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Summary of Question:	Siropa
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Thursday, 7/16/2009 11:02 AM MDT

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Someone posted a question about Siropa. well, i would like to put a bit of input about it, please. SIROPA literally means SIR TOU LAI KAY PAIRAAN TAK. Sir (head)-o-(to) Pau (feet). Siropa is a Persian word, i believe (if im wrong please forgive me)..

a Siropa is bestowed by a religious or social figure or institution and may comprise a whole dress or, usually, a single garment or a length of cloth as a mark of recognition of piety or as an acknowledgement of unswerving devotion to a moral or philanthropic purpose.
So, when an Ardaasee does Ardaas, and represents the whole Sangat in it's heartfelt prayer, then he/she is in a position of honor. So we should always keep a Siropa when doing Ardas (even when alone).
Also, there are other functions to the Siropa. When handling copies of GurBani we can navigate around places with the Siropa. We can keep our hands behind the Siropa when bowing so that our hands don't touch the floor and get dirty. We can turn door knobs and hold hand rails without worrying that our hands are getting jootha before touching Guru Granth Sahib Ji or Gutka Sahib. That's why Granthi's always keep it with them, and it's quite useful. Also, people who love reading and tuning into Gurbani also have the Siropa(that's why Bana of Gursikh always has that included)!
Unfortunately the valure of Siropa is declining.. most people don't utilize it's practical function nor realize that being bestowed a Siropa is the highest honor in Sangat. Guru Amar Das Maharaj Ji did Seva for a whole year for 22hours a day, every single day, and was bestowed ONE, only One, Siropa from Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji...
Nowadays, if we pay 100 rupees (or about 2 dollars)at Darbar Sahib we can get a Siropa. This was only a recent practice introduced as a money-making scheme by SGPC. Also, people with blatant anti-Panthic agendas such as politician L.K. Advani was given a Siropa and SiriSahib (Kirpan) at the highest seat of power, Akal Takht Sahib, after he published a book 'My Country My Life’ ( in which he claims to be responsible for the 1984 attacks and boasts about it, and also calls Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhinderanwale a "rakhshas" demon, and wrote that Sikhism is not a separate religion but a sect of Hinduism, and also wrote that the Sikh Gurus were not Gurus nut just Hindu Saints).
So, it is quite appalling that a person who is openly against Sikh ethos is being honored at Akal Takht Sahib.
Thus, we can see that the use of Siropa is being abused by antiPanthic elements as well as Sikhs themselves.
I think that we should arrange 'Seminars on Siropas' in which we discuss how the Guru and Sangat regarded the Siropa, its historical and practical significance and what it is being used as nowadays instead.
Please post this on Sikhnet.com, please....
thank you..
PS: if i have made any mistakes, please forgive me, i am forever erring; only Guru Jee is Perfect.. May be be closer to Guru Jee!



THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL QUESTION AND RESPONSE: )

Waheguroo ji ka khalsa,, Waheguroo ji ki fateh!


I was wondering if you could tell me about the meaning behind the long white cloth (scarf) worn around the neck usually by gianis when reading paath from Dhan Sri Guru Granth sahib ji and what it is called? I also see people wear it when they do kirtan etc.

Gurfateh

----reply----
Sat nam. It's called a saropa and it is worn by ardasees, granthis, and ragis. Not sure why but that is the tradition.
guru ang sang,
DKK