Date of Birth: April 15, 1469
Place of Birth: Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi (present day Punjab, Pakistan)
Date of Death: September 22, 1539
Place of Death: Kartarpur (present-day Pakistan)
Mother: Mata Tripta
Father: Mehta Kalu
Wife: Mata Sulakhni
Children: Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das
Successor: Guru Angad
Famous As: Founder of Sikkhism
Resting Place: Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartar Pur, Kartarpur, Pakistan
The first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism are Guru Nanak. He was born in Punjab, India (present-day Pakistan), and his spiritual teachings were based on the idea that all creation is divine in some way. He advised his adherents to focus on spiritual disciplines that would help them change their egotism into selflessness.
In present-day Pakistan, Nanak was born in Nankana Sahib, a town close to Lahore. His father served as the village's tax collector. Many stories exist that describe Nanak's early spiritual awakening. He was reportedly a bright youngster with unique insights into philosophical and theological teachings. He was captivated by religious rites and liked to meditate alone. He studied both Islam and Hinduism in great detail despite coming from a Hindu home. He had a strong interest in religion, but he also possessed a rebellious side and wasn't always willing to embrace religious orthodoxy. For instance, males his age are expected to wear a sacred caste thread starting at age eleven. Nanak, however, objected to wearing the thread, claiming that caste should not be used to evaluate an individual. Nanak would frequently argue with religious experts over the existence of God and the proper conduct of religion.
The Janamshakhi and the vars, authored by Bhai Gurdas, include the majority of the biographical descriptions of Nanak's life. Bhai Mani Singh was the author of the Janamshakhis.
He married Mata Sulakkhani in the town of Batala in 1487 when he was 18 years old. They had two sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Chand. He first pursued a career as an accountant like his father. But he had no interest in the material world; instead, he preferred to spend time in meditation and in selfless devotion to the divine that dwells in every person. His internal spiritual encounters inspired him to concentrate more on his spiritual life and ideals. Being close to his sister Bibi Nanaki, young Nanak relocated to Sultanpur when she got married.
A nearby landowner named Rai Bular Bhatti, who was inspired by the special abilities and endowments of the young aspirant, also gave Nanak encouragement.
Although there are numerous tales describing the youthful Nanak's capacity for divinity, his main teachings and enlightenment are claimed to have started around the time he became 30, in 1499. Nanak vanished for three days, leaving his clothing on the side of the Kali Bein stream. When he came back, he was silent for a while before saying that he had seen God's court and had come back to guide people to this divine amrita (nectar).
Nanak asserted that God transcended external definitions and religious orthodoxy. He declared that he would only adhere to God's will and would not practice either Hinduism or Islam. There is no Muslim and no Hindu, he preached. Due to the historical confrontation between Islam and Hinduism on a political and social level, this had social significance. Guru Nanak gained devotees from the Hindu, Muslim, and other religious communities throughout his lifetime. Guru Nanak welcomed a number of notable visitors, but he consistently declined material gifts since he thought that spirituality should be freely given and unrelated to price.
“Even Kings and emperors with heaps of wealth and vast dominion cannot compare with an ant filled with the love of God.”― Guru Nanak, Sri Guru Granth Sahib
His theological beliefs were founded on the idea of a universal God who was beyond form but manifested in many ways across all of creation.
"There is only one God, and that God is Truth. Truth is the Creator. Truth has no enemies. Truth has no fear of death. Truth has no need of the kindness of the True Guru to realise Him. He has always been True, He was True at the beginning of time, and He is still True today.--------Master Nanak
He imparted three fundamental religious precepts to his disciples.
Sharing with others and helping those who are less fortunate are examples of selflessness. Additionally, cultivate a spirit of selflessness by avoiding the traps of egoism, pride, and jealousy. Live honestly, without deception, exploitation, or fraud
Naam Japna, which involves focusing on God's name while reciting a mantra. Nanak asserted that a follower might overcome selfishness and foster pleasure by repeating the name of God. However, Nanak stressed that actual enthusiasm and selflessness were just as important as mechanically repeating a mantra.
Nanak advised following a Guru in order to steer clear of ego choices in order to avoid the dangers of ego. It aids in developing a spiritual attitude of devotion and discipline to adhere to someone else's teachings.
His teachings have significant social ramifications as well. He preached that external helpers like rituals and priests were not significant and condemned the caste system that is pervasive in Hinduism. Guru Nanak emphasized the inner spiritual awakening constantly. following this realization or enlightenment. Nanak traveled extensively throughout the Indian subcontinent. This included trips to Baghdad, Mecca, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and all of India.
During his main mission, which lasted from 1500 to 1524, he traveled with his Muslim companion Bhai Mardana, traveling in all four directions from his hometown. It is estimated that he covered 28,000 kilometers in five big globe tours (Udasi's).
Third Udasi
Guru Nanak desired to visit Muslim shrines during his fourth journey (1518–1521). He took a boat to Jeddah in the west, then set out on foot for Mecca. He traveled as usual with Guru Nanak and Muslim Bhai Mardana while wearing a navy blue Hajji robe. One noteworthy tale claims that Nanak dozed off at Mecca with his feet pointed at the sacred Kaaba. Mohammedans found this to be offensive, and one started berating and kicking Nanak, accusing him of dishonoring the temple of God.
Guru Nanak calmly retorted: Brother, try not to become upset. I need to rest since I'm exhausted. I have the utmost reverence for the house of God. Turn my feet somewhere where God or the House of God is not, please.
Nanak was turned around by the Qazi after taking hold of his feet. But when he opened his eyes, he could make out the Kaaba standing close to the Guru's feet. He could see the Kaaba by Nanak's feet no matter which way he twisted Nanak's feet. The holiness of Nanak astounded the Qazi. Nanak stood up and uttered: Do you not see that God's House is everywhere? He lives everywhere and in everyone's heart, I assure you. In your hearts, He is. He's in my life as well.
His parents initially opposed him leaving when he embarked on his first tour from Talwandi because they believed their son should support them in old age. However, Nanak believed his mission to share God's true word with the suffering world was more important than his responsibilities to his own family.
In Punjab, he made his fifth and final expedition between 1523 and 1524. He traveled little after his last Udasi and stayed near the Ravi River. Punjab was where Sikhism would establish itself most firmly.
He named Bhai Lehna as his successor in 1539 and gave him the new name Guru Angad, which means "half of you." This marked the start of the Guru lineage custom.
On September 22, 1539, in Kartarpur, Nanak passed away at the age of 70 just one day after choosing his successor. According to an Indian tradition, there was a disagreement about how to bury Guru Nanak after his death because both Hindu and Muslim devotees wanted to do so. However, hundreds of flowers were found when the fabric covering Nanak's body was removed; as a result, both groups were able to collect flowers and honor Nanak in their unique ways.
