Guru Nanak Dev Ji History & Meaning: Check here about the history and meaning of Gurpurab. When is Gurpurab observed? According to the lunar calendar, the date of Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab changes from year to year. This year, it is celebrated on November 15.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji History & Significance: Guru Nanak Ji was born in 1469 and lived during a time of great inequality in the 15th century. He was the founder of Sikhism and became the first Sikh Guru. To spread the message of unity and purity, he traveled many miles.
Mainly, his teachings relate to three things, namely ‘Vand Chakko’, ‘Kirat Karo’ and ‘Naam Japna’. ‘Vand Chakko’ means sharing with others and helping those in need. ‘Kirat Karo’ is earning a living honestly without exploiting anyone and without any fraud, and ‘Naam Japna’ involves controlling our vices by meditating on God’s name.
There is a famous hymn; Sut Guru Nanak Purgattiya, Mittee Dhund Jugg Channun Hoyaa
meaning that a divine Teacher Nanak was born holy; a great mist lifted and the world was filled with divine light.
This year, the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is celebrated on November 8. Gurpurab is one of the most important festivals in Sikhism and is celebrated worldwide. According to Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji brought enlightenment to this world.
“He who has no faith in himself can never have faith in God.” – Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji: History and Significance
Guru Nanak Jayanti is also known as Prakash Utsab of Guru Nanak and Guru Nanak Gurpurab.
On April 15, 1469, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan) near Lahore. He was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
According to the Bikrami calendar, he was born on the Puranmashi day of Khattak (Kartik) in 1469. And according to Bhai Bala Janamsakhi, he was born on the full moon day of the Indian lunar month of Kartik. So, Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak’s Jayanti or Gurpurab around October to November. This year, it will be celebrated on November 19.
At the birthplace of Guru Nanak Ji, a Gurudwara was built in Nanakana Sahib and is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. He believed in harmony and meditation in the name of the divine soul.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with fervor and devotion. It focuses on the lessons of Guru Nanak Ji. The day is considered auspicious and sacred.
READ| Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: 30+ Quotes, Wishes on Gurpurab, Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev
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Guru Nanak Dev Ji: Biography and Teachings
Date of birth: April 15, 1469
Birthplace: Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan)
Father’s name: Mehta Kalu
Mother’s name: Mata Tripta
Spouse’s name: Mata Sulakhni
Children: Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das
Famous as: Founder of Sikhism, First of the 10 Sikh Gurus
Died: 1539
Place of death: Kartarpur (now in Pakistan)
Resting place: Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Pakistan
His father belonged to a sub-caste of the trading Khatri caste. He married Khatri’s daughter and had two sons.
His teaching method and way of worshiping the almighty was different from others and people of all religions respected him. When people were focusing on spreading their religion, it was he who spread the message of humanity and humanity.
He focuses on women’s rights and equality. His teachings were passed on to subsequent generations through his successor and included in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It is a sacred book of Sikhism that includes all the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and other spiritual leaders.
One of the most famous teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is that there is only one God and that all humans have direct access to God. He denounced the caste system.
He focused on ‘Kirat Karo’ and ‘Vand Chhako’. That means making an honest living, not exploiting or defrauding, and sharing with others, helping those in difficulty to have something to eat.
Guru Nanak Jayanti: Celebration
The day’s celebrations began early in the morning with Prabhat Pheris at the Gurudwara. Two days before Guru Nanak Jayanti, Akhand Path or 48 hours of non-stop recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is held at the Gurudwara.
A procession called Nagarkirtan is also held a day before Gurpurab and is led by Panj Pyaras. The leaders spread the message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. On Guru Nanak Jayanti, devotees sing hymns and recite Katha. This is followed by a community lunch or langar arranged by volunteers at the Gurudwara.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji: Inspirational Quotes
1. “Say only things that bring you honor.”
2. “Burn earthly love, rub its ashes and make ink for it, turn the heart into a pen, the mind into a writer, write what has no end or limit.”
3. “I am neither male nor female, nor have any gender. I am a Peaceful One, my form is clear and strong.”
4. “The world is a play, staged in a dream.”
5. “No one in this world lives in illusion. Without the Teacher, no one can cross to the other shore.”
6. “Everyone, death would not be considered bad if people knew the real way to die.”
7. “What must the practitioner fear? Trees, and all that is within and without is Him.”
8. “Live peacefully in the house of your being, and the Messenger of Death will not be able to touch you.”
9. “If people use the wealth God has given them for themselves or to keep, it is like a corpse. But if they decide to share it with others, it will become spiritual food.”
10. “Your mercy is my social status.”
READ| Important dates in November 2024: List of domestic and international dates
