It was during the time when the world was plunged into the darkness of ignorance, feudal tyranny and oppression, religious and cultural strife, that Sri Guru Nanak Devji, was born. His birthday is celebrated on the full moon night, which mostly falls in November and today is the 5th Nov, when we all are ready to celebrate His Jayanti with celestial music resounded in heaven.

His Birth was held as "God has come to save the trouble and bring peace to the people of all communities, preach brotherhood and humanitarianism irrespective of caste, creed, color and economic status. Guru Nanak Devji brought vision of a common humanity to a society. He had faith in humanity. According to him, Love of God implies Love for his creation. Service of humanity indicates one's Love for God.

"Miti Dhundh Jag Chanan Hoa- Mitya Andhera Chan Charya"

In 1497, at the age of 12 years, Guru Nanak Dev started to lead the life of a true householder. His permanent companions were Bhai Mardana and Balu. Once Guru Nanak Devji was counting and when he reached thirteen, he lost himself into Godly Bliss and went on repeating "Tera ! Tera ! Tera ! Tera ! Tera ! . . . "Thine ! Thine ! Thine ! Thine ! Thine ! Tera arithmetically means thirteen and literally it means, 'I am thine'. That is why number thirteen is taken as a lucky number.

At Sultanpur, Guru Nanak Devji used to go daily to Bein stream for a bath and to spend sometime in meditation. On one such occasion, he plunged into the stream. He remained missing for three days. God Almighty blessed him and commanded, "O Nanaka ! When you look at anyone gracefully, it is not yours, but My graceful look. My name is the Supreme Brahma, the Supreme Lord; and thy name is the Guru, Permeshwar". God pleasingly commanded Nanaka to repeat the "Naam" and spread this Naam to others.".

Guru Nanak Devji, the World-Teacher pronounced that "There is only one God, True is His Name. He is the Creator, Fearless, Devoid of hate, Immortal, Self-Existent, by the Grace of the Enlightener. You can realize him. He is True one in the beginning; True in the primeval age; True He is, O Nanak; True He shall always be. "

Guru Nanak Devji further said, "There is no Hindu, no Musalman", implying that the dividing lines between the creeds are unreal and false. So men must come under a sole universal creed, wherein lies no scope for the sectarian discord. People began to call him "Nanak Nirankari" - God's Nanak.

Guru Nanak Devji worked for the renovation of humanity, who along with Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala undertook long tours both in and outside India for spreading the mission of the true "Nama" and expounding the philosophy of the "True Thought". He visited prominent religious centers of Hindus, Muslims and had discourses, discussions with the renowned missionaries, elite personalities of various religions, leaders of the social order. He saw Brahmanism in practice at Banaras. Buddhists came across in Burma, Tibet and Ceylon. In Arabia and Iraq, he had meetings with the Muslim Hajis and Imams in Mecca and Baghdad. He also visited the land of the black Habash, Abyssina and a few Islands of the Indian Ocean. Thus Guru Nanak undertook an extensive missionary tour of the world. Wherever he went, large crowds assembled to hear his divine message, the message of universal love, the message of humanitarian service and the message of adoration and uniqueness of God. For him, there was Divine music pervading everywhere and in everything.

Guru Nanak Devji slept with his feet towards the Kaaba at Mecca. When the angry Mulla remonstrated his impertinence Guru Nanak Dev's humble reply was, "Please turn my feet in any direction where there is no God."

At Lahore, Duni Chand - a wealthy Khatri, who was a moneylender, once came to see Guru Nanak Devji. By giving him a needle the Guru said, "Duni Chand, keep it with thee and give it back to me in the next world. "Surprisingly Duni Chand replied," Master, this needle I shall not be able to carry with me after death, how shall then I return it to you?" The Guru then asked, "What is use then, Duni Chand, are thy millions to thee?' The very word brought a transformation in Duni Chand and he became Guru Nanak Dev's follower. According to the advice of the Guru, he distributed most of his wealth amongst the needy and the poor.

