Guru Nanak Dev, who was the founder of Sikhism, recently had his death anniversary or ‘Jyoti Jot’ commemorated at his final resting place, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, in Kartarpur, Pakistan. The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak saw the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, which serves as a passageway between India and Pakistan.
Guru Nanak: Life and Legacy
Born in Talwandi Rai Bhoe, near Lahore (now named Nankana Sahib), Pakistan, Guru Nanak emerged as one of the most profound thinkers, philosophers, poets, travelers, political rebels, social levelers, mass communicators, and spiritual masters of his time.
His unique teachings were rooted in principles of love, equality, fraternity, and virtue. Guru Nanak is renowned for his symbolization of peace and servitude. His disciples came to be known as Sikhs, a term that translates to ‘learner’ or ‘disciple’. He employed music, poetry, song, and speech as mediums to preach about divine love and to challenge oppressive caste practices prevalent in orthodox Brahmanical Hindu religion. An advocate for equal social status for women, Guru Nanak’s views were progressive for his time.
Accompanied by his two companions, Bhai Bala, a Hindu, and Bhai Mardana, a Muslim, he embarked on long journeys, known as Uddasian. These travels facilitated dialogues with many saints and Sufis across distant lands.
Teachings of Guru Nanak
Among Guru Nanak’s key teachings was the belief in one formless God, without birth and death, whose creation encompasses the entire world – Ik Onkar Satnam. He advocated for universal equality, emphasizing that all humans are born equal. According to his teachings, karma underpins dharma and truth holds supreme value in life. However, he opined that living truthfully surpasses the value of truth itself.
Guru Nanak created awareness about environmental conservation, emphasizing the importance of preserving water resources and maintaining cleanliness. He advised on three key aspects: ‘Kirat Karni’ or hard work and good karma through earnest livelihood; ‘Vand Chakna’, which encourages sharing and discourages selfishness; and ‘Naam Japa’, calling for meditation and remembrance of God.
Building a Community with Egalitarian Values
Guru Nanak demonstrated how to construct a society rooted in strong egalitarian values. Principles he upheld included cooperative agricultural work, Langar (collective cooking and food sharing), Pangat (eating food without segregation), and Sangat (collective decision making).
These profound teachings of Guru Nanak are documented in the Adi Granth, compiled by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh guru. This sacred scripture captures the essence of Guru Nanak’s philosophies and continues to guide millions of Sikhs worldwide.
By observing his death anniversary at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, devotees pay their respects and reinforce Guru Nanak’s timeless values of love, equality, and fraternity. Despite the passage of centuries, his teachings remain relevant, offering guidance on both spiritual and worldly matters.
