WITH GOD FOREVER

Guru Nanak was in deep thought and meditation for sometime after appointing his successor.

He felt that he had done the work that God given him to do.

He had travelled and preached the word of God for twenty- five years.

He had composed hymns that had answers to the problems of religious and society.

He had studied Islam, Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, and had tried to understand the beat in them.

He had started a new religion called Sikhism. He had preached well and then practiced what he had preached.

His followers saw him meditating and felt that Guru Nanak's end was near. The Hindus said, "We will cremate Guru ji."

 Soon the Hindus and the Muslims started fighting over this issue. Seeing them fight among each, Guru Nanak felt pained. He did not want people to fight over him, as all through his life he had spread the message of brotherhood.

He asked them to stop fighting and said, "Place flowers on either side of me. Hindus may put them on the right and Muslims on the left. Those whose flowers remain fresh tomorrow can do what they want with me."

He then asked his followers to pray. He lay down covering himself with a sheet at night.

In the early hours of 22nd September, 1539, Guru Nanak Dev ji gave up his body. He was now united with God, His sat Kartar, forever.

When the followers removed the sheet in the morning, there was only a heap of fresh flowers.

As all flowers were fresh, they understood that Guru Nanak was of no Caste; he was neither a Hindu nor a Muslim.

The Muslims took the flowers and buried them, while the Hindus cremated the flowers.

Probably Guru Nanak did his to teach his followers that they should not have fought.

If they had understood the true teachings of Nanak, they would have understood that he wanted unity and that he was neither a Hindu nor a Muslim.

He had always taught people to unite in the spirit of brotherhood and believe in one God. His death was a true picture of what he had always tried to preach.