Guru Nanak was perhaps the greatest religious missionary. He travelled more than 40 thousand kilometres, mostly on foot, and wandered through hundreds of cities, towns and villages in different countries and preached his mission to millions of people. He changed the way of life of the people he met.
Guru Nanak was a great miracle on this earth. To define his personality in one word, one can say that he was a spiritual magnet. As a magnet attracts even tiny particles of iron toward it and grips them; Guru Nanak captivated every heart and mesmerized every human being he met, and made him/her his follower (a Sikh). Guru Nanak won over the minds of the intellectuals, teachers, saints, kings, tribal chiefs, traders, farmers, labourers and hermits; and every one admired him, loved him and bowed one‟s head before his greatness. Guru Nanak never asked anyone to join his faith but whosoever met him became a part and parcel of Guru‟s world.
Guru Nanak taught people to live an honourable and graceful life. He advised people to live a truthful life (honest earning, sharing with others and remembering God). A human being should earn honestly, share his earnings and wealth with the poor, the needy and the helpless. He wanted everyone to be a creative and positive part of society. He taught that all of us must contribute to the welfare of humanity. Besides, one must meditate upon the name of God; meditation does not mean repetition of the name of God, but it means that one must
1Another date (the 15th of April 1469) has also been mentioned by some writers as Guru’s birth date. This mistake occurred due to distortion by Mehrban (who wrote a biography of Guru Nanak suiting to his planning to establish himself in the Sikh world). Meharban, who had been functioning under the guidance of the Brahmins, who assert that a child born in Katak month of Bikrami calender (October-November of Gregorian calender or Common Era/ C.E.) is in-auspicious; hence he changed the date of birth of Guru Nanak. The date 15th of April 1469 has been accepted by those who have followed Janamsakhi Meharban Wali. Well known writer Karam Singh Historian too accepted the April date. Karam Singh, in his book Katak Ke Visakh, rejected the authenticity of the book Bhai Bale Wali Janamsakhi and proved that it (book) was the work of the descendants of Handal (of Jandiala, district Amritsar), who wanted to present Handal as superior to Guru Nanak. Karam Singh Historian totally rejected this ‘Janamsakhi’ and with this he rejected even the date of the birth of Guru Nanak Sahib. But, Karam Singh made a mistake; he accepted Meharban’s date of birth of Guru Nanak without analysing it. (Meharban’s Janamsakhi is the basis of the rest of the Janamsakhis, i.e. Bhai Mani Singh Wali Janamsakhi, Puratan Janamakhi, Wilayat Wali Janamsakhi etc).
But, there are numerous references in earlier and most authentic books mentioning the celebration of birthday of Guru Nanak by the sixth and the ninth Guru Sahib, in the Katak month. Several other works from earlier period confirm the date of Katak (the 20th of October). These include: Bhai Gurdas, 1630s (Kabit no. 345); Guru Kian Sakhian, 1790, by Swarup Singh Kaushish; Sakhi Pothi, 1726 (unknown author), Kesar Singh Chhiber, 1780, Bansavalinama Dasan Patsahina Da; Gulab Singh Nirmala, 1753, Guru Parnali; Sant Singh Chhhiber, early 19th Century, Janamsakhi Baba Nanak; Ram Sukh Rao, c. 1820s, Jassa Singh Binod & Sri Fateh Singh Partap Parbhakar, Santokh Singh, 1832, Nanak Parkash; Gulab Singh IInd, 1851, Gurparnali; Nihal Singh – Gurmukh Singh, 1890, Khursheed Khalsa; Sondha Kavi, end of 18h century, Guru Bansavali; Tara Singh Narotam, 1884, Gur Teerath Sangrah, J.D. Cunningam, 1848, History of the Sikhs and several others. For analytical study of this issue, read the book Nanakshahi Calender, 2010, by Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer.
