Guru Nanak Jayanti by Kumarendra Mallick

Guru Nanak Jayanti

by Dr. Kumarendra Mallick

Today (November 21, 2010) is Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti. Guru Nanak ji is one of the tallest saints of India. A strong non-believers in rituals, he worked for the unity of the Hindus and Muslims, and had Bhai Bala and Mardana as his close associates. His love and devotion for god was evident from a tender age of five, and when 18 he had mastered not only Persian, Sanskrit, Urdu, Punjabi and some more Indian languages, but also the tenets of true religion that consisted of mercy, happiness, devotion, compassion, peace, harmony and adventure. He profounded 'Sikhism' (sikh means disciple) based on universal brotherhood and truth and 'secularism' in true sense of the word.

Nanak ji composed a set of 38 verses, called 'pauri' (step), based on his spiritual experiences. This is called Japuji sahib, the morning prayers, that form the first chapter of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His insight has the divine fragrances of the holy Gita, the teachings of Lord Buddha and sufi thoughts. It may be a surprise to many that Sri Guru Granth Sahib has couplets of saints like Kabir ji and Farid making the holy scripture truly a confluence of all religions - universal and secular! Sikhism spread to many countries like Myanmar (then Burma), Tibet, Iraq and Sri Lanka. Today we have sikhs live across the world.

Nank ji's simple message is, 'As fragrance abides in the flower, as reflection is within the mirror, so does your lord abide within you. Why search for him outside?'

Nanak ji's spiritual longing is, 'Oh God, my mind is fascinated with Thy lotus-feet as the bumble bee with the flower; night and day I thirst for them.'

Guru Nanak ji was born in the year 1469 to Kaluchand and Tripta Devi at Rai Bhoeki Talwandi, later called Nanak Sahib, now in Pakistan. He was married to Sulakshana Devi and had two children. The worldly pleasures couldn't tie this saint for he had a higher calling. He left home in search of truth. At the age of 70 he went into 'samadhi' in 1538. Angad, his disciple, and not his son, succeeded him.

On this sacred day of Guru Nanak jayanti let us say our prayers and be determined to follow his path of religious harmony, peace, mercy and happiness.

Share This:

21-Nov-2010

More by : Dr. Kumarendra Mallick

Views: 8528 Comments: 6

Comments on this Article

Thank you, Gurupreet ji for your kind information on Guru Nanak Dev ji.

kumarendramallick
01/17/2011 13:10 PM

Dr. Kumarendra Mallick ji Thank very much for the wonderful write up of Shri Guru Nanak sahib ji . Believe me . i also want ti share with you a big and good news sahib guru nanak also go in euorpe,south america,north america see on this link www.satguru.weebly.com cheer up ,sukria

gurpreet singh
01/17/2011 12:20 PM

Thank you, Raman ji. Guru Nanak Dev ji is a tower of Indian spirituality. A great social reformer, he was modern, far ahead of his time. His teachings will hold good for ever.

kumarendramallick
12/07/2010 01:26 AM

Dear Mallick,

You written very well. He was the first Saint who bring langar parath (eating food together) and was against ritulas and rumors. Thanks......Guru granth composite of all baanis.....

Thanks

Raman

raman
12/03/2010 06:00 AM

Dear Venkatesh, thank you. It is said even the shadow of a saint is auspicious. Guru Nanak Dev ji has raised the spiritual bar of India very high, and we feel so proud to be born in a land where Guru Nanak Dev ji's footprints glow for ever. Best regards

kumarendramallick
11/23/2010 10:13 AM

Dear Dr Malik,
Thanks very much for the wonderful write up of Shri Guru Nanak. Believe me, I have found that having a photograph of Shri Guru Nanak is not only auspicious but also very lucky.

Regards

GV

Venkatesh
11/23/2010 07:10 AM

Top | Sikhism

In Focus

Columns

Our Heritage

Society & Lifestyle

Creative Writings

In Focus

Columns

Our Heritage

Society & Lifestyle

Creative Writings