Hindu Men and Beards

[ShivaFan]

Namaste Hindu Men

Would you sport a beard? Do you now?

Would you say this is a general sport among Hindu laymen (verse yogis, sadhus, etc. many whom have beards)?

My father sports a beard (not a long one but a short one). But never in my life have I. I am not talking about priests or advanced yogis or such, I am asking of common Hindu males, what do you think of a beard?

I am getting older, will soon retire. Should I sport a short, manicured beard?

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste Hindu Men

Would you sport a beard? Do you now?

Would you say this is a general sport among Hindu laymen (verse yogis, sadhus, etc. many whom have beards)?

My father sports a beard (not a long one but a short one). But never in my life have I. I am not talking about priests or advanced yogis or such, I am asking of common Hindu males, what do you think of a beard?

I am getting older, will soon retire. Should I sport a short, manicured beard?

Om Namah Sivaya

All of the Rishi-s had long beards. But almost every Deva is represented with a clean face, shaven. However, the usual Rajasthanesque mustache can be found on various Deva-s here and there. As for the lay-Hindus (especially those in India), most are usually clean. The adults (especially those that are married) will have the usual Rajasthanesque mustache, but no beard. And please keep in mind that I'm speaking on behalf of North Indian Hindus or those that speak the [North] Indic languages. I don't know how it is in the South, and I'll exclude Eastern Indians like Bengalis and those in Orissa as well. Not really familiar with their grooming styles. And you should sport it as how you see fit, SF.

 

[satyaroop]

Namaste Hindu Men

Would you sport a beard? Do you now?

Would you say this is a general sport among Hindu laymen (verse yogis, sadhus, etc. many whom have beards)?

My father sports a beard (not a long one but a short one). But never in my life have I. I am not talking about priests or advanced yogis or such, I am asking of common Hindu males, what do you think of a beard?

I am getting older, will soon retire. Should I sport a short, manicured beard?

Om Namah Sivaya

....no, no beard or mustache for me, I'm clean shaven, but I don't shave on a daily basis, I shave when there's a short stubble

mustaches are common, I guess people want to get rid of that boyish appearance and look more mature, or maybe they sport it just for style
clean shaven faces are also common
but beards aren't too common

and as poeticus said - "you should sport it as how you see fit, SF"

 

[Vinayaka]

Not for me either. Not because of any esoteric reason, but because my beard is so patchy. I look rough enough without it. No point adding to Boss's pain.
But daughter and I played 'spot the no mustache' game in India.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I am not talking about priests or advanced yogis or such, I am asking of common Hindu males, what do you think of a beard?

I have always been clean shaved. I do not think a mustache, a beard of a stubble will look good on me (I started as a medical salesman). Mustache looked good on my son. what I do not like is the 'goatee' beard and mustache or drooping mustaches (I am from Rajasthan where the mustache ends should always be turned upwards. My grandfather kept that kind of mustache. A mustache pointing downwards meant a defeated person). Others are welcome to please themselves in any way they want.

 

[StarryNightshade]

I currently have a short beard and mustache. Not for any religious reason mind you; I was just tired of constantly being mistaken for an 18 year old.

 

[ShivaFan]

Gosh, maybe I should forget the beard thing. I cannot recall seeing guests at temples much sporting beards. Doesn't seem very popular among lay Hindus, and I am sort of a "follow the herd" person.

 

[Vinayaka]

Gosh, maybe I should forget the beard thing. I cannot recall seeing guests at temples much sporting beards. Doesn't seem very popular among lay Hindus, and I am sort of a "follow the herd" person.

Many Hindus I know associate it with renunciation, and want to keep it clear who they are. They might associate it with 'showing off your spirituality'. Personally, I could care less.

 

[Jainarayan]

I have been clean-shaven (and shaved bald... i.e. the Mr. Clean look) for a number of years. It's not for any reason other than it's just become a habit to shave; my beard is actually quite thick and full. When I do grow facial hair (which is primarily white now ), it's just a 'stache and goat'.

