“Ik Omkar Satnaam”- Om, the sacred word, is the only true (sat) name (naam), of the supreme divine- the beginning of the Mul Mantara (first, root chant) of Sikhism carries within itself the highest degree of spiritual knowledge. The divine being as one and formless, which is the root of Nirguna Bhakti (formless devotion) is encapsulated in the beliefs of Sikhism and its pious text, Guru Granth Sahib. Devotion to Guru acts of service as acts of devotion and valor coursing through the veins of its members- Sikhism is one of the most popular and widespread religions in the modern world. And all its virtues owe their origin to the heavenly persona of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, whose descent is celebrated with enthusiasm and devotion as “Guru Parb” every year, in the days that follow the festivities of Deepawali.
According to Sikh tradition, listening to or reading the Janamsaakhi or life stories of Baba Nanak purifies the mind, making it a place where goodness and goodliness can dwell. As the birthday of Guru Nanak arrives, we will journey through the illustrious life of the first Guru of Sikhs and the founder of Sikhism, taking a dip into the ocean of holiness that Baba Nanak is.
The legends around the birth of Guru Nanak are many, all of which agree that he was born in Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi (changed to Nankana in 2005), located in modern Pakistan. Born in a Hindu merchant family, the Guru was married and had two children and shifted to Delhi in his 30s, where the divine light of truth shined upon him.
At the age of 30, Guru Nanak was visited by the divine one, the supreme truth, and from then onwards, he realized that the formless truth is the form of the divine and it is through this Nirguna path that the supreme one can be achieved. Spreading the word of god became the mission of Nanak, who thus became “Guru”, a Sanskrit term used for a master, who has gained ample wisdom to bestow it upon others.
With his followers, Baba Nanak chose the naturally endowed land of five rivers- Punjab as his home. He settled in the town of Kartarpur, where service and true devotion were taught to his followers by the Guru, forming the first community of Sikhs. Upon reaching old age, when he was about to leave the human realm, Nanak Dev declared Guru Angad as his successor, the second Guru or teacher of Sikhs, starting a line of Gurus that ends with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The Shabad or hymns of Guru Nanak which contain the teachings of Sikhism and the pious words of the Guru and the Janamsakhis are pearls of wisdom for the followers of the path. The legends from the life of Guru Nanak are great guides themselves, telling the student to be steady on the journey to the supreme one.
1. Even before his encounter with the supreme truth, Nanak was a spiritual person, who regularly bathed in the river near his house and enjoyed the tranquillity of morning. One such day, on the bank of the river, he was attacked by demons who tried to scare him, offer him riches of the world, and power over everyone, but Nanak was immovable. Going into the river, he stayed inside the water for three days, where he was embraced by the one true God, who gave him the heavenly “amrit” or ambrosia and gave him the orders to go and preach the divine message to the rest of humanity.
2. Once there was a man with great resources, who had a burning question. Where is God? He sent out his messengers with the declaration that he would pay handsome money to whoever came with a definite answer to his query. Many came but failed to perfectly answer the question. Then the man met a learned person, who told him to get a bowl of milk and stir it. After a long wait, cream started showing on the edges of the bowl. The wise man declared- just as the cream is within the bowl of milk, yet invisible until churned out, God lives within us, but can only be realized through action. Acts of service for others, and acts of meditating upon the one true name, are the only ways to witness the holiness that resides within us all. Moved by the answer, the man asked about the source of such wisdom. And who else, but Guru Nanak was the master of the man who had given such a simple yet profound answer?
3. Another marvelous tale from the life of Guru Nanak is related to a cannibal, and how the words of the master changed the course of his life. During one of his famous travels, Guru Nanak encountered a cannibal named Kauda, who abducted his disciple Mardana and took him as a captive. Guru Nanak approached the cannibal’s dwelling, and with nothing but compassion, told him, that our actions decide our future, in this life and next, and by changing them we can purify our entire being, no matter what our past was. The kind-heartedness of Guru Nanak not only transformed the life of the cannibal, making a moral man of him but also shows a light of hope to all his followers and humanity, that one should be gentle to the entire humankind.
The lives of great masters are divine teachings unto themselves, with each episode carrying the wisdom of innumerable books. The lessons given by Guru Nanak to his followers were simple, which is why they remain relevant even in the modern world.
Nanak believed in Nirguna Bhakti, which has its roots in ancient Indian religious traditions, according to which the supreme divine is formless and union with Him is the pinnacle of devotion for the follower.
Seva or service to humanity according to Baba Nanak was the most pious path to achieving closeness to God. Poor, sick, old, women, children, and other forms of lives- everyone should be treated with respect and the idea that the essence of Supreme Truth resides within all.
For rich or poor, men and women, Guru Nanak captured the profound journey to Truth into simple guiding principles. Vand Chakho or sharing what is yours with others, kirat karo, or attaining means of living through true and hard work, and Naam Jap or repeating the holy name, the path laid by Guru is easy and effective for those who believe in him.
In today’s world, where quarrels over who is greater, more powerful, and richer are an everyday affair between individuals and groups, this founding principle of Sikhism, and a teaching of Guru Nanak needs to be revisited now more than ever. Men, women, rich and poor, higher or lower classes, no matter where the person comes from, the path of Guru Nanak has a place for everyone, representing the true meaning of universal equality which is a guiding principle for the future of the world.
Nanak had a simple family, and after attaining true wisdom, his life remained pious and auster. Growing food on his farm, doing his own daily tasks, and welcoming anyone with open arms, it was Guru Nanak’s way of living that made him sacred during his life and after.
“Saachaa naam salaaheeai saachae tae tripat hoeGiaan ratan man maajeeai bahurr na mailaa hoeJab lag saahib man vasai tab lag bigan na hoeNaanak sir dae chhutteeai man tan saachaa soe”
“Praise the True Name, from it one is blessed
The mind and soul cleansed with true wisdom are never dirtied again
Until the True Divine remains in the heart, no obstacles can ever come in one’s path
Nanak says after surrendering one’s head (thoughts and mind), true emancipation is achieved”
Simple, ambrosial, and life-changing, the Misri (sweet) of Guru Nanak’s teaching is mixed in the life of Sikhs across the world. His principles and life guide thousands on the path of humanity. A celebration of his birth, life, and deeds, Guru Parb is the reminder that true goodness of heart is what makes it worthy of being home to godliness.
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