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Summary of Question:	Meaning Of Gurbinder And Of Keeping Hair
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Monday, 2/04/2002 9:27 AM MST

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa;

Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fathae;

I have two small questions, the first one being, I know you lot are frequently asked this question of keeping long hair, but what I wanted to know is, whether Sikhs keep long hair for the same reason as Rastafarians keep those long dreadlocks?
A Rastafarian Gentleman told me that the reason for those dreadlocks on a Rasta's head is to symbolise the Rasta's roots. I was wondering if Guru Gobind Singh Ji, recommended us to keep long hair for the same reason? to symbolise our roots?

My second question is, I want to know the meaning of my first and second name.
What is the meaning of 'Gurbinder' and 'Gill'?

BTW I am very grateful to you all for helping me with my past questions and problems, I have learnt a lot from this website. Take care and keep up with the good work.

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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal, Ji.

We keep our hair because God made us with hair. Period. But I might add that the practice of cutting hair/shaving in India started UNDER Mughal rule. It was not typical of Indians to cut hair or shave before the Mughals began ruling India, and for the Mughals, forcing Hindus/non-Muslims to cut hair was done to reinforce their sense of subjugation.

Gurbinder is like Gurvinder. Gur=Guru and V/B for Waheguru and Inder for Indra, one of the many names for God. Guru-God, or Supreme One could be translations. As for Gill, that is a family/clan/or caste name. Ask your parents.
Gur Fateh!
-DKK