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Summary of Question:	Marriage Compulsory?
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Saturday, 7/28/2001 3:17 PM MDT

Dear Khalsa ji

I do remember asking you whether Sikhi says you must marry in life. You replied saying yes, although did not back your answer by any bani. Can you please give me shabads from GGS Ji that proves that a Sikh must get married.

Would appreciate an answer very much
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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal. I don't know about your earlier reply/post. Guru taught his Sikhs to be saints and soldiers, to be in the world and serve others, not hide out in caves to lead a meditative life free from the stresses of the world and other people.

So, the life of a Sikh is a householder's life, not the life of an ascetic. That said, I have seen nothing in Siri Guru that insists one should be married to be Sikh. Our Rehit says (baptized) Sikhs must be chaste UNLESS married. But there is nothing REQUIRING a Sikh to be married. I speak from experience, as I am happily single. I live the life of a householder in all other respects.

I might add that Siri Guru is replete with references to the Husband Lord, and the Soul-bride. Thus, a true Sikh of the Guru marries the Guru in his or her heart through devotion to the Naam, whether or not they are married in their earthly life. A good example of this thinking is the Nitnaym bani, 'Shabd Hazaray'.

Guru ang sang,
-DKK