jeans trousers etc unless you are wearing a 5.25 meters Nihang Kashera

8. Um... when a married couple have you know what, how can they go through with it knowing the kashera is still on? Does it not make them feel impure and stop? Or is it taken off?

Not married yet but many say that tie it on you thigh above you knee removing one leg from it.

9. What about wearing the kashera when on your period?

10. What does Sikhi say about the period?

I think its just a normal and natural thing unlike other things its not seen as unclean thing that is the reason no questions are asked bibis regarding that if they are doing seva, kirtan or even while taking amrit. Its a personal thing rather then religious or spiritual.

11. If we live in the age of kaljug, why isn't Guru Ji/ a prophet coming down to help us right now?

Guru Granth Sahib ji is still with us to guide and they will remain as living Guru till kalyugh remains. Kalyugh is high that is the only reason GOD didnt sent any prophet to live for 50-60 years teach people and go back like in other ages but be with people and teach them everyday.

12. I know that a lot of amritdharis retake amrit after accidentily doing something like eating egg. But why do the majority of them continue to have sex/ talking dirty/ watch porn without feeling like they've done something wrong? All that is forbidden too?

Everyone is responsible for his actions. Good and Bad actions are two separate things and they dont cut each other. Learn about mareyada from 5 peyare and follow it by heart. What you seed todays is what you will harvest later and this is only law of GOD.

13. Does Guru Granth Sahib Ji say that masturbation is forbidden? I would have thought that instead of releasing your urges by having sex outside of marriage, it'd be better to... you know.

Guru Granth Sahib says to understand 5 choor then fight them suppressing anything will not work.

14. Which leads to this point... if the main point is that we should obstain from sexual desires so that we can think about Waheguru, then what about sex after marriage? Surely having sex for pleasure then would be wrong too, if the point is not to make a child? I've seen people say that after marriage you can have all the rude thoughts that you want with your husband/ wife, but then why is this okay suddenly? I thought the point was to obstain from hedonistic acts and thoughts?

If one has hedonistic thought before marriage he will not be able to control it as soon as girl/boy comes in his life even their are couple of threads here which says amritdhari guys talking porn etc with their future wifes.

If you dont have such thoughts till marriage then they will not come suddenly after marriage. It totally depends on you everyday life and if you are true to urself.

Encourage yourself and others to clear their doubts regarding kaam discuss it with gurmukhs instead of keeping in mind it will only lead to 2 personalities of person with kaam one which he in his thoughts and other which is he in front of others.

15. I hope this next question doesn't offend anyone... but I'd never be able to ask it without being gupt anywhere else. The Gurus who had children, presumably they indulged in kaami thoughts too... were the children planned...?

Kaami thoughts and sex are dependent on each other but for spiritual people they are independent of each other. They can live a healthy and happy family life without even having a single kaami thought and I have seen many such people.

16. Why no women Gurus?

I see no difference between Mata kaulan and Guru Hargobind Sahib or Mata Sahib Devan or Guru Gobind Singh.

17. I head that women aren't allowed to do kirtan at Harmandir Sahib. Is that true?

True last time it was done in 1960 or 70s When baba Nihal singh and his fellow Nihangs have to guard the doors on Harimander sahib and the force was used. After that no woman was allowed but i dont know how true it is you may search about it in google.

18. Why do so many Sikhs act so hateful towards homosexuals? Surely you shouldn't judge anyone?

Its a personal issue and they should be treated as normal persons.

19. How on earth is one supposed to get rid of anger...? The kind of anger where you just lash out and don't see it coming, where you can hardly control yourself.

If anger is out of control very often that person needs a special counseling and if the person is serious about control anger he will.

20. What is sachkhand described to be like? Heaven? Are you with Waheguru only or your loved ones, eg. is it like the paradise described by Christians?

