Thursday, February 23, 2006

ਹਜੂਰੀਆ - The Significance of the Hazooria

I came across this article on Bhaji Daljeet Singh's blog. It is very informative and helps explain the significance of the Hazooria (white material put around the neck). Daas wear's a Hazooria, especially when going to the Gurdwara, however a lot of times people have asked me "Why are you wearing that?"Sometimes people say "Erm... isn't that for Gyani's?" Also when doing sewa in the Gurdwara for example reading Gurbani or doing Chaur Sahib di sewa one has to wear a Hazooria, but some people don't know why we do this. The article below helps to explain the significance of the Hazooria:


Article from Bhaji Daljeet Singh's blog
:

Hazooria; hazoor: Being ready; being in presence.



There have been many mahapurkh (spiritual elevated persons) who have worn a hazooria, most of us don't know the real significance of the hazooria, and why we should wear it.

5 Kakaars are the bare minimum and are not the full extent of Khalsa uniform. A hazooria is part of Khalsa uniform. It can be white or blue and past the waist in length. In Mehta Chownk (a Sikh education centre renowned for teaching how to read and understand Gurbani), all singhs have to have a hazooria to enter mahaaraaj's hazoori (Guru jee's presence).

It is part of the tradition of panj kapare (five garments), comprising dastaar (turban), hazooria, long chola (dress), kamar-kasaa (material tied around the waist like a belt) and kachheraa (under-garment). Reference to this has been made by Bhai Gurdaas Jee as well.

A hazooria is a sign of humility and that's why when doing ardaas it's grasped. It is a constant reminder of surrendering your mind to your Guru, along with your punj kakaar. A Hazooria is very practicle. It helps you keep succhamta (cleanliness) when during seva or reading bani. If you want to keep your hands clean when scratching face or picking up something, you can use your hazooria.

Hazooria is usually worn by servants as they serve their master. For Sikhs, it similarly symbolizes servitude to the One and Only One True Master - Akaal Purakh and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

While the kamar-kassaa (material tied around waist like a belt) symbolizes the readiness of a Sikh to do some active seva, or jump into battle the Hazooria is mark of a Sikh's readiness to serve Guruji.


http://mrkhalsa.blogspot.com/2006/02/significance-of-hajooria-hazooria.html

7 comments:

Prabhu Singh said...

Seeing your picture with the hazoori made an impression on me and I think it may be one of the reasons I now where a hazoori every day.
I was going to mention it before, but now that you've made a post on it, I figured it was the opportune time to pipe in.
Since I've been back from India I've worn bana everyday. Kurta and Churidar on some days and Chola on other days. I'm wearing a hazoori as I'm writting this. Wearing bana everyday has been a big deal in my life. I'm thinking about writing a post on it on my blog.

Manvir Singh (UK) said...

Angad Singh - Thanks for insight. Nice points.

Prabhu Singh - Nice to know you wear Bana now. I agree that wearing it affects your psychie and makes an impression on your mind and people around.


It hard to be Panjabi and wear Bana I think. Relatives and others end up saying "Why do you dress like a Giani?" or "Why you dress like a Baba, dress normal like everyone else - you look like you are from India and stand out."

However, I feel happier wearing Kurta and Hazooriaa. People may say "you have a weak mind if you need dress traditional" to help you. Well okay! I have a weak mind! Don't we all? Anything which helps is good.

Clothes and appearance project your identity, what you stand far and what you are striving for. I want to look different! I want people to think and realise that I am not anybody, but I am a Sikh of the Guru. Sometimes I feel non-Sikhs are more receptive to Sikh bana than Panjabis.

Chalo, Rab Rakha.

Anonymous said...

Gurfateh

I was in india recently, and some Singhs i stayed with said the following with regards to wearing hazorria:

Basically hazorria when fully opened needs to be the same length as you body, from head to toe

In the old days this was because if you were killed in battle, your hazorria could be used to cover your body and you could then be cremated on the spot etc.

Also in old days, an hazorria that covers all your body could be used aa a kamble when resting on long trips etc.

Don't know how true this is, but it makes snese to me, :)

Anonymous said...

"5 Kakaars are the bare minimum and are not the full extent of Khalsa uniform"

I find this statement to be highly disrespectful and a belittlement to the true banaa Guru Sahib gave his Sikhs. The Panj Kakkars are banna for a Sikh, there's no minimum or maximum, Reht is Reht.

"A Hazooria is very practicle. It helps you keep succhamta (cleanliness) when during seva or reading bani. If you want to keep your hands clean when scratching face or picking up something, you can use your hazooria."

"Sochai, soch na hovaee, je sochi lakh vaar" - Guru Nanak Sahib

Anonymous said...

"Sochai, soch na hovaee, je sochi lakh vaar"

That bani ttuk referring to thinking, sochai, not sucham.

Anonymous said...

Narinder Singh,

Suchamta means "cleanliness" or "hygiene". Do you not believe in hygiene? Would you touch a Gutka with unclean hands? Would you give out Degh with hands that had been scratching your nose or face?


The post does not belittle bana or 5 Ks. I suppose you would support an Amrit Sanchaar where the Punj Piyare can wear jeans and t-short. I suppose there is no need for chola, hazooriaa etc.

God help us all.

Unknown said...

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ
ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੀਉ ਜੀ

ਸਾਡੇ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਿ ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀਏ ਦੀ ਮਹੱਤਤਾ ਯਾ ਲੋੜ ਕੀ ਹੈ। ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀਆ ਇਕ ਪੁਰਾਤਨ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਰਵਾਇਤ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਕਿ ਸੇਵਕਾਂ ਵਲੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਾਲਕ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਵਿਚ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਹੋਣ ਲਗਿਆਂ ਪਹਿਰਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਇਹ ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਦੀਨਤਾ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਕ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਸੁਚਮਤਾ ਦਾ ਜਰੂਰੀ ਕਪੜਾ ਹੈ। ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀਆ ਇਕ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਕਪੜੇ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਇਹ ਸੇਵਕ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਚਾ (ਪਵਿੱਤਰ) ਰਖਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਹਾਇਕ ਹੈ। ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਚੀਜ ਨੂੰ ਚੁਕਣ, ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਆਦਿ ਨੂੰ ਛੂਹਣ ਲਈ ਵਰਤ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਾਂ। ਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਤਾਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰਨ ਵੇਲੇ, ਬਾਣੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਨ ਵੇਲੇ ਯਾ ਹੋਰ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਹੋਣ ਲਈ ਇਸ ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ।

ਅਜ ਇਸ ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਦੀ ਸਖਤ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ। ਕਰੋਨਾ ਵਾਇਰਸ ਨੂੰ ਫੈਲਣ ਤੋਂ ਰੋਕਣ ਲਈ ਹਰੇਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੀਬੀ ਸੰਗਤ ਵਿਚ ਆਣ ਲਗਿਆਂ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਧਾਰਨ ਕਰੇ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਕ ਮੂੰਹ ਢਕ ਕੇ ਰੱਖੇ। ਹਜ਼ੂਰੀਆ ਮਲਮਲ ਯਾ ਪਤਲੇ ਖਦਰ ਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਕਿ ਸਾਹ ਲੈਣ ਵਿਚ ਤਕਲੀਫ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ। ਬੇਲੋੜਾ ਲੰਬਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ।