Why do yogis and swamis have long hair and beard?

[TheFancyBanana]

Hanji, Buddha had kesh, so I am sure his followers did too. In fact Buddhism is what introduced vegetarianism in Indian society.

I was told that the Buddha had long hair when he was a prince. But before he set off on his journey to enlightenment he cut off his hair because they were a sign of kings.

[Mehtab Singh]

Yes, and once he got enlightened, the 1st thing he did was quit cutting his kesh and ended up with a joora.

[VanHelsingh]

Sri Krishan is called Keshav, he had long hair.

In ancient time when one was to be insulted his hair was cut, if I am not wrong Sri Krishan cut hair of a person in Mahabharat.

It was after Mahabharat people started cutting their hair.

I have read Mahatma Budh was meat-eater but most of the budhist denies it.

When the Pandavas were in exile, King Jayadrath attempted to abduct Draupadi when she was out and about one day. She managed to escape and find the Pandavas. The 5 then located Jayadrath and wanted to kill him. They were dissuaded either by Yudhistra or Krishna, as he argued that Jayadrath was related to them, and by killing him they would leave a sister (through family relation) as a widow. So as a reminder of his misdeed the Pandavas shaved his head, but leaving 5 locks of hair on his head as a reminder for his paap. This made him look like a chump. Eventually this event lead to Jayadrath undergoing severe bhagti in order to gain a boon from Shiva for exacting revenge on the Pandavas one day in battle.

[Mehtab Singh]

When the Pandavas were in exile, King Jayadrath attempted to abduct Draupadi when she was out and about one day. She managed to escape and find the Pandavas. The 5 then located Jayadrath and wanted to kill him. They were dissuaded either by Yudhistra or Krishna, as he argued that Jayadrath was related to them, and by killing him they would leave a sister (through family relation) as a widow. So as a reminder of his misdeed the Pandavas shaved his head, but leaving 5 locks of hair on his head as a reminder for his paap. This made him look like a chump. Eventually this event lead to Jayadrath undergoing severe bhagti in order to gain a boon from Shiva for exacting revenge on the Pandavas one day in battle.

Hanji, this was the other story that came to my mind :D

[WaljinderSingh]

"All men of Spartan birth had to serve in the army. Boys of seven were taken from their families to live in army barracks. Their whole lives were dedicated to learning in the arts of war. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that Spartan soldiers differed from the rest of the Greeks in that they wore long red robes, always combed their long hair when they might be about to put their lives at risk, as when going into battle. "

http://www.greece-private.com/index/300%20Spartans-Thermopylae.html

[luckysingh99]

Long hair is a sign of power, connection and increased spirituality in many parts of the world.

Someone above correctly mentioned the native indians who believed it gave them the connection with all creation.

They also believed it kept the power of the ONE, restored within a person.

Then we also have the interesting Rastafarian afro-carribeans.

They believed that their hair was the 'antennae' to stay tuned in with God or as most believe it to be-Lord Shiva !

They worship Lord Shiva similar to the long matted hair sadhus in India!!

The afro hair goes very bushy and matt when grown long and this is the reason for doing dreadlocks in order to maintain the uncut length.

The true rastafaris don't cut their beards either and if you are on vacation in Jamaica or carribean and venture out of the touristy areas to where the locals are, then you will see many of the true rastafaris !

It is also part of their religion to smoke marujanha, which helps them meditate.

With the rastafaris, they also believe that you must have the long uncut hair and dreadlocks in order to religously use the ganja(marujanha)

Thus when they see a non-rastafari smoking ganja, then that person is not spiritually connected with the lord and creation.

[GtLoc]

Vaheguru

edit - Why are you involved in these duniyavi discussions?

You remind me of the babas telling people about how easy it is to not shave, and how it works for them to tie it up when they do work.

edit -

Undero Hanju aana chahide jado kesh vaddun vare soch ave.

Buss apne baava noo marr ke panth da kum kari jao.

Parimeser Saano Bukhshe.

[gurdeepsinghjohal]

waheguru