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Sri Guru Nanak Sahib was the incarnation of the Lord Almighty, a prophet, a Jagat Guru. Sri Guru Nanak sahib embodies ten divine-forms and Eternal Sri Guru Granth Sahib as one single Divine Entity.

Nanak was born in a Hindu family of mother Vedi (Bedi) and father Mehta Kalu at Talwandi (now Nanaka Sahib, Punjab) in the month of Vaishakh in AD 1469. His Muslim midwife, Daultan revealed to the neighbourhood that the child (Nanak) laughed at his birth like an adult. Nanak refused to stay long at school. He devoted most of his time to meditation upon God. Instead of being vigilant on cattle to graze the field, he meditated on God under a banyan tree. He refused to wear the sacred thread. He said, “If compassion be the cotton of contentment, the thread of continence the knot, and of truth the twist, these would weave an ideal thread for the soul.”

Teachings of Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak felt that it would be improper to postpone Nama Smarana or remembering the Name of the Lord, even by a single breath. Nanak says, “We are men of one breath. I know not a longer time-limit.” He also said that there are no barriers of race, class, caste, creed or colour which check the progress of any in reaching the goal. He realised the great truth of the brotherhood of religions. He preached the universal brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God to all people. Guru Nanak insisted on realising the unity with all. He said, “Love God as the lotus loves water, as the bird Chatak loves rain, as the wife loves her husband. Make divine love thy pen and thy heart the writer. If you repeat the Name, you live; if you forget it, you die. Open your heart to Him. Enter into communion with Him. Sink into His arms and feel the divine embrace.” Guru Nanak clearly said, “The road to the abode of God is long and arduous. There are no short-cuts for rich people. Everyone must undergo the same discipline. Everyone must purify his mind through service of humanity and Nama Smarana. Everyone must live according to the will of the Lord without grumbling or murmuring. How to find Him? There is one way. Make His will your own. Be in tune with the Infinite. There is no other way.” Guru Nanak attaches very great importance to prayer. He says that nothing can be achieved by man without divine favour. He says, “Approach God with perfect humility. Throw yourself on His mercy. Give up pride, show and egoism. Beg for His kindness and favour.

Do not think of your own merits, abilities, faculties and capacities. Be prepared to die in the pursuit of His love and union with Him. Love God as a woman loves her husband/lover. Make absolute unreserved self-surrender. You can get divine favour and love.”

The beautiful composition of mystic poems uttered by Nanak is contained in ‘Japji’. It is sung by every Sikh at daybreak. The ‘Sohila’ contains the evening prayers. In ‘Japji’, Guru Nanak has given five stages or Khandas through which man must pass in order to reach the final resting place or abode of eternal bliss. The first is called Dharm Khand or ‘The Realm of Duty’. Everyone must do this duty properly. Everyone must tread the path of righteousness. Everyone will be judged according to his actions. The next stage is Gyan Khand or ‘The Realm of Knowledge’ where the spirit of divine knowledge reigns. The third stage is Sharam Khand - ‘The Realm of Ecstasy.’ There is spiritual rapture here. The Dharma has become a part of one’s own nature. It has become an ingrained habit. The fourth stage is Karam Khand or ‘The Realm of Power.’ The God of power rules over this realm. The aspirant acquires power. He becomes a mighty hero. He becomes invincible. The fear of death vanishes. The fifth or the final stage is Sach Khand or ‘The Realm of Truth’. The formless One reigns here. Here the aspirant becomes one with God. He has attained Godhead. He has transmuted himself into Divinity. He has attained the goal of his life. He has found out his permanent resting place. Now ends the arduous journey of the soul.

‘Vahe Guru’ is the Guru Mantra for the followers of Guru Nanak – “Ek Omkar Satnam Karta Purkh Nirbhav Nirvair, Akalmurat Ajuni Savai Bhang Gur Parsad” which means God is one, His Name is true, He is the Creator, He pervades the whole universe, He is without fear, He is without enmity, He is immortal, He is birthless, He is self-born and self-existent, He is the remover of the darkness (of ignorance) and He is merciful. The Lord is eternal. He has no beginning and no end.”

The Guru Nanak Hymns:

“True Joy comes from forgiveness and truthful living. 

When thou, O God, are with me, I have everything

For, Thou, O Love art my capital stock.

When I abide with the, I am at peace and full blessed

O Love, Thou art unfathomable, incomparable without an equal. 

And saying thus, I surrender myself to Thee

O God, I ask naught from thee, but for thy vision I crave.”

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“The light is in the creation and the creation rests in thy light

Thou pervadest everywhere by thy artless art.

He is inside all, yet outside all.”

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“There is only Dharma (Religion) let anybody practice truth.”

To Muslims :  ‘There are five prayers and five times. All the five have five names. The first is truth. The second, right occupation. The third, charity is the name of God. The fourth is the right resolve and the fifth praise of God. Recite the Kalma of righteous deeds and then call thyself a Musalman.’ 

To Brahmin :  ‘A Brahmin is he who knows Brahman and practises repetition (of name), austerity and self control to that end. He sticks to the vow of good temper and contentment. He breaks all bonds and gets emancipated. Such a Brahmin is worthy of adoration.’ 

For women : ‘In a woman we are conceived, of a woman we are born, to a woman we are betrothed and married. Through a woman new trends are found. The woman continues the race. Why to call her low of whom are born men great and powerful.’