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Guru Nanak Jayanti commemorates the birth of the first Sikh guru and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. The day falls on Karthik Purnima in the lunar calendar. This year, it is being celebrated on November 14.
While Guru Nanak is believed to have been born a Hindu, he was also exposed to the religion of Islam. But he strongly opposed the caste practices of both these religions and their perpetual wish to be enlightened about mukti or moksha. Guru Nanak, who was also a reformer, rather emphasised on a completely spiritual relationship with God.
Here are three things that you probably did not know about the great teacher’s life.
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WATCH VIDEO: This Is How People Celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti
* He extensively studied several religions and opposed the caste system: Guru Nanak Dev is the founder of the Sikh religion. He is one among the ten sacred gurus who have preached and propagated the religion. Born in 1469, the year 2016 marks his 547th birthday. Guru Nanak was raised as a Hindu by his family and extensively studied Islam. But what he rejected in these religions were their outward customs, such as pilgrimages, the unending search for moksha or mukti, or to attain the knowledge of what’s beyond the life and death cycle. He emphasised on a spiritual relationship with god. It is believed that as a child, Guru Nanak, who was born a Hindu, refused to wear the holy thread of ‘janayu’ and firmly opposed the practices that perpetuated the caste system.
Watch Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations video here
* How he extracted spiritualism from religion: Guru Nanak was fascinated by Kabir and his practice and propagation of Sufism. Though he was married, with children, at the age of 30, he embarked on a spiritual journey across much of Arabia, Tibet and South Asia. The journey lasted for about 30 years. He focused on strong moral values as the basis of spiritual fulfillment, which he pronounced much more essential than the customs and caste systems seen in Hindu and Islam religion. His principles gave birth to the religion of Sikhism.
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Guru Nanak’s words are known to have left Kazi Rukan-ud-din of Mecca speechless too. It is said that he slept with his feet towards the Kabba mosque, which infuriated the Kazi, who confronted Guru Nanak. To this, he replied that it is impossible for him to turn his feet in a direction which did not have God, implying that God is everywhere.
* He propagated three life practices for all: In the scriptures, Guru Nanak emphasised on three practices to help lead a holistic life — Vand Chhakkna, Kirat Karna and Naam Japna. Where Vand Chhakkna is about sharing with others and helping those in need, Kirat Karna, about making a living honestly and Naam Japna is about taking God’s name and remembering him at all times.