Guru Nanak Devji exalted the status of woman by saying : "It is from women, the condemned one, that we are conceived and it is from her that we are born. It is to the women that we are engaged and married. It is the woman who is our life - long friend and it s she who keeps our race going. It is women again who is sought when one loses one's previous wife. It is woman through whom we establish our social ties. Then why denounce her form whom even kings and great men are born."

Guru Nanak Devji had preached his Divine mission and had settled on the right bank of river Ravi at Kartarpur. People visited Kartarpur and were blessed by the Guru, where. Sangat' means the religious congregation and 'Pangat the free kitchen had started. In both these set ups, men and women were welcomed irrespective of caste, color or creed. It was a community style of living life.

"Dana Pani Guru Ka, Taihal Bhawna Sikhan Ki" was common saying of the time, which means "provisions are provided by the Providence (God) and service is rendered by the community". The Guru bestowed the gift of Divine "Naam" to all those who paid a visit to Kartarpur.

Then came the day of destiny. The Guru prepared to depart from the world of mortals and his return to the Eternal Home. He addressed the disciples who had assemble around him :

The appointed hour hath come- the hour of marriage and union with the Spouse divine.

Assemble ye, my Comrades: Cluster round me and lift up your merry notes: Sing the praises of the Divine, Comforting Lord. Anoint the Bride, Pour oil on her forehead, Give her your blessings, And pray that she may meet her Lord, And he happy with him for aye. Sing Ye, my friends, the praises of the Spouse; For the appointed hour of union hath come."

Thus singing the Word of God. Guru Nanak Devji left His mortal coil and merged with Brahman. It was September 22, 1539. Quarrel ensued between Hindus and Muslims. The Hindus wanted him to be cremated and Muslims desired him to be buried. Both claimed him with equal reverence. There was unending dispute and ultimately, it was decided to place fresh flowers near the body by both the communities for the night and the flowers of whomsoever withered first will abandon their claim on the body. However, in the morning it was discovered that the body has disappeared. There were only flowers and silence. At last, they agreed to divide the sheet into two halves, which was subsequently buried by the Muslims and cremated by the Hindus as per their respective rites.

November is the Sri Guru Nanak Devji's Jayanti and many communities specially, Punjabi, Sikhs, Sindhi and many more from other parts of the country visit Guruduwara, if not regularly, but on occasions like this and others Gurus' Birth Centenaries. I, being Sindhi, am proud of my Pujya Guru Nanak Sahib Devji from the tender age of 4 years, when I used to accompany my grand father and father, who used to visit Guruduwara before entering in to their business premises and I was visiting with a hope of getting Kanah Prasad. Those seeds of rightful living and pouries or slokas recited at that time, had made a mark on me, although I was unaware of its significance then and even now, but these were lingering within me and I thought of sharing with you all my feelings, gratitude and duties towards the saint of 15th Century.

The Guru Granth Sahib
Like the Bible of Christianity, the Vedas of Hinduism or the Koran of Islam, the Guru Granth Sahib, also known as the Adi Granth, is the main scripture of Sikhism. Compared to other religions, Sikhism is a religion of recent origin, founded in the 15th Century AD by its founder Sri Guru Nanak Devji. Although like Islam it believes in the oneness of God and is opposed to idol worship, in many respects it is an offshoot of Hinduism and is much closer to Hinduism.

It evolved primarily out of Hinduism, in line with the Bhakti marg or the devotional path of Hinduism, as a kind of reform movement In many respects, it is much more closer to Hinduism than either Buddhism or Jainism and unlike the latter it maintained a very healthy relationship with Hinduism throughout. The relationship between Hinduism and Sikhism can be compared to that of a son and father, where the son though a grown up individual has never lost his respect towards his father and took upon himself the responsibility of taking care of the latter.

