Guru Nanak Dev Ji Biography
Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 – 1539) is revered as the founder of Sikhism, establishing himself as the first Guru of the Sikhs. He emerged as a distinguished Indian spiritual leader, advocating for harmony and meditation as pathways to the divine soul. His teachings and profound devotion to the almighty distinguished him, earning respect across various religious communities.
During an era focused on proliferating individual religions, Guru Nanak Ji championed messages of humanity and universal kinship. He notably addressed issues of women’s rights and emphasized equality, despite his scholarly background. Notably, he communicated his teachings in local languages during extensive travels in all directions.
Guru Nanak Ji’s legacy transcends his lifetime, preserved through his successors who continued to propagate his teachings. These teachings are enshrined in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the sacred scripture of the Sikh community, which encompasses the wisdom of Sikh Gurus and other spiritual leaders.
Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, born on April 15, 1469, in the village of “Rai Bhoe Ki Talwandi,” now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, holds immense significance for Sikhs worldwide. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born into a middle-class Hindu family and raised by his parents, Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. His birth anniversary, celebrated annually on the full moon day of the Katak month (October-November), serves as a poignant occasion to commemorate his life and teachings. Sikhs around the globe gather in reverence, reflecting on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s profound impact as the founder of Sikhism and his enduring message of spiritual unity, equality, and compassion. This sacred observance underscores his timeless wisdom and spiritual legacy, resonating deeply with followers who continue to uphold his teachings of peace, social justice, and devotion to the divine.
Early Life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
For the first three decades of his life, Guru Nanak lived a seemingly conventional existence at home with his parents, wife, and two sons. He received education from local teachers and engaged with Hindu and Muslim priests. Working as a storekeeper, his outward life mirrored that of many others during his time.
Yet, Guru Nanak’s inner spiritual journey was far from ordinary. Possessing an extraordinary intellect, he grappled incessantly with profound moral and philosophical queries that have perennially puzzled humanity. His sensitivity and deep spiritual inclination set him apart.
He embarked on a relentless quest for understanding, questioning the fundamental aspects of existence such as life, death, the nature of God, and the purpose of human life. His inquiries extended to exploring the relationship between humanity and divinity, as well as the ethical dimensions of human interactions, including the role of women.
Guru Nanak approached these inquiries with honesty and fearlessness, challenging established norms and beliefs. Dissatisfied with conventional answers provided by elders and religious authorities, he sought his own truths through introspection and contemplation. His pursuit was unwaveringly aimed at unraveling the essence of truth and wisdom.
Udasis (Journeys) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji embarked on four extensive spiritual journeys (4 udasis) that took him across India, Sri Lanka, Arabia, and Persia. During these travels, he engaged in profound spiritual discussions with leaders of various religions including Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Parsees, and Muslims. His message resonated widely, attracting followers from diverse religious backgrounds.
Speaking at temples, mosques, and pilgrimage sites, Guru Nanak Dev Ji vocally opposed superficial religious rituals, caste discrimination, widow sacrifice, blind adherence to scriptures, and other practices that contradicted his teachings. He never advocated for conversion but encouraged people to practice their respective faiths sincerely.
Following his journeys, Guru Nanak Dev Ji initiated an innovative experiment by establishing Kartapur, a town on the banks of the Ravi River in Punjab. For fifteen years, he taught his followers here, drawing people from far and wide. Though they maintained their original religious affiliations, they became known as disciples or Sikhs of the Guru Ji, who was revered as their teacher.
In Kartapur, Guru Nanak Dev Ji emphasized the importance of householders actively engaging in worldly affairs, rejecting the concept of priests and hermits. He introduced the practice of communal meals where people from all backgrounds—rich and poor, Hindu and Muslim, high caste and low caste—ate together as equals. This egalitarian ethos fostered a sense of community and unity among his followers.
A well-known legend recounts an encounter between Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Emperor Babur, who offered him a shared pipe of bhang (cannabis). Guru Nanak Dev Ji declined, stating that he possessed a bhang whose effects were eternal—God, the true Guru (Sat Guru). This encounter exemplifies Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s spiritual depth and unwavering devotion to the divine.
Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings are encapsulated in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which serves as the eternal Guru for Sikhs. His philosophy centers on three core principles:
- Naam Japna: Meditation on the divine name to achieve spiritual union and inner peace.
- Kirat Karni: Earning a livelihood through honest means and embracing life’s challenges as divine blessings.
- Vand Chakna: Sharing one’s wealth with the community and practicing selfless service to humanity.
