Guru Nanak- Dr. Giriraj Shah

Nanak, who became "guru" because of his wisdom, teachings and preachings, was born in 1469 AD in the village of Talwandi situated at the bank of Ravi, in the Lahore district of undivided Punjab (now Pakistan). On one side of the house in which guru Nanak was born, there stands now the famous shrine called "Nankana Sahib". His father was Mehta Kalu Chandlo, popularly known as Kalu. His mother was Tripta. Nanak was known as the Prophet of the Punjab and Sind."

Even as child he had a mystic disposition and he used to meditate and talk about Saints and their sermons. He had a contemplative mind and was pious in work, deed and thought. He spent most of his time in meditation and spiritual practice.

Education

Nanak was sent to Gopal Pandha’s School at the age of seven. The teacher gave him a book to read but Nanak replied, "What good it would be to know all and not have a knowledge of God." Then the teacher wrote the Hindi alphabets for him on a wooden slate. Nanak said to the teacher, "Please tell me Sir about the books you have studied? What is the extent of your knowledge." Gopal Pandha replied, "I know mathematics and the account necessary for shop keeping." Nanak replied, "This knowledge will not help you in any way, nor help you in obtaining freedom." The teacher was very much astonished at the words of the boy. He told him, "Nanak tell me something which could help me in the attainment of salvation." Nanak said, "O teacher, burn worldly love, make its ashes into ink and make the intellect into fine paper. Now make the Love of God your pen, and your heart the writer, and under the instruction of your Guru, write and meditate. Write the name of the Lord and his praises and write he has no limit this side or the other O teacher, learn to write this account." The teacher was struck with wonder at the wisdom of child Nanak.

Then Kalu sent his son to Pandit Brij Nath to learn Sanskrit. The Pandit wrote for him "OM". Nanak asked the meaning of "OM". The teacher replied, "You have no business to know the meaning of OM now. I cannot explain to you the meaning." Nanak said, "O teacher—What is the use of reading without knowledge of the true meaning? I shall explain to you the meaning of "OM". Nanak gave an elaborate explanation of the meaning and significance of "OM". The Sanskrit Pandit was struck with amazement.

Nanak’s Occupation

Like all worldly-wise fathers, Kalu tried his level best to turn Nanak’s mind towards worldly matters. He placed him in the traditional family occupation of cultivation of the land. Nanak was not made for this. Therefore, he could not pay any attention towards tilling of the land. He meditated even in the fields and whenever he was sent out to tend the cattle, he went into fits of trance while meditating with the result that the cattle trespassed into neighbor’s fields. When Kalu rebuked Nanak about his carelessness and negligence, Nanak innocently replied, "I am not idle, but I am busy in guarding my own field. My body is my field. The mind is the ploughman. Righteousness is the cultivation, modesty is water for irrigation. I have sown the field with the sacred name of the Lord. Contentment is my field’s harrow. Humanity is its hedge. The seeds will germinate into a good crop with love and devotion. Fortune is the house in which such a crop is brought? O Sir, mammon will not accompany us in the next world. It has infatuated the whole world but there are a few who understand its elastic nature."

Then Kalu put Nanak in charge of a small shop and asked him to run it. Nanak was always engrossed in deep meditation and being always overwhelmed with deep compassion he distributed the valuable items to saints, sadhus and poor. He used to say, "My shop is made of time and space. Its store consists of the commodities of truth and self-control. I am always dealing with my customers, the sadhus and Mahatmas, contact with whom is very profitable, indeed."

Once Nanak’s father gave twenty rupees to Nanak and asked him to go to market and purchase some profitable commodity. Kalu sent his servant Bala also with Nanak. When Nanak and Bala reached Chauhar Kana, a village about twenty miles from Talwandi, they met a party of Faqirs. Nanak thought, "Let me feed these Fakirs now. That would be the most profitable bargain, I can make." He purchased provisions to his house and the servant informed his master of his son’s bargain. Kalu was enraged and in a fit of anger slapped Nanak.

