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Colour Red And Gursikh Wedding...


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I remember reading somewhere online that red should not be worn by the bride or groom... but then when I went to look at the SRM, it doesn't say anything about clothing colour for the wedding, so I am wondering where I saw this? Is it true, should bride not wear red at all? Because every Sikh bride I see, even Gursikh turban wearing seem to wear red lehenga or punjabi suit... or a shade thereof like maroon.

In Sikh Rehet Maryada the only thing I was able to find about red at all is that it says they should not wear a "red thread around their wrist" (which I am assuming is in reference to the Hindu Kalava or Rakhi)?

As a side note I can't seem to find it again online or anywhere for that matter (so maybe I am going crazy lol), where it stated that red should not be worn... so maybe it was a mistranslation of the above mentioned part of SRM?

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All of the Gurus and prominent Sikhs till late 19th century were married according to the sanatani reets, same for their cremations.

Sri guru ram das ji maharaj had given the 4 lavan for a Sikh to do their marrige. I have no doubt that up to the 4th guru the probably did do Hindu or snantan traditions but afterwards they did not especially when guru sahib gave 4 lavan no guru ever did snantan traditions.

If you have proof to refute this please post it here.

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Global Sikh Studies research paper says Sikhs in the 19th century (inc M Ranjit Singh) were married acc to Vedi rites.

http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/article/AnandMarriage%20-%20By%20Dr.%20Kulwant%20Singh%20Khokhar.pdf

"Bhai Mani Singh was contemporary of Guru Gobind Singh. In Bhagtawali by

Bhai Mani Singh, under the heading Vajub-al-Araz, Guru Gobind Singh 15 advised that

marriage should be done by Anand Karaj, and after that it should be got done by

Brahmin"

Maharaja Ranjit Singh

After Guru Gobibd Singh and Banda Bahadur, up to the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh,16

Hindu priests had great hold on masses including Sikhs. Hindu majority, and

overwhelming Hindu environment as well as their influence suppressed Anand Karaj, and

marriage by Vedi had upper hand. Vedi Vivah was performed even in the household of

Maharaja Ranjt Singh. 17 Maharaja’s marriage was also performed by Vedi.

Contemporaries of Maharaja Ranjit Singh - Baba Sahib Singh Bedi, and Sant Bir Singh

of Narangabad - There are no example of Anand marriage in their followers. In Prem

Sumarag Granth,18 for marriage Havan (fire) is mentioned – taking Lavan’ around fire."

Would this be enough or need more evidence?

Keep your nonsense out of this thread.

Edited by OnPathToSikhi
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I remember reading somewhere online that red should not be worn by the bride or groom... but then when I went to look at the SRM, it doesn't say anything about clothing colour for the wedding, so I am wondering where I saw this? Is it true, should bride not wear red at all? Because every Sikh bride I see, even Gursikh turban wearing seem to wear red lehenga or punjabi suit... or a shade thereof like maroon.

The colour red in hindu mat is worn by those who wish to be by their lord. ie their husband. So when they get married hindu women wear red, as a sign that they are now by their lord - their husband.

The colour red was not used in sikh marriages until the decline began, and after that it became the norm to wear red.

If you wish to know more about this from the Sikh point of view, there is a shabd by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in which he tells about the colour red and its significanc in hindu thought. i cant remember the shabd but it ends in "Nanak, lalo laal hai, sacha ratta sach..."

Where can I find this? It's not anywhere in the SRM... I've looked it top to bottom!

It is in the 52 hukams of Guru ji.

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sloku mÚ 1 ]

salok ma 1 || Salok, First Mehla: nw mYlw nw DuMDlw nw Bgvw nw kcu ] naa mailaa naa dhhu(n)dhhalaa naa bhagavaa naa kach || Neither dirty, nor dull, nor saffron, nor any color that fades. nwnk lwlo lwlu hY scY rqw scu ]1] naanak laalo laal hai sachai rathaa sach ||1||

O Nanak, crimson - deep crimson is the color of one who is imbued with the True Lord. ||1||

Here it is actually, finding it was a lot easier then i thought.

This Shabad is by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Raag Maaroo on Pannaa 1089

See if you can try and find some katha for it.

Satkirin Kaur, you to listen to katha?

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chatanga1: Here are the 52 Hukams... pls show me where it says red / green (or any colour for that matter) are prohibited?


