This is in response to your note on the subject, “Sabat Surat Dastar Sira”’ that now this topic is closed for further discussion, thus, it is most appropriate for me to summarize the outcome of the discussion on this subject. First of all I thank all those scholars who earnestly participated in this discussion to enhance the knowledge of the readers of WSN on Gurbani and Sikhism. We are living in the Science Age or Computer Age where authenticity and precision is © rule of the life. Therefore, it is essential that the critics should substantiate their views with facts or logic and it should be strictly confined to the main theme of the topic, so that it is thrashed properly to find out the truth.
The main theme of my views on above topic (WSN, June 612, 1996) was: “We are living in the Science Age and Sikhism is the most scientific and logical religion of the world, thus, the Sikh authorities should not issue any statement whioh is not precise and true, and is contrary to the philosophy of the Sikh Gurus given in the Shabad, the Gurbani, that is incorporated in the AGGS. The Sikh authorities should also not misinterpret the Gurbani to justify the wrong concepts formulated by the ancient Sikh scholars under the influence of mythical works. If issuing of such statements, contrary to science, logic and Gurbani, is continued, it would be difficult to contain apostasy among the young Sikhs.”
- Daljit Singh Jawa (WSN, Sept. 411) while responding to Dr. Balkar Singh Husson’s detailed interpretation of the whole verse related to the above topic that favored my views said that the advice given by the Sikh Gurus in the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS) whether it is for the Hindus or the Muslims, is equally good for the Sikhs, There is no other opinion about this. However, my views were not on the application of advice on any particular religion or any group of people: —*S. Sewa Singh Sangha (WSN, Sept 111 7), while commenting on my views and those of Gurbaksh Singh Sanghera and Manmohan Singh, and appears to have misunderstood my views as if | was writing against the beard and the turban. What] meant was that wrong interpretation and misapplication of a phrase from Gurbani to justify a concept or a Rehit is academically very poor approach for the dissemination of Sikhism and the Gurbani in the Science Age. If one reads carefully and keeps in view the system of using metaphors and Simi les by Guru Nanak for revelation of Gurbani then “sabat surat” means uncircumcised body and “‘dastar sira’ ’means an honor on one’s head. S. Baldev Singh and Dr Balkar Singh Husson agreed with this interpretation, And Dr. Sahib Singh has given the same interpretation in his “Sn Guru Granth Sahib Darpan”. Dr Gopal Singh in his translation offthe AGGS says: “sabat surat as unblemished body, and dnstar as honored like turbaned head”, and Dr. Gurbachan Singh Talib in his translation offthe AGGS says: “Make the purifying the impure mind your hadith and bearing you form complete (this is a warning against circumcision) the turban over your head.” But S. Manmohan Singh had to write two times, in fact three times (once in 1992), to reiterate his interpretation of “sabat surat”
As the face with beard and “dastar sira” as a turban on the head. It is hard for me and for many others to accept his interpretation.
- Sewa Singh Sangha had advised me to read the Hukam Nama of Guru Gobind Singh vnitten to the Sangat of Kabul. It is for his information that I have read this Hukam Nama and also many more. My views about these Hukam Namas will be appearing very soon under this column for open discussion. He has also mentioned that the writer has not suggested any changes whioh he wants for revision of Symbols. I do not understand where did he get such an idea? I have not said anything on this aspect at all. However, I did mention that there is a need to revise the present Rehit Maryada and that will also be appearing under this column soon. I would like to reemphasize that I did not say anything against the beard and the turban, but was concerned about the misinterpretation and misapplication of a phrase from Gurbani to justify a concept or are hit I have been writing articles and letters, to WSN on different topics, to generate discussion to find out the truth about the Gurbani and Sikhism. The above letter on “Sabat Surat Dslstar Sira’’ was in this connection. Keeping in view the urge of the young Sikhs to understand Gurbani and Sikhism a new column, “Understanding Sikhism”, was started in collaboration of the Editor of WSN. This Golumn is an open forum for discussion on certain topics to enhance the understanding of Gurbani and Sikhism. Every reader of WSN is welcome to participate in constructive discussion.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 16, 1996
