Inder Jeet S ‘Prince’
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism was born in 1469 AD in the village of Talwandi Sahib ( now called ‘Nankana Sahib”) in Pakistan. Those were the times when the world was torn into many warring camps and society was caste-ridden. Inequality prevailed in the various sections of society. Low caste people used to be hated by the high caste people and they were not allowed to visit their religious places. That is why Bhai Gurdas Ji described the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the following words :
“Sat Guru Nanak Pargatya,
Miti Dhundh Jag Chanan Hoya!!
(With the appearance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji the mist disappeared and there was light just as with the rising sun stars disappear and darkness is over).
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, right from his childhood, used to enjoy the company of holymen moving in the area on pilgrimage. Guru Ji used to participate in the religious discourses with those holymen. Guru Ji’s father, however, didnot appreciate his son’s strong learnings towards religious discourses. He got Guru Ji married. Guru Ji’s sister’s husband was in the Revenue Department of Sultanpur Lodhi. He obtained a job of managing stores for Guru Ji.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji used to give alms freely to the poor and needy and participate in religious discourses. Some people who were jealous of Guru Ji’s growing popularity complained to Nawab that Guru Ji was distributing some of the official stocks of grain in his custody. Twice the stores were inspected but nothing was everfound short.
One fine day, Guru Ji decided to declare the mission for which he had been sent by God. One morning, Guru Ji went to the nearby rivult for bathing and returned only on the 3rd day. The people including the Nawab were jubilant on finding Guru Ji back with them. Guru Ji declared his first formal sermon in the following words :
“Na Koi Hindu, Na Musalman!”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was against the caste system and said that all are equal and blessed by one creator i.e God. Man is neither high or low by his caste but his individuality depends upon his deeds. If one does good acts one is deemed to be good in the eyes of God.
Guru Ji appeared for the salvation of humanity. Guru Ji wrote “Japji Sahib” which is said to be the basic of spiritualism. He wrote about the almighty as under :
“Ak Omkar,
Sat Naam Karta Purakh
Nirbhav, Nirvair,
Akal Moorat, Ajooni Sahib…”
(There is but one God. The true one lord creator of night and day, without fear without hate.
The omnipresent, immaculate…)
Guru Ji advised his disciples to remember the Almighty day and night. Guru Ji said that “Naam” (The name of God) is the cure and panacea of all ills from which humanity suffers. Guru Ji asked his followers to avoid 5 cardinal vices like “Kaam” (Lust), “Krodh” (Anger), “Lobh” (Greed) “Moh” (worldly attachments) and “Ahankaar” (pride). All these five are great enemies of human being. Guru Ji opposed casteisms caste distinctions.
Guru Ji stood for Hindu-Muslim unity by making his life campanions “Mardana” a Muslim and “Bala” a Hindu who lived, ate and walked together for a common cause. According to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the concept of religion is based on two principles, the unity of God and the universal brotherood of man.
Guru Ji did his best to convey the message that all human beings are equal and blessed by one creator i.e God. Guru Ji travelled the holy places of the Hindus like Kashi, Dwarka and of Muslims like Macca, Madina to teach the principle of universal brotherhood.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in a bid to eradicate the distinctions between people of different caste, creed or religion inculcated a common mode of worship and a common social institution called ‘Sangat’ and “Pangat”, the formear meaning gathering of good and noble people and later signifying people sitting and eating together in the same row irrespective of their castes, creed or status. The life style, as advocated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is based on three fundamental teachings: Meditation on the holy “Naam” of one God, earn one’s bread by honest and sincere labour and share one’s earnings with those in need.
“Kirt Karna, Wad Chhakhna!!”
Guru Nanak Devi Ji felt for the suffering womankind of his times. People used to consider woman inferior to man. She was not allowed to visit religious places and other places freely. Guru Ji raised voice against this practice and placed womankind on a high pedestal. “Why call a woman inferior who gives birth even to kings and all.”
(“Ju Ko Manda Aakhiyan, Jis Jammay Rajaan!”)
Guru Ji considered the institution of marriage as a sacred tie, essential for the progress of mankind. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also criticised the practice of “Sati” and advocated the practice of ethical values of daily life such as justice, truth, honesty, humility, fearlessness and gratitude which made a man true human being.
(The word “Sikh” is a changed form of Sanskrit word “Shishya” which means a disciple or a student especially of truth)
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