I'll be waiting for someone to make a joke about how this sounds like a bublegum pop band.
Guru Gobind Singh instructed adherents to wear the five k's to show their discipline and faith. The symbols are a reminder to keep oneself right with God, their community and themselves.
1)Kes: uncut hair and beard, as given by God, to sustain him or her in higher consciousness
And a turban, the crown of spirituality. If someone wanted to cut their hair, shave their legs, beard, arms(pits) or pluck their eyebrows, they should ask themselves: Who am I trying to please? God is perfect, God's creation is perfect. Was it erroneous to bestow the entire creation with hair? What purpose does it serve? If one day you found your earlobes or your eye lashes unattractive, would you just cut them off? Does this act please God or serve to appease one's perceived vanity? Is hair a disease refractory to medical treatment? Does keeping hair cause unbearable pain and suffering as would a disabling disease?
2) Kangha: Comb. This is a symbol of cleanliness. Sikhs, in keeping their hair long, do not do so in an unkempt manner, like the aesthetics. They must keep themselves well groomed. In the way that the comb removes tangles, a Sikh must remove spiritual impurities by repeating Gods name. (NAAM)
3)Kare, the iron bracelet. It is round and seamless: sign of eternity. God is one, has no end. Universal origin of humanity and the entire creation.
Made of Iron: symbol of humility. i.e. it is not gold or silver or studded with rubies and diamonds. God's handcuff: to prevent a Sikh from wrong doing. A reminder of God's constant presence and watchful eye. A symbol of restraint. God's love: Just as a wedding ring is a symbol of love between two people, the Kara is a symbol of love for God and God's love for us.
*Does NOT ward off evil, only God can do that.*
4) Kachh From a distance it looks like a pair lof ong boxers. This is special, slightly longer type of underwear and is symbolic of high moral character. It is actually quite useful in hot weather, swimming and sports. It is modest enough to stay decent and practical enough to be worn on its own without being arrested It was originally designed to be worn in preparedness for adversity especially when awoken from sleep.
5)Kirpan The idea behind this is practical as well as spiritual. Physically it is a tool of "Ahimsa" or non-violence. One must prevent violence and not stand by while it is being done. Therefore, the kirpan must be used against violence when all other means have failed. Symbolically, the kirpan represents the power of truth to cut through lies.
This is the dress that baptised Sikhs must follow. Though in all honesty, only the orthodox ones practice this.
