1469 - GURPURAB

Sat Guru Nanak Pargataya, Miti tund jag chanan hoya

November 19th we celebrate the Prakash Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the first of the ten Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak ji is considered as one of the august religious thinkers ever, who travelled the world to the centres of major faith traditions: throughout India, Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, Mecca, Baghdad, Cairo, Turkey, Tehran, Kandhar, Kabul and many other places, spreading the message that “there is only one God”. The statement of belief for Sikhism “Ek Onkar” is the first shabad of Guru Granth Saheb.

Guru Nanak ji with his mastery of sound would meditate, penetrate into the etheric realms, and simply hear the Universal Wisdom that calls the soul home. When Guru Nanak ji sang he served as a channel for the Shabad that blissfully flowed out. There are 974 marvellous hymns and exalted poetic compositions written by Guru Nanak ji as living manifestation of the Shabad Guru, integrated into the scriptures of Sri Guru Granth Saheb ji. Fearless he preached the principles of interfaith respect, dialogue and harmony. He devoted his life attacking formal rituals, caste, and practices that didn’t make any sense. HIS preaching’s trains the mind and senses to recognize the Divine Light within oneself and within all creations, to understand and enhance one’s own relationship with God and to be of service to others. Vand Chako: Sharing with others. Kirat Karo: Making an honest living. Naam Japana: Remembering God at all times.

It is said wherever Baba Nanakji put his feet a religious place was eructed and established. For many following his preaching’s and meditating upon his shabad brought in a self-awakening without changing their existing religion. HIS shabads simply helped them experience their own Divinity and Infinity. Guru Nanakji led an eventful life full of wisdom and HIS hymns addressed all kinds of situations and conditions which were timely then, relevant even today and universal to all. (death, life, nature, food, evil, habits, lie, ignorance, prayer, pain, maya, happiness, sorrow, grief, service, dealing with bad karmas, knowing God while you live etc.)

History has been witness to many an atrocities on women, be it in the form of rituals, customs like sati or the tyranny by some rulers in the 15th century era. Guru Nanak ji had then emphasized on gender equality, He wanted men and women to be treated equally. “So kyun manda aakhiye jit janmain rajjan” he voiced this shabad & brought in corrections in many a mind-set. The shabad meant…

“From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, man is born; without woman, there would be no one at all”.

Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak ji whose preaching’s conceived a “Sikh” simply meaning Seeker of Truth. The Shabad Guru guides in every respects that is the reason it is not hard to practice the tenets of Sikhism. Today Sikhism is the youngest but among the five religions and philosophy spread worldwide.

Happy Gurpurab and in celebration may we discover our responsibility to walk HIS enlightened footprints, reading, reciting, understanding and living within His Teachings. Together this Gurpurab we engage in dismantling all unworthy and unconscionable boundaries, serious self-commitment to shed hatred with others, build bridges that serve causes and mandates larger than our own faith, culture, or personal prayer. If we want our future generations to practice the 5 human virtues of Sat (truth), Daya (compassion), Santokh (contentment), Nimrata (humility), and Pyaar (love) then note these are acquired through seeing them in the good example of others.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.