Spiritual and Physical Armor

Post date: 02/01/2022

Reflecting on the significance of shastar (weapons and arms) for Sikhs (baptized and non-baptized)

Guided by my readings and research:

a) spiritual significance: protection of our soul’s energy field > the level of energy purity influences our mind and the body

- drawing from my research/readings on Gurbani in SGGS + Dasam Granth, I’d say energy purity can be preserved by reciting Gurbani; a particular shabad can gives us bir ras (warrior spirit) and even the Satnam Waheguru mantar acts as a shield (I’ve had nightmares where uttering Waheguru awakened me or empowered me to confront my demons)

- the vibrational frequency of God’s Word in sound form when uttered with unshakeable focus & faith, can be as powerful (if not more) as a sword/kirpan in the physical world…

b) temporal significance: “as above (spiritual) so below (physical)” concept 

-ex. the blessed kirpan that a baptized sikh is to carry, houses the protective shakti (power) of Akal Purakh (infinite Creator) and is to be used to defend oneself in times of perceived danger to the body 

- assuming the bearer of the kirpan is prepared and has the vidya (edu.) + training to use it, this shastar can help save them from abuse/assault;  but since 1984 the commonality of having shastar in every household, or even on the body (for the non-baptized) is very low esp. when there is no other baptized sikh in the household…

In cases of threats and or acts of sexual assault/gang rapes/physical abuse - if one were to have shastar (ex. kirpan) on them, as per Hukum, it makes me wonder how - or if at all - one may be able to keep enemies at bay and or be ‘tyar bar tyar’ to defend oneself and fight back...