No Idea

21. What's the difference between gatka and shastar vidiya?

In now a days its not different but traditionally gatka is name of a special technique of fighting with wooden sticks only. By definition it dont cover use of other weapons like talwars, Neja etc. Shaster videya is more about planning a battle keeping in mind numbers time of day etc. In sikhs with time gatka has evolved as a name of their martial arts. Now gatka and shastervideya and practically same but by definition they are different

[Guest Questions]

Thanks for all your replies! I appreciate it a lot. I didn't expect so many questions to be answered very helpful indeed. So many questions answered all in one post!

15. all the sahibzade of all the guru sahibs happend just like jesus. there was no sexual activity that took place. there is no such thing as kaam or kaami thoughts in guru sahib.

Is that really true? Where did you hear/ read that? I haven't heard anyone say that before, and like... the fact that Mary was pregnant without having sex is seen as a major miracle in Christianity. I think many people just accept that the Gurus DID it but I just don't understand... haha, it's not something people like to think about/ talk about, but I have to ask.

Kaami thoughts and sex are dependent on each other but for spiritual people they are independent of each other. They can live a healthy and happy family life without even having a single kaami thought and I have seen many such people.

How can kaami thoughts and sex ever be independent of each other? I mean, without going into detail, in order for the body to be ready to have sex it would have had to be aroused by sexual thoughts first. There's no other possible way of doing it. But I don't doubt that some very rare spiritual people can have happy, healthy lives without kaami thoughts... just not sex. :s

I have one more question that I forgot to ask before...

Somebody was giving a talk to the sangat once, and he said that Sikhs aren't involved in animal testing or any of that crap, because we don't use products like make up. But we DO have medicines, which have been numerously tested on animals... what do you think about that? We wouldn't think twice before having medicine when ill. So what do Sikhs think? That we should perhaps use natural remedies, if not let whatever Waheguru wills happen to us rather than intervening and taking medicine? I know that's quite an extreme view, but just what that bhai sahib said, he didn't think about the bigger picture. (Don't forget to check if your shampoo is tested on animals).

[Guest Stupid Answers]

1. If you wear a dastar, are you supposed to sleep with a dastar on? If not, you take it off? But I don't understand the point of having your hair out while you sleep and covered during the day?

stupid answer (sa) 1. when the dust stop falling on our head (Kesh) in the night time i will also sleep without keski or patka

2. What time SHOULD we get up to pray (eg. amritvela)?

sa2: are you asking about spiritual awakening or night sleep? for first it's only guru's kirpa who can awake us :D, later waking up before dawn. no idea when does dawn breaks on the polar regions of earth?!?!? but i am sure if its six months of day and six months of night, then Amrit wela should come once a year. literally situation where most of akhoti sikhs like me are stuck only wake up once a year before dawn to catch a flight :D

3. When you get up at amritvela, are you supposed to brush your teeth and shower? Are you supposed to get dressed and tie your dastar before you sit to pray at amritvela, or just cover your head and slip into your pyjamas?

sa3: Depends if you are not down with flu etc or unless if you are lazy like me I will expect a normal hygiene conscious person to brush and shower put some fresh comfortable clothes on and keski/dastar etc

4. Are you supposed to change your dastar more than once a day even if you don't need to?

sa4: depends if you do not look like a singh of guru, then you need to redo your dastar/turban

5. I've heard your kashera is supposed to be on at all times. But what happens when you shower? Leave it at your ankles and let it get soaking wet?

sa5: even i am confuse here sometimes... are these kakar just a things/object to wear or you have to wear philosophy (of course not on your waist ) but i dont mind wearing one and having shower....

6. Also, what is the significane of the kashera?

sa6: so you do not drop your knickers every now and then, and keep your feelings tied in Kachera

7. Can you comfortably wear jeans if wearing a kashera?

sa7: i am wearing one...

