Guru Nanak – 1469-1539

Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was the founder of the Sikh religion. He was born in the village of Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, in present-day Pakistan. His parents were Hindu Khatri landowners, and he was the first of two sons. From a young age, he displayed an inclination towards spiritual and religious matters, and would often spend long periods in solitude, meditating and contemplating the nature of God.

As a young man, Guru Nanak was married and had children, but he was not satisfied with the materialistic and superficial life that he saw around him. He was deeply troubled by the caste system and the religious divisions that were prevalent in society at the time. He sought a higher purpose and a deeper understanding of the nature of God and the universe.

At the age of 30, Guru Nanak had a profound spiritual experience in which he received a vision of God and a divine calling to spread the teachings of the one true God. He spent the next several years traveling and spreading his message throughout India and the surrounding regions. He preached the oneness of God and the equality of all people, regardless of caste, religion, or gender. He also emphasized the importance of living a virtuous life, and rejected the caste system and idol worship that were prevalent at the time.

Guru Nanak’s teachings were based on the belief that there is only one God, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe. He taught that this God is formless, infinite, and eternal, and that God is present in all things and in all people. He also taught that God is the ultimate reality, and that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize and experience the presence of God within oneself.

Guru Nanak’s message was simple and direct, and it resonated with people from all walks of life. He rejected the caste system and the religious divisions that were prevalent at the time, and he emphasized the equality of all people. He also rejected the idol worship that was common in Hinduism and Islam, and he taught that God is formless and cannot be represented by statues or images.

Guru Nanak also emphasized the importance of leading a virtuous and moral life. He taught that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize the presence of God within oneself, and that this can only be achieved by living a virtuous and moral life. He also emphasized the importance of service to others, and he established many institutions to serve the poor and the needy, such as langar (free kitchen) and dispensaries.

Guru Nanak’s teachings were passed on through the line of Gurus, starting with Guru Angad and then nine other Gurus who succeeded him. He also wrote many hymns, which are considered sacred and included in the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. These hymns, known as Shabads, are written in a simple and direct style and convey the essence of Guru Nanak’s teachings. They are written in a mix of languages, such as Punjabi, Hindi, and Persian, and convey the universality of his message.

Throughout his life, Guru Nanak continued to travel and spread his message, and he established many Sikh communities. He traveled to many parts of India, as well as to other countries such as Tibet, Sri Lanka, Arabia, and Persia. He met many people from different backgrounds, and his message of the oneness of God and the equality of all people was well received. He also gave many teachings and sermons, which were recorded by his followers and are now included in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Nanak’s teachings had a profound impact on the society of his time, and they continue to shape the Sikh religion and its followers today. He emphasized the importance of leading a virtuous and moral life, and the rejection of caste distinctions, idol worship and superstition. He also focused on the importance of service to others, and the need to help the poor and the needy.