Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
History
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of the Sikh religion. He has an important place in the historical, religious, and social sphere of Punjab. He considered his religion to be universal. Due to this Nanak Ji was called the Guru of Hindus and a Peer of Muslims. According to the statement of Bhai Gurdas Ji, at the time of the birth of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, the sin used in the whole world was destroyed. The authority of the rulers of the state was strong. The other nobles of the rulers, Nawab and Diwan, were ten steps ahead of their masters in coercion with the public. The idolaters were addressed as infidels, their daughters-in-law were forcibly taken away from them, and the ruling class was crossing all limits of coercion. The religious leaders cheated, robbed, and threw the gullible people into the darkness.
Birth
Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji was born in 1469 AD at Rai Bhoi’s Talwandi which is now called Nankana Sahib. His father’s name was Mehta Kalyan Das and his mother’s name was Mata Tripta. His father was the Kardar and Mukhtar of Rai Bular, a nobleman of Talwandi. He used to do his work with full competence, honesty, and divine mercy. All the people of the area used to sing his praises and glorify him. Rai Bular had full confidence in his ability. His elder sister’s name was Bebe Nanki Ji. Sister Nanki Ji was about 5 years older than you. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji used to call his elder sister ‘Babe Ji’. Bebe Nanaki Ji was the first Sikh who saw the Kartari Jyot of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji and received his teachings. Bebe Ji got married to Sultanpur Lodhi’s Dewan Jai Ram Ji.
Childhood
Sri Guru Nanak Sahib was not like ordinary children even in his childhood. He was a contented and thoughtful person from the beginning. When he saw someone in need, he would feel happy to give whatever he could get from home. Because of these childhood choices, he became popular with everyone. At the age of seven, he sent to study under a Brahmin teacher from whom he learned Devanagari as well as mathematics and bookkeeping. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji asked his first question to his teacher ‘have you read anything that is being taught to me?’ Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji said, “What is the benefit of studying such a study which did not break the love chain of money?” The teacher got the teacher. His teacher bowed down to Guru Sahib’s spiritualistic approach and enlightened by the gift of real education. Guru Sahib Ji taught Pandhe about Satnam. Guru Sahib Ji learned Persian and Islamic literature from a local cleric. You read the Arabic alphabet at once. Malla got surprised to see this.
Later, his father thought that due to his love and thoughtfulness with the animals, why should he not be entrusted with the task of taking care of the cows and buffaloes? You agreed to what your father said. Guru Sahib Ji became a farmer of cows and buffaloes. One day Guru Sahib Ji took the cows and buffaloes into the forest like every other day. Cows and buffaloes are grazing. The cattle herded in the farm of Bhatti Jat. On seeing this, bhatti Jat got angry and took guruji to Rai Bular. Rai Bular sent a man to estimate the loss of the crop to make a decision. But when man went to farm, agriculture was flourishing. Seeing this tragedy, Rai Bular got convinced that guruji was a special teacher gifted by God. After a few days, Rai Bular saw another magic. He was returning to a nearby village on a horse. He saw that Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji was fast asleep in the shade of a tree. Cows and buffaloes are sitting encircled around him. When he came closer, he saw that a snake was sitting in the shade of Guru Sahib. Hearing the clatter of the horse’s hooves, the snake ran away. Guru Sahib Ji sat up and looked toward Rai Bular with a loving smile. Roy Bular saw this and fell at the feet of Guru Sahib. From that day he became a staunch devotee of Guru Sahib Ji. At the age of nine, he opposed wearing Janeu saying that he will wear the Janeu which does not break and rot. Due to his state of being absorbed in God all the time, his father suspected that guruji might have some physical disease, so he called the doctor for treatment. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji while addressing the physician said:
