What is the Sikh position on the consumption of alcohol?

Unlike the question on meat, where Gurbani leaves the matter as a personal choice, the position on alcohol is unambiguous and absolute. Both the Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Rehat Maryada speak with one clear voice.

The Guru Granth Sahib, Direct Condemnation

Guru Amar Das Ji (the Third Guru) states this with striking clarity in Raag Sorath (Ang 554–555):

"One person brings a full bottle, and another comes to fill his cup. Drinking it, his intelligence departs, and madness enters his mind... Drinking it, he forgets his Lord and Master, and he is punished in the Court of the Lord. Don't drink the false wine at all, if it is in your power." (Ang 554)

The Sikh Rehat Maryada, A Kurehat

The Rehat Maryada lists the consumption of intoxicants (including alcohol) as one of the four Kurehats, the four cardinal prohibitions for an Amritdhari Sikh. A Sikh who consumes alcohol must re-take Amrit.

The Spiritual Reasoning

The Gurus' concern is not merely moral, it is deeply spiritual. The human body is described in Gurbani as the "temple of God." Alcohol destroys the intellect, clouds the mind, and prevents Naam Simran. You cannot meditate on God when your mind is intoxicated.

The Position Is Clear

Alcohol is forbidden in Sikhi. This is not a matter of personal choice as meat is. It is one of the most serious prohibitions in the entire Sikh code of conduct, rooted directly in Gurbani.