• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Authors
  • Contact Us

The Punjab Pulse

Centre for Socio-Cultural Studies

  • Areas of Study
    • Social & Cultural Studies
    • Religious Studies
    • Governance & Politics
    • National Perspectives
    • International Perspectives
    • Communism
  • Activities
    • Conferences & Seminars
    • Discussions
  • News
  • Resources
    • Books & Publications
    • Book Reviews
  • Icons of Punjab
  • Videos
  • Academics
  • Agriculture
You are here: Home / Religious Studies / Guru Nanak Dev Ji: Life story and sacred message

Guru Nanak Dev Ji: Life story and sacred message

November 19, 2021 By Jaibans Singh

Share

Jaibans Singh

“Sadguru Shri Guru Nanak Pargateya Mitti Dhund jag chanan hoya”

(When Guru Nanak came the mist went away and the world saw light)

This widely used exposition elucidates the journey of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in this world 552 years ago. His teachings, as expounded by the Sikh religion, have as much (if not more) relevance in today’s world’s as they had when he first espoused them to bring about a socio-religious change in a society tearing apart due to dogmatism and inherent contradictions.

The Guru was born in an affluent Hindu family on 29 November 1469 at Rāi Bhoi Kī Talvaṇḍī (present day Nankana Sahib in Pakistan Punjab). His father Kalyan Chand Das Bedi aka Mehta Kalu Ji was a well known businessman of the area who had good relations with the local Muslim chieftain Rai Bhular Bhatti. His mother was Mata Tripta Ji.  Nanak had only one sibling, a sister named Nanki who was five years elder to him. The brothers and sister shared a very loving and life long bond with each other.

The life and times of Guru Nanki are not formally recorded. Whatever is available is in the form of parables called Janamsakhis (life stories) told by those like his companion Bhai Bala who were close to him and who is said to have accompanied him in his various Udasis (spiritual journeys). Many of the events related as Janamsakhis have been corroborated with his Bani (holy verses) which are recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib.

In accordance with these Janamsakhis Nanak, as a child, remained immersed in his own thoughts and this behaviour caused considerable tension to his father, Mehta Kalu who, quite naturally, wanted his only son to grow up as a normal person and take over his thriving business. Nanak exhibited a rare intellect and insight into a religious philosophy that looked at a single supreme God (monotheist). He rejected certain teachings and rituals of both Hindus and Muslims.

In order to maintain a modicum of harmony between father and son Bebe Nanki, on getting married, took her brother to her husband’s house in Sultanpur Lodhi and it is here that Nanak spent his growing years. He worked as a manger in the provision store of the local chieftain, Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi. While performing his duties well, he spent his spare time in meditation and the company of ascetics. He also started building a Sangat (following) there.

Bebe Nanki thought that getting her brother married would improve things and accordingly on 24 September 1487, at the age of about 18 years, Nanak was married to Sulakhani, daughter of Mul Chand and Chando Rani, residents of Batala, Punjab. The wife of Guru Nanak is now called Mata Sulakhani Ji. Nanak did go through a family life and had two sons named Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das, however, his inner core remained attracted to spirituality.

It is said that one day he went for his early morning bath in the nearby river and did not return for three days. When people had given him up as drowned he re-emerged and recited a divine message that is recorded in the Sikh religion as the “Mool Mantra,” as follows:-

Ek Oaʼnkār

One omnipresent God

Saṯ Nām Karṯā Purakẖ Nirbẖa­o Nirvair

Truth is God’s name; God is the doer; God is without fear; God is without enmity or hatred

Akāl Mūraṯ Ajūnī Saibẖaʼn

Timeless, undying; formless, beyond birth, self created self existent

Gur Parsāḏ.

By Guru’s Grace

He then declared his life mission as one dedicated to the service of God and started his divine journey by advocating “Na Koi Hindu Na Musalman” (There is no Hindu, no Musalman) Thus, he set out his spiritual mission of considering mankind without shackles of caste and creed and religion, dedicated to the love of a single and supreme entity.

Guru Nanak Dev went out on four long journeys across distant lands which are termed as Udasis. Even though there are no authenticated accounts of these spiritual journeys, their context becomes clear from the Bani that he quoted during his interaction with various peoples. It is believed that the four corners of his travels stand at Mount Sumer (Mount Kailash) where he held his most significant discussion with the ascetic Baba Gorakhnath and his 84 Siddhas; then onto to Assam in the East, Mecca-Medina in the West and Sri Lanka in the South.

