"Dhan Guru Nanak Dhan Teri Sikhi"
Blog 2: "The Early Life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji"
1. Early life in Sultanpur
2. Guru Nanak Dev Ji Spent Three Days in the River.
3. No Hindu, No Musaleman- The Entire Human Race is One.
4. Message of Kirat Kamayi- Earnest Living.
5. Sacha Sauda
6. Tera Tera- Giving the Message of O lord! What is Mine? All is Yours.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji in his young age would Often spend time in deep meditation. Many in Talwandi Sahib started witnessing Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Divinity. In one of the Instance Rai Bhullar saw a Cobra putting a shade (through his fangs) on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Face while he was sleeping in the fields.
"Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Life at Sultanpur"
As a young man herding the family cattle, Guru Nanak Dev Ji would often spend long hours absorbed in meditation and in religious discussions with Muslim and Hindu holy men who lived in the forests surrounding the village. At the age of 16, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was married to Sulakhani Ji, daughter of a pious merchant. Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not object as he felt that married life did not conflict with spiritual pursuits. You need to go to forest and meditate. Living a normal and taking the responsibility is essential for the path to Spirituality. Guru Nanak Dev Ji had two sons - Sri Chand in 1494 and Lakshmi Chand, three years later. Now that he had a family of his own, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was persuaded by his parents to take up a job as an accountant, in charge of the stores of the Muslim governor of Sultanpur - Daulat Khan Lodi. Guru Nanak agreed and was joined by his family and an old Muslim childhood friend Mardana, a musician by profession. Guru Nanak would work during the days but early in the mornings and late at nights, he would meditate and sing hymns accompanied by Mardana on the rabab (a string instrument). These sessions attracted a lot of attention and many people started joining the two.
"Guru Nanak Dev Ji Spent Three Days in the River"
Early one morning, accompanied by Mardana, Guru Nanak Dev Ji went to the river Bain for his bath. After plunging into the river, Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not surface and everyone thought him as drowned. But unknown to all, the guru was instead in communion with God in the depths of the water. The Lord revealed himself to Guru Nanak and enlightened him. In praise of the Lord, Guru Nanak uttered:
"IKONKAR SATNAM"
"There is but One God, His name is Truth.
"KARTA PURAKH, NIRBAUH, NIRVAIR"
"He is the Creator, He fears none, He is without hate"
"AKAL MURAT, AJUNI SAHEB BANGUR PARSAD"
He never dies, He is beyond the cycle of births and death, He is self-illuminated.
"AAD SACH, JUGAT SACH, HAI BHI SACH, NANAK HAUSI BHI SACH"
He is realized by the kindness of the true Guru.
He was True in the beginning, He was True when the ages commenced and has ever been True.
He is also True now."
These words of the great Guru are enshrined at the beginning of the Sikh Holy Scripture - the Guru Granth Sahib.
After three days Guru Nanak Dev Ji appeared at the same spot from where he had disappeared. He was no longer the same person he had been. There was a divine light in his eyes and his face was resplendent. He remained in a trance and said nothing. He gave up his job and distributed all of his belongings to the poor. When he finally broke his silence he uttered
"There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim". All human race is one.
It was the general belief at this time that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was, possessed with an evil spirit, and a Mulla or Muhammadan priest was summoned to exorcise it. The Mulla began to write an amulet to hang round Nanak's neck. While the Mulla was writing Guru Nanak Dev Ji uttered the following:
"When the field is spoiled where is the harvest heap?
Cursed are the lives of those who write God's name and sell it".
The Mulla, paying no attention to Nanak's serious objurgation, continued the ceremony of exorcism and finally addressed the supposed evil spirit, "Who are you?" The following reply issued from Guru Nanak's Dev Ji's mouth:
Raag Maru, Mahala 1, Ang 991 SGGS
"Some say poor Nanak is a sprite, some say that he is a demon",
"Others again that he is a man".
Those who were present then concluded that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was not possessed, but had become insane. On hearing this Nanak asked Mardana to play the Rabab and continued the stanza:
Simpleton Nanak hath become mad upon the Lord.
And knoweth none other than God.
When one is mad with the fear of God,
And recognizeth none other than the one God,
He is known as mad when he doeth this one thing--
When he obeyeth the Master's order--in what else is there wisdom?
When man loveth the Lord and deemeth himself worthless,
And the rest of the world good, he is called mad.
After this Guru Nanak Dev Ji donned a religious Costume. For a long time, he said nothing. Finally, when he did speak, he said, "There is no Hindu and no Musalman." From that day on, he spread the message to everyone that all are equal, and equally loved by God, no matter how they worship him. He also taught that the best way to show their love for God is by praising His Name.
"Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Three Teachings":
Guru Nanak Dev Ji founded and formalised the three pillars of Sikhism:
Naam Japna: Guru Ji led the Sikhs directly to practise Simran and Naam Japna – meditation on God through reciting, chanting, singing, and constant remembrance followed by deep study & comprehension of God’s Name and virtues. In real life to practice and tread on the path of Dharam (righteousness) - The inner thought of the Sikh, thus stays constantly immersed in the praises and appreciation of the Creator and the ONE ETERNAL GOD Waheguru.
Kirat Karni: He expected the Sikhs to live as honourable householders and practise Kirat Karni – To honestly earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting both pains and pleasures as GOD's gifts and blessings. One is to stay truthful at all times and fear none but the Eternal Super Soul. Live a life founded on decency immersed in Dharam - life controlled by high spiritual, moral, and social values.
Vand Chakna: The Sikhs were asked to share their wealth within the community by practising Vand Chakna – “Share and Consume together”. The community or Sadh Sangat is an important part of Sikhism. One must be part of a community that is living by the flawless objective values set out by the Sikh Gurus and every Sikh has to contribute in whatever way possible to the common community pool. This spirit of Sharing and Giving is an important message from Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
"Message of Kirat Kamayi-Earnest Living"
Bhai Lalo earned his living by honest work. He was born in 1452 at the village of Saidpur (Pakistan). His father's name was Bhai Jagat Ram of the 'Ghataura' surname pertaining to the carpenter clan, now known as Ramgarhia. Bhai Lalo was nearly seventeen years older than Guru Nanak. When Lalo saw two holy men coming towards him, he put aside his work and spread a bed for them and went to get some lunch for them.
In Picture: Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Mardana enjoying the food at the humble house of Bhai Lalo
As the kitchen was supposed to be the most pure and clean place in a house, Bhai Lalo asked Guru Nanak to come there and have his meal. Guru ji said “Bhai Lalo, every place is clean and pure for us. Please bring the meal here.” So the meal was brought out and Mardana then divided it into three parts and they all ate it together. “This meal tastes like nectar. What has been put in it?” asked Bhai Mardana.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji replied “That was the sweet flavour of truthfulness and honesty that you tasted. This taste is above the tepid experience of worldly delicacies.” Guru Nanak taught the message of honest hard work as an essential part of ones duty to God. The other two important messages taught by the Guru Nanak Dev Ji were the remembering and reciting of God's name and also the sharing of ones worldly wealth with others who are less well off.
One day Malik Bhago, a high government official of the city, gave a general feast. He invited Guru Nanak too. Guru ji declined the invitation saying, "We are fakirs, what have we to do with your feast?" On being asked a second time, Guru Nanak took Bhai Lalo with him and went to Malik Bhago’s house. With great anger Malik Bhago said to Guru ji, “You are dishonoring Kshatriyas by eating dry chapaties in the house of a low caste carpenter. My feast will offer you delicious food. Why do you refuse to eat it?”
The Example of Blood versus Milk?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji took Bhai Lalo’s dry chapati in his right hand and Malik Bhago’s fried sweet pancake in his left hand. When he squeezed the right hand the people present there saw drops of milk dripping from it. And when he pressed the left hand with the Malik Bhago's fried pancakes, everyone saw blood trickling from it.
“Look Malik Bhago, wealth gathered by cruelty and corruption towards the poor is like sucking their blood which you have done. You had invited me to partake of blood, leaving food pure as milk. How could I accept it?” said Guru ji. Malik Bhago was silent then. Bhai Lalo on the other hand was the symbol of honesty and hard work. So according to Guru ji it’s better to earn little money with honesty than to amass a huge wealth by devious and crooked means.
The news spread that a Guru, who could challenge caste and authority, with such courage unknown before, travelled the countryside. More and more people came to listen to the enlightening words of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Bhai Lalo was blessed by Guru Nanak Dev ji to spread the message of the Divine Name. He became a devout Sikh and preached the Guru's gospel to the people of Saidpur.
"Sacha Souda, A Truely Profitable Trade"
"Nanak da Putt Haan Tera Tera Tolan Ga"
When Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached the age of eighteen, his father Mehta Kalu thought of sending him out to learn a lesson on making a trade. Thinking that becoming a Banya (trader) was a profitable profession one in which his son would be happy all day communicating with his customers. So choosing an auspicious day, he called Bhai Bala the Jat to be Guru ji's companion. He gave twenty rupees to Bhai Bala and said, "Go with Nanak, buy and bring some genuine goods so by selling them we may make a good profit. He said to his young son, "If you make a good transaction, I will give you more money next time to buy more goods."
