The first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji was born on
15th April, 1969. Even as a child, Guru Nanak surprised people e
with his unusual religious sensibility, his knowledge about divine things and
his exceptional tendencies for contemplation. His extraordinary worldly
knowledge is evident from the fact that he had learnt Hindi and Sanskrit at his
tender age of seven, and Persian at the age of thirteen.
He was an extraordinary poet and a skilled musician.
He wrote 947 hymns and composed various tunes in Indian classical ragas that
enamored the heart and soul of all who heard them. These hymns provide the
moral and spiritual guidelines for the followers of Sikhism.
It is important to note that Guru Nanak expressed
his message in the spoken language of the people of North India, i.e. Punjabi,
as opposed to Sanskrit, the language of the elite in which the Hindu Vedas are
written. This clearly indicated that his message was intended for the masses.
Guru Nanak revolted against false rituals,
superstition, caste system, asceticism, idol worship, etc. He supported the
cause of women, the poor and the downtrodden, and worked towards social
reformation. A major tool of this social reformation was the institution of Langar,
which was established for the benefit of providing free food to the poor and
needy also helped to break the boundaries of class, caste and gender.
Guru Nanak preached about a God who is the creator
of all things. God who is, Supreme, All-powerful, Formless, Se lf-existent,
Ever-lasting, All-knowing, Omnipotent, Infinite, Eternal, Incomprehensible,
All-giver and the Absolute Truth.
Guru Nanak Devji was born on 15th April
1969 in the western Punjab village of Talwandi (now in Pakistan) about 65 KM
west of Lahore.
He was born in a simple Hindu family. His family was
very happy when he was born.
His mother’s name was Tripta and his father’s name
was Mehta Kalian Das. His sister’s name was Niki. So his parent’s named him
Nanak. The place where he was born is today called Nanakana Sahib.
His father, called Kalu, was the Chief Patwari under
the Tawandi ruler Rai Bular. His family was well to do. There was no lack of
money as his father worked for the ruler.
As he grew, he became friends with children of both
Hindu and the Muslim households. One of his much loved childhood’s companions
was Mardana.
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