ਵੈਦੁ ਬਲਾਇਆ ਵੈਦਗੀ ਪਕੜਿ
ਢੰਢੋਲੇ ਬਾਂਹ॥
ਭੋਲਾ ਵੈਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਈ ਕਰਕ ਕਲੇਜੇ ਮਾਹਿ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੧੨੭੯)
Father was willing to engage himself in some business or trade. Father gave him some money and sent him to the neighboring town to buy goods for business. On the way, he met a group of hungry saints. He spent all the money to provide them with food and help. Gurdwara Sacha Sauda is still present at this place. Dissatisfied with his behavior, his father allowed him to go to Sultanpur Lodhi to Bhai Jai Ram. Jai Ram Ji recommended him in Modikhana of Nawab Daulat Khan where the grain collected as a tax was sold among the people. While performing the work of Modikhane with great ability, he taught humanity to speak the truth, to be honest, and to behave honestly. According to the ancient Janmasakhi, one day a needy person came to buy supplies. While weighing, when reached twelve to thirteen scales, guruji chanted ‘Tera Tera’ and got absorbed in the mandala of wonder and became one with the Creator. Seeing these mystical experiences of Guru Sahib, the people of the area prostrated themselves before him. Jealous people went to the Nawab and shouted that ‘Nanak, Modikhana is being looted. The Nawab, following the gossip of the people, locked up Shri Guru Nanak Sahib. But when all the calculations were reconciled, it turned out to be an increase, and Guru Sahib Ji was found to be innocent. The Nawab was convinced of guruji ability, and sincerity. The slanderers and gossipers had to lower their heads. He used to worship God by being immersed in the memory of Tera-Tera. At the age of eighteen, guruji got married to Bibi Sulakhni Ji. Two sons Baba Lakhmi Das Ji and Baba Sri Chand Ji were born in his house. Guruji used to sing the glory of God. One day at Amrit, guruji went to take a bath in the Bein River. Guruji became one with God while taking bath and realized that he was standing in front of Almighty God. Guruji received blessings from Akalpurakh to fulfill his life purpose. After three days, when he came out of the river again, his first sermon was ‘Na koi Hindu na Muslim’. These words created excitement among the people. Guruji left the job of Daulat Khan and decided to start the life purpose assigned by God.
Bhai Lalo Ji di Sakhi
Taking Bhai Mardana with him, he stayed at the place of Amanabad at the house of Bhai Lalo. The local Fauzdar Malak Bhago invited him to attend a grand feast at his residence. Guru Sahib Ji preferred to eat Bhai Lalo’s dry chapattis over the delicious dishes of the great emissary who earned haram. Guru Sahib Ji taught Malak Bhago that from your food, there is a glimpse of the blood of the poor laborers, while from the labor of Bhai Lalo’s ten nails, a glimpse of the milk of kartari mercy seen. Hearing this, Malak Bhago fell at the feet of Guru Sahib Ji and blessed his memory. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib appointed Bhai Lalo as the first preacher of Sikhism.
After this, Guru Sahib Ji went to the place of Tulamba Nagar near Multan to meet the gentleman thug. He called himself Sheikh. It established temples for Hindus and mosques for Muslims and arranged accommodation and food for pilgrims. At night, he used to take away all the belongings from the travelers and kill them and throw them into the well. At night when Guru Sahib Ji uttered the word–
‘ਸਜਣ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਲਿ ਮੈ ਚਲਦਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ਚੰਲਨਿ’
This word struck Sajjan’s heart. Sajjan Thug was so Impressed by Guru Sahib Ji’s spiritualistic personality that now he was only a gentleman. Sajjan da Dera became the first Dharamshala of Guru Ghar. Guru Sahib Ji appointed the gentleman as preacher at this Dharamshala. This short visit to Punjab by Guru Sahib Ji laid the foundation of Sikh propaganda which in the Coming time took the shape of a revolution and freed the society from the Jarwanas inspired the society to become the priest of an Akal Purakh. After that, Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji started the journey of a four udasis.
