SikhiPedia:Featured Article/November, 2008
From SikhiPedia
Guru Nanak Dev Ji (15 april 1469, Nankana Sahib, Punjab, (now Pakistan) - 22 September 1539, Kartarpur, Punjab, Pakistan), is the central figure in Sikhism, and named as the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
Gurpurabs
November 13th 2008 Parkash Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji September 22nd 2008 Jotijot Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji
Birth and early life
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born 15 april 1469, in the village of Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan. Today, his birthplace is marked by Gurdwara Janam Asthan. Teachings
Guru Nanak Ji's teachings come down today foremostly in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, a vast collection of revelatory verses recorded in Saloks.
From these some common principles seem discernible. Firstly a supreme Godhead who although incomprehensible manifests in a variety of religious forms, the Singular 'Doer' and formless source of all forms. It is described as the indestructible or timeless form and in both impersonal and personal forms. Salvation or liberation depends on the grace ('nadir'- glance) of God alone and although outside the power of the individual, manifests through the individual whom is seen to be unceasing in their efforts. Religious awakening is compared to undergoing a living death.
Guru Nanak Ji describes the dangers of the self (haumai- 'I am') and calls upon devotees to engage in worship through God's name and singing of God's qualities, discarding doubt in the process. However such worship must be selfless (seva)- which could be said to be similar in principle to the nishkaam worship elaborated in the Bhagavad Gita. God's name cleanses the individual to make such worship possible. This is related to the revelation that God is the Doer and without God there is no other. Guru Ji warned against hypocrisy and falsehood saying that these are pervasive in humanity and that religious actions can also be in vain. However the practice of satsang is considered exalted. It may also be said that ascetic practices are disfavoured by Guru Nanak Ji who suggests remaining inwardly detached whilst living as a householder.
Through popular tradition, Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teaching is understood to be practiced in three ways:
- Naam Japna: Chanting the Holy Name and thus remembering God at all times (ceasless devotion to God)
- Kirat Karo-: Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud
- Van.d. Chakko-: Sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need
Guru Nanak Dev Ji put the greatest emphasis on the worship of True Name (naam japna). One should follow the direction of Awakened individuals rather than the mind (state of manmukh- being led by the mind)- the latter being perilous and leading only to frustration.
In the context of his times, reforms that occurred in the wake of Nanak's teachings and the bhakti movement at large included bhakti devotion being open to all castes, women not to be marginalised from its institutions, and both Godhead and Devotion transcending any religious consideration or divide, as God is not separate from any individual.
Common errors today are to understand Guru Nanak Dev Ji as a mere reformer or intellectual thinker. People tend to think of him as someone who attempted to reconcile Hindu and Muslim differences, and consequently of Sikhism as a thoughtful and conscientious attempt to combine elements of Hinduism and Islam. However, a close study of even a few of his saloks quickly dispel this false notion. Guru Nanak Dev Ji spoke from direct understanding as an Awoken personality and not as a scholar, utilizing the language of [Punjab] at the time as a person of Hindu background living in a highly Islamicised state. He encouraged people to worship within their own traditions, but to keep the focus on God's names rather than egotistic considerations.