Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Sikh

16th Century

Pakistan/India
(Indian Subcontinent)

Guru Nanak

Timeline (1469 - 1539)

Poems by Guru Nanak
Books - Links

Guru Nanak, Guru Nanak poetry, Sikh, Sikh poetry, poetry, poetry, poetry

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Guru Nanak is the founder and first guru of the Sikh religion.

He was born in a small town outside of Lahore, India to a family in the merchant caste. As a young man, Guru Nanak married and had children. Yet he didn't fit easily into family expectations. He seems to have only reluctantly entered the clerical profession suggested by his family, often feeling the call to turn inward in meditation at key points in his life.

Guru Nanak's moment of enlightenment came when, after singing devotional songs, he bathed in the Vein River near Sultanpur. In that moment he was elevated to the heavenly state, where he received amrit, the drink of immortality -- in the form of the divine name. He remained in deep silence after this transcendent experience for some time, and then he started to formulate his revelation through the statement, "There is neither Hindu nor Muslim" suggesting the universal brotherhood we all share through the divine vision.

After this awakening, Guru Nanak left his job and became a wandering holy man. He eventually settled at Kartarpur along the Ravi River, where he lived out the rest of his life.

Poems by Guru Nanak

	Ek Omkar
	[Japji 8] From listening,
	[Siri ragu 9.3] The guru is the stepping stone,
	[Japji 15] If you ponder it,
	[Japji 38] Discipline is the workshop;

Recommended Books

	The Guru Granth Sahib: CAnon, Meaning and Authority, by Pashaura Singh Amazon.com
	Songs of the Saints of India, Translated by John Stratton Hawley / Translated by Mark Juergensmeyer Amazon.com
	Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Translated by Gurbachan S. Talib Amazon.com
	Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Translated by Winand M. Callewaert Amazon.com
	Sri Guru Granth Sahib Discovered: A Reference Book of Quotations, by Hakim Singh Rahi Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Sikhism: Japji http://www.sikhs.org/japji/japji.htm The complete set of Japji hymns by Guru Nanak.
	A Gateway to Sikhism: Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-gurus/sri-guru-nanak-dev-ji-9.html Detailed exploration of Guru Nanak's life.
	Guru Nanak http://www.punjabilok.com/faith/sikh/gurunanak.htm Biography and teachings of Guru Nanak
	Guru Nanak http://www.dlshq.org/saints/gurunanak.htm A brief biography of Guru Nanak by Sivananda.
	Guru Nanak Dev - Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Nanak A detailed biography of Guru Nanak, his writings, teachings, and further links.
	Eternal Glory of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji http://www.srigurunanaksahib.org/ A beautiful devotional site dedicated to Guru Nanak, with several articles and videos. Worth visiting.
	Sacred Texts: The Sikh Religion Vol. 1 http://www.sacred-texts.com/skh/tsr1/index.htm The complete text of The Sikh Religion online, including a highly detailed biography of Guru Nanak.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Guru Nanak

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World