  1. Earn by honest means.
  2. Donate a tenth share of your salary.
  3. Memorize Gurbani.
  4. Wake up Amrit Vela (before dawn).
  5. Devotedly serve the Sikh who serves others.
  6. Learn the meanings of Gurbani from Sikh Scholars.
  7. Follow the discipline of the 5 K's strictly.
  8. Practice Shabad Gurbani in life.
  9. Concentrate on the True Guru (God).
  10. Accept Guru Granth Sahib Ji as Guru.
  11. At the beginning of a task, perform ardaas
  12. At birth, death, or marriage ceremonies, do Japji Sahib, make Karaah Parshaad, do five stanzas of Anand Sahib, do ardaas, and then distribute Karaah Parshaad to the Panj Pyare, the Granthi, and then to the sangat.
  13. Until Karaah Parshaad is completely distributed, the Sangat should remain sitting and unmoving.
  14. Do not start married life without Anand Karaj (Sikh ceremony of marriage).
  15. Recognize all other women other than your wife as mothers and sisters. Do not engage in marital behaviour with them.
  16. Do not subject your wife to cursing or verbal abuse.
  17. Abandon worldly falsehoods and tobacco-poison.
  18. Keep the company of Sikhs who follow the Rehat and meditate on the Name (of God).
  19. Don't be lazy while doing work.
  20. Listen and do kirtan and Gurbani discourses daily.
  21. Do not engage in slander, gossip or spite anyone
  22. Do not take pride in wealth, youth and caste. (Mother and Father's caste both castes. All Sikhs of the Guru are siblings)
  23. Keep the religious discipline high and pure.
  24. Do not refrain from doing Righteous deeds.
  25. Recognize God as the giver of intellect and strength.
  26. Do not believe a person who swears (one who tries/attempts to convince someone with a 'saun or saugandh').
  27. Think independently. In the affairs of governing, do not give the power of religious authority to those of other faiths.
  28. Study politics.
  29. With the enemy, practice/deploy the various techniques/tactics of diplomacy (saam, daam, dand, bhed) and exhaust all techniques before engaging in warfare.
  30. Practice the knowledge of weaponry and horse riding.
  31. Study the books and knowledge of other faiths. But keep trust in Gurbani and Akal Purukh.
  32. Follow the teachings of the Guru.
  33. After Rehras Paatth [Prayers], do Ardaas standing up.
  34. Recite Sohila and 'paun guru pani pita...' stanza before going to sleep.
  35. Wear a turban at all times.
  36. Do not call a Singh by half of their name (nickname).
  37. Do not partake of alcoholic drinks.
  38. Do not given a daughter's hand to a clean shaven. Give her hand in a house where God's Sikhi exists, where the household is not in debt, is of a good nature, is disciplined and knowledgeable.
  39. Do all work in accordance with Gurbani.
  40. Do not ruin someone's work by gossip.
  41. Do not utter bitter statements.
  42. Make pilgrimages to Gurudwaras only.
  43. Fulfill all promises that are made
  44. Do as much sewa as you can for foreigners, the needy and the troubled.
  45. Recognize the property of a daughter as poison. (Do not live off your daughter's wealth)
  46. Do not become an outward show-off Sikh.
  47. Live and die a Keshadhaari Sikh (A Sikh who has uncut hair)
  48. Refrain from engaging in theft, adultery / promiscuity / permissiveness, fraud, deceit, embezzlement.
  49. Believe a true Sikh.
  50. Do not give false testimony.
  51. Do not cheat.
  52. Distribute Langar and Karaah Parshaad with equality.

As for those who said that SRM has holes and is incomplete: Some say this, and others say that GRM is too restrictive actually bordering on useless rituals which the Gurus taught against. Like it or not, MANY Sikhs follow the SRM. Not all Sikhs are Taksalis, so one jatha's more restrictive RM can not speak for the entire panth.

So in all things we are supposed to look to SGGSJ for guidance correct? Please show me in SGGSJ, our only Guru, where red (and green) are prohibited.

The quote by sher seems to suggest the opposite:

sloku mÚ 1 ]

salok ma 1 || Salok, First Mehla: nw mYlw nw DuMDlw nw Bgvw nw kcu ] naa mailaa naa dhhu(n)dhhalaa naa bhagavaa naa kach || Neither dirty, nor dull, nor saffron, nor any color that fades. nwnk lwlo lwlu hY scY rqw scu ]1] naanak laalo laal hai sachai rathaa sach ||1||

O Nanak, crimson - deep crimson is the color of one who is imbued with the True Lord. ||1||

In fact I went on srigranth.org and searched for crimson myself and every instance is an example suggesting that crimson (red) is a spiritual colour. There are no instances where it suggests avoiding this colour.

