Kes is Kakkar ..... NOT Keski.
Before writing this article, I would like to say, Dastar is Important for Both males and females, every Sikh should wear a dastar. But the problem is that the Akjs have tried to label Keski as a Kakkar, which is wrong and against the principals of Gurmat. This is only done by one group the Akand Kirtani Jatha, now if every Jathabandi makes their own kakkars it’s not going to work. Below I will try to explain with Historical and present evidence, why Kes is the Kakkar for Sikhs and not Keski.
Sri Sarbloh Granth on Kes as Kakkar
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself comments on the creation of the Khalsa in his Sri Sarbloh Granth. The Sarbloh Granth ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ, sarabalōha grantha also called Manglacharan Puran is the work of Guru Govind Ji Maharaj. Sarbloh Granth literally means "the Granth or Scripture of all-steel or iron". Khalsa Mahima is part of this Granth. This Granth contains hymns of greatness of Panth and Granth.
Sri Sarbloh Granth Tika, Second Volume, page 495
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਟੀਕਾ, ਭਾਗ ਦੂਜਾ, ੪੯੫
ਧਰਮ ਪੰਥ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਪ੍ਰਚੁਰ-ਭਯੋ, ਸਤਿ ਸ਼ਿਵੰ ਪੁਨਯ ਰੂਪ ਜਏ ॥
The manifestation of Panth Khalsa's Dharam [was created], they are the form of truth, liberation and purity.
ਕਛ, ਕੇਸ, ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨਨ ਮੁਦ੍ਰਿਤ, ਗੁਰ ਭਗਤਾ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਭਏ॥੫॥
Kach, Kesh, and Kirpan – these three signs made followers of the Guru the servants [also] of the Lord
ਕਾਲ ਉਪਾਸਕ ਛਤ੍ਰਿਯ ਧਰਮਾ, ਰਣ ਕਟਿ ਕਸਿ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਅਏ॥
Worshipers of Kaal and followers of the Kshatriya way, wearing a waistband [kamarkasa] they [the Khalsa] are the supreme warriors.
Now Guru Shaib ji himself is saying that, Kach, Kesh, and Kirpan are the frist 3 signs of my sikh, he could of wrote “Keski” but why not, if Maharaj says Kes, then do these so called man made groups have the power to challenge Guru jis bani and Hukam ? This is a solid proof of Kes being a Kakkar, as it came from the Mouth of the 10th Master, who created the Khalsa; So Kes is kakkar not Keski.
Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth on Kes as Kakkar
Now in the other aspect of history, Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth also mentions the teachings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji after administering Khandey Di Pahul to his Sikhs. The Gur Partap Suraj, popularly known as the Suraj Parkash is a six volume work detailing the lives of all the Sikh Gurus. It was completed during the rainy season of 1843 A.D by Bhai Santokh Singh.
The lives of the Gurus, from the second to the ninth, inclusive, are divided into twelve Raas or sections, corresponding to the signs of the Zodiac. The life of the tenth Guru is presented in six Ruts, or seasons, corresponding to the six Indian seasons, and into two Ayans, the ascending and descending nodes.
Bhai Santokh Singh ji writes:
Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth, Rut 3, Adyai 19
ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ਸੂਰਜ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ, ਰੁਤ ੩, ਅਧਿਆਇ ੧੯
ਪਠਹੁ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕਰਿ ਨਿਤ ਗੁਰਬਾਨੀ । ਸਿੰਘਨਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਮਹਾਨੀ ।
ਆਪਸ ਬਿਖੈ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੋ ਧਰਨਾ । ਗੁਰ ਨਿੰਦਕ ਸ਼ੱਤ੍ਰੁਨਿ ਹਤਿ ਕਰਨਾ ॥੩੬॥
Always have love and recite Gurbani and perform selfless service to the Singhs. With [the Panth] have great love [for each other], and destroy those who slander the Guru.
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਨਿ ਕੋ ਨਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਤਿ ਅੱਭਯਾਸਹੁ । ਨਹੀਂ ਤੁਰਕ ਪਰ ਉਰ ਬਿਸਵਾਸਹੁ ।
ਕੇਸਨ ਅਦਬ, ਨ ਕਛ ਬਿਨ ਰਹਿਨਾ । ਅਰਧ ਨਾਮ ਸਿੰਘਨਿ ਨਹਿਂ ਕਹਿਨਾ ॥੩੭॥
Always, with love, train with your weapons [Shastarvidiya], and do not ever trust a Turk. Always respect your Kes and always wear your Kachera. Do not call a Singh by his half name [without adding Singh].
It is clearly stated that a Sikh must respect his Kes, due to Kes being a Kakkar and being a hukam of Guru shaib, Bhai shaib didn’t even mention keski anywhere. Note: Suraj parkash is one of the backbones of Sikh History, and it has clearly supported saying “Always respect your Kes and always wear your Kachera”. So is keski really a kakkar as showed to the young youth by these Akjs ?
