Concepts of Trai Mudra and the Panj Kakkars
Guru Govind Singh Ji Maharaj, the almighty father of the Nihang Singhs, the Khalsa panth. Guru shaib made the khalsa very distinctive from the rest of the other religions. Guru Sahib challenged every other aspect with his pen, his ideology and physical by force and mentally - Gain - Kirpan. Miri - Piri.
The Issue of the "Trai Mudra" raised by Anti Sikh elements.
The concept of "Trai Mudra" is used in many Sikh historical granths, and also one being Sri Sarbloh Grantha. The term Trai Mudra has been used and the definition defined below.
Triya, ਤਰੀਅ or ਤਰਿਯਾ)= means "mind" or "intellect" (budhi), It also means the output of the character created by the mind and intellects. And to basic Gurmukhi it can be translated as Three or ੩, 3.
Mudra or ਮੁਦ੍ਰਿਤ meaning Sign, according to the Budda Dal Steak of Sri Sarbloh, altogether, it is mentioned like this. -
Sri Sarbloh ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਟੀਕਾ, ਭਾਗ ਦੂਜਾ, 495
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. -
(Note) - Distinctive Panth was created with the will of Akaal Purakh.)*
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.
(The 3 signs of distinction from the rest, were KACHERA, KESS, KIRPAN )
(Note) - Before the khalsa Panth, Hindus had also 3 sings which were Dhoti, Janueau, and Turban (Pagg) not hair. So Guru sahib challenged these basis which Hindus would use to trap everyone in there ocean. Guru sahib challenged them, as we can see maharaj in Sri Dasam hit the hindu ideology really hard, idol worship, principals of knowledge. Here guru sahib hits them physicaly in the form of a dress code. Kechera replaced the Dhoti, Kirpan with the janueau, and Kess with the pagg.
Khalsa Panth were given these 3 sings to shut the mouths of the hindus, and challenge there way of living and life.
ਕਾਲ ਉਪਾਸਕ ਛਤ੍ਰਿਯ ਧਰਮਾ, ਰਣ ਕਟਿ ਕਸਿ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਅਏ॥
Worshipers of Death and followers of the Kshatriya way, wearing a waistband [kamarkasa] they [the Khalsa] are the supreme warriors.
(Note) - Maharaj said this to make the coward pandit reaslise we are a warriors who wear kamarkasa and are ready for war in Sri Dasam Mahraj says - ਛਤ੍ਰੀ ਕੌ ਪੂਤ ਹੌ ਬਾਮਨ ਕੋ ਨਹਿ ਕੈ ਤਪੁ ਆਵਤ ਹੌ ਜੁ ਕਰੋ ॥ - I am a son of a warrior, not a bharimin.
Qualities and the Sign*
Also the qualities refection these 3 signs, as Triya , ਤਰੀਅ or ਤਰਿਯਾ) means "mind" or "intellect" (budhi) - ਸਤਿ ਸ਼ਿਵੰ ਪੁਨਯ ਰੂਪ ਜਏ ॥ Form of truth, liberation and purity.
From the Naam comes Gurmat = Budhi "intellect"
With Naam and Gurmat Budhi the one is Purified, and Truth ( Sath ਸਤਿ ) is obtained.
With Sath and Purity, one finds liberation.
So Trai = Budhi - Purity - Truth - Liberation.
When these qualities are contributed in a physical form
Purity - Kechera, Keeps the jathh sathh of the Khalsa
Truth - Fights the falsehood of the mind with Gain Khadag / Also physicaly Kirpan, fights for the truth and to defend it by killing.
Liberation - Kes,this is the first symbol of a Sikh, with this a sikh was reconised before becoming the khalsa, before the amrit sanchare 1699, Sikhi was given when a person kept kess and took charan pahal. Which = mukhti.
This concept as been used by many historians as well, for example :
"Kes, Kachh, Karad Guru Kee Teen Mudra Eh Paas te naa door Karoh, sadaa ang sang dhar". (Stanza 9, ansoo 20, Rit 3, page 5060, 'Gur Prataap Sooraj Granth."
"Raakhoh Kachh, Kes, Kripaan. Singh Naam ko eho nishaan. Kachh, Kripaan, Kes te mundree. Jo pahre so Gur Singh sundree". (26th Niyaas (chapter), page 233, 'Panth Prakaash', written by 'Giyaanee Giyaan Singh'
Many have claimed that since the "Trai Mudra" has been used, in historical Nihang Singh granths, such as Sri Sarbloh, and others, that Nihangs only believe in 3 Kakkars, and go against the other 2 which are Kanga and karra.
This is highly bullshit and stupid, as shown aboive the concept of Trai Mudra is to show distinctiveness. These fools don’t understand that no where the word " kakkar".
