Inderjeet S Bhatia “Prince”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, also called as Baba Nanak, the founder and the 1st of ten Gurus of Sikhism was a great spiritual leader of this universe. Guru ji’s life reflects the strength of divine love and his mission to uplift humanity. Guru Ji’s teachings continue to inspire millions towards spiritual path and peaceful contented life.
Guru Nanak Dev ji, was born at Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi near Lahore, presently called Shree Nanakana Sahib ji, which is located near the city of Lahore of present day Pakistan, on 15th April 1469. The auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s birthday is celebrated on the “Pooranmashi” ( Full moon day) in the Lunar month of “Kattak” (October-November) ,which falls on different dates every year. Guru Nanak Dev ji’s father, Mehta Kaluji belonged to the merchant caste and was village accountant (Patwaari) in the village of Talwandi. Guru ji’s mother, Mata Tripta ji, was described as a simple but very religious woman. Baba Nanak ji had a sister named Babe Nanki to whom Guru ji was very much attached emotionally. Guru ji became interested in spirituality and divine subjects when he was a child of just five years of age.
Guru ji was born at a time when the mankind was engulfed in the darkness of so many useless rituals due to ignorance. The caste system and untouchability among our society was at its peak. That is why the birth of Baba Nanak was explained by Bhai Gurudas ji in the following couplet as:
“SATGURU NANAK PARGATYA,
MITTI DHUND JAG CHANAN HOYA!”
(With the birth of BABA NANAK Dev ji, the mist of ignorance, superstitions etc; is removed from the world and everything is looking brighter).This widely used exposition elucidates the journey of Guru Nanak Dev ji in this world more than 550 years ago.
Guru Nanak Dev ji was the one who spread the message of humanity and mankind at a time when everyone was focusing on spreading their own religion. Guru ji was a great spiritual being, a great scholar who used local languages to spread his message among the people while he journeyed in all four directions.
Guru Nanak Dev ji was an extraordinary child since his childhood. His teachers and elders used to be astonished by his level of knowledge on all matters especially spiritual ones. Guru ji used to question the prevailing rituals and religious actions. He also started questioning the caste system and practice of Idol worship. Guru ji even refused to put on the so called sacred thread “Jenew” on his body during “upanayana” ritual .
According to some available Sakhis , once Guru ji’s father gave him some money and asked him to do some profitable business with that money. Bhai Mardana ji was also sent with Guru ji .It is said that Guru ji saw some hungry “fakirs” (messengers of God) on the way. Guru ji spent all the money he had with him on their food and returned home empty handed. When asked about his this act, Guru ji said what could be more profitable and genuine bargain than helping those hungry people. This incident is known as “SACHA SAUDA” or “THE TRUE BARGAIN”
Guru ji’s father sent him to Sultanpur Lodhi where Babe Nanki was married and residing. Babe Nanki ‘s husband arranged for a job for Guru Nanak Dev ji at “MODIKHAANA” of Sultanpur Lodhi. In 1487,BC,Guru Nanak Dev ji was married to Mata Sulkhani ji at Sultanpur Lodhi. Guru ji was blessed with two sons namely Sri Chand ji and Lakhmi Das ji. In Sultanpur Lodhi, Guru ji used to visit a river nearby to bathe and meditate. One day, Guru ji went inside the river but didn’t return for three consecutive days. Everyone was worried. But when Guru ji returned, he gave his first sermon as:
“NA KOI HINDU, NA MUSALMAAN.!”
(There is neither Hindu nor Muslim)
1) “EK NOOR TE SAB JAG UPJAYA”
According to Guru Nanak Dev ji, all human beings are equal and are the creations of one and the same God. After this incident, Guru ji took leave of his family and parents to undertake his spiritual journeys in the sub continent to spread his message of peace, spirituality and of one God.
Guru Nanak Dev ji undertook four major spiritual journeys covering about 28000 Kms on foot in about 24 years. Guru ji visited holy places of the Hindus as well of Muslims alike .He visited the Hindu temples in Himalayas , Kashmir, Sikkim ,Tibet Nepal, Guru ji also traveled to Sri Lanka, Tashkent, Mecca and some other places in the Middle East. These journeys are also called as four “Udasis” of Guru Nanak Dev ji .
Guru Nanak Dev ji spent the last 18 years of his life at village Kartarpur Sahib, now in Pakistan’s Punjab province. During this period, Baba Nanak ji visited Nath yogi of Achal and Sufi centers of Pakpattan and Multan.Guru ji appointed Bhai Lehna ji as his successor Guru by renaming Bhai Lehna ji as Guru Angad ji, meaning one’s own part. Shortly after proclaiming Bhai Lehna ji as the next Guru, Baba Nanak ji left for his heavenly abode on 22nd September 1539 at the age of 70. According to available Sakhis, Guru ji’s body was never found. When the quarreling Hindus and Muslims tugged at the Sheet covering Guru ji’s body, they found instead, a heap of flowers, and so, Baba Nanak ji’s simple faith ,in due course of time, would blossom into a religion beset by its own contradictions and customary practices
TEACHINGS OF GURU NANAK DEV JI
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Teachings can be briefly summarized as a doctrine of salvation through disciplined mediation on the divine name.Salvation is understood in terms of escape from the transmigratory round of death and rebirth to a mystical union with God. The divine name signifies the total manifestation of God, a single being, Immanent both in the created world and within the human sprit. Meditation must be strictly inward and all external aids such as Idols and set prayers, are explicitly rejected.
Guru Nanak Dev ji talked about women’s rights in a male dominated society. Guru ji said that men and women are equal and therefore women can’t be considered socially or spiritually inferior. In the words of Guru Nanak Dev ji,
“SO KYON MANDA AAKHIYE,
JIT JAMMAY RAJAN!”
It is by woman that the entire social order is maintained. Then why call her bad. From her are Kings born. The women, thus , must be respected by all..”
Guru Nanak Dev ji spread the message of EK ONKAR, meaning there is only one God that dwells in all creations of this universe. . EK ONKAR is the most significant component of the Sikhism and is also the MOOL MANTRA, the 1st opening text of holy Guru Granth Sahib Ji,which contains the compositions and “Baani”of all the ten Sikh Gurus .Guru ji’s all teachings are contained in the holy GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI. The five most important teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji are as under:
VAND CHHAKO: Sharing is caring .Guru Nanak Dev ji tells us that we should share it with those who in need. This is what Baba Nanak preached all his life. This is the most significant principle of Sikhism.
KIRAT KARO: This means to live an honest life ,one must earn his livelihood by honest ways without exploitation or fraud.
NAAM JAPO: (Recite his name) Meditate on God’s name, so as to feel his presence and control five thieves of human personality I.e. Kaam, Krodh, Moh, Lobh and Ahenkaar.
SEWA: Selfless service of the mankind is the true service of God.Guru Nanak Dev ji firmly believes that one can achieve true contentment only by engaging in Selfless service of others.
SARBAT DA BHALA: Guru Nanak Dev ji emphasized the concept of universal brotherhood. He said that one must seek well for all from the lord and only then you will receive happiness in the return.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
