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Summary of Question:	Removal Of 5 K's At Hospital.
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Thursday, 8/15/2002 5:22 AM MDT

Satsriakhal,

I am due to have surgery and will be required to remove all metal objects and jewellery.

I am extremely concerned now that the date for surgery is getting closer.

I want to know will it be permisable if I was to take off my kara from my wrist and my small kirpan & khanda which I wear around my neck. I am not amritdhari but pray daily that I be blessed with amrit ASAP.

The other thing that is bothering me is that what if the nurses shave or cut hairs on my body during the procedure.

Although I am not amritdhari, I have chosen to wear the 5 Ks for quite some time now, I am a turbanned male and have an uncut beard and kesh.

A friend told me that I shouldn't worry since I am not amritdhari, and that amritdhari people in this situation re-take amrit once they have recovered from surgery.

As you can appreciate I am feeling guilty and bad at thought of removing some of the 5 K's, I then console myself that it is for a genuine reason - but it doesn't seem to help.

I then say to myself that it is between me and Guru-ji, and that I shall do ardas and ask for forgiveness.

I hope you can shed some light on this.
Thankyou.

Satnam Waheguru.

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Reply
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Greetings and blessings to you in the Name of God the light of every soul and in the Name of Guru the Life of every Sikh.

You sound very worried about your surgical procedure. It is OK to remove your 5 kaka's for this process. Try not to feel so anxious. God is with you. You can remove whatever is necessary to be removed and wrap them together inside a ramala with your nitnem in a special place. Make a small alter by your bed with a photo of the Guru's and place your kakaars there in reverence and grace.

Your intention is to be totally respectful. God is kind and understanding of your medical need.

Do your ardas and keep your confidence that Guru has placed His hand on your forehead. He is watching over you in loving protection.

God bless you, SKKK