Many people raise a question regarding ishnaan. They say that they accept the need for bodily ishnaan, but they ask whether there is also a hukam to do keshi ishnaan every day. In simple words, they wonder if washing the body without washing the head and hair can still be called complete ishnaan.
Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji gives a very clear and straightforward answer in Gurmat Bibek (pages 104 – 105). When the hukam of bodily ishnaan is accepted, then keshi ishnaan is automatically included. This is because the head is the most important and supreme part of the body. If the head is not washed, then bodily ishnaan remains incomplete. Complete ishnaan is only that which includes the head. Without washing the head, ishnaan cannot be called complete. Therefore, ishnaan of the head and kesh is not optional but absolutely essential.
From a Gurmat point of view, ishnaan at amritvela means full body ishnaan. Leaving out the head while washing the rest of the body goes against basic logic as well as Gurmat understanding. If today someone leaves out the head and still calls it complete ishnaan, tomorrow someone else may leave out the legs and say the same. Once this weakness begins, there is no clear end to it. Gurmat ishnaan is full body ishnaan while engaging in simran or Gurbani paath.
Objection about wet hair
Some sajjans say that if they do keshi ishnaan, their hair remains wet for a long time. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji addresses this concern clearly. If one wakes up around three and three-quarters hours before sunrise and spends at least two to three hours in abhyaas, the hair dries naturally if left open during abhyaas. Bhai Sahib has written about this in detail.
If abhyaas is being done in the hazoori of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, then it is not appropriate to keep the hair open. In such cases, Bhai Sahib explains that if air is allowed to pass through the hair briefly and then a khaddar dumala is tied, the heat from the wool and continuous abhyaas help the hair dry. Whatever the difficulty may be, keshi ishnaan at amritvela must not be compromised. Gurmat Bibek cannot be sacrificed for worldly comfort.
Bhai Sahib Joginder Singh Ji Talwara’s powerful analogy
Bhai Sahib Joginder Singh Ji Talwara once said that ishnaan done without washing the kesh is like a dog’s ishnaan. When asked what he meant, Bhai Sahib explained that a dog often keeps its head dry even if its whole body gets wet. Sadly, a similar habit is seen among some Sikhs. They avoid letting water touch their hair during ishnaan, even if the hair smells due to sweat.
Keeping kesh dirty and calling it rehat cannot be justified. Such behavior only reflects how lightly one takes the Guru’s hukam. Dasam Patshah has clearly instructed Sikhs to give guru-like respect to kesh, yet due to laziness, some fail to honour this hukam.
Khaddar and its importance
The cloth recommended by Bhai Sahib for tying wet kesh is khaddar. Khaddar is a thick, hand-spun, hand-woven cotton fabric. It is difficult to find today, even in India, and usually comes only in its natural off-white color. It often needs to be dyed separately.
Khaddar has unique qualities. Wet hair dries naturally without any discomfort. The head does not feel too cold or too warm. It is easy to wash, clean, and dry. Khaddar was also closely associated with the Akali movement, and many Singhs in earlier times refused to wear foreign-made fabrics.
Ishnaan in Sarovar
The correct method of ishnaan in a sarovar is with the head uncovered and kesh open, not tied in a joora or dastaar. This allows the amrit water of the sarovar to fully reach the head and kesh. One may hold the kakkars in one hand above the head and fully submerge the body and head.
Bhai Sahib also points out an important question. Everyone agrees that keshi ishnaan is required before amrit sanchar. If it is essential, then how can it not be required daily? If Keshi Ishnaan was not important, it would not have been made a condition before receiving amrit.
Rehat while kesh are open
When the kesh are open, one should not lie down or prepare, or eat food. Speaking should be avoided except for naam abhyaas and paath done from memory. If a gutka sahib is used, the dastaar should be tied. Footwear should also not be worn during this time. These points are supported by rehatnamas and the guidance of learned Singhs.
Respect for kesh, Gurbani, and shastars should always remain at the same level.
A practical method for daily keshi ishnaan
For those who wish to begin daily keshi ishnaan but are unsure of the method, the following practice is commonly followed by many Singhs:
Take bodily ishnaan using a balti or shower, with kirpan tied to the keski on the head.
Change into a fresh kacherra using the one-leg-out, one-leg-in method and dry the body.
Wear fresh clothes and place the kirpan correctly.
Take a separate cloth reserved as a keski and tie it around the waist as a kammarkassa.
Untie the keski from the head, place it separately, and keep the kanga in the kammarkassa.
Lean over the bathtub or shower and wash the kesh thoroughly.
It is also common Gurmat practice to keep clothes used during lavatory use and ishnaan separate. These clothes, including the dastaar, are not worn after ishnaan. Fresh, clean clothes are worn once ishnaan is fully completed.
Keshi ishnaan is not an extra or optional practice. It is an inseparable part of Gurmat ishnaan. The head and kesh are the crown of the body, and neglecting them during ishnaan shows a lack of Gurmat bibek. Difficulties of comfort or convenience cannot outweigh the hukam and spirit of Gurmat. True ishnaan is full body ishnaan, done with discipline, love, and deep respect for the Guru’s hukam.