Life of Guru Nanak

Introduction

Guru Nanak (1469–1539 CE) was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Born in a period of social fragmentation and religious strife, Guru Nanak’s teachings promoted the worship of one universal God and the essential unity of all humanity. His life journey—marked by spiritual quest, deep compassion, and radical reform—has inspired millions. Guru Nanak’s revolutionary message of equality, honest living, and meditative remembrance of God (Naam Japna) laid the cornerstone of Sikh philosophy, which continues to shape ethical and spiritual discourse today.

Early Life and Family Background

Guru Nanak was born on April 15, 1469, in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talvandi (now Nankana Sahib in present-day Pakistan), near Lahore. His father, Mehta Kalu, worked as a revenue official, and his mother, Mata Tripta, provided a devout and caring home. Nanak had one older sister, Nanaki, who played a critical role in his formative years.

From early childhood, Guru Nanak is said to have had deep contemplative tendencies. He preferred the company of holy men and spiritual discussions over worldly pursuits. Local traditions recount episodes where the boy Nanak displayed remarkable wisdom, compassion, and disinterest in traditional religious rituals, hinting at his emerging spiritual outlook.

Education and Early Influences

Nanak was inquisitive, delving into both Hindu and Muslim scriptures. He learned Persian and Sanskrit, often engaging in debates and conversations with scholars and mystics from various backgrounds. This inclusive orientation shaped his later message of transcending religious and societal boundaries.

Around 1475, at age six, Nanak’s elder sister married and moved to Sultanpur, a significant administrative center. Nanak later joined her there, working at the local granary under his brother-in-law. Exposure to government service, the workings of society, and interaction with people of many faiths profoundly influenced his worldview.

Marriage and Family

At the age of 18, Guru Nanak married Mata Sulakhani, a native of Batala. The couple had two sons—Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. Despite his family responsibilities, Guru Nanak was deeply immersed in spiritual contemplation and community service, which would eventually lead him toward his larger mission.

Spiritual Crisis and Awakening

Guru Nanak’s spiritual life reached a turning point around the age of 30. Tradition holds that he underwent a transformative experience while bathing in the river Bein near Sultanpur. Disappearing for three days, Nanak later reemerged in a state of silence and contemplation; his first uttered words were, “There is no Hindu; there is no Muslim.” This declaration was a radical rejection of the divisions separating people and a call to recognize the divine in all.

Nanak’s spiritual awakening led him to embrace God as a singular, formless presence—beyond all sectarian labels—and to commit his life to spreading this message.

Udasis: Spiritual Journeys and Teachings

Guru Nanak embarked on a series of extensive journeys, known as Udasis, to spread his message. Over nearly three decades, he traveled thousands of kilometers—traversing India, Tibet, Central Asia, the Middle East, and possibly as far as Makkah, Baghdad, and Sri Lanka.

Highlights of Udasis

• First Udasi (c. 1500–1507): Covered much of present-day Pakistan and North India.
• Second Udasi: Traveled to South India and Sri Lanka.
• Third Udasi (1514–1519): Traveled to the Himalayas, including regions of Kashmir, Sikkim, and Tibet.
• Fourth Udasi: Traveled westward to Baghdad, Mecca, and the Arabian Peninsula.
• Fifth (Final) Udasi: Focused on Punjab and the final years in Kartarpur.

During his travels, Guru Nanak visited pilgrimage towns and centers of learning, engaging with sadhus, Sufis, scholars, and laypeople. His method was dialogical—using spiritual poetry, debate, and songs to convey his concepts of oneness, social equality, and the rejection of superstition and hollow ritual.

Core Teachings

Guru Nanak’s teachings, enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, are central to Sikh religious thought:

• Oneness of God: There is only one universal creator (Ik Onkar), transcending all forms and distinctions. This is captured in the Mool Mantar, the foundational Sikh prayer:
  “Ik Onkar, Satnam, Kartapurakh, Nirbhau, Nirvair, Akal Murat, Ajuni Saibhung, Gurprasad.”
  (“There is only one God, Truth is His Name, He is the Creator, Fearless and Without Hatred, Timeless, Beyond Birth and Death, Self-Existent—known by the Guru’s Grace.”)
• Equality: All humans are equal irrespective of caste, gender, or creed. Nanak rejected the caste system and religious exclusivism, advocating for the dignity of every person.
• Meditation and Remembrance: Salvation is attained by meditating upon and repeating the divine name (Naam Japna) rather than by ritualistic practices.
• Honest Living and Sharing: Followers are encouraged to earn a livelihood through honest labor (Kirat Karo), share their earnings (Vand Chakko), and serve humanity selflessly (Seva).
• Community and Social Justice: Guru Nanak denounced exploitation, hypocrisy, and social injustice in all forms. His teachings promoted simplicity, integrity, and the pursuit of truth in daily life.

Later Life and Community Building at Kartarpur

After returning from his travels, Guru Nanak settled at Kartarpur (now in Pakistan) around 1522, where he spent the last 17 years of his life. He built a commune on the banks of the Ravi River, establishing practices of congregational worship (sangat) and community kitchens (langar), which became central Sikh institutions.

Kartarpur attracted followers from far and wide—both Hindu and Muslim. Nanak continued teaching, composing hymns, and modeling the life of a householder-saint. Here, he emphasized that spiritual realization and family life are compatible, breaking with prevalent ascetic models.

Choosing a Successor and Final Years

As his end approached, Guru Nanak chose Bhai Lehna, a devoted disciple, as his spiritual successor, giving him the name Guru Angad and entrusting him with leadership of the Sikh community. This act formalized the institution of the living Guru, ensuring continuity of his teachings.

Guru Nanak passed away on September 22, 1539, at Kartarpur at the age of 70. After his death, a legendary episode notes that both Muslim and Hindu devotees wished to perform his last rites in their respective traditions. According to Sikh accounts, on lifting the sheet covering his body, they found only flowers, symbolizing Guru Nanak’s transcendence beyond religious boundaries.

Legacy

Guru Nanak’s legacy is transformative and enduring:

• Founder of Sikhism: By the time of his passing, a distinct Sikh community had taken root, organized around his teachings, hymns, and ethical practice.
• Scriptural Contribution: Nanak composed nearly 1,000 hymns, many forming the core of the Guru Granth Sahib. His poetic compositions remain widely sung and recited, fostering spiritual reflection and ethical living.
• Movement of Social Reform: His life and teachings inspired generations to work for social equality, justice, and the eradication of superstition and exploitation.
• Institutional Framework: The practice of communal prayer, langar (free kitchens), and the ongoing Guruship shaped Sikh identity and practice for centuries.
• Universal Relevance: Guru Nanak’s interfaith engagement, advocacy for universal brotherhood, and message of unity resonate beyond Sikhism, influencing global discourses on human rights, morality, and spiritual ecology.

Interesting Facts

• Guru Nanak reportedly undertook extensive travels of over 28,000 kilometers, reaching regions as far as Tibet, the Arabian peninsula, and possibly even Rome and China.
• His teachings insist on music and hymn-singing as vehicles for meditation; Sikh services are centered around Kirtan and poetry.
• Guru Nanak’s birthday (Gurpurab) is one of the major Sikh festivals celebrated by millions annually.

Conclusion

Guru Nanak’s life bridged religious divides and called people to a path of devotion, equality, honest living, and divine remembrance. His visionary leadership founded a movement that not only consoled spiritual seekers but also challenged structural injustices and inspired a vibrant, service-oriented community. The legacy of Guru Nanak, spanning from 1469–1539 CE, continues to shine as a beacon of hope, compassion, and unity in a diverse and divided world.