8. Um... when a married couple have you know what, how can they go through with it knowing the kashera is still on? Does it not make them feel impure and stop? Or is it taken off?

sa8: they must get used to it, after all they too have kids sometimes more than non amritdhari (at least legit ones) . if you are going to marry I hope you will find an answer on how to make babies

9. What about wearing the kashera when on your period?

sa9: tampons...

10. What does Sikhi say about the period?

sa10: same what it says about runny nose!!! its god gifted phenomena

11. If we live in the age of kaljug, why isn't Guru Ji/ a prophet coming down to help us right now?

sa11: haven't you met one!!! run to your local gurudwara, ask for the main hall, probably in the centre you will find a wooden takhat where he is sitting (most probably alone) but will definitely help you as long as you listen to him...

12. I know that a lot of amritdharis retake amrit after accidentily doing something like eating egg. But why do the majority of them continue to have sex/ talking dirty/ watch porn without feeling like they've done something wrong? All that is forbidden too?

sa12: why do new students (reception or 1standard) doesn't even know what is 10+10 on the first few days of their school life?! taking amrit is not finish but a start to very long/short (depending how good student you are) spiritual education... when they are watching it they are actually looking at notice board which says big "Fail" in front of their name. i am no exception i am human end of the day....

13. Does Guru Granth Sahib Ji say that masturbation is forbidden? I would have thought that instead of releasing your urges by having sex outside of marriage, it'd be better to... you know.

sa13: Lust is forbidden, but again we have a messed up head which we do not want to replace with guru's head...

14. Which leads to this point... if the main point is that we should obstain from sexual desires so that we can think about Waheguru, then what about sex after marriage? Surely having sex for pleasure then would be wrong too, if the point is not to make a child? I've seen people say that after marriage you can have all the rude thoughts that you want with your husband/ wife, but then why is this okay suddenly? I thought the point was to obstain from hedonistic acts and thoughts?

sa14: like rest of the 6.8 billion people in this world minus handful real brhamgyani whether siksh or non sikhs, we have tendency to indulge, dont eat too much or you will become obese, dont x / y / z etc... to stop us getting messed up with our sex life, our punjabi culture deals with this taboo by waiting until we get married blah blah etc etc. the real thing to find out is where do you draw line between need and indulgence like anything... and as always we have a real messed up head as said above.

15. I hope this next question doesn't offend anyone... but I'd never be able to ask it without being gupt anywhere else. The Gurus who had children, presumably they indulged in kaami thoughts too... were the children planned...?

sa15: no offence taken, as in other cases all the Guru jis use to eat normal food, drink water, etc etc... end of the day sex is a hunger and need as well to keep the world filling, rock and rolling...

16. Why no women Gurus?

sa16: will have to ask guru nanak dev ji... but most important is what did he teaches us about gendar equality in gurbani as posted by someone above...

17. I head that women aren't allowed to do kirtan at Harmandir Sahib. Is that true?

sa17: did you? who said that, it must be one of those modern masand who have taken control of gurughars... i wonder why only Jutts are in the power (head this and head that)!!! BTW that reminded me I even dont know who am I? I might be jatt as well bashing my own class!!! but who cares wrong is wrong... isnt it?

18. Why do so many Sikhs act so hateful towards homosexuals? Surely you shouldn't judge anyone?

sa18: Just question to every one what should we call akhoti (so called) sikhs like myself???? surly we can say maan mat de sikh instead of Guru ke sikh... at least they will not defame whole kaum... well said man 100% with you

19. How on earth is one supposed to get rid of anger...? The kind of anger where you just lash out and don't see it coming, where you can hardly control yourself.

sa19: please let me know if you get a practical answer... hey why not ask Guru Ji's (Prophet you are going to see soon after reading my post) let me know what did he advised you?

