GURU NANAK - HISTORY
News: Teachings of Sikh Gurus showing way to world passing through difficult phase: PM Modi
What's in the news?
● Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on November 7 said by giving citizenship to persecuted
Sikh families from abroad in Gujarat recently, it has been underlined that no
matter where the Sikhs may be, India is their home.
● Addressing
a gathering at a function held here to celebrate the 553rd birth anniversary of
Guru Nanak Dev that will be marked on November 8, Mr. Modi said that inspired
by the Guru's thoughts, the country is moving ahead with the spirit of welfare
of 130 crore Indians.
● The teachings of Sikh Gurus and the life of Guru Nanak are like a beacon of light showing the way to the world which is passing through instability and a difficult phase.
Guru Nanak:
● He
was born in Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi, near
Lahore (in Pakistan) in 1469. This year marks the 553rd birth anniversary
celebration.
● He
is the founder of Sikhism.
● He is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus (Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Har Krishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh).
Enlightenment:
● It
was believed that in 1485, 16-year-old Nanak was plunged into the Kali Bein, a seasonal rivulet.
● He
suddenly appeared from the river on the fourth day, as a completely changed
man, an enlighted one.
● He visited the equivalent of nine modern countries comprising India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran.
Philosophy:
● He
saw God as 'One Reality', Ek Onkar.
● In
1499 Guru Nanak set out on his journeys on foot for 21 years, to spread the
message of God, which was recorded as udasis
(Odysseys) by eminent Sikh saints.
● He then recited the "Mool Mantra" of the Sikh religion.
Guru Granth Sahib:
● His
written compositions were included in the Adi
Granth compiled by Guru Arjan (1563-1606), the fifth Sikh guru.
● This
came to be known as Guru Granth Sahib
after the additions made by the 10th guru Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708).
● It
is the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism, the final and perpetual
guru of Sikhism.
● It
has teachings and writings of all five Sikh gurus, the contributions made by
the 12th - 16th centuries Hindu bhakti and Sufi saints such as Baba Farid, Sant Kabir, Guru Ravi Das, and
Sant Namdev.
● Guru
Nanak contributed to 974 hymns out of almost 6000 total hymns in the holy book.
Death:
Nanaka Sahib passed away at the age of 70 years, on 22nd September 1539, in Kartarpur (Currently in Punjab,
Pakistan).