Inder Jeet Singh ‘Prince’
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism was born (1469-1539 AD) in the village of Talwandi (now called ‘Nankana Sahib’) in Pakistan. Bhai Gurdas, whose contributions have been declared as key to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, describes the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the following words “Sat Guru Nanak Pargatya, Mitti Dhund Jag Chanan Hoya !’’
(With the appearance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the mist disappeared and there was light just as with the rising of sun stars disappear and darkness is over).
Those were the times when the world was torn into many warring camps and society was caste-ridden. Inequality prevailed in the various sections of the society. Low caste people used to be hated by the high caste people and were not allowed to visit their religious places.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s father Sh Kalu Ram was a Revenue official at Chuharkhana, a town few miles away from the village. It was the main marketing centre and also a resting place for holymen moving in the country on pilgrimage. Guru Nanak Dev Ji enjoyed the company of all those holymen visiting Chuharkhana. He used to offer food and money to the travelling holymen besides participating in the religious discourses with those holymen. Guru Ji’s father, however, did not appreciate the very strong leanings of his son towards religious discourses. He got Guru Ji married. Guru Ji’s sister’s husband was in the Revenue department at Sultanpur Lodhi. He obtained a job of managing stores for Guru Ji with the Nawab of the town.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji continued his habit of giving alms freely and participating in the religious discourses. Some people, who were jealous of Guru Ji’s growing popularity, complained to the Nawab that Guru Ji was distributing some of the official stocks of grain in his custody.Twice the stores were inspected but nothing was ever found short.
At this time, Guru Nanak Dev Ji decided to declare the mission for which he had been sent by God. One morning, Guru Ji went to the nearby rivult for bathing and returned only on the 3rd day. The people including the Nawab were jubilant on bringing Guru Ji back with them. Guru Ji declared,’’ Na Koi Hindu, Na Musalman!’’
(‘‘There is neither any Muslim nor any Hindu’’)
This is considered to be the Ist formal sermon of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was against the caste system and said that all are equal and blessed by one creator i.e GOD. Man is neither high nor low by his caste but his individuality depends upon his deeds. If one does good acts one is deemed to be good in the eyes of God.
Guru Ji appeared for the salvation of humanity. Guru Ji wrote “Japji-Sahib’’ which is said to be the basic of spiritualism. He wrote about the almighty:
‘‘Ek Omkar,
Sat Naam-Karta Purakh’’
Nirbhav, Nirvair,
Akal Moorat, Ajooni Sahib…’’
(There is but one God. The true one lord creator of night and day,
Without fear without hate.
The omnipresent immaculate..)
Guru Ji advised his disciples to remember the Almighty day and night. Guru Ji said that “Naam’’ (The name of God) is the cure and panacea of all ills from which the humanity suffers. Guru Ji asked his followers to avoid 5 cardinal vices like “Kaam’’ (Lust) , “Krodh’’ (Anger), “Lobh’’ (Greed), “Moh’’ (Worldly attachments) and “Ahankaar’’ (Pride). All 5 are great enemies of human being. Guru Ji opposed casteism and caste distinctions.
Guru Ji stood for Hindu-Muslim unity by making his life companions Mardana a Muslim and Bala a Hindu who lived ate and walked together for a common cause. According to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the concept of religion is based on 2 principles; the unity of God and the universal brotherhood of man.
Guru Ji did his best to convey the message that all human beings are equal and blessed by one creator i.e God, Guru Ji travelled the holy places of the Hindus( Kashi, Dwarka) and Muslims (Macca, Madina) in India and abroad to teach the principle of universal brotherhood.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in a bid to eradicate the distinctions between people of different caste, creed or religion inculcated a common mode of worship and a common social institution called “Sangat’’ and “Pangat’’, the former meaning gathering of good and noble people and the later signifying people sitting and eating together in the same row irrespective of their castes, creed or status. The life style, as advocated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is based on 3 fundamental teachings : Meditation on the holy ‘Naam’ of one God, earn one’s bread by honest and sincere labour and share one’s earnings with those in need’’ :
“Kirt Karna, Wad Chhakhna!’’
Guru Nanak Dev Ji felt for the suffering womankind of his times. People used to consider woman inferior to man. She was not allowed to visit religious and other public places freely. Guru Ji raised voice against this practice and placed womankind on a high pedestal “Why call a woman inferior who gives birth even to kings and all’’. Guru Ji considered the institution of marriage as a sacred tie, essential for the progress of mankind. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also criticised the practice of “Sati’’ and advocated the practice of ethical value of daily life such as justice, truth, honesty, humility fearlessness and gratitude which made a man true human being.
The great Guru founded Sikh religion which is said to be the best religion of the world. Prof H L Bradshaw of the USA described Sikhism in the following words:
“Sikhism is a universal world faith…..a message for all men this is amply Mustard in the writings of Sikh Gurus. Sikhs must cease to think of their faith as just another good religion and must begin to think of Sikhism being the religion of new age.’’
(The word “Sikh’’ is a changed form of Sanskrit word “Shishya’’ which means a disciple or a student especially of truth).
In the end, one can say that Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached for equality of human being by advocating his sermon: ‘Na Koi Hindu, Na Musalmaan, Sabe Jaat Ki Ek Pehchaan!’’, equal status for women in the male dominated society, to work hard to earn one’s livlihood and share it with poor and needy, to shun exploitation of the weaker section of the society, to remember the name (“Naam’’) of almighty (God) all the time, to speak the truth and to help the innocent people.
It is very disheartening to note that people are fast forgetting the way of universal love, brotherhood, honesty, sacrifice and tolerance as shown by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. People are once again quarelling with each other on caste or religion basis. They are indulging in casteism once again. We must follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji which have the same relevance today as more than five centuries ago. Every hymn of great Guru shows us the path to live truthful life which is the need of present times.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
