Dastaar Bandhi dsqwrbmdi Turban Tying Ceremony Dastaar Bandhi is a turban tying ceremony for a Sikh child when they become of age and are ready to commit to donning their spiritual crown. It is a symbol of sovereignty and their commitment to love and justice for humanity.
gur crn lwgy idn sbwgy Awpxw ipru jwpey ] Blessed is that day, when I am attached to the Guru's feet (teachings) and meditate on the Lord s Name. Anhq bwxi gur sbid jwxi hir nwmu hir rsu Bogo ] I have come to know the unstruck melody and the Word of the Guru's teachings; I enjoy the essence of the Lord through the Name. 2
A Mother s Embrace And Prayer Today, you, my child will have the privilege of partaking in this right of passage. This is your stepping stone towards maturing into a kind, merciful, intellectual, courageous, unwavering, righteous and a confident young person. As parents, we see today s ceremony as a step you take towards the Guru, a loving and a steadfast step. The Dastaar, the Sikh turban, is an article of faith. It holds spiritual and temporal significance. It is a spiritual crown you wear to remind you of who you are and the values you safeguard. Your turban is also a symbol of sovereignty and devotion to Waheguru (One Supreme Being, God). In the spring of 1699, the Sikh bana (dress code) was formalized. Guru Gobind Singh Ji sacrificed his greatest loves, his greatest gifts, his four sons, so you could be here today to receive this honor of wearing a Dastaar gifted to you by him. We hope that with every thought, every intention, every action you take going forward, you do so from your heart with compassion, truth and love for all of Waheguru s creation. Many of your family, friends and community members are your role models and pillars of support who are here to help you in navigating the responsibility that comes with donning a turban. You are now, also someone we all look up to. 3
As your Dastaar is tied fold by fold, know that you are loved endlessly; you fear none and frighten none. Wearing a turban in Sikhi not only represents love and respect for the divine but also symbolizes equality for all human beings. After the ceremony, when we sit down for Langar (community meal), remember that no one person is considered superior or inferior to another based on any social, religious, spiritual, political, financial, educational, gender, racial, ethnic or other basis. You are an equal to every other. The road ahead is not going to be easy. You will encounter many barriers and challenges. In difficult circumstances when flight is usually a convenient choice, we hope that you will stand up for your principles. We hope that you take your next steps following the moral compass of your heart. We hope that you will hold your head high when you wear your Dastaar; it gives you an insight into who you are and who you want to be. As parents, we feel a sense of pride and hope on this joyful occasion. Participation in the Daastar Bandi passes that pride and sense of responsibility on to you, the upcoming generation. You, my child, are blessed to be part of an amazing community that comprises an array of nationalities and cultures are fortunate to share this day with everyone here today. When I look at you, I see an amazing person, one who is as good looking as intelligent. I see a sensitive young person who is in tune with their self and is proud of our heritage and history. I see an adventurous soul who is ready explore what the future holds. 4