Gurbilas Patshahi 10 on Kes Kakkar
Now in Gurbilas Patshahi 10 which was written in 1751 CE by Koer Singh and covers the history of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. following passage are some instructions given to the Khalsa after the first initiation in 1699 CE at Anandpur Sahib.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji instructed the Singhs with five core Rehats:
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮੇਲ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਸੋ, ਕਛ ਕੇਸਨ ਸਦ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ।
[Always] stay with your Weapons [shastar] and the Guru's Word [Shabad], always have love for your Kachera [undergarment] and Kes [uncut hair].
ਕਰਦ ਰਾਖਨੀ ਪੰਚ ਏ, ਤਜੈ ਨ ਕਬ ਹੀ ਨੇਮ ।
Keeping a Karad [small dagger] is the fifth [commandment/rehat], do not abandon these in your daily discipline.
ਨੋਵਾਂ ਅਧਿਆਇ, ਪੰਨਾ ੧੧੧
ਗੁਰਬਿਲਾਸ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦, ਕੁਇਰ ਸਿੰਘ
Chapter Nine, Pg. 111
Gurbilas Patshahi 10, Koer Singh
Again as we saw in the preivous granths, Bhai sahib ji used Kes, as a kakkar which Guru shaib ji gave to the Khalsa, no where the term “keski “ is used. So what historical eviedence do these AKJs have ? when the history clearly states Kes, why are we being forced to manmade nonsense which contradicts our history ?
Guru Gobind Singh Ji instructed the Singhs with five core Rehats:
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਮੇਲ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਸੋ, ਕਛ ਕੇਸਨ ਸਦ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ।
[Always] stay with your Weapons [shastar] and the Guru's Word [Shabad], always have love for your Kachera [undergarment] and Kes [uncut hair].
ਕਰਦ ਰਾਖਨੀ ਪੰਚ ਏ, ਤਜੈ ਨ ਕਬ ਹੀ ਨੇਮ ।
Keeping a Karad [small dagger] is the fifth [commandment/rehat], do not abandon these in your daily discipline.
ਨੋਵਾਂ ਅਧਿਆਇ, ਪੰਨਾ ੧੧੧
ਗੁਰਬਿਲਾਸ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦, ਕੁਇਰ ਸਿੰਘ
Chapter Nine, Pg. 111
Gurbilas Patshahi 10, Koer Singh
Again as we saw in the preivous granths, Bhai sahib ji used Kes, as a kakkar which Guru shaib ji gave to the Khalsa, no where the term “keski “ is used. So what historical eviedence do these AKJs have ? when the history clearly states Kes, why are we being forced to manmade nonsense which contradicts our history ?
Rehit Maryada of Bhai Chapaui Singh Ji
There is no douth that history agrees solidly that Kes is the Kakkar given by Guru shaib, now if we look in Rehitmarydas, there is a Pangti which is twisted and used by the So called AKJs, that pangti is from the Rehit of Bhai Chapaui Singh Ji.
The orginal Pangti is
ਕਛ ਕੜਾ ਕਿਰਪਾਨ ਕੰਘਾ ਕੇਸ ਕੀ, ਇਹ ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰੀ ਰਹਿਤ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਿਖ ਸੋਈ ।
Kachh, Kada, Kirpan, Kangha, Kes Ki eh Panj Kakaari Rahit Dhaarey Sikh Soyee.
Twisted by the Pakandi
ਕਛ ਕੜਾ ਕਿਰਪਾਨ ਕੰਘਾ ਕੇਸਕੀ, ਇਹ ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰੀ ਰਹਿਤ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਿਖ ਸੋਈ ।
Kachh, Kada, Kirpan, Kangha, Keski eh Panj Kakaari Rahit Dhaarey Sikh Soyee
It is clear that Bhai Shaib Ji wrote Kes, but the Ki is jointed on forcefull, because Bhai shaib can’t go against the Historical granths and the rehits of other Gursikhs.
The orginal Pangti is
ਕਛ ਕੜਾ ਕਿਰਪਾਨ ਕੰਘਾ ਕੇਸ ਕੀ, ਇਹ ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰੀ ਰਹਿਤ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਿਖ ਸੋਈ ।
Kachh, Kada, Kirpan, Kangha, Kes Ki eh Panj Kakaari Rahit Dhaarey Sikh Soyee.
Twisted by the Pakandi
ਕਛ ਕੜਾ ਕਿਰਪਾਨ ਕੰਘਾ ਕੇਸਕੀ, ਇਹ ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰੀ ਰਹਿਤ ਧਾਰੇ ਸਿਖ ਸੋਈ ।
Kachh, Kada, Kirpan, Kangha, Keski eh Panj Kakaari Rahit Dhaarey Sikh Soyee
It is clear that Bhai Shaib Ji wrote Kes, but the Ki is jointed on forcefull, because Bhai shaib can’t go against the Historical granths and the rehits of other Gursikhs.
