Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birthday Celebration

(1469-1539)

Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the 16th Century and originated in the Punjab district of India and Pakistan. The religion is based on his teachings and those of nine other Gurus who followed after. Before his teachings came to light, India abided by archaic ideas such as a rigid caste system of power and believed in no rights for women. It was a society where most people did not believe in human equality and women were regarded just above Cattle. On the contrary, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s heart was filled with Compassion and Love. He advocated for Equality and pleaded for Peace and Unity during a time where communal hatred and social injustice was the everyday norm in Indian society.

During his lifetime, Guru Ji (as he was commonly referred as) travelled for over 35 years and walked over 30,000 miles with his two companions Bala and Mardana, a man of the Muslim faith, to bring messages of Love, successfully breaking boundaries that were dividing a country in the name of religion. He believed that there was “neither Hindu nor Muslim but only Man.” Along his travels, he engaged in many conversations with leaders and the common man from different faiths and religions to spread his message of Unity. Those who believed in his teachings and ideologies, became his followers and came to be known as SIKHS.

Guru Nanak was a strong advocate of Tolerance. He believed and said, “The One Light is the light in all bodies,” and “God is One, God is Love, God is Unity. The same God resides in the temple and in the mosque and outside as well. All human beings are equal in the eyes of God. Devotion to God and service to mankind, irrespective of caste, creed, or color is the duty of everyone.” He preached Love. He wanted his followers to practice this act of love by serving the poor, sick, and elderly. In his words,” Practice truth, contentment and love and then the worship of God’s name shall be your true treasure.” Guru Ji sought welfare for the whole world in his daily prayers and asked for his followers to do so as well.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not intently start Sikhism as a religion. He started it as a holy mission to transform the world’s social structure so that the human society would be able to rid itself of all social evils. He gave Sikhs a “way of life,” and a “code of conduct and an ordnance” for them to lead their daily life according to those norms. He asked his followers to lead a harmonious life. They were encouraged to believe in the fatherhood of God and Universal Brotherhood of Mankind. As part of his teachings, his followers had to live their life without distinction of caste, creed, gender and color. He also wanted Sikhs to stand for human liberty, justice, equality and fraternity and taught “honest- productive-labor.” He preached that his followers inspire others by being truthful, pious and working in harmony with others.

Guru Nanak Dev built a nation of self-respecting men and women. A succession of nine Gurus, regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak, led the Panth (religion) during the period from Guru Nanak Ji’s demise from earth in 1539 until 1708. Based on the teaching of the Gurus, evolved the Guru Granth Sahib which is regarded as the essential religious scripture of Sikhism and is viewed by Sikhs as the final, sovereign, and eternal living Guru following the lineage of the 10 human Gurus of the religion. All Sikh temples, known as Gurdwaras house this holy book which is read each day and shown the utmost respect by never being placed on the ground and never having anybody turn their back to it. Gurdwaras are found all around the world and are open to all for worship, regardless of one’s religious beliefs. Everyone is also welcome to eat meals in the vegetarian kitchen at the temple, free of cost.

In today’s world we witness many acts of heinous and senseless violence all in the name of religion. The need of the hour is for people of different faiths to propagate the fundamental truths of all religions-LOVE, PEACE, COMPASSION, TOLERANCE, and UNDERSTANDING. Let us all walk toward Guru Nanak’s Mission which is UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD.

This year birthday is being celebrated on November 4th.