Historical Figure
Guru Nanak Dev
1469–1539
Founder and first guru of Sikhism (1469–1539)
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Biography
Gurū Nānak, also known as Bābā Nānak, was an Indian spiritual teacher, mystic and poet, who is regarded as the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
In Their Own Words (5)
Of a woman are we conceived, Of a woman are we born, To a woman are we betrothed and married, It is a woman who keeps the race going, Another companion is sought when the life-partner dies, Through a woman are established social ties. Why should we consider woman cursed and condemned, When from woman are born leaders and rulers. From woman alone is born a woman, Without woman there can be no human birth. Without woman, O Nanak, only the True One exists. Be it man or be it woman, Only those who sing His glory Are blessed and radiant with His Beauty, In His Presence and with His grace They appear with a radiant face.
Raag Aasaa Mehal 1, p. 473; in Aad Guru Granth Sahib (1983 edition by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee); also in Guru Nanak and His Times (1971) by Anil Chandra Banerjee, p. 78 ISBN 1573929980 --> , 1971
You shall everywhere mind the book of the Granth-Sahib as your Guru; whatever you shall ask it will show you.
As quoted in Religious Thought and Life in India : An Account of the Religions of the Indian Peoples, Based on a Life's Study of Their Literature and on Personal Investigations in Their Own Country (1883) by Monier Monier-Williams , 1883
The impurity of the mind is greed, and the impurity of the tongue is falsehood. The impurity of the eyes is to gaze upon the beauty of another man's wife, and his wealth. The impurity of the ears is to listen to the slander of others. O Nanak, the mortal's soul goes, bound and gagged to the city of Death. All impurity comes from doubt and attachment to duality. Birth and death are subject to the Command of the Lord's Will; through His Will we come and go.
Asa di Var
Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, modesty the knot and truth the twist. This is the sacred thread of the soul; if you have it, then go ahead and put it on me.
Raag Aasaa 471:5383-4
The one Lord who created the world is the Lord of all.Fortunate is their advent into the world, whose hearts remain attached to God's service.O foolish man, why hast thou forgotten Him?When thou adjustest thine account, my friend, thou shalt be deemed educated.The Primal Being is the Giver; He alone is true.No account shall be due by the pious man who understandeth by means of these letters.
Timeline
The story of Guru Nanak Dev, told in moments.
Disappeared into a river for three days. When he emerged, he said: "There is no Hindu. There is no Muslim." His first words as a spiritual teacher. He was 30. He'd spent years working as a government grain storekeeper.
Traveled across South Asia, the Middle East, and possibly Tibet over four great journeys spanning 20 years. Visited Mecca, Baghdad, and Sri Lanka. Debated with priests, mullahs, and yogis. Composed hymns along the way.
Founded the town of Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi River. Established the first Sikh community. Everyone ate together regardless of caste. The communal kitchen, or langar, became a core Sikh practice.
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