Damdami Taksal and Nihang Singhs have all concidered Kes as kakkar, they are from Guru shaibs time, Below in the Link it has the saroop of Baba Deep Singhs ji Handwritten Dasam Di Bir, where Baba Ji wrote maryada and writing Kes as kakkar,
Damdami Taksaal is a puratan Jathabandis, who were started by Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Govind Singh Ji Maharaj himself, who have kept the puratan Gurmat Principals as told by Guru Shaib, unlike AKJs who were made in the 19 century by a ordinary man. In the Rehit Maryada of Damdami Taksal, which is published by: In Heavenly abode, Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindranwale, their Successor in Heavenly abode, Sant Giani Kartar Singh Jee Khalsa, their Successor Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Jee Khalsa,In the absence of which, their Humble Servant Sant Baba Thakur Singh Ji.
It clearly states :
“ The following five K’s are the mark of Sikhi. These five can never be parted from the body. Kara, Kirpan, Kashera, Kangha, recognise these as four of them. The fifth is Kesh, without which the other four are useless. “
http://www.damdamitaksaal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80&Itemid=68&limit
Dumala, Dastar, Pagg or Keski ?
Now the Word Keski is refered to Keski: Noun - small turban worn to protect hair, by Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, if women wear a little turban then men should also ? because we hear a lot of nonsence about equal rights ? How is it equal that a male wears a Dumala and a women wears a Keski, then the male should also wear a Keski right ? But no akjs do that.
This is simple, because both male and female are given even Kakkars, Kachh, Kada, Kirpan, Kangha, Kes, and both have the right to tie a dastar regardless of it being a Kakkar.
The word keski is a very modern term, it didn’t even exist in the times of Guru shaib, because according to Giani Gian Singh has written in ‘Panth Prakash’ that Bhai Naina Singh Ji tied a tall turban and recited the holy line from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, “Main Gur Mil Uch Dumaalrha“. Since then, his followers started to wear tall turbans, which were called ‘Naina Singheeye Dumaalas’. Again no sign of the word keski.
The ‘Pracheen Panth Prakash written by Rattan Singh Bhangu , has used the words ‘Dastaar’ and ‘Paag’ (‘Paage’, ‘Pargrhee’ or ‘Pagrhe’) for turban, for instance: -a
Kes Sees Sir Baandhai Paagai;
Pagrhee Apnee Sees Savaaree
and
Tau Lau Singh Akaal Uchaara. Pagrhe Sane Su Chubbha Maara.
Bhai Gurbaksh Singh ‘Shaheed’ is a very famous name in Sikh history. Ratan Singh Bhangu in his ‘Pracheen Panth Prakash’ referred to him as a ‘Nihang’. When Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ji was getting ready for the battle, he tied turban around his head here, Ratan Singh Bhangoo has used the word ‘Pagg’ for turban.
All this indicates that the word ‘Keski was not used commonly among ordinary Sikhs from times of Guru Shaib till now. The words ‘Dastaar’ and ‘Pagg’ and “Dumala” have been used in old Sikh texts, which were in frequent use by Sikhs. Lol where did keski come from ?
This is simple, because both male and female are given even Kakkars, Kachh, Kada, Kirpan, Kangha, Kes, and both have the right to tie a dastar regardless of it being a Kakkar.
The word keski is a very modern term, it didn’t even exist in the times of Guru shaib, because according to Giani Gian Singh has written in ‘Panth Prakash’ that Bhai Naina Singh Ji tied a tall turban and recited the holy line from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, “Main Gur Mil Uch Dumaalrha“. Since then, his followers started to wear tall turbans, which were called ‘Naina Singheeye Dumaalas’. Again no sign of the word keski.
The ‘Pracheen Panth Prakash written by Rattan Singh Bhangu , has used the words ‘Dastaar’ and ‘Paag’ (‘Paage’, ‘Pargrhee’ or ‘Pagrhe’) for turban, for instance: -a
Kes Sees Sir Baandhai Paagai;
Pagrhee Apnee Sees Savaaree
and
Tau Lau Singh Akaal Uchaara. Pagrhe Sane Su Chubbha Maara.
Bhai Gurbaksh Singh ‘Shaheed’ is a very famous name in Sikh history. Ratan Singh Bhangu in his ‘Pracheen Panth Prakash’ referred to him as a ‘Nihang’. When Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ji was getting ready for the battle, he tied turban around his head here, Ratan Singh Bhangoo has used the word ‘Pagg’ for turban.
All this indicates that the word ‘Keski was not used commonly among ordinary Sikhs from times of Guru Shaib till now. The words ‘Dastaar’ and ‘Pagg’ and “Dumala” have been used in old Sikh texts, which were in frequent use by Sikhs. Lol where did keski come from ?
To conclude this article, It is clear in sikhi there is no such thing as a “Keski” Kakkar, all puratan Sapardamas, from Guru shaib jis time, such as Sri Damdami Taksal, Niahngs Singh, all believe in Kes as a kakkar, But these modern days so called man made Akjs have made their own Keski, which out any knowledge, it is no doubt these guys are blind. Guru shaib, Great historian Sikhs, and other Guru sikhs such as Sant Jarnail Singh ji Bhindrawale, have always believed and expressed the importance of Kes, I don’t know who allowed them to make it as a Kakkar, simply foolish and specially when they have no proof to back it up.