2 Only Meharban has written that Guru Nanak was born at Chahal, at the residence of his maternal grandfather (Nana in Punjabi), hence his name Nanak; and Meharban further says that Guru Nanak spent first seven years of his life at Chahal;, all other writers accept that he was born at Talwandi (now Nanakana Sahib). It is remarkable that several places of Nanakana Sahib are associated with Guru Nanak’s childhood whereas there is not a single such place at Chahal village. It seems that all the wrong traditions about Guru Nanak had been started by Meharban in his Janamsakhi; including his date (Visakh) and place (Chahal) of birth and date of death (22.9.1539 in stead of 7.9.1539) etc. Meharban shows Guru Nanak wearing Janeo and various other distortions go to his credit.
have „noble fear‟ of God in one‟s heart, all the time. He taught that one should get liberation from maya (attachment to the world) while living in this world; it is living like a lotus (flower) which grows in dirty waters but is not affected by its dirt.
Guru Nanak told that God was Nirankar (formless). He does not have any colour, form or shape. He never appears on this earth in human form. He pervades Himself in His creation; and, we can realize Him from the vastness and greatness of His creation. We can express our amazement at His creation, which exists and functions under His orders.
Guru Nanak said that God loves every one alike. There is none low or high in His eyes; for Him, there are no chosen or rejected beings; He showers His benign grace on every one alike; He bestows His blessings and love to everyone without discrimination; His justice is alike for everyone. But, those who do not have quality of mercy, love, generosity, goodness and humanism, and, those who spread hatred, remain bereft of His graceful glance and blessings. But, such people can become candidates of His mercy again, if they begin living their lives in accordance with the Divine law.
Whatever is happening in the world is His will. He knows what He has to grant, to whom, when, where and how much. Having grudge against Him means refusing to accept His will and thus losing His grace.
Guru Nanak professed that God prevails in every being. He preached “fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man”. He organised the Sikh faith as a brotherhood. He said God is our father; hence we are each other‟s brethren. One who accepts Him as father must not discriminate, hate or be partial to the other beings. As God‟s light prevails in every human being, so hating any one would mean hating at least some part of the creation of God. One who practices discrimination, lacks spiritualism, and, is ignorant about the concept of God and thus, such person is a hypocrite.
Guru Nanak expounded that those who consider woman as inferior to man cannot be considered as religious persons. How can a woman, who gives birth to kings, spiritual personalities and intellectuals, be evil or inferior? Moreover, a woman too is a creation of God; we cannot condemn God‟s any creation as inferior or evil.
Guru Nanak made spiritualism and service of humanity as sequel (complementary) of each other. He said religion sans humanism is lame, and spiritualism without social role is dwarf. He preached religion as ‘social spiritualism’. Guru Nanak gave the message of “spiritualism tempered in the colour of socialism and humanism”.
He rejected the idea of wandering in forests, hills and deserts in search of salvation or God, as a meaningless pursuit. He said troubling one‟s body (penance) or performing ritualistic meditation was of no avail. One can become a spiritual being while living his life as a householder. He said that married life is not an obstacle, but it is helpful, on the path to liberation; rather, Guru Nanak asserted that a householder‟s life was the best path towards a spiritual journey. Every living being has some physical needs too; hence one cannot (and must not) run from the realities of the world. Even after renouncing the world, one again turns to householders for assistance to fulfil one‟s daily needs; moreover, renunciation (escapism) is running from the field; it is, in fact, accepting one‟s defeat. He asserted that one can achieve liberation while living as an ordinary human being (laughing and playing i.e. entertaining and fulfilling one‟s daily needs).
Guru Sahib said that liberation is not a post-death phenomenon; one can achieve liberation in this life. Being free from lust, anger, avarice, compassion and pride is liberation. If there is any other liberation, then it is death itself which is the end of life. He said that real liberation is self realization and a state of equipoise.