On the contrary and when we dig a little deeper, SGGSJ suggests in numerous places that the colour of one's clothes does not matter at all. It makes reference to ascetics etc wearing all white (just as one example) and makes the statement that this will not bring you closer to Waheguru Ji. This also suggests that avoiding certain colours is useless in bringing you closer to the divine. In the case of crimson, it's making the statement that wearing crimson for the specific purpose of bringing you closer to the divine is useless... instead naam colours your soul crimson - it's using crimson as a comparison to show the needlessness of useless rituals like avoiding / only wearing certain colours. It's our actions and not what we wear that gets us there.

So... none of this actually prohibits wearing red...

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instead naam colours your soul crimson - it's using crimson as a comparison to show the needlessness of useless rituals like avoiding / only wearing certain colours. It's our actions and not what we wear that gets us there.

So... none of this actually prohibits wearing red...

Your understanding is correct in my humble opinion. Gurbani makes constant references to the soul "bride" and husband God. So the color red is the color of Naam.

Found a quote from Gurbani that should dispel any such understanding/restriction about colors:

ਏਕਸੁ ਤੇ ਸਭਿ ਰੂਪ ਹਹਿ ਰੰਗਾ ॥

Eaekas Thae Sabh Roop Hehi Rangaa ||

एकसु ते सभि रूप हहि रंगा ॥

All forms and colors come from the One Lord.

Also, want to point out that the Gurbani reference:

ਨਾਨਕ ਲਾਲੋ ਲਾਲੁ ਹੈ ਸਚੈ ਰਤਾ ਸਚੁ ॥੧॥

Naanak Laalo Laal Hai Sachai Rathaa Sach ||1||

नानक लालो लालु है सचै रता सचु ॥१॥

O Nanak, crimson - deep crimson is the color of one who is imbued with the True Lord. ||1||

was provided by Chatanga, not by sher as you mentioned.

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chatanga1: Here are the 52 Hukams... pls show me where it says red / green (or any colour for that matter) are prohibited?

So... none of this actually prohibits wearing red...

Sorry, I remembered afterwards where I had read it, it was actually in Sau Sakhi. Apologies once again.

the shabd of Guru Nanak Dev ji, is basically saying that as people (jeev-atma or soul-bride) can still get connected to their Lord (Husband Lord- the Primal Soul - Param-atma) without having to wear red clothing, as per Hindu custom.

There is no prohibition mentioned in Guru Ji shabd but the reasoning that those whose hearts are dyed in the red of the True one are truly with their husband lords.

For the prohibited part, you will need to access Sau Sakhi.

But it is a per hindu custom, that Sikhs have again started to wear red again.

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But it is a per hindu custom, that Sikhs have again started to wear red again.

Do Hindus have a monopoly on the colour red?

Why can't colours just be.... colours? And why can't clothes just be clothes? Why can't someone wear a red shirt for example, because they are drawn to red roses? To me, the red rose is no less deserving than the orange or yellow one...

Anyway, I am getting married next Summer. And the suit I really fell in love with, happens to be red... hence my question. Well, it's red base colour but with gold and navy blue embroidery. I thought it would work well with a navy blue dastar.

But it's red... well probably more dark red... like maroon... will I be committing some ghastly crime if I get married wearing red?

Case in point... see attached images...

post-10390-0-27696100-1412984059_thumb.j

post-10390-0-49720400-1412984060_thumb.j

post-10390-0-24873900-1412984061_thumb.j

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ਮਃ ੩ ॥

मः ३ ॥

Mėhlā 3.

Third Mehl:

ਸੂਹਾ ਰੰਗੁ ਵਿਕਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਕੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥

सूहा रंगु विकारु है कंतु न पाइआ जाइ ॥

Sūhā rang vikār hai kanṯ na pā▫i▫ā jā▫e.

The red color is vain and useless; it cannot help you obtain your Husband Lord.

