Kara (Sikhism)
Encyclopedia
A kara is a steel or iron bracelet
, worn by both male and female initiated
Sikh
s. It is one of the five kakars or 5Ks — external articles of faith — that identify a Sikh as dedicated to their religious order
. The kara was instituted by the tenth Sikh guru
Gobind Singh
at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanskar
in 1699. Guru Gobind Singh Ji explained:
The kara is to constantly remind the Sikh disciple to do God's work, a constant reminder of the Sikh's mission on this earth and that he or she must carry out righteous and true deeds and actions, keeping with the advice given by the Guru
. Also the kara comes in many forms and sizes, from battle field types, sharp edges, spikes etc. The kara is also used in self-defense like a knuckle duster. It was used in the deadly brutal Sikh martial art of Shastar Vidiya, when using the kara to settle a dispute by fighting without weapons known in Northern India as iron fist fighting
or Loh Mushti in Punjab, like a form of boxing but using these steel or iron bracelets instead of gloves.
As the Sikhs' holy text the Guru Granth Sahib
says "In the tenth month, you were made into a human being, O my merchant friend, and you were given your allotted time to perform good deeds." Similarly, Bhagat Kabir
reminds the Sikh to always keep one's consciousness with God
: "With your hands and feet, do all your work, but let your consciousness remain with the Immaculate Lord."
Bracelet
A bracelet is an article of jewelry which is worn around the wrist. Bracelets can be manufactured from metal, leather, cloth, plastic or other materials and sometimes contain jewels, rocks, wood, and/or shells...
, worn by both male and female initiated
Khalsa
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Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
s. It is one of the five kakars or 5Ks — external articles of faith — that identify a Sikh as dedicated to their religious order
Hukam
Hukam is a Punjabi word derived from the Arabic hukm, meaning "command" or "order." In God whose is referred to as Waheguru. It is by the command of Him that we are born and we die. In the Sikh Scripture, the founder of the religion, Guru Nanak says:...
. The kara was instituted by the tenth Sikh guru
Sikh Gurus
The Sikh Gurus established Sikhism from over the centuries beginning in the year 1469. Sikhism was founded by the first guru, Guru Nanak, and subsequently, all in order were referred to as "Nanak", and as "Lights", making their teachings in the holy scriptures, equivalent...
Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanskar
Amrit Sanskar
Amrit Sanchar or the Amrit ceremony is the Sikh ceremony of initiation or baptism. This practice has been in existence since the times of Guru Nanak Dev . During that time-period, this ceremony was known as Charan Amrit or Charan Pahul or the Pag Pahul, the words Charan and Pag both signifying the...
in 1699. Guru Gobind Singh Ji explained:
"He does not recognize anyone else except One Lord, not even the bestowal of charities, performance of merciful acts, austerities and restraint on pilgrim-stations; the perfect light of the Lord illuminates his heart, then consider him as the immaculate Khalsa."
The kara is to constantly remind the Sikh disciple to do God's work, a constant reminder of the Sikh's mission on this earth and that he or she must carry out righteous and true deeds and actions, keeping with the advice given by the Guru
Bani
Gurbani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to any compositions of the Sikh Gurus. Gurbani is composed of two words: 'Gur' meaning 'the Guru's' and 'bani' meaning 'word'....
. Also the kara comes in many forms and sizes, from battle field types, sharp edges, spikes etc. The kara is also used in self-defense like a knuckle duster. It was used in the deadly brutal Sikh martial art of Shastar Vidiya, when using the kara to settle a dispute by fighting without weapons known in Northern India as iron fist fighting
Iron fist fighting
Iron Fist Fighting, also known as Loh Mushti in Northern India . Loh Mushti is the traditional Sikh form of boxing, just like the western world has boxing there was also a form of boxing among the Sikhs...
or Loh Mushti in Punjab, like a form of boxing but using these steel or iron bracelets instead of gloves.
As the Sikhs' holy text the Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
says "In the tenth month, you were made into a human being, O my merchant friend, and you were given your allotted time to perform good deeds." Similarly, Bhagat Kabir
Kabir
Kabīr was a mystic poet and saint of India, whose writings have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement...
reminds the Sikh to always keep one's consciousness with God
God in Sikhism
The concept of God in Sikhism is uncompromisingly monotheistic, as symbolized by "Ik Onkar" , a central tenet of Sikh philosophy. The fundamental belief of Sikhism is that God exists, indescribable yet knowable and perceivable to anyone who is prepared to dedicate the time and energy to become...
: "With your hands and feet, do all your work, but let your consciousness remain with the Immaculate Lord."
The Kara is a symbol of unbreakable attachment to God. It is in the shape of a circle which has no beginning and no end, like the eternal nature of God. It is also a symbol of the Sikh brotherhood.
The Kara is worn on the dominant hand.