Guru Nanak Dev: A messenger of universal brotherhood, peace

Shyam Sudan

‘Satuguru Nanak Pargatiya Miti Dund Jag Chanan Hoya’. No doubt with the incarnation of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism-all the mist and darkness of ignorance and superstition got obsoleted from the minds of people. Guru Nanak Dev is one of the great saints, philosophers, spiritual Guru, reformer and visionary personality of his time. There is a popular saying, “The genuineness of a person reflected in his childhood”. Guru Nanak Dev from his childhood was an extraordinary and exceptional child, who was very curious and Inquisitive in nature. He believed in the philosophy of charity and welfare of humanity. His popular ‘Sacha Sodha’ event was the testimony of above afore mentioned fact, when he spent his pocket money which was given by his father to start a business was used by him for giving food to hungry people. Guru Nanak Dev was born on 30 November, 1469 at Talbandi village. However, there are different views about his birthdates among people. This historical pious place is now in Pakistan popularly known as Nankana Sahib. He was the first of ten Sikhs Gurus. When he was born, there were lot of social evils like casteism, superstitions and inequality etc in the society. He travelled far off place across different corners of Asia and spread his message and teaching of ‘one God’. He gave the message that there is only one God and all the different religions are just different routes through which we can reach to Almighty which is eternal and supernatural. The philosophy and teaching of Guru Nanak Dev is recognised world-wide even at present moment. He was the only torch bearer personality of his time who worked for the welfare of mankind. His closest disciplies Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala belonged to lower caste. It shows that he was against inequality and casteism at that time. No doubt he had been blessed with a divine grace. He had performed many miracles to give knowledge to the ignorant. By his different contexts of life, he broke various unwanted myths from the society. Guru Nanak believed in the philosophy of universal brotherhood. He said that God is neither Hindu nor Muslim. It means we all are the children of one God. Guru Nanak also proclaimed the equality between men and women. Due to his teachings there is no difference between the men and women for performing any religious rituals in Sikhism. Nanak Dev narrated that anyone could reach to supernatural and eternal God without any intermediator by his faith, devotion and commitment. Guru Nanak Dev was the greatest exponent of philosophy of goodwill for all i.e Sarvat Da Bhala. ‘Even the line at the end of every prayer, Nanak Naam Chad Di Kalla Tere Bane Sarvaat Da Bhala’ justify the teaching and philosophy of Guruji. He also laid emphasis on three basic principles of life i.e. Vaand Shako, Kirt Kro and Naam Japo. Vaand Shakho means share with those who are in need and distress. Kirt Kro means make your earning with honesty without exploiting the feeling and share of others. And lastly Naam Japo means chant the holy name of God.
Guru Nanak Dev was also a great supporter of building an equitable society where the deprived and oppresed could get the justice and equal place in society. Guru Nanak Dev founded the Sikhism, a unique section of people which is free from all such evils. If we recite the Gurbani with love we feel that Guru is speaking to us. Because in Gurbani there is compilation of all the teachings of great Gurus, philosophers and saints. we have observed the Sikh way of life in gurbani. Guru Nanak Dev ji visited many places and spread the teaching of Gurbani. He visited present day Bangladesh, Tibet, Nepal ,Bhutan, Afghanistan, Iran and some parts of China. Guruji was the greatest religious innovators of all time. His family was Hindu but he studied even the teaching of Islam. There are several Gurdwaras in his name in the country. The famous Gurdwara of Nanakana Sahib is situated at Pakistan. Recently the Pak government has opened the famous Karatarpur corridor for the devotees of Sikh religion. Now, in all such Gurdwaras of historic importance there is provision of free langar i.e., food for everyone. Now in the name of Guru several universities and colleges have been established across the country. At present when the entire world is in the grip of various divisive forces, when every individual is in gloom, misery and in worldy suffering, the teaching of Guru Nanak Dev give a direction to everyone. Guru Nank Dev was not a religious Guru but a great messenger of peace, equality and justice. We can take the blessing of Guru by reading and reciting his Shabds and teaching in different texts.