An India–South Africa cricket match was going on. Suddenly little Prabhjot spoke up:

“Papa, among all these players, why has only this one kept his beard fully grown? Why haven’t the others?”

Father Kulbir Singh replied:
“Son, this player is a Haji! People who perform Hajj, or those who wish to live in sawab — meaning in God’s will (hukam) — do not cut their hair.”

Prabhjot:
“Oh, Papa! Then this clean-shaven Sikh player who is playing for India — has he never gone to Darbar Sahib? That is our Mecca too, right?”
(Meaning our greatest religious place.)

Kulbir Singh:
“Son, according to the Guru Sahib’s teachings, all Gurdwaras are equal and are centers for teaching Sikh values and way of life. But yes, for the past many years, Darbar Sahib has been called the fountain of spirituality because there the flow of pure Gurbani Kirtan continues uninterrupted. Otherwise, according to Gurmat, every Sikh himself is a Gurdwara — a center of preaching — provided his life reflects that of a true Gursikh! …But what do you mean by saying that this player has never visited Darbar Sahib?”

Prabhjot:
“My meaning was, Papa, that just as someone who returns from Hajj or wishes to live in sawab (God’s command) does not cut his hair… then hair must be an expression of divine command, and for us they are the Guru’s seal! So why shouldn’t we also think this way — that when a forgetful Sikh visits Darbar Sahib, then at least after that he should come into hukam and stop cutting his hair?”

(Kulbir Singh sighs deeply and embraces his son. He kisses him lovingly.)

Kulbir Singh:
“Son, you may be small, but what you have said is very profound! In Punjab, Sikh identity has suffered such a great blow that today even in the Guru’s own land, the Guru’s Sikhs are becoming fewer in appearance. How wonderful it would be if, even through such thoughts, our lost brothers could return to the mainstream and free themselves from the captivity of the political python! This python of politics has already swallowed a large part of Punjab with its self-willed thinking and is still moving forward to consume more!”

 - Balvinder Singh Bison