The Making of the Khalsa

Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the ten Sikh Gurus in human form. He created the Khalsa; a spiritual brother and sisterhood devoted to purity of thought and action. He gave the Khalsa a distinctive external form, the five "K's", to inspire and remind them of their commitment, and to help them maintain an elevated state of consciousness. Sikh men carry the middle name, Singh, meaning lion. Sikh women carry the middle name, Kaur, meaning princess. Examples are, Hari Singh Khalsa, and Hari Kaur Khalsa.

The Five "K's"

Every baptized Khalsa Sikh vows to wear these symbols known as the Five "K's".

 Kesh, the God-given hair and beard kept unshorn to sustain him or her in higher consciousness, and to be covered with a Turban, the crown of spirituality.

 Kangha, the wooden comb symbol and reminder of the commitment to cleanliness, and used to groom the hair.

Katchera, the specially designed cotton underwear symbol and reminder of the commitment to purity, and to refrain from sexual relationships outside of marriage. (Khalsa Sikhs also vow to refrain from eating meat or using tobacco, alcohol, and all other intoxicants.)

Kara, the steel ring-bracelet symbol of Infinity, worn on the wrist, signifying a bondage to Truth, The One God, The One Reality, and freedom from every entanglement.

Kirpan, the sword small symbolic Sword of Righteousness, with which a Khalsa is committed to righteously defend the innocent, and the fine line of Truth.

Then Guru Gobind Singh infused his own being into the Khalsa, declaring that the Khalsa was now the Guru in all temporal matters. For spiritual matters, the Guruship was given to the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib", a compilation of sacred writings taken from saints and sages of several spiritual paths who have experienced Truth. For Sikhs, "Siri Guru Granth Sahib" is the living embodiment of the Guru, and is regarded with the utmost reverence and respect wherever it is found. Sikhs all over the world look to the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib" as their supreme, living Guru, as the source of spiritual instruction and guidance.