20. What is sachkhand described to be like? Heaven? Are you with Waheguru only or your loved ones, eg. is it like the paradise described by Christians?

sa20: dont know about my self but please send me a post card when you go there... I have only heard that sachkhand vase nirankar; kar kar dekhe.... and then in the end guru nanak ji says nanak kathna karda saar (very difficult to explain)

21. What's the difference between gatka and shastar vidiya?

sa21: is there any? i wasnt aware of this one... i thought Shaster vidya is part of gatka discipline

22. I've heard that Sikhs believe that people like Jesus and Mohammed were all prophets sent from God to try to deliver his message, but some got lost in the way. My question is that if God sent all these people, why do they have such different messages? Eg. Jesus thinks it's fine to drink, Guru Nanak Ji doesn't. Mohammed thinks it's okay to hit women, Jesus and Guru Nanak don't.

sa22: is it these prophet saying or the interpretation of the "close followers" with twisted motives????

Wow, I didn't expect to come out with so many questions. Obviously I don't expect one person to attempt to answer loads, but if anyone has answers to any then please post

in the end one of the main reason i believe in Sikhee is, because it is most complete and practical religion etc, where world isn't started by adam and eve and there aren't only seven worlds and the earth isn't the centre of the world etc etc right up to quantum physics understanding of the world around us... man woman, educated uneducated, straight gay, etc etc etc etc.... all are his (god's) creation and he is pervading in them, to make life interesting for us he has the 5 tests (evil) which keep us busy with petty things than looking at the biggest picture (you know which one). some people with twisted mind set can manipulate and interpret things they way it suits them...

if you see physically we all (from amoeba to the biggest star in the universe) are made up of atoms... a star may have died gazillions of year ago and sun and earth were born and we came into existence, when we die we will go back in carbon form, then may be supernova with our sun (highly unlikely though with the mass of sun) and the cycle goes on... The main thing is what is happening on spiritual level? we are here fine, we die fine, but where did we (spirit) come from where will we go is the main objective and so that it goes back into the infinite intelligence guru Nanak gave us very simple path to work upon...

i cant believe i am so stupid... people use to tell me but i have written more words than my university exam sheets... sorry for the spelling mistakes as i am not that much educated

and sorry if i am unable to answer your questions end of the day I am stupid human with stupid rational and answers...

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa (knowledge of infinite intelligence is awakening/Purity)

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (knowledge of infinite intelligence will bring awoken/pure victory over darkness)

[jhooldenishan]

1. If you wear a dastar, are you supposed to sleep with a dastar on? If not, you take it off? But I don't understand the point of having your hair out while you sleep and covered during the day?

- Yes, you should have your dastar (keski) on all the time. When we go to the gurdwara, we cover our head to show respect our guru sahib and in bani it says ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ it says that guru sahib is always with us, at all times. Having said that you should cover your head all the times. Also, keeping keski on all the time helps your kesh keep clean..and they do not get tangled up. So, you should keep your head covered all the time. We can go about reasons all day, but the most important reason why you should keep your head covered all the time is to Respect guru sahib. =)

2. What time SHOULD we get up to pray (eg. amritvela)?

Amrit vela should be done between 1 to 4 am. That is the best time to do amretvela.

- Guru Nanak Dev Ji states in Jap Ji Sahib that Amrit Vela is the best time to japp naam. AMimRq vylw scu nwau vifAweI vIcwru ]- In the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness. So a Sikh should have a strict amretvela and he/she should recite the name of waheguru everything morning. In this pauree, Guru Sahib also states that we ask WAHEGURU to give us 'stuff' and he gives us 'stuff'. So what can we offer him, that reaches his Darbar? (even though waheguru offers us everything)..Guru sahib states: muhO ik bolxu bolIAY ijqu suix Dry ipAwru ] What words can we speak to evoke His Love? AMimRq vylw scu nwau vifAweI vIcwru ]

Technically, we should be praying (japping naam) all the time (24/7) Gurbani states that qumrI Et qumwrI Awsw ] bYTq aUTq sovq jwgq ivsru nwhI qUM sws igrwsw ]1] While sitting down or standing up, while sleeping or waking, with every breath and morsel of food, I never forget You.

sdw sdw jpI qyrw nwmu siqgur pwie pY ] - Forever and ever, I chant Your Name; I fall at the feet of the True Guru.

