Page 34 - Gurmat Book 5

Lesson 16: A Khalsa

What does it mean to be a Khalsa? Khalsa literally means ‘pure’. A Khalsa is a Sikh
who has made the commitment to the Guru to live his/her life according to the
Khalsa way of life. After taking Amrit, the Khalsa is given a special code of

conduct with the following principles:

1. Guru Gobind Singh is the "Spiritual Father" of the Khalsa and Mata Sahib
Kaur is the "Spiritual Mother".

2. Spiritually the new member is the citizen of Anandpur Sahib and his/her
birthplace is the Kesgarh Sahib.

3. Since all Khalsa have same spiritual parents and same place of citizenship,
they discard all differences of family origin or caste and place of birth.

4. All Khalsa must recite to five Banis in the morning; JapuJi Sahib, Jaap
Sahib, Swaiye, Chaupaee Sahib and Anand Sahib in the morning, Rehras
Sahib in the evening and Sohila before sleeping.

5. The Khalsa wears five articles of faith:
a. Kes – The uncut hair

b. Kangha - A wooden comb
c. Kara - An iron ring on the wrist
d. Kachhehra – A pair of boxer shorts underwear

e. Kirpan - A sword

6. In addition to the articles of faith, the Khalsa refrains from the Chaar
Bajjar KuRehits.

a. Not to cut hair
b. Not to commit adultery

c. Not to eat kuttha meat (Akal Takhat Mariyada says this, but Taksal
Mariyada prohibits any meat. Meat is not good for physical health or
spiritual health. Many Sikhs are strict vegetarian and even vegan.

That means they do not consume anything that comes from animals-
not even milk or butter or yogurt, because they believe animals are
hurt when we get these things from them. It is healthier and better
for the planet also if humans did not eat meat at all. Scientists say
that if we did not raise animals for meat, the planet will be less

Stepping Stones Gurmat Sikhia Book 5G 2023 Edition Page 32