 

[Maya3]

I like men with goatees (sp?) and short beards. But I cannot stand mustaches. I cant help it I don´t like them. My husband did a tiny part in his friends movie where he had to have a mustache for a day. Poor guy, I could barely look at him.

Maya

 

[ShivaFan]

Namaste Jainarayan

Actually you mention you shaved your head clean, which isn't a bad idea. When I travel overseas I always cut my hair military style short.

But I have a nice set of hair, I keep it cut, but if I cut it totally off it seems it might not grow back nicely "fitted" and become wirey or something? Asking...

Maya was saying she doesn't like mustaches. I once sported one, but that was the "not clean shaven" stubble type, not a full one.

Anyway, I have changed my mind on the beard thing, forget it. I do not want to look like I am trying to be a swami. I am not ever going to be a swami, nor a priest, no way. I like just being a lay Hindu, but I do like sadhus and the ashes and all, great to hang out with and an honor so even though I won't grow a beard, i will smear ashes all over my face and carry a trishul.

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Vinayaka]

Actually you mention you shaved your head clean, which isn't a bad idea.

I've found it to be a decent penance, moreso for women. I don't think I could go to Palani without seeing the tonsure show. It's a haircut that lasts longer too, if you're cheap like me.

 

[Poeticus]

I like just being a lay Hindu, but I do like sadhus and the ashes and all, great to hang out with and an honor so even though I won't grow a beard, i will smear ashes all over my face and carry a trishul.

Happy birthday, SF. I dedicate the beard I currently have in honor of your janam-divas.

 

[ShivaFan]

Thank you Maharaj Poeticus! You are the most "conservative" (traditional, as we say) Hindu I know!

I am very happy today!

But one side mention, while I get those b-day cards and those animated happy b-day electronic-grams from lots of relatives, usually I only get a very simple thing such as a shirt, but also I often get a watch because I am a watch fan and have a huge collection. So I just got my present, and guess what? A watch!

But what I really want is a white cake with white frosting on top where the cake is shaped like the Taj Mahal.

Every year I ask.

Every year I do not get my Taj Mahal cake.

"No! It is a mausoleum" is always the response I get. But I want a Taj Mahal cake!

OH WELL! It probably is an extravagent request for a present. Hmmmm..... But there must be some bakery who can? I know some of those Mexican bakery stores here in California will try to give you anything of a pastry in any shape (for a price). It doesn't have to be EXACTLY like the Taj Mahal, but good enough where someone who walks in the room would say, "Ah! That is the Taj Mahal!"

But then imagine eating it!

I know it is possible, there are examples on the internet. See, here is one:

and another

So these are NOT some stupid plastic Taj Mahal stuck on top of a white cake, but a fully eatable Taj Mahal the entire thing a cake and hard sugar.

Before I am dead I want that cake!

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Vinayaka]

lol at Shivafan... I'm starting to think you're a very weird man. :bow:

 

[Maya3]

I know a bakery in New York City who could for sure make it.

Maya

 

[Sb1995]

I have a beard. this length and style,

http://images.natureworldnews.com/data/images/full/1500/ben-affleck.jpg?w=600

 

[Sb1995]

Wouldn't mind a well maintained beard like this either, as long as it's neatly kept,
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Portrait_of_Muslim_man.jpg
http://media3.giphy.com/media/6Nfzyy4mUo0/200_s.gif

 

[Poeticus]

Wouldn't mind a well maintained beard like this either, as long as it's neatly kept,
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Portrait_of_Muslim_man.jpg
http://media3.giphy.com/media/6Nfzyy4mUo0/200_s.gif

I personally prefer the latter. The lack of a mustache in the former picture just doesn't jive with my personal preferences for beard grooming. The latter is definitely more aesthetic, in my opinion.

 

[ShivaFan]

Namaste SB

It seems your beard is very handsome.

While I changed my mind about growing one for now, who knows? Maybe later i will change my mind again.

Perhaps there is something about when a man grows older, he wants to grow a beard. God gave us a beard as you know. My Father didn't have a beard until he was in his 70s, previous to that he was clean shaven.

I love Sikhs, and their manly beards.

Om Namah Sivaya