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Guru Nanak

Historical Figure

Guru Nanak

1469–1539

Founder and first guru of Sikhism (1469–1539)

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Biography

Gurū Nānak, also known as Bābā Nānak, was an Indian spiritual teacher, mystic and poet, who is regarded as the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.

Read more on Wikipedia

Timeline

The story of Guru Nanak, told in moments.

Legacy

His birthday, Guru Nanak Gurpurab, is celebrated across India annually. Sikhism grows to 25 million followers worldwide. The Kartarpur Corridor, opened in 2019 between India and Pakistan, allows pilgrims to visit his final resting place without a visa.

1499 Life

Disappears into the River Beas while bathing. Gone for three days. Everyone assumes he's drowned. He reappears and declares: "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim." He says he was taken to God's court and given a cup of nectar with a mission to teach. He is 30. This is the founding moment of Sikhism.

1507 Event

Begins a series of long journeys across Asia lasting over 20 years. He visits Mecca, Baghdad, Tibet, and Sri Lanka. Travels with Mardana, a Muslim musician who accompanies his hymns on the rebab. He debates with yogis, mullahs, and pandits. His message is consistent: one God, equality, shared meals.

1519 Event

Founds the town of Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi River. Establishes the first Sikh community. Introduces the langar, a communal kitchen where everyone sits together to eat regardless of caste or faith. This is radical in a society defined by caste segregation.

1539 Death

Dies in Kartarpur at age 70. Before dying, he appoints Guru Angad as his successor rather than his own sons. His 974 hymns are later compiled into the Guru Granth Sahib. Hindus and Muslims both claim the right to his funeral rites. According to tradition, when the sheet is lifted from his body, they find only flowers.

In Their Own Words (6)

Of a woman are we conceived, Of a woman are we born, To a woman are we betrothed and married, It is a woman who keeps the race going, Another companion is sought when the life-partner dies, Through a woman are established social ties. Why should we consider woman cursed and condemned, When from woman are born leaders and rulers. From woman alone is born a woman, Without woman there can be no human birth. Without woman, O Nanak, only the True One exists. Be it man or be it woman, Only those who sing His glory Are blessed and radiant with His Beauty, In His Presence and with His grace They appear with a radiant face.

Raag Aasaa Mehal 1, p. 473; in Aad Guru Granth Sahib (1983 edition by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee); also in Guru Nanak and His Times (1971) by Anil Chandra Banerjee, p. 78 ISBN 1573929980 -->, 1971

You shall everywhere mind the book of the Granth-Sahib as your Guru; whatever you shall ask it will show you.

As quoted in Religious Thought and Life in India : An Account of the Religions of the Indian Peoples, Based on a Life's Study of Their Literature and on Personal Investigations in Their Own Country (1883) by Monier Monier-Williams, 1883

The impurity of the mind is greed, and the impurity of the tongue is falsehood. The impurity of the eyes is to gaze upon the beauty of another man's wife, and his wealth. The impurity of the ears is to listen to the slander of others. O Nanak, the mortal's soul goes, bound and gagged to the city of Death. All impurity comes from doubt and attachment to duality. Birth and death are subject to the Command of the Lord's Will; through His Will we come and go.

Asa di Var

Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, modesty the knot and truth the twist. This is the sacred thread of the soul; if you have it, then go ahead and put it on me.

Raag Aasaa 471:5383-4

The one Lord who created the world is the Lord of all.Fortunate is their advent into the world, whose hearts remain attached to God's service.O foolish man, why hast thou forgotten Him?When thou adjustest thine account, my friend, thou shalt be deemed educated.The Primal Being is the Giver; He alone is true.No account shall be due by the pious man who understandeth by means of these letters.

Artifacts (15)

Guru Nanak

europeana View

Religiøst tryk, sikhismen

image, photo
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Religiøst tryk, sikhismen

image, photo
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skrift

Object
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skrift

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skrift

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Sikhs paying homage to Guru Nanak

Second millenium AD
europeana View

Guru Nanak attended by his musician and holy man.

Second millenium AD · Gouache drawings
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Guru Nanak listening to some music attended by his holy man.

Second millenium AD · Portrait drawings
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Sikhisme, Gurduara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, sikh tempel, Alnabru i Oslo, eksteriør, flagg, flaggstang,

Aakvik, Rune

europeana View

Janamasākhī

Photozincographic facsimile of a Punjabi manuscript, printed under the auspices of the Survey of India.

1885

B-40 Janamsakhi Guru Baba Nanak Paintings

Illustrated manuscript with an accession number B-40 at the India Office Library, on Nānak, 1469-1538, 1st guru of the Sikhs; illustrations by Ālama Canda Rāja

1987

- arkivdokument -

VARANASIA (OR BENARES) - THE MOST HOLY CITY OF HINDUS Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world. It originated in a sacred grove where divine essence had its boning. Early on, religious...

2004

Sri Japji Sahib

This is an English translation of Guru Nanak's famous Sri Japji Sahib which was originally written in Gurmukhi script. This is rightly regarded as one of the world's great spiritual classics. It is...

2018

Asa Di Vaar

Asa Di Vaar, or "A Ballad of Hope," is a captivating and soul-stirring collection of 24 verses found within the revered Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Believed to be written by Guru Nanak Dev, the...

2023

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