So Nanak and Bhai Bala started from Talwandi to Chuharkana to purchase some merchandise. They had gone just ten or twelve miles from their village, when they came across a group of naked hermits, wearing only langoti (a strip of cloth ties around their waist and running between the legs), sitting in the jangal (forrested area). Guru Nanak said to Bhai Bala, "Father has asked us to carry out some profitable transaction. No bargain can be more profitable than to feed and clothe these naked and hungry hermits. I cannot pass this true bargain by. One will rarely get an opportunity to carry out such a profitable transaction." So saying he took all the money from Bala, placed it before the leader of the hermits and said, "I offer this in your service."
The leader of the hermits said, "Son, we are Nirbaanis, we have foresworn wearing clothes, this money is of no use to us. We do not go to villages or towns. We stay in the jungle. But, if you get us a meal with this money we will accept it." Hearing this Guru Nanak and Bhai Bala went to the village nearby. They had meals prepared with the money and brought them to the hermits. Having fed the Faqirs they headed home empty handed.
When the two approached Talwandi, Guru Nanak Dev Ji said to Bala, "You go to the village alone, I shall sit at this well." Bhai Bala went to the village alone and narrated the whole story to Mehta Kalu. Father Kalu was very angry that they had wasted money on the Hermits in this way. Putting aside all work he took Bala and started towards the well. Reaching the well he slapped Nanak. Bhai Bala tried to remind him that, "You had told us to make a profitable bargain, so whether you agree or not, Guru Nanak Dev Ji has made a true bargain."
For Father Mehta Kalu amassing wealth was the only true bargain, because only moneyed men are considered noble, gentle, honest, pious and lovers of mankind. The means by which the money is earned are of no importance in this world of worldly men.
It is only people who truly understand the value of good deeds who know the meaning of a truely profitable transaction.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Message: "Tera Tera"
Jai Ram, Guru Nanak's brother-in-law was serving as dewan (steward) to the governor, Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi of Sultanpur. It is said that both Jai Ram and Rai Bular were of the opinion that Guru Nanak was a saint ill-treated by his father; and thus Jai Ram promised to find a job for him in Sultanpur.
Guru Nanak's sister was deeply devoted to her younger brother. On their annual visit to Talwandi, when she noticed her father's impatience at her brother's indifference towards worldly activities, she decided to take him to Sultanpur. Her father gave his consent hoping he would choose a good profession.
Jai Ram got the Guru the post of a store-keeper of Nawab's state granary where the grain was collected as a part of land revenue and later sold. The Guru carried out the duties of the store-keeper very efficiently. The minstrel Mardana subsequently joined the Guru and other friends too followed. Guru Nanak introduced them to the Khan, who provided them suitable jobs in his administration. Every night there was Shabad-Kirtan (singing divine hymns).
Jai Ram, Guru Nanak's brother-in-law was serving as dewan (steward) to the governor, Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi of Sultanpur. It is said that both Jai Ram and Rai Bular were of the opinion that Guru Nanak was a saint ill-treated by his father; and thus Jai Ram promised to find a job for him in Sultanpur.
Guru Nanak's sister was deeply devoted to her younger brother. On their annual visit to Talwandi, when she noticed her father's impatience at her brother's indifference towards worldly activities, she decided to take him to Sultanpur. Her father gave his consent hoping he would choose a good profession.
Jai Ram got the Guru the post of a store-keeper of Nawab's state granary where the grain was collected as a part of land revenue and later sold. The Guru carried out the duties of the store-keeper very efficiently. The minstrel Mardana subsequently joined the Guru and other friends too followed. Guru Nanak introduced them to the Khan, who provided them suitable jobs in his administration. Every night there was Shabad-Kirtan (singing divine hymns).
"TERA TERA"
One day he was weighing provisions and was counting each weighing as 'one, two, three... ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen'. When he reached the number thirteen (13)- 'Tera' (in Punjabi language Tera means number 13, and Tera also means 'yours', that is 'I am Yours, O Lord'), he went into meditation.
Guru Nanak went on weighing by saying, "Tera, tera, tera..." The customers were happy to receive the extra provisions and did not know how to carry so many goods. They could not understand the bounties of the Lord.
Ultimately the situation reached Nawab Daulat Khan when a charge was levied against the Guru that he was recklessly giving away grain. The Nawab ordered an inquiry which was conducted very carefully. The Guru's detractors were surprised when the stores were found full. In fact, the accounts showed an extra surplus in favour of Guru Nanak.
Gurdwara Sri Hatt Sahib in
Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, Punjab, India.
Is Associated with Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji.
Gurdwara Sri Hatt Sahib marks the spot where Guru Nanak worked as the Modi (person in-charge) of the Sultanpur Nawab's Stores
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