ਇਸੁ ਲਹਦੇ ਬਿਲਮ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਰੰਡ ਬੈਠੀ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ॥

इसु लहदे बिलम न होवई रंड बैठी दूजै भाइ ॥

Is lahḏe bilam na hova▫ī rand baiṯẖī ḏūjai bẖā▫e.

This color does not take long to fade; she who loves duality, ends up a widow.

ਮੁੰਧ ਇਆਣੀ ਦੁੰਮਣੀ ਸੂਹੈ ਵੇਸਿ ਲਭਾਇ ॥

मुंध इआणी दुमणी सूहै वेसि लोभाइ ॥

Munḏẖ i▫āṇī ḏummṇī sūhai ves lobẖā▫e.

She who loves to wear her red dress is foolish and double-minded.

ਸਬਦਿ ਸਚੈ ਰੰਗੁ ਲਾਲੁ ਕਰਿ ਭੈ ਭਾਇ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ਬਣਾਇ ॥

सबदि सचै रंगु लालु करि भै भाइ सीगारु बणाइ ॥

Sabaḏ sacẖai rang lāl kar bẖai bẖā▫e sīgār baṇā▫e.

So make the True Word of the Shabad your red dress, and let the Fear of God, and the Love of God, be your ornaments and decorations.

ਨਾਨਕ ਸਦਾ ਸੋਹਾਗਣੀ ਜਿ ਚਲਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਭਾਇ ॥੨॥

नानक सदा सोहागणी जि चलनि सतिगुर भाइ ॥२॥

Nānak saḏā sohāgaṇī jė cẖalan saṯgur bẖā▫e. ||2||

O Nanak, she is a happy soul-bride forever, who walks in harmony with the Will of the True Guru. ||2||

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Do Hindus have a monopoly on the colour red?

Why can't colours just be.... colours? And why can't clothes just be clothes? Why can't someone wear a red shirt for example, because they are drawn to red roses? To me, the red rose is no less deserving than the orange or yellow one...

Anyway, I am getting married next Summer. And the suit I really fell in love with, happens to be red... hence my question. Well, it's red base colour but with gold and navy blue embroidery. I thought it would work well with a navy blue dastar.

But it's red... well probably more dark red... like maroon... will I be committing some ghastly crime if I get married wearing red?

Case in point... see attached images...

Ny sister got married last year and she wore a really nice golding orangish anarkali and it was really nice looking.

In my opinion I would wear blue with silver for a wedding.

Congrats on the wedding :)

Is it gonna be in India or Canada?

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Ny sister got married last year and she wore a really nice golding orangish anarkali and it was really nice looking.

In my opinion I would wear blue with silver for a wedding.

Congrats on the wedding :)

Is it gonna be in India or Canada?

Thanks! Kind of both... anand karaj in Kashmir, and legal ceremony in Canada.

And... I do not look good at all in blue... and I don't think he likes blue either. I have bright green eyes... so blue in general (unless it's just accent colour) somehow clashes on me haha.

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Thanks! Kind of both... anand karaj in Kashmir, and legal ceremony in Canada.

And... I do not look good at all in blue... and I don't think he likes blue either. I have bright green eyes... so blue in general (unless it's just accent colour) somehow clashes on me haha.

If you ever come to Ontario then you could meet my sister and she could help you choose a wedding dress for you lol.
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Pls note, I did not make a claim that since vedic marriage is mentioned by the Guru sahib, it means that he also got married according to the same rites.

Incidentally, another tukk about soleminisation of marriage:

ਸਯਾਮ ਭਨੈ ਜੋਊ ਬੇਦ ਕੇ ਬੀਚ ਲਿਖੀ ਬਿਧ ਬਯਾਹ ਕੀ ਸੋ ਦੁਹੂੰ ਕੀਨੀ ॥ਮੰਤ੍ਰਨ ਸੋ ਅਭਿਮੰਤ੍ਰਨ ਕੈ ਭੂਅ ਫੋਰਨ ਕੀ ਸੁ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਕੈ ਲੀਨੀ ॥

सयाम भनै जोऊ बेद के बीच लिखी बिध बयाह की सो दुहूं कीनी ॥मंत्रन सो अभिमंत्रन कै भूअ फोरन की सु पवित्र कै लीनी ॥

The marriage of both was soleminsed according to Vedic rites and there were performed the matrimonial rites of moving round the sacred fire with the chanting of mantras;

page 1034

page 1034

The tuk that you brought up is actually describing a wedding from chaubis avtaar and nothing more. Guru ji is describing how that person got married as with the other tuk you posted.