In the context of modern India and the world, his signature in the form of some historical monument of fables are to be found in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh and even Nepal and Tibet and of course in the Punjab. What is significant is the Gurdwara Pathar Sahib in Ladakh; the imprint of his sandals in Nepal and reference to “Nanak Lama” in Bhutan. In the South he went up to Odhisha and surrounding areas and onward to Sri Lanka. In the West he covered Mecca and Median and came back via Iran and Afghanistan

He wandered across many places in those days of limited transportation, possibly on foot with his faithful companions Bhai Bala (in some Udasis) and Bhai Mardana (in all Udasis). In every place he was known to sit outside the city, accept invitations from followers and confer with the poorest of the poor and Kings alike.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, thus, delivered his message of the entire mankind being one under the spiritual umbrella of a single creator – “Manas Ki Jaat Sabhe Ekay Pehechani Bo” (Human Beings should be recognised as one) far and wide. He never took any pretension of divinity, instead, he looked upon himself as the most humble servant of the supreme being whose definition he had given in his divine inspiration of the Mool Mantra. He advocated the concept of meditation and praise of the creator while staying connected with the world, unlike the meditative seclusion followed by Siddhas and Sadhus.

It is through the debates during his Udasis that his Bani crystalised into a spiritual message that was later recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib by subsequent Gurus and his devout Sikh disciples. The recording is in the form of nearly 1000 hymns set in superb poetry capable of being rendered by divine classical music. His essential message was “Kirat Kar, Wand Chak, Naam Jap” (Work with honesty, share what you have and take the name of the creator).

Twenty years after crisscrossing the land, Baba Nanak finally decided to settle in one place and spread his message. For this purpose he chose a piece of land astride the River Ravi that had been donated to him by Dhuni Chand, an important Governor in Punjab. He named this as Kartarpur (place of God). Kartarpur Sahib now falls in Pakistan. The Guru took to farming and was soon joined by his wife and other family members. Thus, Kartarpur became the first commune of the Sikh religion.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan

Within his community Guru Nanak Dev initiated the concept of Sangat and Pangat. Sangat means congregation of people and Pangat implies sitting in rows and eating Langar (community food) together. The mornings and evening were spent in the recitation of Gurbani (holy verses), Kirtan (spiritual Hymns) and finally partaking food together in the Langar.

Thus Guru Nanak Dev Ji initiated a concept of universal brotherhood in singing praise of a single God while also remaining involved with normal family and worldly affairs. He gave impetus to this concept for 18 years at Kartarpur and laid a strong foundation for what evolved as a separate and dynamic religion. His thoughts were further crystalised by his successor Gurus who are considered to be in the same essence as the first master and are often referred to as Nanaks.

The religion, which attracted a lot of people from different walks of life, communities and religions, came at a time when there were a lot of divisions in society and people were suffering under a repressive religion driven regime. They first found solace in the religion and later used it as their strength to rid themselves of the repression.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji appointed his devout follower Bhai Lehna as his successor and gave him the name Angad, denoting that he was a part of the Guru himself. Guru Nanak left is physical form on 22 September 1539 in Kartar Sahib, at the age of 70.

 


Share
test

Filed Under: Religious Studies, Stories & Articles Tagged With: Bebe Nanki, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Mehta Kalu, Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi, Sultanpur Lodhi

Primary Sidebar

News

Haryana Sikhs to take control of SGPC gurdwaras in their state

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

Longowal residents up in arms over shortage of health staff, sale of drugs

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

Sacrilege cases: Be-adabi Insaaf Morcha turns heat on Punjab’s AAP Govt

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

ਪੁਲੀਸ ਭਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦੀ ਕੋਠੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਧਰਨਾ

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਮੁੱਦਾ: ‘ਆਪ’ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਜ਼ਾਹਰਾਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਰੋਹ ਦਾ ਸਾਹਮਣਾ

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

Areas of Study

  • Governance & Politics
  • International Perspectives
  • National Perspectives
  • Social & Cultural Studies
  • Religious Studies

Featured Article

The actual message and etymology of Sri Guru Granth Sahib needs to be preserved

January 31, 2023 By Guest Author

Dr. Rajinder Pal Singh Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal living Guru continues to inspire mankind and provide guidance for God realisation and truthful living. It contains the teachings of the Sikh Gurus as well as of Hindu and Muslim saints. Eternal wisdom flows from its teachings which are recited and sung with intense devotion […]