Guru Nanak said that human body is made of five elements (air, fire, water, earth and ether); and, after one‟s death these elements merge again with their base elements; this is the end of human existence. Rebirth is just an illusion. Brahmins preach that one is born as
human being after living 84 lakh (8.4 million) lives of other species; he rejected this theory and said that there were 8.4 million (countless) species of creatures on this earth and human being is the supreme among them (but one does not pass through each one of all these 8.4 million lives). Human being is born only once and there is no transmigration of soul; one has to achieve liberation in this very life. He said that there is no hell or heaven beyond this universe; when we obey God and sing His praise, we are in heaven; when we turn our back to Him and live sinful life we are in hell. Understanding this secret is one stage of liberation.
Guru Nanak told the human beings to live simple lives. He said that man goes on increasing one‟s desires and needs and then uses unfair means to fulfil them. He advocated simple and light diet. He said that the world is like an inn and we are just like travellers; one should realise that one has not to stay here forever; hence one ought not to have attachment with this material world.
Guru Nanak rejected ritualism. He said that real religion is living the life of a truthful person. Truth, love, humanism, justice, simple living, service of humanity, saving oneself from sins/vices and control over one‟s mind/wishes/self is real meditation. Exhibition of meditation, havans, yajnas and ritualistic worship are sheer formality, hence hypocrisy; and, are of no avail.
Guru Nanak said religion was not an end in itself; it was a way of life to become a good human being. If one meditates upon the name of God (i.e. always keeps God in mind), lives an ethical life, helps in making the world a better place; such a man is on the right path. He suggested Muslims to live real Islam; Brahmin to follow God‟s ways; and Sikh to bow before the Will of God as this was the real religion. Adopting such a path could make a human being a real man. This is the „liberation in this very life‟; this is the eternal bliss; this is equipoise.
According to Guru Nanak God is all love. He hates never, discriminates none, and, regards no body as inferior or superior. All beings are his children; He has created everyone with His own light. It depends upon our efforts as to how much can we make ourselves capable of getting His blessings.
Guru Nanak gave new definitions of God, salvation, religion, meditation and purpose of human life etc. He founded a complete religion and preached a perfect philosophy.
He was the first person who revealed scientific truths about the creation of universe and several other scientific questions, which were not even known to most of the scientists of his times. Several of the present day discoveries find mention in his verses. Look, how has he presented the pre-creation scenario:
For billions and even more than billions of years, there was haze.
There was neither earth nor sky, only the order of Infinite was operating.
Neither there was day nor night, nor moon nor Sun.
He was in trance in void.
Neither there were sources of life, or sound, or air, or water.
Neither there was creation, nor desolation, neither birth nor death.
Neither there were continents, nor nether regions, nor seven oceans, nor rivers flowing with water.
Neither there were highs, nor middle nor nether regions.
Neither there was hell nor heaven, nor fear of death,
Neither there was hell, nor heaven, nor birth or death, neither anyone would come, nor go.
There was none of the Brahma, Vishnu or Mahesh.
None other than one God was seen there.
Neither there was woman, nor man, nor death nor birth, nor would anyone suffer sorrows.
Neither then there was a celibate, or meditating in forest.
Neither then there was a perfect or perfecting or someone living happy.
Neither there was garb of Jogi, nor of a Shaivait; none was called a Master.
Neither there was discipline of meditation, austerity, nor fasting nor worship.
None would tell or speak of another.
He Himself created progresses and He fixed the worth.
Neither there was discipline of purity, nor rosary of tulsi.
Neither there was a maid, nor Krishan (lover), neither cows nor a grazer.
There was no display of pretentious magic, nor would anyone play on flute.
Neither there were rituals, nor a fly of wealth.
None would see any birth and any caste, with one‟s eyes.
The greed, the net of birth was not in mind, none would remember anyone.
Neither there was semen, nor slandering, nor any living being.
Neither there was Gorakh nor Machhinder (Jogis).
Neither there was knowledge, nor concentration, nor birth of lineage, nor any boasting one.
Neither there was a Brahman nor Khatri (castes), nor any garb for a sect.
Neither there was a god, nor his shrine, neither a cow nor Gaitry.