Below is a passage from Twarikh Sikhan written in Farsi by Munshi Khushwaqt Rai in 1811. - Also Talks about the Khalsa being distinct, he mentions the Jeanuo broken by Guru Nanak, the first step towards the Hindu, then the Blue dress and Sarbloh orments, the weaponry and so on.
“From that day the Janeoo was broken. The Blue dress was adorned. Sarbloh ornaments were adorned. A distinct appearance was made. Two gallant Gatra were put on. Karad(Kirpan), Chakar, a Pistol, kaman and other Sarbloh weapons and ornaments were adorned. The wearing of an Ucha Dumalla was introduced.”
“ਅਜ਼ਾਂ ਰੋਜ਼ ਜ਼ੁਨਾਰ ਬ ਸ਼ਿਕਸਤ, ਵ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਨੀਲਗੂੰ ਅਖ਼ਤਯਾਰ ਕਰਦ, ਵ ਜ਼ੈਵਰ ਆਹਨੀ ਗੁਜੀਦ, ਵ ਵਜਾੱ ਗ਼ੈਰ ਮੁਕੱਰਰ ਨਮੂਦ, ਨ ਦੋ ਸ਼ਮਸ਼ੈਰ ਬਰ ਕਮਰ ਬਸਤ, ਖ ਕਾਰਦ ਵ ਚੱਕ੍ਰ ਵ ਤਪੰਚਾ ਵ ਕਮਾਣ ਵਗੈਰਾ ਹਰਬਾ ਹਾਇ ਆਹਨੀ ਬਰਖ਼ੁਦ ਆਵੇਖ਼ਤ I ਵ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਬ-ਕਦਰ ਯਕ ਦਸਤ ਦਰਾਜ਼ ਬਸਤਨ ਆੱਦਤ ਕਰਦ I”
The Kakkars.
The Kakkars are given to a sikh through rehitmarayda, if Guru Ji wanted he could of easily said 3 Kakkars instead of "Trai Mudra". But no where there is the term "Kakkar" used. Where do the KAKKARS come from ?
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.
- Rehit Maryada of Bhai Chapaui Singh Ji
Those who say Nihangs are anti of 5Ks, please read the Rehitmaryada
"Panj kakaar (Kes, Kangha,Kara, Kirpan, Kachhera) eh sareer de ang samjhaney, kis vakht (ishnan karan samey ja raat saun samey) koi kakaar sareer ton vakh nahi karney." - Gursikhan di Puratan Maryada Shromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal - Gutka
Kes - ਰੋਮ ਬਸੰ ਤਨ ਮੈਂ ਕ੍ਰਿਯਾ ਪਿੰਡ ਕਰਮ ਕੋ ਤ੍ਯਾਗ | The hair resides on the body, forsake cutting it. - Bhai Daya Singh Ji Rehatnama
kechera - ਕਛ ਅਢਾਈ ਗਜ ਮਾਨ ਸਾਫਾ ਭੀ ਤੁਲ ਤਾਸ The Kachhera should be 2 and 1/2 Gaj. Keep a waist belt (safa/kamar kassa - Bhai Daya Singh Ji Rehatnama
Kirpan - ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਤਨ ਮੈਂ ਧਾਰੇ ਬਿਨਾ ਮਯਾਨ ਤੇ ਤੇਗ ਹਾਥ ਮੈਂ ਰਾਖੈ He keeps the weapons on his body. Without a sheath, he keeps the sword in hand. - Bhai Daya Singh Ji Rehatnama
Kanga - Sortha - Tanakhanama - Bhai Nand Lal Ji
One should comb the hair and put around the turban twice a day,
Should clean the teeth and, Lal Jee, this way one will never suffer.(23)
Kara - Which is mentioned by Bhai Chapaui Singh, also Bhai Daya Singh Ji talks about the importance of Sarbloh Chakars and Karas. ਜਪੇ ਜਾਪ ਗੁਰਬਰ ਅਕਾਲ ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਪਹਿਰਾਇ |ਸਰਬ ਲੋਹ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਕਰਦ ਛੱਲਾਦਿ ||
It is very clear that Guru Govind Singh Ji used the Trai Mudra to highlight and showcase the distinctive identity of the Khalsa Panth and challenged the Hinduvadi system very strongly. The Kakkars are given to the Khalsa though Rehit Maryada, and no where guru ji wrote 3 Kakkars or 5 Mudras, so this is pointless and wasting time.
Gurbar Akaaal
References
Guru Ji Di Kirpa.
Sri Sarbloh Granth Shaib
Sri Dasam Granth Sahib.
Gur Prataap Sooraj Granth'
Navan Panth Prakaash'
Rehatnama Bhai chapau Singh
Bhai Daya Singh Ji Rehatnama
Twarikh Sikhan
Tankhanama Bhai Nand Lal Singh
Gursikhan di Puratan Maryada - Buddha Dal gutka
Dass – Jagdip Gurpartap Singh.