Academics

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-10 – भाग-11

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-10 विजयी सैन्य शक्ति के प्रतीक ‘पांच प्यारे’ और पांच ‘ककार’ नरेंद्र सहगल श्रीगुरु गोविंदसिंह द्वारा स्थापित ‘खालसा पंथ’ किसी एक प्रांत, जाति या भाषा का दल अथवा पंथ नहीं था। यह तो संपूर्ण भारत एवं भारतीयता के सुरक्षा कवच के रूप में तैयार की गई खालसा फौज […]

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-8 – भाग-9

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-8 अमृत शक्ति-पुत्रों का वीरव्रति सैन्य संगठन नरेंद्र सहगल संपूर्ण भारत को ‘दारुल इस्लाम’ इस्लामिक मुल्क बनाने के उद्देश्य से मुगल शासकों द्वारा किए गए और किए जा रहे घोर अत्याचारों को देखकर दशम् गुरु श्रीगुरु गोविंदसिंह ने सोए हुए हिंदू समाज में क्षात्रधर्म का जाग्रण करके एक […]

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-6 – भाग-7

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-6 श्रीगुरु गोबिन्दसिंह का जीवनोद्देश्य धर्म की स्थापना, अधर्म का नाश नरेंद्र सहगल ‘हिन्द दी चादर’ अर्थात भारतवर्ष का सुरक्षा कवच सिख साम्प्रदाय के नवम् गुरु श्रीगुरु तेगबहादुर ने हिन्दुत्व अर्थात भारतीय जीवन पद्यति, सांस्कृतिक धरोहर एवं स्वधर्म की रक्षा के लिए अपना बलिदान देकर मुगलिया दहशतगर्दी को […]

Twitter Feed

The Punjab Pulse Follow

The Punjab Pulse is an independent, non-partisan think tank engaged in research and in-depth study of all aspects the impact the state of Punjab and Punjabis

ThePunjabPulse
thepunjabpulse The Punjab Pulse @thepunjabpulse ·
15h

अपनी सुरीली आवाज से संगीत की दुनिया में 'स्‍वर कोकिला' के नाम से प्रख्यात 'भारत रत्न' से सम्मानित लता मंगेशकर जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।
#latamangeskar @ThePunjabPulse

Reply on Twitter 1622511398185222145 Retweet on Twitter 1622511398185222145 Like on Twitter 1622511398185222145 2 Twitter 1622511398185222145
Retweet on Twitter The Punjab Pulse Retweeted
_sayema Sayema @_sayema ·
16h

I feel so sorry for this guy! His whole life has been wasted. What a pity! https://twitter.com/vinodkapri/status/1622472372627607552

Vinod Kapri @vinodkapri

असल ज़िंदगी में ZOMBIES देखे हैं ?

अगर नहीं, तो @neeraj_jhaa दिखा रहे हैं।

ऐसे Zombies की पूरी सेना तैयार हो चुकी है , जिसे भारत के क़ानून , संविधान की कोई परवाह नहीं है।

Reply on Twitter 1622486921162428417 Retweet on Twitter 1622486921162428417 396 Like on Twitter 1622486921162428417 2074 Twitter 1622486921162428417
Retweet on Twitter The Punjab Pulse Retweeted
chatterchatru sweetBhartiiye @chatterchatru ·
5 Feb

विवाह समारोह में रक्त दान कैंप का आयोजन किया गया।

प्रशंसनीय कार्य
👏👏👏

Reply on Twitter 1622184000742883328 Retweet on Twitter 1622184000742883328 138 Like on Twitter 1622184000742883328 143 Twitter 1622184000742883328
Load More

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Signup to receive regular updates and to hear what's going on with us.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

TAGS

Academics Activities Agriculture Areas of Study Books & Publications Communism Conferences & Seminars Discussions Governance & Politics Icons of Punjab International Perspectives National Perspectives News Religious Studies Resources Social & Cultural Studies Stories & Articles Uncategorized Videos

Footer

About Us

The Punjab Pulse is an independent, non-partisan think tank engaged in research and in-depth study of all aspects the impact the state of Punjab and Punjabis at large. It strives to provide a platform for a wide ranging dialogue that promotes the interest of the state and its peoples.

Read more

Follow Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · The Punjab Pulse

Developed by Web Apps Interactive