Neither there was sacrificial fire, nor such feast, neither bath in sacred waters, nor anyone would conduct worship.
Neither there was a Maulvi nor a Kazi (priests).
Neither there was a sheikh, nor sheikhs, nor a Haji.
Neither there was king of subjects, nor was there ego of wealth, nor would anyone boast for it.
Neither there was loving devotion, nor of Shiv nor Shakti.
Neither there was a friend, a dear, nor any semen or blood (of female, for production of babies)
He Himself was owner, and Himself a purchaser, this was what was liked by the True.
Neither there was Ved or Kateb, nor Simrisitis or Shashtras.
Neither any one was reading Puran (Muslim religion texts), nor there was sun to rise and set.
The saying and speaking was unknowable Himself; He Himself was seeing the unseen.
When He desired, He created the world.
He kept the fabricated intact without pillars.
He created Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh (mythical gods), thus He increased the love for worldliness.
Guru taught his word to a very special one.
He creates and then monitors His all prevailing order.
He began with the creation of continents, universe, nether-regions; and thus revealed the unseen.
None knows His end. Only perfect Guru can let one know.
Nanak says, “The wonder-struck are in love with the True, and singing His attributes, are enraptured.” 3
3
arbad narbad dhundhookaaraa. dharan na gagnaa hukam apaaraa.
naa din rain na chaⁿd na sooraj suⁿn samaadh lagaa-idaa.
khaaṇee na baṇee pa-uṇ na paaṇee. opat khapat na aavaṇ jaaṇee.
naa tad surag machh pa-i-aalaa.
khaⁿd pataal sapat nahee saagar nadee na neer vahaa-idaa.
dojak bhisat nahee khai kaalaa.
narak surag nahee jamaṇ marṇaa naa ko aa-ay na jaa-idaa.
barahmaa bisan mahays na ko-ee. avar na deesai ayko so-ee.
naar purakh nahee jaat na janmaa naa ko dukh sukh paa-idaa.
naa tad jatee satee banvaasee. naa tad sidh saadhik sukhvaasee.
jogee jaⁿgam bhaykh na ko-ee naa ko naath kahaa-idaa.
jap tap saⁿjam naa barat poojaa. naa ko aakh vakhaaṇai doojaa.
aapay aap upaa-ay vigsai aapay keemat paa-idaa.
Guru Nanak was also a keen historian; his verses regarding the invasion of Babar, Aasa Di Vaar and Sidh Gosht etc are precious history of his times.
To sum up, Guru Nanak was a great thinker, political philosopher, spiritual sociologist, humanist and a psychologist and a keen observer of history and science. The world had never seen such a great person on this earth before or after him.
Family Background
Guru Nanak was born in the Bedi-Khatri family; he was the son of Kalyan Das (Kalu) and grandson of Shiv Narayan (son of Ram Narayan). Shiv Narayan was born in 1418;4 he had a younger brother named Saanpat. Shiv Narayan was married to (Mata) Banarasi in 1431.5 She gave birth to Kalyan Das in October 1440 and Lal Chand in 1443.6 At that time this family used to live in village Patthewind (district Gurdaspur); this village is now a part of Dera Baba Nanak town. Later, they moved to Rai Bhoi Di Talwandi (now Nanakana Sahib).
Kalyan Das was married to (Mata) Tripta7 (daughter of Bhai Rama of village Chahal in the district of Lahore, now in Pakistan) in 1461. (Mata) Tripta gave birth to a daughter (Nanaki) in 1464 and a son (Nanak) in 1469.
Early Life of Guru Nanak
When Guru Nanak was five years old he was sent to a local teacher to receive education; there, he learnt Sidhongaiya (an early script of the Punjabi language) from his teacher Gopal;8 at the age of seven, he learnt Sanskrit;9 at the age of thirteen (in 1482), he started learning Persian and Arabic from Maulavi Kutub-ud-Din.10 He studied a lot of literature of Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit etc; he studied several books of philosophy,