Kalu was much disturbed due to Nanak’s neglect of household responsibilities. He was unable to decide, what kind of work should be entrusted to his son. In this search for a new occupation, he advised his son, "O dear son ride on a horse and do traveling business. This will suit you nicely." Nanak replied, "Reverend father! My trade is divine knowledge. The profits are the purposeful good deeds with which I can certainly reach the domain of the Lord." Kalu had nothing to say, but in his desperate search for a suitable job for Nanak, he told him, "If you do not like trade or business, you may serve in some office." Nanak replied, "I am already a servant of God. I am endeavoring to do my duty honestly and whole-heartedly in the service of my Lord. I carry out His behests implicitly. I desire fervently and incessantly." The father had nothing more to say and he retired silently.

Nanak’s Marriage

Guru Nanak had only one sister named Nanaki. She was married to Jai Ram, a Diwan in the service of Daulat Khan Lodi, who was a relative of Sultan Bahel, the then emperor of Delhi. The Nawab had an extensive jagir in Sultanpur near Kapurthala. Nanak also got married soon after his sister’s marriage. His wife was Sulabhani, daughter of Mula, a resident of Batala, in the district of Gurdaspur. Marriage and the birth of two children did not, in any way, stop Nanak’s spiritual pursuits. Even then he went to forests and lonely places for meditation.

Nanaki and Jai Ram loved and respected Nanak much. Rai Balor and Jai Ram thought that Nanak should be entrusted with some job at Sultanpur. Jai Ram took Nanak to the Nawab who put Nanak in charge of his storehouse. Nanak discharged his duties very honestly and sincerely. Everybody was very much pleased with his work. In those days salary was given in kind and so Nanak received provisions. He retained only a small portion of his maintenance and distributed the rest to the poor and needy.

Nanak had two sons named Srichand (born in 1454 AD) and Lakshmichand (born in 1464 AD). Srichand renounced the world and founded a sect of ascetics called Udasis. The Udasis grew long beards and long hair. The application of razor to any part of the body was strictly prohibited. Lakshmichand became a man of the world. He got married and had two sons.

Nanak’s Renunciation

Nanak gave up the service and distributed his belongings amongst the poor and left for jungle. He became a sadhu and practiced great austerities and intense meditation. He was always engaged in singing inspiring devotional songs. These were all collected and preserved in the Adi Granth — the sacred book of the Sikhs.

Once, the minister of Talwandi, Mardana happened to meet Guru Nanak and he became Nanak’s faithful devotee. He used to accompany Nanak in his sojourns far and wide, singing devotional songs along with him. Mardana was an expert musician and always sang devotional songs composed by Nanak. Both of them traveled far and wide throughout the interiors of India.

When Rai Bular, the Zamindar of Talwandi, became very old, he expressed his desire to see Nanak before departing for heavenly abode. Hearing this, Nanak returned to Talwandi and met Raisaheb, his parents and other relatives. His relatives tried to disengage him from his mission and make him stay in Talwandi. He firmly told them `Forgiveness’ is my mother and `Contentment’ is my father; `truth’ is my uncle and `love’ my brothers, `affection’ is my cousin and `patience’ my daughter; `pain’ is my constant female companion and `intelligence’ my handmaid. All these are companions of my whole family, whose members are my constant associates. The only one God—the creator of the whole universe—is my husband. He who foresails will be caught up in the cycle of birth and deaths and will suffer in various ways."

Guru Nanak and Baber

Guru Nanak had great influence over Baber and the latter offered him valuable gifts, which Nanak declined and instead requested Baber to release the captain of Eminabad and restore his properties. Baber at once complied with the instructions and asked Nanak to give him religious teachings. Guru Nanak said, "Worship God, repeat his name, give up wine and gambling, be just, revere saints and pious men, be kind to all and be merciful towards the vanquished."