First Udasi – Eastward
Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji started the first Udasi towards the east to modify the earth, in which direction most of the religious places related to the Hinduism of India were located. They went to these religious places and festivals so that by going there they could meet the rulers associated with the religious places and more common people. During this journey, he reached the place of
Kurukshetra. Due to the solar eclipse, many people gathered at this shrine. According to Brahminical practice, fire cannot be lit on the occasion of sunset, cooking cannot be done on certain rinnas, but eating meat was considered an even graver sin. Guru Sahib Ji started cooking on fire contrary to Bahmani Karma to clear doubts. Seeing the smoke, people got angry. People who were engrossed in their blind beliefs started calling Guru Sahib Ji ul-jalul. Guru Sahib Ji silenced everyone with his holy and pure words. Influenced by Guru Sahib Ji’s arguments and personality, people adopted Guru Sahib Ji’s teachings and became his disciples. From here, Guru Sahib Ji reached Hardwar, a famous shrine of Hinduism. At the place of Hardwar, many Hindu people were bathing in the Ganges. Guru Sahib Ji saw that all the people were throwing water toward the Sun while facing the rising side while bathing in the Ganges. Guru Sahib Ji started giving water to the west side without asking any questions. People surprised to see this and asked why are you giving water to the west. Then Guru Sahib Ji asked why are you giving water to the east. So, people said that we are giving water to the elders who have gone to the next world. Guru Sahib Ji said I am giving water to my farm in Punjab. People started laughing and saying that this water cannot reach their palms. Guru Sahib Ji said that if my spilled water cannot reach my feet in this world, how can it reach my ancestors in the next world? People bowed down to the doctrinal clarity of Guru Sahib Ji and renounced their superstitions and became disciples of Guru Sahib Ji. Walking from Hardwar, Guru Sahib Ji reached Gorakh Mat which was the main center of Jog Mat. There was a direct discussion on the place of the Gorakh issue. Siddh defeated by Sri Guru Nanak Sahib in the discussion. From that time Gorakh Mata came to be known as Nanak Mata. Following Nanak Mata, he reached Banaras. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji took over the work of Bhagat Kabir Ji and Bhagat Ravidas Ji present at Banaras. Sri Guru Arjan Sahib Ji has given the work of these devotees a worthy place in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. After leaving Banaras, Guru Sahib Ji reached Patna through Gaya. At Patna, he met Salas Rai Johri. Guru Sahib Ji gave Bhai Mardana a valuable gem and said him to sell it. Bhai Mardana reached Saas Rai Johri. Salas Rai offered the darshan of this gem for one hundred rupees. Guru Sahib Ji returned one hundred rupees and appreciated Salas Rai’s identification. Human birth is precious like a diamond and taught not to lose its value. Bhai Salas Rai, a preacher of Sikhism founded Thap Dharamshala.
From here you reached Kamrup (Assam). There witches like Noor Shah wanted to deceive guruji. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji broke his talisman (magic) and taught him the true wealth and true beauty of true conduct. At the famous Hindu shrine of Jagannath Puri, he refused to participate in the traditional aarti. On being asked, he sang Shabad while discussing the aarti of God which is happening all the time.
ਗਗਨ ਮੈ ਥਾਲੁ ਰਵਿ ਚੰਦੁ
ਦੀਪਕ ਬਨੇ …..
Pandit of Jagannath Puri bowed before the Brahmandi Aarti preached by Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Guru Sahib returned to Punjab from Puri. This ended the first Udasi.
Second Udasi – Southward
After staying in Punjab for some time he went to the south for the second Udasi. During this Udasi, he reached the place of Bikaner which was a famous place for Jains. Jains consider it their religion to save living beings. They save living beings even from their misery, they don’t gamble, don’t bathe, etc. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji taught these ‘Foli Fadihti Muhi Laken Bhadasa’ people to rise above the superstition of non-violence and recognize the glory of the Creator in nature. On the way, guruji came to know about the tribe that ate human beings. The chief of this tribe was Kauda Raksha. Kaude wanted to eliminate the companions of Guru Sahib Ji. He wanted to throw Bhai Mardana into the cauldron of hot oil, but after hearing the holy words from guruji mouth, Kauda renounced his immoral act and fell at the feet of Guru Sahibs. He requested for Satyupadesh. Guru Sahib Ji gave Kaude a great deal of spiritual knowledge. After this, Guru Sahib Ji reached Sangladeep. The king here was Shivanabha. Hearing the arrival of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib, the king sent beautiful women on the pretext of welcome. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji said to those women, ‘Go and sing the praises of that Lord.
Third Udasi – Northward
After staying in Talwandi guruji started the third Udasi to north. Guru Sahib ji’s visit to Sumer Parbat mentioned in Bhai Gurdas Ji’s verses and births records. Here, the Siddhas first asked Guru Sahib Ji, ‘What power did you bring here?’ Then Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, explaining the power of the word of God, said ‘Nanak Naam jape gat pai.’ Seeing Guru Baba’s spiritual knowledge, the Siddhas resorted to miracles. The Siddhas asked Baba to fetch water from a nearby pond. Guru Sahib Ji came back and started saying that the water is not there. Siddh was ashamed to hear this answer and bowed his head before the determination of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. The discussion that Guru Sahib Ji had with the Siddhas recorded in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji under the title of Siddh Gosht from Anga No. 938 to 946. From here Guru Sahib Ji, passing through Ladakh reached Hemus Goupa’s place. At present, Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji worshiped as ‘Nanak Lama’ at this shrine. During this Udasi, he went to Sialkot before Matan Sahib. Here Guru Sahib Ji sent Mardana to buy truth from one paise and lie for one paise from the market. Taking money, he wrote on a piece of paper that living is a lie and dying is true. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji placed both papers before Pir Hamza Gous. Hamza Ghos was satisfied that not all the ungodly in the city are also righteous. Hamza was convinced by the knowledge of Guru Sahib Ji.
