Biography of “Guru Nanak Dev”
Guru Nanak Dev was the first Guru of the Sikhs. He lived from 1469 to 1539. He was the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev was born into a simple Hindu family on Kartik Purnima at Talwandi, village in Seikhupura district, 65 km. west from Lahore.
He founded a religion that was meant to cut out empty ritualism and distinctions of birth. Making several extensive tours around India and as far as Baghdad, Sri Lanka and Tibet, to spread his world view, Guru Nanak eventually retired to work as a farmer in the village of Kartarpur.
His teachings about God are summed up in ‘Mool-Mantra’. In Sri Lanka Guru Nanak is remembered as ‘Sidh Nath’ and ‘Ulag Guru’. He was a saint for both the Hindus and the Muslims alike.
When he felt that his end was near, he appointed Bhai Lehna as his successor with the title of Guru Angad. He died on September 22, 1539 in the early hours of morning.
He was neither cremated nor buried. His constant companions were Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala both Muslims. He gave the symbol ‘Ek Onkar’. Guru Nanak elaborately preached the concept of one God as enunciated in the ancient Vedic literature and also advocated by Muslims. His first memorable statement was “There is no Hindu and no Muslim”. He believed that there is only one God and there is none that can claim equality with him. He is “Almighty and omnipresent. He is merciful, kind, even to sinners.”
He did not recognise the Vedas and the Quran. He condemned caste distinctions, idol worship, rituals and ceremonies. He held that love and devotion to one God was the only means of attaining God’s grace and blessings. To him “Good deeds alone are counted in God’s court”. He felt that “God is one, is without form, eternal and ineffable.” “He may be given different names by different religions but God cannot be two.” His teachings created an atmosphere of harmony between the Hindus and Muslims.
Guru Nanak asked his followers to recite the word “Satnam” or the “True name”, while performing their worldly duties.
He, like Kabir, also believed in the Hindu concept of Karma, Sanskara, Maya and Moksha. In his opinion, only good actions can lead to realisation of God. Religion does not consist in visiting sacred places or bathing in the Ganges. It consists in leading a life of purity and love for all creatures. In one of the verses of Japuji Sahib he said:
“Words do not the saint or sinner make. Action alone is written in the book of fate.”
