Sikhism: Guru Nanak Dev Ji – The First Sikh Guru – 01/10
🌟 Messenger of Oneness, Founder of Sikhism, and Eternal Voice of Dharma
Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539 CE) was not just the founder of Sikhism—he was a divine light who arose in an age of darkness. Born in a time of religious conflict, caste discrimination, and social injustice, Guru Nanak revealed a path of truth, equality, devotion, and fearlessness. His message was for all of humanity—not to divide, but to unite souls under the banner of One God.
“ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਗੁਣਿ ਗੁਣੁ ਕਰੇ ਗੁਣਵੰਤਿਆ ਗੁਣੁ ਦੇਇ ॥”
Nanak nirgun gun kare, gunvantia gun de
O Nanak, the Formless gives virtue to the virtue-less and enhances the good in the good.
🧬 Birth and Early Life
- Date of Birth: 15 April 1469 CE (Vaisakhi Day)
- Place: Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan)
- Parents: Mehta Kalu (village accountant), Mata Tripta
- Sister: Bebe Nanaki (his first devotee)
From childhood, Nanak showed signs of spiritual depth. He questioned hollow rituals, recited verses spontaneously, and preferred meditative solitude over play.
“ਪੰਛੀ ਵਾਗੂ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਲਖ ਲਖ ਬਾਜਾ ਲਾਇ॥”
Panchhi vaagoo Nanaka lakh lakh baaja laai
O Nanak, the soul soars like a bird, surrounded by countless melodies of divine truth.
🌊 The Divine Experience at Kali Bein
At age 30, Guru Nanak went missing while bathing in the Kali Bein river. After three days, he emerged transformed, having merged with the Divine Light.
His first declaration:
“ਨ ਕੋ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਕੋ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ॥”
Na ko Hindu na ko Musalmaan
There is no Hindu, no Muslim—only the One Lord pervades all.
This was a revolutionary call for oneness, not rejection. Guru Nanak did not destroy religions; he destroyed divisions.
🌍 The Four Udasis – Journeys of Universal Awakening
Guru Nanak Dev Ji traveled over 30,000 km on foot in four spiritual journeys called Udasis, covering:
| Direction | Region Visited |
|---|---|
| East | Varanasi, Bengal, Assam, Jagannath Puri |
| South | Andhra Pradesh, Rameswaram, Sri Lanka |
| North | Tibet, Nepal, Sumer Parbat, Himalayan hermitages |
| West | Mecca, Baghdad, Multan, Kabul |
In each place, he challenged superstition, oppression, and empty ritual, engaging sages, Sufis, kings, and commoners alike.
“ਸਚੁ ਕਹਉ ਸੁਣ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਓ॥”
Sach kahon sun leho sabhai, jin prem keeyo tin hi prabh paayo
I speak the truth—only those who love deeply attain God.
📜 Key Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
1. Ik Onkar – There Is One God
ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ…
Ik Onkar Sat Naam Kartaa Purakh Nirbhau Nirvair…
There is only One God—True, Creator, Fearless, Without Hatred.
God is beyond religion, name, form, or gender. This universal truth is the core of Sikh Dharma.
2. Naam Japna – Remembrance of God’s Name
“ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥”
Simar simar sukh paaveh Jan Nanak Naam adhaar
By remembering the Divine Name, one finds peace. Naam is the soul’s support.
3. Kirat Karni – Honest Living
“ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥”
Earn by honest work, and share what you earn—that is the true path.
4. Vand Chakna – Sharing with Others
“ਵੰਡਿ ਛਕੋ ॥”
Vand Chhako
Share what you have—food, resources, and blessings.
5. Seva & Sarbat da Bhala – Serve All Selflessly
“ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ॥”
May the Divine Name lift all, and in Your Will, may all beings prosper.
🏡 Foundation of Kartarpur Sahib
In his later years, Guru Nanak Dev Ji settled at Kartarpur Sahib (now in Pakistan), where he:
- Built a spiritual commune
- Lived as a humble farmer
- Sang kirtan and taught daily
- Practiced the ideal householder life (Grihastha Dharma)
This community model became the blueprint for Sikh living—balanced between spiritual devotion and worldly duty.
🔄 Succession: The First Guru to the Second
Before merging with the Divine Light in 1539 CE, Guru Nanak appointed Bhai Lehna Ji as the next Guru, renaming him Guru Angad Dev Ji. This began the Guru Parampara—the lineage of ten living Gurus.
He taught that the light of the Guru is one, though the bodies may change.
“ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਆਖੈ ਬਹਿ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਰੂ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਨ ਚਿਨੈ ਅੰਧਾ ਅੰਧੁ ॥”
Everyone calls someone Guru, but one who does not recognize the True Guru remains blind.
🌈 Why Guru Nanak Matters Today
| Modern Crisis | Guru Nanak’s Solution |
|---|---|
| Religious conflict | Ik Onkar – Recognize One God in all |
| Identity politics | Rise above labels—see the Divine Light |
| Inequality & caste | “Maanas ki jaat sabhai ekai pehchaanbo” – all are one |
| Depression | Chanting Naam creates inner bliss and peace |
| Greed and ego | Seva and humility are true wealth |
🕯️ Guru Nanak in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Guru Nanak’s hymns make up nearly 1,000 shabads in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He is referred to as Nanak, Nanak Dev, and lovingly as Baba Nanak across cultures.
His poetry flows in Raags, designed to awaken divine emotions, and contains:
- Divine praise (bhakti)
- Social critique (satya)
- Spiritual instruction (updesh)
💡 Daily Practice Inspired by Guru Nanak
| Action | Practice |
|---|---|
| Begin the day | Recite Japji Sahib every morning |
| Speak truthfully | Pause before every word—Is it truthful, useful, and kind? |
| Remember Naam | Chant “Waheguru” silently throughout the day |
| Do Seva | Volunteer or help someone anonymously |
| Wish well | End your day with: Sarbat da Bhala – May all beings thrive |
🔚 Conclusion
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life is the flame that lit the path of Sikhism. His voice still echoes in gurdwaras, homes, and hearts across the world—not as a historical figure, but as an eternal spiritual guide.
He did not create followers. He awakened seekers.
Let us not just praise Guru Nanak—let us live his light, speak his truth, and walk his path.
“ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ॥”
Through Naam, O Nanak, may we rise in ever-ascending joy and divine awareness.