Fourth Udasi – Westward
After a brief stay at Talwandi, he prepared for his journey to the West. Then he decided to visit Muslim shrines. Travelers traveling to Mecca are called HaJis. Therefore, Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji prepared for Hajj like pilgrims. Guru Sahib Ji wore a blue robe with pilgrims’ stripes, a book in one arm, a musalla in the other, and a stick in his hand. After starting from Talwandi, he reached Pakpattan. At Pakpattan met Sheikh Ibrahim, the heir of the Chishti lineage of Sufiism. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib reached Makkah by sea. Makkah is a very famous city. It has a special place in the religious world. Even before the advent of Islam, Mecca was a great commercial center. On reaching Makkah, he slept with his feet facing the Kaaba. Wherever a Muslim may be in the world, he always bows down to the Kaaba while praying. Stepping towards the Kaaba considered as major sin. Seeing Guru Sahib Ji sleeping like this, the audience started shouting.
A Punjabi HaJi named Jeevan hit Guru Sahib Ji with cold and spoke ul-jalul. Guru Sahib Ji laughed and said in a loving voice that ‘Mitra, place my legs where God’s house is not present. Shri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji taught the audience to understand the omnipresence of God. The next morning many HaJis came to Guru Sahib Ji. When the pilgrims asked whether you are a Hindu or a Muslim, he replied that I am the image of the five elements created by Allah. He said that there will be a settlement of affairs in the dargah. Guru Sahib Ji reached Madinah from Makkah and then Baghdad, the stronghold of Muslims. He met Fakir Shah Bahlol in Baghdad. There is still a memorial platform in memory of Guru Sahib Ji at that place. According to the verse written on the wall behind the platform, Guru Sahib Ji sat there in 1520-21 AD according to Hizri 929. From Baghdad, he reached Tehran, Kandahar, and then Kabul. Kabul was then under the rule of Babur. Guru Sahib Ji established a Sikh Dharamshala at Kabul and appointed preachers. After leaving Kabul, he reached Hassan Abdal through Jalalabad and Khyber Pass. There was a Kandahari camp on the hill at Hasan Abdal. The people of Hasan-Abdal became satisfied after seeing the Guru. Vali Kandahari got angry and closed the water fountain which was the main source of water for the people of Hasan-Abdal. People’s demands did not affect him. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji sent Bhai Mardana to Wali Kandhari. But he refused to accept anything and to give water. Wali Kandhari did not give water even after repeated requests from Bhai MardanaJi. In the end, Sri Guru Nanak Sahib said ‘Sati Kartar’ and picked up a stone from the bottom of the hill and the water flowed. Wali Kandhari got angry after seeing this, so he rolled a big stone down the mountain to kill Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib Ji, stay steadfast. Guruji stopped the stone with his paw saying Sat Kartar. Vali Kandhari shocked to see this and finally fell at the feet of Guru Sahib Ji. This place is now Gurdwara Panja Sahib. Babur attacked Saidpur at the time when he reached Saidpur. This incident is around 1521 22 AD. Babur attacked the city of Saidpur and carried out massacres, Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji has described the whole sequence of events in Bani. Words related to this incident recorded in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It is remembered as ‘Babarwani’.
End Time
From Saidpur, Guru Sahib Ji reached Talwandi, and then through Sultanpur, he reached the place of Kartarpur on the bank of Ravi. Here he started farming while living with his family. At Kartarpur, Guru Sahib Ji used to satiate the people with spiritual food by using the open gaffs of divine knowledge and devotional kirtan. During this time, he came to know that on the occasion of Shivratri at the place of Achal-Vitale, Jogi and Siddha rob the gullible public by showing their miracles.