ਲੜ-ਸਦਕ Awesome Fold(s) ਸ ਚ ਸਸ ਖ ਦ ਸਸ ਖ ਦ, ਸਦ-ਸਦਕ ਸ ਚ ਧ ਨ ਦ ਖ ਡ, ਸਦ -ਸ ਦ ਖੜਕ Forever awed by seekers (Sikhs) of truth, may twang of a truth seeking blade (stay sharp) ring forever ਰ ਬ ਸ ਝ ਸ ਚ ਰ ਸ ਆ, ਸਦ ਲ ਧੜਕ ਹ ਹਸਰਆ, ਸ ਆਨ ਸ ਚ ਸ ਜਕ may the heart throb in the spiritual wisdom, may you blossom through the drench of true knowledge, ਹਲ ਸ ਚ ਹ ਦ, ਹ ਕ, ਕ ਸਨਆਰ ਪਨ ਦ ਨਜ ਰ, ਹ ਸ ਜਕ while in humility may your-self and righteousness roar, may the sight of your unique identity be glorious, ਫਖ ਰ ਰ ਹਬ ਨ ਲ ਦ ਲ, ਸਸਸਰ ਚ ਕ ਲੜ ਫ ਬਦ ਨ, ਸ ਚ ਲੜ ਲ ਕ may the turban exhibit your shining pride and confidence, folds (of the turban) are attractive when one is in the fold of truth, ਹ ੜ ਬ ਝਦ ਨ, ਠ ਲ ਸ ਚ ਜ ਕ ਲੜ ਬ ਨ ਕ, ਸ ਲ ਨ ਬ ਝਦ (just like) flood waters are tamed and channeled with dams, folds of the turban channel the unsure mind with responsibility, ਲੜ ਬ ਸਝਆ ਦ ਨ ਲ, ਲ ੜ ਸ ਜਦ folds of the turban make grooms attractive too, ਸ ਸਰ ਆ ਤ ਰਨ ਏ ਰ ਜ ਕ ਬ ਚ ਹ ਦ ਏ ਸ ਝ ਆਣ ਕ ਜ ਕ 5
ਸ ਸਰ ਆ 'ਤ ਰਨ ਏ, ਰ ਜ ਕ ਬ ਚ ਹ ਦ ਏ, ਸ ਝ, ਆਣ, ਕ ਜ ਕ the elements of time have, and may hinder with all their might, the victory is always through defending principles and self-respect, ਸਬਜਲ ਸਲ ਸ ਕ, ਅ ਬਰ ੜਕ ਅਣਖ ਲ ਨਜਰ ਅ, ਨ ਕ ਈ ਫ ੜਕ though the hurdles may be like lightning and thunder, these hurdles are no match against the zeal of righteousness, ਉਲ ਘ ਸ ਝ ਲ, ਕਦ ਨ ਸ ੜਕ ਅ ਖ ਸਚ ਜ ਹ, ਨ ਸਫਰ ਰੜਕ foot-steps do not shake if the leap is through wise realization, there is no irritation when one is clear-eyed, ਲੜ ਲ ੜਨ, ਲ ੜ ਲ -ਲ ਕ I too seek the company of those who seek such true fold(s), ਇ ਨ ਲ ਹ ਤ ਲ ਉਣ, ਆਪ ਲ ਕ they lead others on the path by walking themselves, ਓ ਸਦਕ! ਇਹ ਸਜਹ ਦ, ਸਦ-ਸਦਕ O wow, I am always in awe of such individuals. -ਇਰਸ ਨ ਪਰ ਤ ਸਸ ਘ, ੨੪ ਸ ਨ ੫੪੭ -Irwin Preet Singh, August 8th, 2015 6
About Me After I compose my hair in a joora (a topknot or a bun), I wear a patka. It is a smaller turban for younger children. It helps hold my hair in place while I play sports and protects my long hair from getting dirty or tangled. Besides the practical use, it is one of my articles of faith; I wear it daily and it is a part of me. Now that I am growing, so is my hair and graduating to wearing an adult turban is celebrated in a special way. I have been waiting for this for a long time. I have been thinking about what this means to me and how this commitment will help guide my decisions and the person I choose to become. Today, I feel proud. I feel blessed and I feel supported by my family, friends and community to take this step in the presence of my Guru, my ultimate life coach, Guru Granth Sahib. This is my definite and unwavering commitment step towards my Guru's path of love and justice. Thank you for being a part of this celebration. 7
V Editor: Mohena Kaur Design/Illustrations: Parveer Singh, The Virsa Collaborative Contributions: Irwin Preet Singh, Gurpreet Kaur and Harinder S. Padam, Meeta Kaur, Balvinder Kumar, Mallika Kaur All rights reserved. Copyright 2015, of contributors, authors, artists This booklet MAY be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission from the authors. This is a seva (selfless-service) provided by the SFC, Sikh Family Center (www.sikhfamilycenter.org) This booklet may NOT be altered in content or design. It may be personalized and may not be sold. Donations to the Sikh Family Center are requested and appreciated. ISBN 978-1-943932-00-9 online digital resource While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. 8