SAadmin Posted April 27, 2003 Report Share Posted April 27, 2003 HAIR VS. NAILS: It is often argued that hair and nails are similar, and a question frequently asked: "If we should not cut our hair, then why do we cut our nails?" But even a superficial study of the two shows them to be extremely different from each other. Whereas the hair grows from a tubular pit, the hair follicle, formed by sinking in of the most actively dividing layer of the skin, i.e., stratum germinativum, into the lower dermis, the nails are only modifications of the upper dead layers of the skin, i.e. stratum corneum. Further, the base of every follicle bulges out forming an inverted cup, which receives blood capillaries for nourishment and nerve fibres that make the hair sensitive to contact. An oil gland, known as sebaceous gland, opens into every hair follicle, the secretion of which lubricates the hair. A muscle is also attacked to the base of every hair for bringing about movement. Pigments are added to the shaft of the hair as it grows. None of these features is associated with nails. Structurally also hair is extremely strong, and resists breaking due to its elasticity and flexibility. Hair is as strong as steel, if we compare the two of the same diameter. Nails, on the other hand, are very brittle and rigid, breaking off easily. Hair number in thousands, thereby increasing the surface area, as if to meet a specific requirement. Nails number only twenty. The difference between the two do not end with the structural features. Even the body?s response towards the two is totally different. Our body, throughout life, tries to maintain a particular length of hair, and if cut anywhere along the length, responds by growing them again to the specific length. It clearly indicates the link of the body with the hair all along its length. The body shows no such response to the nails, which grow from birth to death at the same rate, irrespective of whether cut or not. As has been mentioned earlier, even the shafts of hair, like any other living organ of the body, respond to ageing (in their length, density of growth, greying, etc.) and condition of health is reflected in the person?s hair (in their lustre, shine, etc.), whereas from the dead part of the nail, one can infer no such thing. Practically also, hair do not interfere in any daily activity, whereas it is impossible to function at all with long nails. And even if not cut, nails generally fall off of their own easily; rather it takes great effort to maintain them, even upto a short length. In contrast to the long list of the functions of hair, only one function can be attributed to nails - that is, protection of the tips of digits. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 27, 2003 Report Share Posted April 27, 2003 u also missed hygeine.... if u got long nails - dirt gets under em - and ull end up eatin with the same nails good post neo :wink: fateh 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amrikingh Posted April 27, 2003 Report Share Posted April 27, 2003 bery nice post 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kaur1699 Posted April 27, 2003 Report Share Posted April 27, 2003 interestin post.... thanx... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harps Posted April 27, 2003 Report Share Posted April 27, 2003 Hair is living tissues - the end of ur nails are dead tissue. The same justification that says u use soap and have a bath to get rid of the dead skin and dirt on ur body is used to trim ur nails. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAAL Posted April 27, 2003 Report Share Posted April 27, 2003 this argument, about hair and nails, U do remove dead hair from ur body as u do wid da dead part of the nail, wen u comb ur hair, u r brushin out all dead hair in ur head c. aswell as keepin the hair healthy and clean! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muai_thai Posted April 30, 2003 Report Share Posted April 30, 2003 hair does not break naturally, so we do not trim it nails break so we can trim them simple answer... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K4ur Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 long naiks will get in the way wen doing sewa.... u can tie hair back etc.... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sukhsingh Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 so cutin ur nails is cutin the dead part off? (ie the white stuff) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navi Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 I was asked once, 'Why do you grow your hair but cut ur nails aint they the same thing?' I said 'To be a singh I need to following a set uniform formed by our GURU'S. This involves keeping our hair. However cutting your nails is required for hygiene. They are two different things.' Wearing the turban and the other 4 K's is part of our uniform which gives us our individuality. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K4ur Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 To add to that, cleansiness is an ipotant part in Sikhi so keeping clean, like nails..... is just a little thing to add to that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
min Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Jio First, I love this forum, sangat here are amazing, Waheguru Bless you all. Im a bit suprised that amrithdaris burn their hair, feels like its ritualistic and there no real reason for it. Im not sure on this and would like to inquire and tap into ur great minds for more info. My arguement, or concern relevant to the nails vs hair discussion is that hair being brushed out is conceivably dead, and so are nails being cut. Therefore is it not an inconsistency if nails are not being burned as well? Waheguru 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mugermach Singh Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 my practical answer, not directly from any text other then the mugermach guide to nutterism. long hair: Tie damala firmily to protect head Short head: Purchase helmet, protect head short nails, cant pinch/scratch purchase extensions. Long nails, scratch out eyes, rip out muscle/fat etc. by the way: what the reason to burn hair? dont just say Kakkar, looking for a practical reason. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr §ingh Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Jio First, I love this forum, sangat here are amazing, Waheguru Bless you all. Im a bit suprised that amrithdaris burn their hair, feels like its ritualistic and there no real reason for it. Im not sure on this and would like to inquire and tap into ur great minds for more info. My arguement, or concern relevant to the nails vs hair discussion is that hair being brushed out is conceivably dead, and so are nails being cut. Therefore is it not an inconsistency if nails are not being burned as well? Waheguru Well, its Not really ritualistic.. we've learnt to respect our Kesh..THrowing in the bin isn't really much respsect....why dont you suggest an alternative ? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
min Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 Fateh Jio Waheguru Bless You all Possible alternatives? There are many... Im sure we can all figure them out, at the end of the day it doesnt really matter. Its what makes you happy, and makes sense to you. Me personally, I dont want to get caught up too much in these "smaller" things and loose sight of the big picture, and thats Waheguru. Remember the Naam in ur heart and in meditation with love. You guys have helped me realize that whatever makes you happy is fine, im not ur judge. and when i hear of my cousins doing it, ill defend them. but at this stage in of my journey ill also make clear that I dont burn it or put it in water, etc. Also to be honest with you guys, when I do throw my hair out I get a weird, sort of uneasy guilt feeling. Smallish tho. I respect the hair Waheguru has given me, and thats the hair alive on my head. I absolutely love it. So blessed to have it, I cherish it. That may relate to a bit of sadness when it falls out from combing, naturally, etc. I understand now how some do, and some dont and that much better off. THanks to you all Waheguru 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niranjana Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 This is an argument that I recall having many times with Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike. To me, it is surprising that Sikhs have gone to such lengths to find pseudo-scientific proofs et al for establishing the requirement to keep Kesh. Much of this closely ties in within the insecurities we find amongst Sikhs today about identity issues. I have heard many Gyanis and Pacharaks preach that maintaining Kesh is for identity and because it is 'natural'. I have also found this reasoning somewhat aloof as it doesn't fully address the matter of keeping Kesh and hence arguments such as this one naturally arise regarding finger nails. This is further aggravated with the English translations and explanations of our Maryada in that "Sikhs do not cut their hair" and associated aritcles titled 'why we don't cut our hair'. My personal view has always been 'why do others cut their hair?' Answer this and we can come closer to understanding why maintain our Kesh...and we'll find it is far from being for 'Identity' or because it is 'natural'! So let's ask, WHY do others CUT their hair??? Any thoughts from the forum? Impact of Roman and Greek 'youthful' ideals? Supposed praticality? Changing ideas of beauty? Fashion? (In which case, let's see what Fashion actually entails and refers to?).... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 Even Hindu priests wear un-cut hair too. Us Sikhs dont hav a unique ID we're all da same if all da human-race was to grow der hair again, ppl will tink wotever. We hav become selfish. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niranjana Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 Thank you Rupz, this also reminds me of the Keski debate when certain pro-Keski individuals were making contradictory statements on one hand saying even Hindoos wear long hair, then in the same breath accusing them of Munnmat because their women do not keep their tied in a topknot or wear a Keski! Rupz, you are correct that Keshdhari saroop can be found across the globe in all cultures, deeper inspection will reveal that KeshDhari saroops were most often the sole reserve of warriors (Khshatriyas), philosophers, statesmen and the like... ..changes to my knowledge occurred during the Roman and Greek period were infatuation of youthful appearence took a twist from what it previously entailed and hence the clean shaven face was made popular by the likes of Alexander the Great... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr §ingh Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 Fateh Jio Waheguru Bless You all Possible alternatives? There are many... Im sure we can all figure them out, at the end of the day it doesnt really matter. Its what makes you happy, and makes sense to you. hence ..most Amritdhari see it making sense that thgats the best alernative to not do bedbi as one of the kurehits is 'dishonoring the hair' Me personally, I dont want to get caught up too much in these "smaller" things and loose sight of the big picture, and thats Waheguru. Also to be honest with you guys, when I do throw my hair out I get a weird, sort of uneasy guilt feeling. Smallish tho. I respect the hair Waheguru has given me, and thats the hair alive on my head. I absolutely love it. So blessed to have it, I cherish it. That may relate to a bit of sadness when it falls out from combing, naturally, etc. try yor best to take care, if ur trying not to ..then its just BHanna I understand now how some do, and some dont and that much better off. THanks to you all Waheguru in the end of the daY - its your decition Bhull chukk maaf 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shasterkovich Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 my practical answer, not directly from any text other then the mugermach guide to nutterism. When will there be an English translation? When it's published, will it be sold to nutters or will copies be given to the worthy as gifts? Will I have to buy it online using eBay? Is there any proof that the Muger really wrote it, or was it the court recorder (slip of the tongue - I meant court poet)? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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