ਅਉਰ ਬਡੇ ਨ੍ਰਿਪ ਆਵਤ ਭੇ ਚਤੁਰੰਗ ਚਮੂੰ ਸੁ ਘਨੀ ਸੰਗ ਲੈ ਕੈ ॥ ਹੇਰਨ ਬਯਾਹ ਰੁਕੰਮਨ ਕੋ ਅਤਿ ਹੀ ਚਿਤ ਮੈ ਸੁ ਹੁਲਾਸ ਬਢੈ ਕੈ ॥

अउर बडे न्रिप आवत भे चतुरंग चमूं सु घनी संग लै कै ॥ हेरन बयाह रुकमन को अति ही चित मै सु हुलास बढै कै ॥

Many other kings reached there alongwith their fourfold army, getting pleased, reached there in order to see the wedding of Rummani;

ਭੇਰ ਘਨੀ ਸਹਨਾਇ ਸੰਗੇ ਰਨ ਦੁੰਦਭ ਅਉ ਤੁਰਹੀਨ ਬਜੈ ਕੈ ॥ ਸਯਾਮ ਇਤੇ ਛਪ ਆਵਤ ਭਯੋ ਕਬਿ ਸਯਾਮ ਭਨੈ ਤਿਨ ਕਾਰਨ ਛੈ ਕੈ ॥੧੯੮੫॥

भेर घनी सहनाइ संगे रन दुंदभ अउ तुरहीन बजै कै ॥ सयाम इते छप आवत भयो कबि सयाम भनै तिन कारन छै कै ॥१९८५॥

The kettledrums, charionets, and small drums were being played with such intensity that the ear-drums seemed to be getting torn.1985.

ਸਯਾਮ ਭਨੈ ਜੋਊ ਬੇਦ ਕੇ ਬੀਚ ਲਿਖੀ ਬਿਧ ਬਯਾਹ ਕੀ ਸੋ ਦੁਹੂੰ ਕੀਨੀ ॥ਮੰਤ੍ਰਨ ਸੋ ਅਭਿਮੰਤ੍ਰਨ ਕੈ ਭੂਅ ਫੋਰਨ ਕੀ ਸੁ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਕੈ ਲੀਨੀ ॥

सयाम भनै जोऊ बेद के बीच लिखी बिध बयाह की सो दुहूं कीनी ॥मंत्रन सो अभिमंत्रन कै भूअ फोरन की सु पवित्र कै लीनी ॥

The marriage of both was soleminsed according to Vedic rites and there were performed the matrimonial rites of moving round the sacred fire with the chanting of mantras;

ਅਉਰ ਜਿਤੇ ਦਿਜ ਸ੍ਰੈਸ਼ਟ ਹੁਤੇ ਤਿਨ ਕੋ ਅਤਿ ਹੀ ਦਛਨਾ ਤਿਨ ਦੀਨੀ ॥ਬੇਦੀ ਰਚੀ ਭਲੀ ਭਾਂਤਹ ਸੋ ਜਦੁਬੀਰ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਭ ਲਾਗਤ ਹੀਨੀ ॥੧੯੮੬॥

अउर जिते दिज स्रैशट हुते तिन को अति ही दछना तिन दीनी ॥बेदी रची भली भांतह सो जदुबीर बिना सभ लागत हीनी ॥१९८६॥

Enormous gifts were given to the eminent Brahmins; a charming altar was erected, but nothing seemed appropriate without Krishna.1986.

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If you ever come to Ontario then you could meet my sister and she could help you choose a wedding dress for you lol.

Thats just it... I found the one I want.... I love it... but it's red lol. It's a regular salwar suit but it's the embroidery on it and the trim etc that I love... but its red! And I kind of really like the red... will this set me back another 8.4 million lifetimes?? lol.

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Thats just it... I found the one I want.... I love it... but it's red lol. It's a regular salwar suit but it's the embroidery on it and the trim etc that I love... but its red! And I kind of really like the red... will this set me back another 8.4 million lifetimes?? lol.

With green eyes soft pink would be beautiful.

Please do not wear a salwar suit for your wedding. Your wedding has to be much much much much more special.

http://dressanarkali.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/anarkali-Pink-Wedding-Wear-Salwar-Kameez-Suit.jpg

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