Guru Nanak Dev: A poet, a philosopher, a saint…!!

“So kyon Manda Aakhiye Jit Jame Rajan” (On female gender equality: “why call her inferior? From her, the Kings are born”) ~ Guru Nanak dev

November 10, 2011 marks the birthday anniversary of the Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 – 1539 CE) and is commonly known as GURPURAB. This is one of the most auspicious days of the Sikh religion.

Guru Nanak Dev lived an exemplary life. He was a poet, a philosopher and a saint – all combined into a human being that was above and beyond any religion. His writings came long before the Sikh religion was born. His contributions go beyond Sikhism and beyond Punjabi culture.

Guru Nanak Dev lived to the fullest – a life well lived. He traveled all over the places, meeting saints and sufis from all casts and creeds along the way. Some of his journeys lasted many years. On one of his journeys to the west, he went all the way to Mecca, Madina and Baghdad. His another journey to the south touched Sri Lanka. His extensive travels were not only to spread the message of God, but to learn from the wisdom of those he encountered along the way.

Guru Nanak Dev was a natural poet, his poetry is often quoted as a philosophical guideline for human behavior. He wrote 974 hyms comprising Japji Sahib, Asa-Di-Var, Bara-Mah, Sidh-Gosht, Onkar (Dakhani). He meditated ‘religiously’ to connect with his spiritual side. His thoughts, the experiences from his journeys and his philosophy are the corner-stones of his writings, which are the key components of the holy book Shri Guru Garanth Sahib Ji.

Although Guru Nanak Dev traveled far and wide, he went full circle and ultimately retired to his home in Punjab, taking up farming as his last occupation. His writings are the foundation of the modern day Sikh preachings. The 3 main objectives of any human being, according to Guru Nanak, should be:
1. Kirat kar (work with your own hands or earn your own livelihood)
2. Vand Ckakk (Share your blessings/wealth/earnings)
3. Naam Japp ( Remember/worship/meditate )

These are also called the Three Pillars of Sikhism.

Guru Nanak Dev’s writings are not exclusive for Sikh religion. In fact, his message goes to each and every human being, regardless of the religion. Remember, he treaded this earth long before the Sikh religion was born.

One of most widely know scripture from the Sikh Holy Book is the basic prayer of Sikh religion and is often called ‘Mool Mantra’. The Mool Mantra or Mul Mantar is considered the first composition of Guru Nanak and the origin of the holy script. Here is a simple translation of the prayer:

Ik Onkar: The God is One,
Sat Naam: His name is ever True and Eternal
Kartaa Purakh: He is the Prime doer, the Creator
Nirbhau: He is Fearless
Nirvair: Without any enmity
Akaal Moorat: He is of Eternal Form
Ajuni: Without birth, Uncaused, beyond reincarnation
Saibangh: Self-existent and Self-illuminating
Gurparsaad: Known by the Grace of the Enlightened Teacher, the Guru
Jap: Recite or repeat. Ik-Onkar with the instruction ‘Jap’ at the end means ‘repeat and contemplate’.

Aad such: He (God) was True in the beginning
Jugad such: He was True in the Primal Age
Haibee such: He is True in the present
Nanak hosi bee such: O Nanak (Says Nanak), he shall be True Forever.

The importance of the ‘mool mantra’ is repeatedly stressed even in the holy book. “a-ukhadh mantar mool man aykai man bisvaas parabh dhaari-aa“ meaning “The Mool Mantra, the Root Mantra, is the only cure for the mind; I have installed faith in God in my mind.”

May Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings be part of your daily life and may His writings guide you to a better living.

Satnaam Vaheguru!!

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