Guru Nanak’s Wanderings

Nanak lived in this world for a period of seventy years. He utilized his time in meditation and wanderings from place to place. He went to Saggadipur in the district of Gujranwala and then proceeded to Kurukshetra, Haridwar, Mathura, Brindavan, Varanasi, Agra, Kanpur, Ayodhya, Prayag, Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, and Puri. He also traveled across sea and mountains to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mecca and Madhina besides Turkey, Arabia, Baghdad, Kabul, Kandhar and Siam. Within India, he traveled throughout the length and breadth of India. He held conversations with pandits and Mohammadan Faqirs and Maulavis. He dispelled the clouds of ignorance by the light of rationalism and faith. He enjoined all people to live righteously and with brotherly love and hospitality. He preached and taught, "Do Nama Smarana, love God, be devoted to one God, and serve your fellow beings. Pray and praise him always and attain thee." He tried his best to unite the Hindus and Muslims.

Guru Nanak traveled to Multan and halted there by the side of the river. Many Faqirs, Pirs and preachers lived there. Shame Tabrijal and Mansoor also lived there. The Pirs came to know that Guru Nanak had come to Multan. They sent for Nanak a cup of milk filled to the brim. Nanak placed some batasaas (small hump of castor sugar) and a flower over the cup of milk and returned it to them. Mardana told his master that milk should not be returned and should be drunk. Guru Nanak replied, "Look here, Mardana you are a simpleton. The Pirs have played a small trick. They have not sent this milk for me to drink. There is deep philosophy at the back of it. By sending a cup full of milk they have conveyed the message that Multan is already full of Pirs and Faqirs in the same manner as the cup that is filled with milk to the very brim and that there is no room for another religious teacher. I have also paid them in the same coin. By sending back the cup of milk with batasaas and a flower over it, I have claimed that I will mix with them like a batasaa and dominate them like a flower." The Pirs and Faqirs were quick to understand the message of Guru Nanak and they came to see him and were much impressed by his personality.

Miracles

At Mecca, Nanak was found sleeping with his feet towards Kaba, the holy mosque. Kazi Rukan-ud-din came and rebuked Nanak angrily kicking him, "Infidel! How dare you dishonor God’s place by turning your feet towards Him?" Nanak quietly replied, "I am very much tired. You yourself turn my feet towards any direction where God is not present." Kazi Rukan-ud-din took hold of Nanak’s feet angrily and moved them towards the opposite direction. The mosque also began to move. The Kazi was struck with wonder and he readily recognized the glory of Nanak.

Nanak visited Hassan Abdal in the Aisode district of the Northern Western frontier in 1520 AD. He sat under a peepul tree at the foot of a hillock. On top of the hill, there lived a Mohammadan saint named Vali Quandhari. There existed a spring on the top of the mountain and Mardana used to bring water from this spring. One day while Mardana was drawing water from the spring Vali Quandhari forbade Mardana from taking water from the spring. When Mardana informed Nanak about this, he told him, "O Mardana! Do not be afraid. God will send water down to us soon." The spring that was on top of the hill dried up and another spring sprang up at the foot of the hill near Nanak’s abode. Vali Quandhari was enraged and in anger, he hurled a big rock down which was stopped by Nanak and an impression of his hand is still visible on this rock. At this, Vali Quandhari came down and prostrated before Nanak and asked for his pardon. Now, there is a beautiful shrine near the spring called Panja Saheb.

Teachings of Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak felt that it would be improper to postpone ‘Nama Smarana’ or remembering the name of the God, even for a single breath, Guru Nanak calls him a true saint who spells the name of God with every incoming and outgoing breath. He considered all equal and believed in the equality of religions. He was against rituals. He preached purity, justice, goodness and love of God. He endeavored to remove the moral purification that was prevalent amongst the people and to infuse real spirit in the worship of God and true faith in the religion of God. He introduced the singing of God’s praise, alongwith music, as a means of linking the soul of man with God. Wherever he moved, he took Mardana with him to play on the ‘Rubale’ while he sang. He preached, "Serve God, serve humanity, only service to humanity shall secure for us a place in heaven."

