Guru Nanak Dev
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Guru Nanak Dev<ref>Nanak may be referred to by many names and titles such as Baba Nanak or Nanak Shah.</ref> (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ, Gurū Nānak Dēv; (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539), was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs. He is revered not only by Sikhs, but also by Hindus and Muslims in the Punjab and across the Indian subcontinent. <ref>Duggal, Kartar Singh (1988). Philosophy and Faith of Sikhism. Himalayan Institute Press, xxii. ISBN 0-89389-109-6.</ref> His primary message to society was recorded to be "devotion of thought and excellence of conduct as the first of duties" <ref>Cunningham, Joseph Davey [1853] (2006). History of the Sikhs. Albemarle Street. London: John Murray, 43. ISBN.</ref>
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[edit] Stories of Nanak's life
The stories of Nanak's life are collected in writings known as the Janamsākhīs. The most popular Janamsākhī purports to have been written by Bhai Bala before Nanak's death. However, the writing style and language employed have left scholars such as Macauliffe certain that they were composed after the Guru's death.<ref>Macauliffe, Max Arthur [1909] (2004). The Sikh Religion - Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. India: Low Price Publications, lxxix. ISBN 81-86142-31-2.</ref>
Bhai Gurdas, the scribe of the Gurū Granth Sāhib, also wrote about Nanak's life in his vārs. However, these too were compiled after Nanak's demise, and are less detailed than the Janamsākhīs. Sikhs tend to hold Gurdas's accounts in higher esteem because of the author's generally perceived trustworthiness.
[edit] Background
Nanak was born on 5 November 1469 in a Bedi family of Hindu Khatri clan,<ref>Macauliffe, Max Arthur [1909] (2004). The Sikh Religion - Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. India: Low Price Publications, 1. ISBN 81-86142-31-2. “The third day of the light-half of the month of Baisakh (April-May) in the year AD 1469.”. Generally thought to be the third day of Baisakh (or Vaisakh) of Vikram Samvat 1526.</ref> in the village of Rāi Bhōi dī Talvaṇḍī, now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore (in present-day Pakistan).<ref>Singh, Khushwant (2006). The Illustrated History of the Sikhs. India: Oxford University Press, 12-13. ISBN 0-19-567747-1. Also, as according to the Purātan Janamsākhī (the birth stories of Nanak).</ref> His father, Mehta Kalu, was a Patwari—an accountant of land revenue in the government. He worked for the Muslim landlord of the village, Rai Bullar. Nanak's mother was Tripta Devi and he had one older sister, Nanaki. His father did not appreciate his dreams and wasn't supportive of his sons ideas.
[edit] Early life
The Janamsākhīs recount in minute detail all the circumstances of the birth of the guru. They claim that at his birth, an astrologer who came to write his horoscope insisted on seeing the child. On seeing the infant, he is said to have worshipped him with clasped hands. The astrologer is said to have remarked that he regretted that he should never live to see young Nanak's eminence, worshipped as he should be alike by Hindus and Muslims, and not merely by Hindus.<ref>Macauliffe, Max Arthur [1909] (2004). The Sikh Religion - Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. India: Low Price Publications, 1. ISBN 81-86142-31-2.</ref>
At the age of five years Nanak is said to have begun to talk of divine subjects, and to have fully understood the meaning of his language. When Nanak was seven years of age, his father enrolled him at the local village school.<ref>Macauliffe, Max Arthur [1909] (2004). The Sikh Religion - Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. India: Low Price Publications, 2. ISBN 81-86142-31-2.</ref> Nanak left school early after he had shown his scholastic proficiency. He then took to private study and meditation.<ref>Macauliffe, Max Arthur [1909] (2004). The Sikh Religion - Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. India: Low Price Publications, 8-9. ISBN 81-86142-31-2.</ref>
All the Janamsākhīs are unanimous in stating that Nanak courted the retirement of the local forest and the society of the religious men who frequented it. Several of them were profoundly versed in the Indian religious literature of the age. They had also travelled far and wide within the limits of ancient India, and met its renowned religious teachers. Nanak thus became acquainted with the latest teachings of Indian philosophers and reformers.<ref>Macauliffe, Max Arthur [1909] (2004). The Sikh Religion - Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. India: Low Price Publications, 10. ISBN 81-86142-31-2.</ref>
[edit] To read Short Stories related with life of Adi Satguru Nanak Dev Ji
http://www.thesindhuworld.com/rf_gurustory.htm The picture on the left is beadbi as A) Satguru Nanak Dev Ji did not wear a tilak and second of all he used to wear the gold dastar, in sikh history there is no evidence what so ever of any gurus wearing what appears to be a cap.