Whatever, may be the case, however, those who study the Guru Granth Sahib are bound to realize that with regard to the emphasis it lays on pure and unconditional devotion to God, on a life that is dedicated completely to the remembrance of God, to the chanting of His Glory, His words and His Name, and the importance and necessity of a true Guru in ones spiritual salvation, Sikhism stands apart as a purely devotional religion and is way beyond all the known religions as an expression of pure and unconditional love to God.

In its philosophy and emphasis it transcends all faiths. Because of its simplicity and unpretentious approach to God, it does not hurt, beyond tolerable limits, the religious sentiments or beliefs of any. And irrespective of the religion, the caste or the creed to which each belongs, it has the potential to appeal to all and inspire all.

The Guru Granth Sahibji in its present form was originally compiled by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The Scripture contains 5894 hymns of pure devotion composed in 18 ragas (musical patterns) by the ten Gurus and 15 Hindu and Muslim saints such as Kabir, Shiak Fareed etc. Of these Guru Nanak Devji contributed 974 hymns. The hymns were originally composed in different languages such as Persian, mediaeval Prakrit, Hindi, Marathi, old Punjabi, Multani, and several local dialects.

The basic philosophy of Sikhism revolves mainly around three concepts:

Naam, the name of God,
Shabad the word of God and
Sat Sang, the company of the pious and the holy.

These are the simple means to salvation. The Book teaches that outward rituals and indulgence in the worldly pleasure only bring us pain. What is required is inner purification, true devotion and surrender to God. The true Guru is the Naam, the name of God by remembering which constantly one can achieve salvation. However a Guru, who has become completely absorbed in the contemplation of Naam and has become united with God in thought and deed, can also help us to cross the world of illusion and taste the sweetness of the Lord.

Special mention may be made of Japji, comprising of the thirty eight short poems of Nanak which appear at the beginning of the Adi Granth. It contains the essential teachings and beliefs of Sikhism and is considered to be very important. The poems are rendered in various ragas (musical modes) and are sung by Sikh devotees as a mark of devotion and respect to the Guru.

Compiled in the sixteenth century and composed entirely in lyrical form, the hymns are mostly devotional in nature. During ceremonial occasions and functions, they are sung individually or in a chorus by the devotees with utmost devotion, love and humility. The Guru Granth Sahib can be truly called the essence of all religions, since it contains hymns and verses from many sacred books of various religions and sects of Hinduism.

The Sikhs had ten Gurus in human form, but it was decided that henceforth the Guru Granth Sahib would become the eleventh Guru and would remain so forever as the living embodiment of the Gurus. The Book is kept in all the Gurudwaras, the Sikh places of worship and worshipped daily. In the common households, wherever the book is, it is kept in sacred surroundings, treated with utmost respect, and worshipped during all important religious occasions

The Absolute Truth being infinite, It cannot be defined through words or concepts, which are relative and limited, according to one's own concept and understanding. However, efforts are being made by all concerned to communicate and capitulation of the Absolute Truth in His own style and ways to come to the understanding of the common man.

The teachings of Sri Guru Nanakji are found in the "Guru Garanth Sahib". It begins with the Moolmantra, which is chanted by even little children of Sikhs, Punjabi, Sindhis and other communities through out the World.

"IK-ONKAAR SAT-NAAM KARTAA-PURAKH NIRBHAU NIRVAIR AKAAL MOORAT, AJUNI SAIBANGH GURUPRASAD JAP"

Mantras are those mystical sound symbols, which serve to protect who chants them and reflects upon its meaning. The above mantra is considered to be the moolmantra of the "Granth Sahib" and the entire Truth is enshrined in this mantra, is the entire "Japji Sahib." It is this mool mantra as well that Sri Guru Nanak Devji performed Mangalaacharan, praising Lord before starting on the "Japji Sahib."


IK ONKAAR -The One God, the Absolute Reality-

Shri Guru Nanakji added IK before OM to indicate that this OM alone is one. God can be only one. There is neither a Hindu God nor a Muslim Allah nor a Christian God separate from a Jew God. The names of God in various religions are different, but He as such is One. The word Ik has greater depth and meaning, whatever there is in this Universe consists in that ONE alone. There is only One Reality, the Plurality does not exist.