Guru Nanak had great reverance for women. He allowed them to join all religious gatherings and conferences and insisted on their joining the singing of Nam Kirtan. Guru Nanak preached, "The road to the abode of God is long and arduous. There are no short cuts for rich people. Everyone must observe the same humanity and Nama Smarana. Guru Nanak attached great importance to Ardas or prayer. He told people, "Approach God with perfect humanity. Throw yourself on his mercy. Give up pride, affectation and egoism. Beg for his kindness and favor. Do not think of your own merits, abilities, faculties and capacities. Be prepared to die in pursuit of his love and union with him."

The composition of mystic poems uttered by Nanak is contained in "Japji". It is sung by every Sikh at day-break. The "Sohala" constitutes the evening prayers. In "Japji" Guru Nanak has given a vivid and concise description of the stages through which men must pass in order to reach the final resting place or abode of eternal bliss. There are five stages or Khandas. The first is called, Dharam Khand or "The Realm of Duty". Everyone must do his duty properly. The second stage is Gyan Khand or "The Realm of knowledge" where the spirit of divine knowledge reigns. The aspirator does his duty with intense faith and sincerity. He has the knowledge, that only by doing his duty in a perfect manner he can reach the abode of bliss or the goal of life. The third stage is Sharana Khand. This is "The Realm of Ecstacy" where the spiritual rapture and beauty is present. There is beauty. The Dharma has become a part of one’s own nature. It has become an individual habit. It is no more a mere matter of duty or knowledge. The fourth stage is Karam Khand or the "Realm of Power". The God of Power rules over this realm. The aspirant acquires power. He becomes mighty and invincible. The fear of death vanishes. The fifth or the final stage is Sach Khand or "The Realm of Truth". Here the aspirant becomes one with God. He attains Godhead. He gets transmitted into Divinity. He attains the God of his life and permanent resting place.

Nanak has summed up his preachings in one of his Hymns thus:

Love of Saints of every faith

Put away the pride

Remember the essence of religion

Is weakness and sympathy

Not fine clothes

Not the Yogis garb and ashes

Not the blowing of the horns

Not the Shark head

Not Long prayers

Not recitations and torturing

Not the ascetic way

But a life of goodness and purity

Amid the world’s temptations.

He gave the mantra of "Wahe Guru" to his disciples and another mantra which he gave for frequent, repetition is Ek Omkar Satnam Karta Purukh Nirubhav Nirvair, Akamlmurat Ajuni Savai Bhang Gur Persad—"God is but one. His name is true. God is one. He is the creator, He pervades the whole universe. He is without fear. He is without enmity. He is immortal. He is birthless. He is self-born and self-existent. He is the creator, He pervades the whole universe. He is the remover of darkness (of ignorance) and He is merciful. The Lord is eternal. He has no beginning and no end."

Granth Sahib

Guru Nanak invented the Gurumukha characters by simplifying the Sanskrit character and composed Granth Sahib in this language. Today Granth Sahib is worshipped by Sikhs and is known as Adi Granth which contains the hymns of the first five Gurus. It was collected, arranged and formed into one volume called Guru Granth Sahib by the fifth Guru. Later the hymns of the ninth Guru were incorporated in it. Guru Granth Sahib begins with the following: "There is but one God whose name is True— The Creator."

Granth Sahib contains teachings about high morals, purity of life, obedience to Guru, mercy, charity, temperance, justice, straight-forwardness, truthfulness, sacrifice, service, love and abstinence from animal food. A great emphasis is laid on these virtues, while lust, anger, pride, hatred, egoism, greed, selfishness, cruelty, backbiting and falsehood are vehemently condemned.

Nirvana of Guru Nanak

Nanak settled at Khartarpur towards the close of his life. His whole family lived there together for the first time. Mardana also lived with the Guru and everyday ‘Japji’ and ‘Sohala’ were recited.

Guru Nanak attained Nirvana in AD 1583 at the age of sixty nine.

© "Religions of the World, Gurus, Philosophers, Mystics, & Saints of India" by Dr. Giriraj Shah, published (2002) by Diamond Pocket Books (P) Limited, X-30, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi 110 020. Website: www.diamondpocketbooks.com. Reprinted with permission.9+8

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