Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on April 15, 1469 in the Western Punjab village of Talwandi (now part of Pakistan).

He was born to a Hindu family and his father was Kalayan Das Mehta, also known as Mehta Kalu, and his mother was Mata Tripta ji. He had an older sister named Nanki.

Nanak was married and had two sons, Srichand (born in 1494 A.D.) and Lakshmichand (born in 1497 A.D). His wife's name was Sulakhani.

The main teachings of Nanak included faith in one true God, worship and recital of his name and the necessity of Guru in pursuing the path to God. God, according to him, is immanent and transcendent. Nobody knows the limits of God. God alone knows how great he is. Nanak compares God to the beloved and says God is in the heart of every individual. Nanak had belief in a personal and merciful god. Nanak denounced the worship of idols. He put emphasis on the worship of true name. Nanak endeavored to remove the cloud of ignorance and superstitions from the minds of people.

=> Naam Japna: Chanting the Holy Name and thus remembering God at all times (often meditation).
=>Kirat Karo: Earning an honest living.
=>Vano Chakko: Sharing with others. These were some of basic teachings of Nanak

Nanak put great emphasis on the worship of True Name. Repetition of the True Name Satnam Vahiguru was to be done with greatest devotion. To quote Nanak "The name is the God, the God of all Gods. Some propitiate durga, some shiv, some ganesh and some other Gods but the Guru's Sikhs worship the True Name and thus remove all obstacles to salvation". Nanak put emphasis on the importance of Guru for the realisation of God. To quote him "Without the Guru, no one can obtain God, however long the matter be debated". With the help of guru, man enjoys divine pleasure, he does not know any sorrow. Guru is the raft or the ladder of the Sikhs. Guru is found through divine grace.

source

Guru Nanak had many beliefs which were considered unpopular at the time but are now widespread.


Equality of Humans

When in the middle east, the west and the rest of asia slavery, varna/class and race discrimination was rife and respect between the different classes and caste was at a peak, Guru Nanak preached against discrimination and prejudices due to race, caste, status, etc. He said: "See the brotherhood of all mankind as the highest order of Yogis; conquer your own mind, and conquer the world." also "There is one awareness among all created beings." and finally "One who recognizes the One Lord among all beings does not talk of ego. He urges all the peoples of the world to "conquer" their minds to these evil practises. All human beings had the light of the Lord and were the same -- only by subduing one's pride and ego could one see this light in all.

Equality of Women

In about 1499 when the world offered low to no status or respect to women, Guru Nanak sought to improve the respect of women by spreading this message: "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman." In so doing, he promoted women's rights and equality - a first for the 15th century!

Universal Message for All People

It had been a custom at the time for religious leaders to address only their own congregation and for segregation of the different religions -- but Guru Nanak broke with tradition and spoke to all of humanity.

Sikhism is a progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago, The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest religion. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Sikhs proclaim the Divine name of God, the power of devotion to that Name, the unity of all people and the equality of men and women. Sikhs confess God as Creator, sustainer of the universe, and one intimately involved in the events of the world and the lives of human beings. They believe that divine help is available for those who seek deliverance from the power of evil and put great emphasis on a personal relationship between the believer and God.

Sikhs believe that God is One and that all religions that seek to know God have beauty and power. The Sikh religion has strict moral standards. Believers are held to a code of five virtues and five vices.

The virtues are:

1. Truthfulness in living
2. Contentment
3. Patience
4. Faith in the Great Teacher, Nanak
5. Compassion

The vices, whose description is necessary because of the human tendency to defy the moral law of humanity, are:

1. Lust
2. Anger
3. Greed
4. Excessive attachment to any earthy object or person
5. Pride

Sikhs put great emphasis upon humble service for the welfare of others, and are strongly opposed to any kind of discrimination, especially that which is based on social class or sex.

The Khanda is the insignia of the Sikh Faith. It represents a powerful spiritual symbol. The central double edged sword signifies truth, strength, freedom and justice. The circle or chakkar represents the eternal and the two swords of Miri and Piri represent political and spiritual sovereignty.

Buy at AllPosters.com






Buy at AllPosters.com

Framed   Mounted






Buy at AllPosters.com

Framed   Mounted






Buy at AllPosters.com

Framed   Mounted






Buy at AllPosters.com