GOD IS OURS

Along with Guru Nanak, thicker such as Sudras and kabir preached that the Hindus and the Muslims were equal. These great men spread reformist ideas in the Indian society.

To consolidate their power and upper caste position, the Brahmins made such customs and rituals which the common people could not understand. The poor people had to pay a lot to the priests for the religious customs because of which they incurred huge debts.

The power and the position of the Brahmins had so far been unquestioned.

Guru Nanak wanted that people should not follow these useless customs, but should simply believe in God.

He said many things that amazed people to no end. He told them that one is a Sudras or a Brahmin not by birth but by karma or deeds.

He also told them that they need not follow the obsolete customs and rituals to come closer to the Almighty but simply devote themselves to God with a sincere heart.

So far the priests had taught the people that they could reach God only through complicated rites and rituals which only the priests could perform. But now Nanak told them that anyone could be near God simply by chanting his name with a sincere heart.

This was surprisingly new for the people as for many years they had been told that they couldn't worship God. They were even forbidden to touch the wells of the high caste people because they were considered 'low' in body and in soul.

Now they were being told by Guru Nanak that they were as good as the priests. They could reach God just like the  other people who were of a higher caste. Thus, the priests felt that their position was threatened by such messages of equality.

The teachings of Guru Nanak were important as they changed the thinking of many men. After twelve years, Guru Nanak came back and then he started for his second journey. He travelled south and far as Sri Lanka. On his return he stopped at Kartarpur.

Then he began his missionary tours again to spread God's message. On his third great journey he went right up to Tibet. Wherever Nanak went, he would wear robes which were a mixture of Hindu and Muslim wear. When people asked him whether he was a Hindu or a Muslim, he always replied, "I am a man of God."

When he went on his fourth great journey towards the north-west India, he wore the blue clothes of a Muslim pilgrim. Then he visited Mecca, Medina and Baghdad. The four missionary tours he took to spread the word of God are called the char Udasis.

God is everywhere

When Guru Nanak reached Mecca, the holy city of the Muslims, he and Mardana lay down to rest near the Kabba.

The Qazi came and shouted at Guru Nanak, "How dare you sleep with your feet pointing towards the holy Kaaba!

Guru Nanak replied, "I am a man of God. For me God is everywhere." He requested the Qazi, "Turn my feet in the direction where there is no Kaaba."

The Qazi turned around and was amazed to see the Kaaba on all sides. He did not know what to say because wherever he turned he saw the Kaaba. Now he realized that God is everywhere.

He honestly admitted to the truth of Guru Nanak's word that there is, no place where God is not present. He fell at his feet asking forgiveness.