Importance of the Kamarkasa
10:41 PMThe kamarkasa, or waist-belt which holds weapons, has always been essential in the dress of the Sikh warriors. Giani Gian Singh describes Singhs in his Panth Prakash of usually just wearing a turban (dumalla), underwear (kach) and a kamarkasa, with sometimes blankets to cover them from the cold.
Akali Baba Santha Singh Ji talks about its importance in this katha of Sri Sarbloh Granth.
ਕਾਲ ਉਪਾਸਕ ਛਤ੍ਰਿਯ-ਧਰਮਾ, ਰਣ ਕਟਿ ਕਸਿ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਅਏ॥
Worshipers of Death and followers of the Kshatriya way, wearing a waistband [kamarkasa] they [the Khalsa] are the supreme warriors.
Worshipers of Death and followers of the Kshatriya way, wearing a waistband [kamarkasa] they [the Khalsa] are the supreme warriors.
In the sakhi of Sukha Singh in Panth Prakash, Rattan Singh Bhangoo describes Sukha Singh as such:
ਕਮਰ ਕੱਸਾ ਨਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਰਖੇ, ਲੜਣ ਘੁਲਨ ਕੋ ਤਯਾਰ ॥
His battlefield Kamarkasa [Weapons belt] was tied tightly day and night, Sukha Singh was always ready to battle and wrestle.
His battlefield Kamarkasa [Weapons belt] was tied tightly day and night, Sukha Singh was always ready to battle and wrestle.
Those with the knowledge of Shastar-vidiya know how important the kamarkasa plays in drawing their weapon quickly. Whereas a gathra requires the effort from both hands to draw their weapon, the kamarkasa allows for the drawing of a weapon with one hand.
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