[edit] Epiphany
Sikh tradition states that at the age of thirty, Nanak went missing and was presumed to have drowned after going for one of his morning baths to a local stream called the Kali Bein. Three days later he reappeared and would give the same answer to any question posed to him: "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim" (in Punjabi, "nā kō hindū nā kō musalmān"). It was from this moment that Nanak would begin to spread the teachings of what was then the beginning of Sikhism.<ref>Shackle, Christopher, Mandair, Arvind-Pal Singh (2005). Teachings of the Sikh Gurus: Selections from the Sikh Scriptures. United Kingdom: Routledge, xiii-xiv. ISBN 0-415-26604-1.</ref> Although the exact account of his itinerary is disputed, he is widely acknowledged to have made four major journeys, spanning thousands of kilometers. The first tour was east towards Bengal and Assam, the second south towards Ceylon via Tamil Nadu, the third north towards Kashmir, Ladakh and Tibet, and the final tour west towards Baghdad and Mecca.<ref>Singh, Khushwant (2006). The Illustrated History of the Sikhs. India: Oxford University Press, 14. ISBN 0-19-567747-1.</ref>
Nanak was married to Sulakhni, the daughter of Moolchand Chona, a rice trader from the town of Batala. They had two sons. The elder son, Sri Chand, was an ascetic and he came to have a considerable following of his own, known as the Udasis. The younger son, Lakshmi Das, on the other hand was totally immersed in worldly life. To Nanak, who believed in the ideal of rāj maiṁ jōg (detachment in civic life), both his sons were unfit to carry on the Guruship.
[edit] The Three Pillars of Sikhism
It was in Sultanpur that Satguru Nanak Dev Ji formalised the three important pillars of Sikhism:
1.) Guru ji led the Sikhs directly to practice Simran and Naam Japna – meditation and reciting and chanting of God’s Name - Waheguru
2.) He asked the Sikhs to live as householders and practise Kirat Karni – To honestly earn by one's physical and mental effort while accepting God's gifts and blessing.
3.) The Sikhs were asked to share their wealth within the community by practicing Wand kay Shako – “Distribution Before Consumption” or sharing.
[edit] Other Beliefs and Contributions
Guru Nanak was revered by both Hindus and Muslims.
Guru Nanak had many beliefs which were not popular at the time but are now widespread.
- Equality of Humans: When throughout the East and West Slavery and race discrimination was rife, and disrespect amongst the different classes and castes was at its peak, Satguru Nanak Dev Ji preached against discrimination and prejudices due to race, caste, status, etc. He said: "See the brotherhood of all mankind as the highest order of Yogis; conquer your own mind, and conquer the world." (SGGS page 6); also "There is one awareness among all created beings." (Page 24) and finally "One who recognizes the One Lord among all beings does not talk of ego. ||4||" (page 432). He urges all the peoples of the world to "conquer" their minds to these evil practises. All human beings had the light of the Lord and were the same – only by subduing one's pride and ego could one see this light in all.
- Equality of Women: In about 1499 when the world offered no status or respect to the woman, Satguru Nanak Dev Ji elevated the position of women by spreading this message: "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman." (Page 473). In so doing he promoted the equality of women in the 15th century. Satguru Nanak Dev Ji also condemned the ritual of Sati some 300 years prior to the British claiming to do so.
- Universal message for all People It had been a custom at the time for religious leaders to address only their own congregation and for segregation of the different religions – but Satguru Nanak Dev Ji broke with tradition and spoke to all of humanity. To the Muslim he said: "And when, O Nanak, he is merciful to all beings, only then shall he be called a Muslim. ||1||" (page 141"; to the Hindu, he said "O Nanak, without the True Name, of what use is the frontal mark of the Hindus, or their sacred thread? ||1||" (page 467); and to all he preached: "To take what rightfully belongs to another is like a Muslim eating pork, or a Hindu eating beef." (Page 141).
[edit] Four Journeys
History states that he made four great journeys, traveling to all parts of India, and into Arabia and Persia, visiting Mecca and Baghdad. He spoke before Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Parsees, and Muslims. He spoke in the temples and mosques, and at various pilgrimage sites. Wherever he went, Satguru Nanak Dev Ji spoke out against empty religious rituals, pilgrimages, the caste system, the sacrifice of widows, of depending on books to learn the true religion, and of all the other tenets that were to define his teachings. Never did he ask his listeners to follow him. He asked the Muslims to be true Muslims and the Hindus to be true Hindus.
After the last of his great journeys, Satguru Nanak Dev Ji settled in the town of Kartarpur (in Punjab) on the banks of the Ravi where he taught for another fifteen years. Followers from all over came to settle in Kartarpur to listen, and sing, and be with him. During this time, although his followers still remained Hindu, Muslim, or of the religion to which they were born, they became known as the Guru's disciples, or Sikhs. Image:Guru Nanak Mardana Bala Woodcut1.jpg It was here his followers began to refer to him as teacher, or guru. The Guru told his followers that they were to be householders and could not live apart from the world—there were to be no priests or hermits. Here is where the Guru instituted the common meal or Langar, requiring the rich and poor, Hindu and Muslim, high caste and low caste, to sit together while eating. Here is where Lehna, later to be Guru Angad, came to be with Satguru Nanak Dev Ji.
