- Guru Nanak Jayanti honours the birth of Guru Nanak, the first of Sikhism’s ten Gurus.
- On Kartik Poornima, the full moon day in the month of Katak (October-November), it is celebrated internationally as Guru Nanak Gurpurab.
Five Significant Aspects of Guru Nanak’s Life
[1] Early Life and Philosophical Predisposition:
- On April 15, 1469, in Nankana Sahib (today in Pakistan), he was born into a Hindu household.
- Early on, he showed an interest in philosophical and spiritual issues.
- Before starting on a spiritual journey with a Muslim minstrel, Mardana, he worked as an accountant.
[2] Mystical Experience at Age 30:
- During an early morning ablution by a river, I had a transforming spiritual experience.
- I was given a divine mission to promote a message of love and harmony.
- After three days, he emerged with the deep assertion, “There is no Hindu, no Mussalman.”
[3] Travelling extensively and engaging in interfaith dialogue:
- On ‘udaasis’, he travelled extensively, notably to Sri Lanka, Baghdad, and Mecca.
- Engaged with religious personalities ranging from Hindu pandits to Sufi saints.
- Advocated for God’s unity and worldwide fraternity.
[4]Preaching God’s Oneness:
- Emphasised humanity’s oneness and the presence of one God in all.
- Religious dogma and rituals were challenged, and a direct relationship with the divine was promoted.
- His teachings created the groundwork for Sikhism, gaining adherents from all walks of life.
- His teachings and songs are collected in the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s holy text.
- He wrote in Punjabi, using the Gurmukhi script.
[5] Succession and Legacy:
- He spent his final years at Kartarpur, where he founded a community with regular prayers and songs.
- Introduced the ‘langar’ practise, which is a community kitchen that serves free meals.
- Electing Lehna (later Guru Angad) as his successor above his own sons.
- On September 22, 1539, he died, leaving a legacy of spiritual and social change.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/guru-nanak-jayanti-2023-life-9044213/