Guru Nanak
- Born on Kartak Purnima in 1469 at Nankana Sahib (present-day Pakistan).
- Showed a deep spiritual inclination from a young age and questioned traditional religious practices.
- Education and Language Skills:
- Learned Sanskrit, Persian, and Punjabi, acquiring knowledge in religious texts across various languages.
- Displayed a keen interest in spirituality over formal education or worldly pursuits.
- First Spiritual Act at Age 13:
- Refused to wear the traditional sacred thread (Janeu) and chose instead to meditate, marking his commitment to spirituality.
- Marriage and Family:
- Married Sulakhni and had two sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das.
- Despite family responsibilities, he remained dedicated to his spiritual mission.
- Revelation and Early Teachings:
- Experienced a profound spiritual revelation in his 30s while meditating by a river, inspiring him to spread the message of divine wisdom.
- Travels and Missionary Journeys (Udasis):
- Undertook extensive travels, called Udasis, over 25 years to spread his teachings, visiting regions across South Asia and beyond, including Iraq, Mecca, Baghdad, Tibet, and Sri Lanka.
- Engaged in dialogue with people of various faiths, promoting equality, peace, and unity.
- Teachings on Equality and Rejection of Caste:
- Spoke against the caste system, superstition, and social injustices, advocating for equality and human rights.
- Establishment of Kartarpur:
- Founded the township of Kartarpur on the Ravi River in Punjab, where he created a community of followers living by his principles.
- Organized a simple and inclusive way of life, emphasizing prayer, honest labor, and sharing.
- Final Days and Succession:
- Spent his later years in Kartarpur, guiding and teaching his followers.
- Appointed Bhai Lehna as his spiritual successor, renaming him Guru Angad, thus establishing the tradition of Sikh Gurus.
- Legacy and Influence:
- Passed away in 1539 at Kartarpur.
- His teachings were later compiled in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, and continue to inspire people around the world.
Key teachings of Guru Nanak
- Oneness of God: Guru Nanak emphasized the belief in one universal Creator, summarized in his phrase “Ik Onkar” (One Creator).
- Equality and Brotherhood: He advocated for the equality of all humans, rejecting caste, creed, and gender discrimination. He believed in universal brotherhood and that everyone is a child of the same Creator.
- Selfless Service and Compassion: Serving humanity selflessly is a key teaching. He encouraged people to live a life of compassion and kindness towards others.
- Truthful Living: Living an honest life, free of deceit and hypocrisy, was central to his philosophy. He valued truthfulness and integrity.
- Meditation on God’s Name: Repeating and meditating on God’s name, known as Naam Simran, was an essential practice for spiritual growth.
- Hard Work and Honest Earning (Kirat Karni): Guru Nanak promoted earning an honest livelihood through hard work and fair means, discouraging idleness and deceit.
- Sharing with Others (Vand Chakna): He encouraged sharing wealth and resources with the less fortunate, promoting the spirit of giving and community welfare.
- Rejecting Rituals and Superstitions: He opposed meaningless rituals, superstitions, and idol worship, urging followers to focus on spirituality and inner purity.
- Acceptance and Respect for All Religions: Guru Nanak traveled widely, engaging with people of different faiths and emphasizing interfaith respect and understanding.
- Inner Purity Over Outward Show: He stressed that true spirituality comes from within, not through external appearances or rituals.
