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THE SIKHS.

forbidden to cut or dye his hair or beard, to eat or drink uncovered, and to smoke or touch tobacco.

Every disciple is also enjoined to daily repeat some portion of the holy book. There are three prayers appointed for daily use: one in the morning before breaking fast, one before the evening meal, and one before going to rest. Idolatry, the worship of saints, and asceticism are prohibited. Hindu and Mahomedan ceremonies and religious books are not to be minded. He must never buy meat from a butcher, but eat only the flesh of such animals whose head was severed by a Sikh with a stroke of the sword. Beef is not so much as mentioned, as to eat it is considered an abominable crime,—sacrilege,—the cow being venerated as the favoured animal of the Almighty, whose preservation is a religious obligation, since it is so useful to man for domestic and agricultural purposes. The Govindhi Sikh adheres religiously to the command never to cut his