"NANAK KAHAT JAGAT SUBH MITHYAA, JNU SUPNA RAHENAAIE." This world is an illusion, like a dream in the night. Truth or Reality is that which remains unchanged in three periods of time-Past-Present and Future.

"ADD SACH, JUGAAD SACH, HAI BHI SACH, NANAK HOSI BHI SACH."

SAT NAAM- HIS NAME IS SAT, EVER TRUE- We consider ourselves to be the body and think of ourselves as handsome or beautiful, tall or short, fat or lean, etc. But this body does not exist in dream or deep sleep. Then how can we say we are body. The one who witness of ever-changing body, mind, intellect is the Eternal, Changeless Existence, which we call TRUTH and in religion, it is known as GOD. Sat means Eternal. Sat Naam also means HIS NAME IS TRUE or His name is Truth because it leads us to Him.

KARTAA PURAKH - THE ONE DOER, THE ONE CREATOR - All our sciences are nothing but an inquiry into the cause of things. Every branch of science is working towards to find out as to what is the cause of the Universe and from where the Universe came? Each time the earlier concept is thrown due to new discovery and search is still on and their present saying is that the Creation came forth from inert mass or energy and life was created from the interplay of these and the Universe is one big accident. For every effect, there must be a cause.

All Religions say that there is one ultimate cause of the Universe and if we see this Creation, then the material as well as instruments with which God created everything must have come from Him. He is present in each and every being in the universe and thus He is Kartaa Purakh. But why do we suffer? We suffer because of our own false identification with this limited ego which is full of desires, selfishness, passions, greed, likes, dislikes, fears, hatred and self-made sorrows.

NIRBHAU NIRVAR-FEARLESS and ALL LOVING IS HE - The Lord is nirbhav or fearless because there is none higher than Him and there is nothing other than Him. Fear can also be unknown. But the CREATOR is All-knowing. One may feel that such a powerful and fearless person could be a terror. No, Guru Nanak Devji says the Lord is NIRVAIR, He is without hatred, enmity, for there is no one separate from Him. He is all loving. A Saadhak or seeker cannot afford to entertain negative qualities.

The ego, this sense of individuality with all likes and dislikes, is cause of fear and enmity. Surrender the ego at the feet of the Lord and think the Lord and you are inseparable. Do not fear death, it is part of life. In a way, death is the promotion of Ataman, because it leaves one body and goes and resides another body like transfer from one place to another.

AKAAL MOORAT-HIS FORM TRANSCENDS TIME.- He is beyond time and without death or change. There are a few who believe that God created the world and then perished like seed perishes to become tree or as milk disappears to form curd. The universe is not real, it is superimposed on the Reality. It is like a dream and nothing in the dream can harm the waker. In the same way, God, the Reality, can never perish or die. He is creator of time, He was before time and He is beyond time. He is aware of time and cannot be conditioned by time.

AJUNI-HE IS WITHOUT BIRTH OR BEGINING - God has no birthday. He was never born. That which is born, has to die. He is beyond birth and death, so is Aatmaa. He can manifest Himself by His own Maya. HE who surrenders to the Lord and realizes His own nature as the Aatmaa, which is Ajuni, unborn, is freed from the cycle of birth and death. Some one may ask, " If God created the entire Universe, who created God? Shri Guru Nanak Devji says, "He is Saibangh."

SAIBANGH-HE IS SELF EXISTENT and SELF-ILLUMINATING-  It is Saibangh which means, It is shinning in Its' own light. It is of the nature of Consciousness without which even the Sun cannot be seen. This Consciousness lights up the entire universe. It is ever shining in Its' own light. How can such Reality be gained ? It could be gained through the grace of Guru.

GURUPARSAAD-The Grace of Guru.- The Guru is He who removes the darkness of ignorance. Guru inspires us, guide us, and reveal to us His true nature. It is said,

" Guru Brahmaah, Guru Vishnuh. Guru Devo Maheshwarah,
Gurureva Param Brahma, Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah."

