Essays on The Philosophy of Guru Nanakdev

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With great humility and sense of gratitude towards almighty, We at IGNCA feel blessed that we were given the opportunity to execute the celebrations of 550th ParkashParv (1469-2019) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which started in early 2019. While we were busy planning such celebrations at grand scale, world witnessed unprecedented spread of pandemic and for many months, life came to a standstill around the globe. While it brought many challenges to life at global level, it made us realize that we always need the blessings and teachings of our spiritual masters, if we have to face the challenges posed by forces of nature and system. It made us see the relevance of collective spiritual heritage of mankind in ensuring that we do not forget our creator almighty, and it made us see that mercy for all the living beings is a cherished value. It made us realize the significance of the teachings of great Gurus and Saints that there is no substitute for truthful and honest living.

Five centuries ago, Guru Nanak Dev Ji laid the foundation of new world view on the concepts of God, Religion, Truth, Life and Human Dignity. In his sacred Bani, he reflected upon the nature of God and the nature of right kind of human conduct at the same time. He made extensive travels in India and abroad for engagement in a dialogue with people belonging to plurality of faith and spiritualism. After spending greater part of his life in travels, he lived the life of householder at Kartarpur and practiced farming and warned the men of religion against developing the habit of social parasitism. At Kartarpur, he put an alternative world view in to practice and this small community developed into the present day Sikhism, believed to be the youngest of world religions. At the same time, the writings, and the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji are integral part of collective heritage of human civilization.. His life is a great message for humanity. He was a great preacher of a life based on truthful living. Truth lived, not taught, was his key concern. He was founder of a world view where spiritual pursuit was not divorced from social responsibility. Sunil Khilnani, great writer, has summed up Guru Nanak Dev Ji's philosophy as Discipline of deeds. In the present day scenario of increasing intolerance and heightened sectarianism, it is very significant to spread the message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji who made a distinction between True religion and region of mere appearance.