In recent news, the Prime Minister of India made a significant appearance at the special event held at Dera Baba Nanak. The event was focused on the inauguration of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) and the prestigious Kartarpur Corridor. A capsule highlight of this event was the release of a commemorative coin in honor of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Who is Guru Nanak Dev?
Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, celebrated with great enthusiasm across the Sikh community, marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev, the revered first of the ten Sikh Gurus and the originator of Sikhism. Born between 1469-1539, Guru Nanak Dev propagated the concept of ‘Nirguna’ Bhakti, an ideology centered on devotion to and worship of the formless divine entity.
Unlike many spiritual leaders of his time, Guru Nanak Dev took a strong stand against the common religious practices of sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, and austerities. He also dismissed the scriptures of both Hindus and Muslims, considering them to be inconsistent with his teachings.
Guru Nanak Dev: Organizing the Followers
Guru Nanak Dev took significant steps towards shaping his followers into a united community. He initiated rules for congregational worship, known as Sangat, which heavily included collective recitation.
Compilation of Guru Nanak Dev’s Hymns
The fifth preceptor, Guru Arjan Dev, played a pivotal role in preserving Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings by compiling his hymns along with those of his four successors. This rich collection also included the works of other notable religious poets like Baba Farid, Ravidas (also known as Raidas), and Kabir in the Adi Granth Sahib. Known as ‘Gurbani’, these hymns encompass a variety of languages.
| Guru | Key Contributions |
|---|---|
| Guru Nanak Dev | Founder of Sikhism, Advocate of ‘Nirguna’ Bhakti |
| Guru Arjan Dev | Compiled Guru Nanak Dev’s hymns and those of four successors |
| Guru Gobind Singh | Included ninth guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur’s compositions in Guru Granth Sahib |
The Guru Granth Sahib
In the late seventeenth century, the tenth preceptor, Guru Gobind Singh, incorporated the compositions of the ninth guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur into the existing body of holy literature. This expanded scripture was henceforth known as the revered Guru Granth Sahib.
The events and contributions outlined above illuminate the profound religious impact that Guru Nanak Dev has had on the Sikh community. His principles continue to guide the morals and actions of Sikhs around the world.