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Summary of Question:	Do I Need To Take Amrit?
Category:	Hair
Date Posted:	Sunday, 2/16/2003 1:44 PM MST

sat sri akal ji

my name is harjinder, i am student in vancouver canada. I am a sikh and was wondering is it mandatory for me to keep a kesh and take amrit?
I consider my self to be very religious and well cultured, i particpate in gatka fighting at the annual vasaki parades and also i am on a bhangra team.
I do all these punjabi things but am clean shaven(always been). and jus wondering would it be rong for me to continue these things even though i am not a singh, or under the eyes of god this would be okay for me to continue?

thank u

(REPLY) Sat Nam. the fact that you are asking this question indicates that your soul is telling you that participating in Punjabi activities is not what makes a Sikh. Gatka and Bangara are skills that are admirable, but they cannot do for you what the blessings of Amrit can do. Whenyou make the commitment to live as Amritdhari, and pray for blessing from Guru Gobind Singh, your Father (!) you will find it will bring you much happiness.-- It is a real experience, not just a ritual, and your soul will be grateful that you are fulfilling your destiny to live as Khalsa. It will not be easy- because you don't already have the habit to keep your kesh, etc, but it will be worth it. As far as "right" or "wrong" for you to continue what you're doing, that's not for anyone to judge except yourself. However, I don't know what you mean by considering yourself religious by doing Punjabi things? Reading your banis every day would be something religious. Keeping your hair is being religious. Taking Amrit -- and living up to the vows is religious -- in the best sense of the word. Let your conscience - your soul - be your guide and lead you to Guru's feet. Blessings, SP