Guru Nanak Dev Ji- Founder of Sikhism

India is known as the land of saints. One of the most revered saints of India is Guru Nanak Dev Ji - the founder of Sikhism. This year the birth anniversary (known as Gurpurab) of the Guru is celebrated on November 2..

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) was born at Nankana Sahib, a town near Lahore, in Pakistan. He was born to Mata Tripta (mother) and Mehta Kalu (father) and enjoyed the love of an elder sister named Nanki. He believed in the institution of marriage and was married to Mata Sulakhni Ji. They had two sons: Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. In 1504, Guru Nanak Dev Ji moved to a place named Sultanpurlodhi where he got the job of storekeeper with the local Nawab.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji started showing his inclination toward the almighty at a very early age. He was meditative, and would remain lost in the thoughts of God.

To understand the impact of the Guru’s work, it is important to understand the political, social and religious scenario existing at that time. The Indian society was divided in classes, the high society and the low society. People belonging to the low society were shunned by the others. The Brahmin of the Hindu religion were responsible for spreading dogmatic views about religion and society. Men and women were not considered equal. Politically, India was unstable, too. Mughal Emperor Babur was causing a lot of trouble. The common man was very oppressed. There was wide spread hunger and poverty.

The Guru traveled far and wide and visited places of importance for both Hindus as well as Muslims. During his travels he organized institutions for propagation of Sikhism. He visited Haridwar, Kurukshetra, Banaras, Kashi, Ceylon, Baghdad, and Mecca. Where ever he went, he set up local centers for the congregation of his followers. Theses centers were known as ‘Dharmshalas’.

Some of his teachings among many other are:

Brotherhood of Man: Guru Nanak Dev Ji's first words after a foreword about God were that ‘there is no Hindu, no Mussalman.’ It clearly states that he believed all men are equal irrespective of their religion.

Universality of God: Rather than just preaching, he practiced what ever he wanted his disciples to learn. He believed in oneness of God. One of his first disciples was a low caste Muslim.

Sharing of Resources: During these travels what ever offerings he received were contributed toward the community meal (Langar). The community meal was his way of dealing with abject poverty and hunger. He encouraged his followers to share whatever resources they had.

Rationalism: He was against the dogmatic rituals of the Brahmins. During his visit to Haridwar (a holy site for Hindus), people were taking baths in the holy Ganges (Ganga) river and offering water of the holy river to the sun in the east direction. He asked a person the reason for his doing so? The person replied that, this water shall reach my ancestors in heaven. He turned his back and started doing the same in the west direction. When the person pointed out that it is supposed to be done in the east direction; his reply was that he was sending the water to his fields in Punjab. He approached his followers with simplicity and rationalism.

Family Life does not hinder attainment of Salvation: After five long travels; he settled in Kartarpur in Punjab. He was not an ascetic who believed in renunciation of the world for salvation. He finally called his family to Kartarpur. The last eighteen years of his life he tilled his fields and earned a living for himself. His family duties could not keep him away fr,om the name of God and morning and evening he participated in prayers along with his followers. He showed them the way to God did not take one away from the family. Family is an important part of one’s moral life.

Opposed Injustice: When Guru Ji was captured by the Mughal Emperor Babur, he would go through his punishment of grinding corn and would sing praises of the almighty. When the Emperor came to know this, he came to see Guru Ji in the cells. On listening to Guru Nanak, Babur stood still. After a long interaction Guru Ji was released and Babur asked for counsel.