Guru is Creator, Guru is the Sustainer, Vishnu, Guru is Destroyer, Shiva. Guru is Lord of the Universe. Guru is absolute Reality, the Param Brahma. Unto that noble Teacher Or Guru, my humble prostrations " Guru Nanakji Dev say,

"GUR ISAR, GUR GORAKH BARMAA, GUR PARBATI MA-EE" The Lord is the one Guru of all. He is giver of all knowledge. Who taught the birds to fly, sing and build nests and look for food? He is Aadi Guru, the first Guru. He appears again and again in the form of different Gurus to bless the seekers. There are no words to describe HIS Compassion and Grace, His Parsaad? His mere glance can transform a sinner into a saint. The cool stream of Ganga Mata flowing from His lotus lips destroys the evil of ignorance, washes away the sins of countless lifetimes and ends the burning sorrows of Samsaara. His Lotus feet are the one refuge in many storms of life. Even Devtas, the heavenly denizens, cherish the sacred dust of His feet.

Sri Kabirdas once said, " SUB DHARTI KAAGAZ KARO, LEKHAN SUB BAN RAI, SAAT SAMUDRA KI MASI KARO, GURU GUN LIKHEEYA NA JA-EE."

If the entire earth were turned into paper, all the trees in all the world's forests into pen, and all the seven seas oceans into ink. Still they would not suffice for me to write about the glories of my Guru."

Guru Nanakji says, JE HAU JAANA AAKHA NAAHI, KAHNA KATHAN NA JA-EE."  "Even if I knew Him and all His glories, still I would never be able to describe Him, for He is indescribable"

To surrender in devotion at His lotus feet, is the only direct means of salvation. "NA GUROH ADHIKAM TATVAM, NA GUROH ADHIKAM TAPAH, TATVA GYAANAAT PARAM NAASTI, TASMAI SHRI GURAVE NAMAH.'

JAP-CHANT- "IK ONKAAR SAT-NAAM KARTAA-PURAKH NIRBHAU NIRVAIR KAAL-MOORAT AJUNI SAIBANGH GURUPRASAD JAP".

This mantra should be read and recited in a slow, gentle and loving repetition as if you are calling your beloved again and again. When recited with devotion with meaning, this Japa will purify the mind and takes the seeker to higher Bliss and dissolves into Truth.

Start and do not wait for any auspicious day, because all days are auspicious and you can't get auspicious day than today, which is Sri Guru Nanak Devji's Jayanti. The grace of Lord or Guru is ever with us. Chant, reflect, understand, contemplate, meditate and realize. Sri Guru Nanak Devji completes the Japji with the message.(38 pauree).

"JAT PAHAARAA DHEERAJ SUNIAAR, AHARAN MAT VED HATHIAAR.
BHAU KAHALAA AGAN TAP TAAO, BHAANDAA BHAAO AMRIT TIT DHALL.
GHAREEAI SHABAD SACHEE TAKSAAL, JIN KAU NADAR KARAM TIN KAAR.
NANAK NADREE NADAR NIHAAL.

Let forbearance be the furnace and patience the goldsmith, let the understanding be the anvil and Veda, spiritual knowledge, the hammer. Let fear be the bellows and austerity, the fire, and let love be the crucible in which pour down thou the ambrosia. Thus in the true mint wilt thou coin the Shabad, the divine name. Such alone, who has HIS grace and kindness adopt this way. On them,

"O Nanak, shower rain of Grace Divine. Absorbed are they forever and ever. Theirs is the Eternal Bliss."

His Message

" Share your earnings with others who are less fortunate - "Vand Chakna"
" Always remember God - "Naam Japna"
" Live a honest Life and to earn your living with honest labor - "Kirat Karna"

Bole So Nihal

SAT SRI AKAAL_VYAGURU JEE KA KHALSA VYGURU JEE KEE FATEH-

nimano fakir
 

Courtesy: Saibabanews