Guru Sahib Ji reached Achal Watale with Bhai Mardana Ji. A little away from the fair, he started performing bahi kirtan. Sangat gathered around Guru Sahib Ji. Siddhas and Jogis got very angry. Their chief, Bhangarnath questioned Guru Sahib Ji why has he taken off his sadness and assumed the garb of a householder. This is your job to add kanJi to milk. Guru Sahib Ji explained that we had adopted Udasi Bhekh only because of searching for Gurmukh. That work has been completed so we are now again clothed in earthly garments. But Bhangarnath Ji in what illusion you trapped. You call the villagers bad and then go to their house to beg. Slander only those whom you ask for food. You consider it good to leave the labor earnings, abandoning the householder and your idle life. Where is this jog from? We live in Grihasth, serve our parents, take care of our children, do the work of ten and nine people, and share it in gratitude to God. We earn this Jog and teach others to adopt this Jog. Hearing the words of Guru Sahib Ji, the Jogis fell asleep. Then the Jogis and Siddhas tried to frighten and seduce Guru Sahib Ji by showing miracles, Ridhis, and Siddhis. When everything seemed to be going in vain, Siddhas and Jogis asked Guru Sahib Ji:
ਸਿਧਿ ਬੋਲਨਿ ਸੁਣਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ
ਤੁਹਿ ਜਗ ਨੋ ਕਰਾਮਾਤਿ ਦਿਖਾਈ।
ਕੁਝ ਵਿਖਾਲੇ ਅਸਾਂ ਨੋ, ਤੁਹਿ ਕਿਉਂ ਢਿਲ ਅਵੇਹੀ ਲਾਈ ?
Bhai Gurdas Ji has recorded all this discussion in his first stanza 42. Jogis and Sidhs surrendered after hearing Guru Sahib Ji’s reply. In the future, after this discussion, the Jogis and Siddhas never dared to bow down to the Gurughar. After Achal Watale, Guru Sahib Ji found out that even in Multan, the hypocritical Pir Fakirs used to mislead and torment the people by leading them into superstitions and illusions. The city of Multan was full of Piran Fakirs. On hearing of Guru Sahib Ji’s arrival, Piran Fakirs sent a bowl full of milk to Guru Sahib Ji. They meant that this city is already full of pirs-fakirs and there is no place for any more sadhu fakirs. Guru Sahib Ji plucked a jasmine flower in the north and placed it in a bowl full of milk. The answer was that we did not come to impose anything on the first Pir Fakirs but to remain detached like a jasmine flower. After this, prominent Pir Fakirs of the city came for a darshan of Guru Sahib Ji and a discussion, but all of them were convinced of Guru Ji’s spiritual approach. From Multan, Guru Sahib again came to Kartarpur.
At Kartarpur, he watered the Sikhi saplings for some 18-20 years. The organizations of the Sikh religion wore the Amli jama with their own hands. He flourished Sikh culture like Nitnem, Langar, Sangat, Seva, etc. with his own hands. According to the statement of Bhai Gurdas Ji,
‘Japu Ucharaestablished at the time of Sodru Aarti Gaviya Amrit. Guru Sahib himself was telling the commandments of doing work, chanting Naam, and distributing six times. Bhai Lehna Ji came to guruji around 1521 AD. Convinced of the spiritual approach of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, he stayed with Guru Sahib Ji in Kartarpur and started spending his days in service and meditation. Bhai Lehna Ji used to accept Guru Sahib Ji’s command with a cheerful face and fulfill it by saying Sat Bachan.
Guru Sahib Ji made Bhai Lehna Ji more obedient than his other Sikh servants and his sons. After passing through other tests Bhai Lehna Ji became Guru Angad Sahib Ji. Considered most qualified to handle the work of the guruji made Sri Guru Angad Sahib Ji sit on the throne in 1539 AD and he saluted at his feet. Later, lehna ji go to Khadur Sahib. Guru nanak dev ji uttered a total of 977 words in 20 ragas. Japu Ji Sahib, Sidh Gosti, Patti, Dakhni Oankar, Aarti, Babarwani, etc. are the major compositions of guruji. JapJi Sahib is the verse of Nitnem. Japji sahib recited by every Gursikh daily at Amrit. All the verses of guruji are present in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is showing the way for humanity to go from darkness to light. After completing all the responsibilities assigned by Kartar, he merged himself with Akalpurakh at Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan) in 1539 AD.
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