 | Guru Nanak Pakistan/India (1469 - 1539) Timeline Sikh Poems by Guru Nanak Books - Links |
He was born in a small town outside of Lahore, in what is today Pakistan, 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, journeying throughout India, Tibet, and Arabia. He eventually settled at Kartarpur along the Ravi River in the Punjab, where he lived out the rest of his life teaching a growing circle of disciples.
He taught that individuals had merit according to their hearts and their actions, not according to caste, that all are equal in the eyes of God, and all can approach God directly without the need of a hereditary priest or prescribed rituals.
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
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.