Guru Nanak emphasized the equality of all human beings, irrespective of caste, creed, or gender. His teachings reject rituals and superstitions, emphasizing instead a direct connection with the divine through sincere devotion and righteous living.
Other insights can be gleaned from Guru Nanak’s life and his exemplary conduct:
- He courageously opposed oppression in all forms, confronting authority in both secular and spiritual domains.
- Guru Nanak embodied peace without subservience, advocating moral strength over physical force.
- His prophetic message, “In God We Trust,” holds universal relevance and acceptance across cultures.
- He staunchly championed universal human rights, advocating for equality and justice without exceptions.
- Guru Nanak emphasized equality across caste, creed, race, gender, nationality, and religion.
- He urged followers to defend not just their own religious beliefs but also the rights of others, a principle upheld by his successors.
- Guru Nanak advocated for the equal validity of all religions in the eyes of the common Creator.
- He viewed these teachings not as mere platitudes but as eternal truths, divine revelations, and the word of God.
- While stressing the supremacy of these truths, Guru Nanak emphasized that truthful living through actions mattered more than words.
- His teachings emphasized the constant remembrance of God, honest livelihood, and selfless service to others, prioritizing God above self and service over personal gain.
Contribution to Humanity
Throughout his time on Earth, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was revered not only by Sikhs but also by Hindus, Muslims, and many others who continue to honor him today. A profound incident during his passing illustrates this universal respect: when his followers, representing both Hindu and Muslim traditions, uncovered his body, they found only fragrant flowers. They then carried out their respective funeral customs — Hindus cremating the flowers and Muslims burying them.
Here are the key contributions of Guru Nanak Dev Ji:
Equality of Humans: During a time of prevalent slavery, caste discrimination, and racial prejudice across the Middle East, West, and Asia, Guru Nanak Dev Ji boldly preached against these injustices. He taught, “See the brotherhood of all mankind as the highest order of Yogis; conquer your own mind, and conquer the world.” (SGGS page 6). He emphasized that all beings share the same awareness (page 24) and recognized the one Lord among all beings, transcending ego (page 432). His teachings urged people to overcome their pride and ego to perceive the divine light in all.
Equality of Women: In an era where women were marginalized, Guru Nanak Dev Ji advocated for their respect and equality. He emphasized the importance of women in society, stating, “From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived…” (page 473). He challenged societal norms by highlighting women’s crucial roles and rejecting the notion of their inferiority.
Universal Message: Breaking away from the tradition of religious exclusivity, Guru Nanak Dev Ji addressed all of humanity. To Muslims, he taught that true faith is shown through mercy to all beings (page 141). To Hindus, he questioned the value of external symbols without devotion to the true Name (page 467). He preached against hypocrisy in all forms, such as taking what rightfully belongs to others, equating it to violations of dietary restrictions among different faiths (page 141).
In essence, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings transcended religious and cultural boundaries, advocating for universal brotherhood, gender equality, and spiritual integrity. His message continues to inspire millions worldwide, emphasizing the importance of compassion, equality, and a deep spiritual connection with the divine.
Joti Jot (Martyrdom)
After concluding his extensive journeys, Guru Nanak Dev Ji settled in Kartarpur, which he founded in 1522, meaning “The City of the Creator”. By then, Guru Nanak Dev Ji had gained immense renown and respect for the profound love and guidance he imparted to humanity. Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims alike revered him as a spiritual luminary and claimed him as their own prophet.
As Guru Nanak Dev Ji neared the end of his life, a dispute arose among his followers regarding the appropriate funeral rites. Muslims wished to bury him according to their customs, while Sikhs and Hindus wanted to cremate his body in accordance with their beliefs. To resolve the matter, Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself intervened and introduced the concept of “joti jot” – explaining that while his mortal body would perish, the divine light within him was eternal and would pass to his successor, Guru Angad Dev.
Before his passing on September 22, 1539, Guru Nanak Dev Ji instructed his devotees to bring flowers and placed them on his right and left sides. He decreed that the group of flowers that remained fresh through the night would determine the method of disposal. On the following morning, it was discovered that all the flowers remained fresh, regardless of their origin – Sikh, Hindu, or Muslim.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s mortal body had completely vanished, leaving only the fresh flowers. Muslims buried these flowers, while Sikhs and Hindus cremated them. This act created both a samadhi (a traditional Hindu monument of remembrance) and a grave (according to Muslim tradition). Today, a gurudwara stands at this sacred site near the banks of the Ravi River in Punjab, Pakistan, visible also from the Indian side in Dehra Baba Nanak, India. These locations are revered as some of the holiest places in Sikhism.