3. When you get up at amritvela, are you supposed to brush your teeth and shower? Are you supposed to get dressed and tie your dastar before you sit to pray at amritvela, or just cover your head and slip into your pyjamas?

- Yes, you should shower and brush your teeth when you do amritvela. We need to take care of this body that is given to us by Wahguru, so we can use this body to Japp Naam and get to waheguru.

Gurbani States: gur siqgur kw jo isKu AKwey su Blky auiT hir nwmu iDAwvY ] - One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name.

audmu kry Blky prBwqI iesnwnu kry AMimRq sir nwvY ] - Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.

From what i know, if you are doing kesi ishaan (washed your hair), then you can cover your head with a your keski, (like a chunni) but if you can also tie a dastaar, that is up to you. Also, if you are just doing simran and your kes are wet, and you are waiting for them to dry, you don't really have to cover your head (you can cover them, if you want to..there is no restriction there) but you HAVE to cover your head if you are using a Gutka Sahib to do your Nitnem or you are sitting in Guru Sahib's Hazoori, and doing your simran.

4. Are you supposed to change your dastar more than once a day even if you don't need to?

- Well, you do not really have to change your dastar once a day, unless it is dirty or you want to change it. I do not think there is anything in Gurmat that says that you have to change your dastar daily (I can be wrong, if you know of something, please let me know) But, you should tie it everybody. Because I know some people just take it off and put it on like a cap and I think that is wrong, you should tie your dastar fresh everyday or whenever you need to tie a dastar, throughout the day. And you should also take it off in folds, not like a cap.

5. I've heard your kashera is supposed to be on at all times. But what happens when you shower? Leave it at your ankles and let it get soaking wet?

Yes, Kashera is one of the five kakkars and it should be on all the time. At time time, you should remove it from your body. Rehat Nama States that ig~lI su~kI k~C pwie ley ] k~C dy pauNcy dw isK ivswh nw kry - Whether the washed Kasheraa is wet or dry it should be put on. When removing the Kasheraa only one leg should be removed and put into the new Kasheraa.

so, pretty much rehat nama explained what to do. Well, it doesn't really soak wet that bad , even if it does, you can try yourself afterward. For ex. you take one leg out..you dry it..and you put in new kashera in that leg..and take off the old kashera..dry that leg..then you can put in the other leg of new kashera...(hope that makes sense) That also comes with experience as well...lol

6. Also, what is the significane of the kashera?

I think that other people have answered that pretty well..

Kachera Should be of White color only. Originally, the Kachera was made part of the five Ks as a symbol of a Sikh soldier's willingness to be ready at a moment's notice for battle or for defense. The confirmed Sikh (one who has taken the Amrit) wears a kachera every day. Some go to the extent of wearing a kachera while bathing, to be ready to at a moment's notice, changing into the new one leg at a time, so as to have no moment where they are unprepared. Further, this garment allowed the Sikh soldier to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction, because it was easy to fabricate, maintain, wash and carry compared to other traditional under-garments of that era, like the dhoti. The Kachera symbolises self-respect, and always reminds the wearer of mental control over lust, one of the Five Evils in Sikh philosophy. ( i took this from one of the posts because i think it does a good job) =)

I think it signifies your self-control and also it is given to us by guru sahib and if you are about to commit 'something wrong' this might ring a bell to your mind so it will make you stop it. Also, it resembles purity as well and it also gives you the control of your dignity...and body can just pull and it won't come off easily.

Rest, we listen to guru sahib...he told us to wear it..and we are gonna wear it...

I will try to answer rest of the questions later on.because i am tired/hungry now..

Bhull Chak de maafi

- waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji ki fateh.