Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji — Life, Teachings & Legacy

Family and Early Life

Guru Nanak was born in November 1469 at Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi, now called Nankana Sahib near Lahore, present-day Pakistan. His parents were Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. His father worked as a patwari under Rai Bular Bhatti.

His elder sister, Bibi Nanaki, recognized his spiritual nature early. She married Jai Ram and moved to Sultanpur, where Guru Nanak later joined her and found employment under Daulat Khan Lodi, gaining valuable exposure to administration and society.

Commentaries on Guru Nanak's life describe a blossoming spiritual awareness from an early age. At five, he expressed deep interest in divine subjects. Traditional accounts narrate how young Nanak astonished his teacher by explaining the symbolism of the first letter of the alphabet — representing the oneness of God.

On 24 September 1487, Guru Nanak married Mata Sulakhani in Batala. The couple had two sons: Sri Chand (born 8 September 1494) and Lakhmi Chand (born 12 February 1497).

Biographies — Janamsākhīs

The earliest biographical sources on Guru Nanak's life are the Janamsākhīs (life accounts) and the vārs (expounding verses) of the scribe Bhai Gurdas. Although the most popular Janamsākhīs were allegedly written by Bhai Bala, scholars conclude these were composed after Guru Nanak's death.

Bhai Gurdas, reputed scribe of the Guru Granth Sahib, also wrote about Guru Nanak's life in his vārs. These writings are considered more reliable, though less detailed than the Janamsākhīs.

The important Janam Sakhis are:

• 1540 – Bhai Bala's Janam Sakhi
• 1635 – Puratan / Hafizabad / Wilayatwali Janam Sakhi
• 1650 – Mehrban's Janam Sakhi
• 1711 – Sri Gur Sobha by Sainapat
• 1712 – Gyan Ratnavali by Bhai Mani Singh
• 1751 – Gurbilas Padshahi Dus by Koer Singh
• 1769 – Bansiwala Nama Dus Padshahian by Kesar Singh Chibber
• 1776 – Mehma Prakash Vartik by Bawa Kirpal Singh
• 1797 – Gurbilas Dasvi Padshahi by Bhai Sukha Singh

Gyan Ratnavali, Janamsakhi written by Bhai Mani Singh

The Divine Vision & Foundation of Sikhism

Sikh tradition states that around 1499, at the age of thirty, Guru Nanak experienced a divine vision. After he failed to return from his daily ablutions at the Kali Bein river, the townspeople assumed he had drowned. Three days later, Guru Nanak reappeared and declared:

"There is neither Hindu nor Mussulman (Muslim). Whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God's path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman, and the path which I follow is God's."

Guru Nanak explained that he had been taken to God's court, where he was offered a cup filled with Amrita (nectar) and commanded:

"This is the cup of the adoration of God's Name. Drink it. I am with you. I bless you and raise you up. Whoever remembers you will enjoy my favour. Go, rejoice in my Name and teach others to do so. I have bestowed the gift of my Name upon you. Let this be your calling."

From this moment, Guru Nanak is described as a Guru, and the foundation of Sikhism was laid.

Philosophy and Teachings

Guru Nanak's teachings are preserved in the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib, a vast collection of revelatory verses recorded in the Gurmukhi script. Several fundamental principles emerge from these writings.

Guru Nanak warned against egotism (haumai) and urged devotees to worship through the Word of God. Naam signifies God, the ultimate Reality, the divine Word (Shabad), and the divine order (Hukam). True worship involves singing God's virtues, discarding doubt, and engaging in selfless service (sewa).

Through popular tradition, Guru Nanak's teachings are understood through three core principles:

• Vand Chhako — Sharing with others and helping those in need
• Kirat Karo — Earning a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud
• Naam Japna — Meditating on God's Name to overcome the five evils

Let no man in the world live in delusion. Without a Guru none can cross over to the other shore.

The Word is the Guru, and the Guru is the Word. All nectar is enshrined in the Word.

Fresco of Guru Nanak at Sri Goindwal Sahib

Philosophy Summary

• There is only One God, known by different names in different religions.
• Strive sincerely to help others — service to mankind is the greatest service to God.
• Follow the path of honesty in all aspects of life.
• In the eyes of God, all are equal — irrespective of caste, age, creed, or gender.
• Be compassionate towards all living beings.
• Lead a simple and disciplined life.
• Continue performing good deeds with faith and courage.

Guru Nanak's Divine Journeys (Udasis)

Guru Nanak is widely acknowledged to have undertaken four major journeys spanning thousands of kilometres — east (Bengal and Assam), south (Sri Lanka), north (Kashmir, Ladakh, Tibet), and west (Baghdad, Mecca, and Medina). Most journeys were on foot with his companion Bhai Mardana. It is believed he covered more than 28,000 kilometers during five major tours between 1500 and 1524.

In 1500, Guru Nanak embarked on his divine mission, visiting centers of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Sufis, Yogis, and Sidhas — engaging with people of diverse religions, cultures, and races. His journeys, known as Udasis, laid the foundation of Sikhism across India and beyond.

Guru Nanak with Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana

The Five Udasis

• First Udasi (1500–1506 AD) — Seven years covering Sultanpur, Delhi, Banaras, Nanakmata, Kamrup (Assam), Saidpur, Pasrur, and Sialkot.
• Second Udasi (1506–1513 AD) — Seven years covering the Dhanasri Valley and Sangladip (Ceylon / Sri Lanka).
• Third Udasi (1514–1518 AD) — Five years covering Kashmir, Sumer Parbat, Nepal, Tashkand, Sikkim, and Tibet.
• Fourth Udasi (1519–1521 AD) — Three years covering Mecca and various Arab countries.
• Fifth Udasi (1523–1524 AD) — Two years within Punjab.

Guru Nanak traveled extensively across present-day India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

The Five Udasis and other locations visited by Guru Nanak

Succession and Joti Jot

Guru Nanak appointed Bhai Lehna as his successor, renaming him Guru Angad, meaning "one's very own." Shortly after, Guru Nanak attained Joti Jot (merged with God) on 22 September 1539 in Kartarpur, at the age of seventy.

Kartarpur (meaning "The City of God") was established by Guru Nanak in 1522. As his followers included both Hindus and Muslims, a dispute arose over whether his body should be cremated or buried. When the cloth covering the body was removed the next day, Guru Nanak's body was missing — and both sets of flowers placed beside him were found fresh.

The two communities divided the cloth and flowers — one burying them and the other cremating them. As a result, both a samadh (Hindu monument) and a grave (Muslim tradition) exist at Kartarpur, symbolizing Guru Nanak's universal message of unity.

In recent years, the Kartarpur Corridor has been opened, allowing Sikhs from India to visit Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan without a visa. The shrine lies only five kilometers from the international border.

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