See also:
- Guru Nanak Udasis
- Guru Nanak in Baghdad
- Guru Nanak in Tibet
- Guru Nanak in Tibet Quotes
- Guru Nanak in Nepal
- Satguru Nanak Dev Ji's Third Udasi
[edit] Death
Guru Nanak spent the final part of his life in Kartarpur. The Guru would wake at dawn and recite his daily prayers. At daybreak, he would address his followers. He worked in his free kitchen, which even today is popularly known as 'langar'. This food would be partaken by Hindus, Muslims, rich, poor, high or/and so-called low castes. Satguru Nanak Dev Ji worked in the field and earned his livelihood.
On 22 September 1539, aged 70,Satguru Nanak Dev Ji met with his demise, after he had requested his disciples to sing the Sohila (the praise of God).
Once when Satguru Nanak Dev Ji was asked which religion, Hinduism or Islam, was the true path to God, Satguru Nanak Dev Ji replied that the true way to attain God was to worship Him who is eternal and contained in the whole Universe.
As he died, he is said to have taken his body with him to the heavens, and never seen again.
[edit] Folklore
The legend says that upon the death of Satguru Nanak Dev Ji, his Hindu followers wanted to cremate the remains while the Muslim followers wanted to bury the body following Islamic tradition. However on raising the cloth under which the Great Guru's body lay, some fresh flowers were found which were shared between his followers. The Hindus cremated their flowers whereas the Muslims buried theirs.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
Cunningham, Joseph Davey [1853] (2006). History of the Sikhs. Albemarle Street. London: John Murray, 43. ISBN.
[edit] External links
- Satguru Nanak Dev Ji Biography
- Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti
- Nanak Dev Ji's Impact on History
- A short video documentary summarizing the life of Satguru Nanak Dev Ji
- Learn more about the founder of Sikhism, Sri Satguru Nanak Dev Ji
- Nanak Dev Ji (for Children) - eBook
- Satguru Nanak Dev Ji Sahib
- Biography of Satguru Nanak Dev Ji, with Pictures
- Max Arthur MacAuliff, The Sikh Religion, Vol 1, (The Life of Satguru Nanak Dev Ji), Oxford University Press, 1909.
- Eternal Glory of Sri Satguru Nanak Dev Ji
- Nanak Dev Ji In Baghdad
- Video on Satguru Nanak Dev Ji
- Allaboutsikhs.com
- SikhPhilosophy.Net - Redefining Sikh, Sikhi & Sikhism. Learn about Sikh Religion & History.
- A wealth of information about Satguru Nanak Dev Ji
- Sikh-History.com
- JargSahib.com
- Sufis, Philosophers, and Nanak
- Nanak and the Sikhs
- Sikhiwiki
Audio:
| Preceded by: Sikh Bhagats (1100 - 1469) | Guru Nanak | Followed by: Guru Angad Dev (31 March 1504 - 29 March 1552) |
| The Ten Gurus of Sikhism | ||
|
Guru Nanak Dev | Guru Angad Dev | Guru Amar Das | Guru Ram Das | Guru Arjun Dev | Guru Har Gobind | Guru Har Rai | Guru Har Krishan | Guru Teg Bahadur | Guru Gobind Singh | (Followed by Guru Granth Sahib, Perpetual Guru of the Sikhs) | ||
| Gurus: | Nanak Dev | Angad Dev | Amar Das | Ram Das | Arjun Dev | Har Gobind | Har Rai | Har Krishan | Teg Bahadur | Gobind Singh | Guru Granth Sahib | Sikh Bhagats |
| Philosophy: | Beliefs and principles | Underlying values | Prohibitions | Technique and methods | Other observations |
| Practices: | Ardās | Amrit Sanskar | Chaṛdī Kalā | Dasvand | Five Ks | Kirat Karō | Kirtan | Langar | Nām Japō | Simran | Three Pillars | Vaṇḍ Chakkō |
| Scripture: | Guru Granth Sahib | Adi Granth | Dasam Granth | Bani | Chaupai | Jaap Sahib | Japji Sahib | Mool Mantar | Rehras | Sukhmani | Tav-Prasad Savaiye |
| More: | History | Ek Onkar | Gurdwara | Harmandir Sahib | History | Khalsa | Khanda | Literature | Music | Names | Places | Politics | Satguru | Sikhs | Waheguru | Bhagat Farid | Bhagat Kabir | History of the Punjab | Sardar | Takhat |
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