Guru Nanak Gurpurab: A spiritual light for Humanity

Devotees of Guru Nanak Dev ji, all across the world will observe Gurpurab today. Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism, a religion that resonates the true spirit of Indic civilisation. He is said to have travelled around Asia to spread the message of ‘ik Onkar’ (One God), which is present in every creation of his and constitutes the eternal truth. With this Guru Nanak found a socio-cultural-political platform based on mutual love, fraternity, trust and equality. Nanak himself never claimed to be a ‘God’ or not even a ‘Prophet’. He was a Guru- an illuminated soul to teach the world lessons of humanity.

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 at the Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi Village (Present-day Nankana Sahib, Pakistan Punjab), in the Hindu month of Kartik. His father Kalyan Chand Das Bedi and mother Mata Tripta were both Hindus. According to Sikh traditions, there were many incidents in his Childhood which demonstrated that he had divine grace. Sikhism is said to be a milestone in the ‘Bhakti movement’ which heavily influenced the Indic religions during medieval times.

Guru Nanak’s teachings were codified into 974 poetic hymns in Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred textbook of Sikhs. The followers of Sikhism believe that all the 9 subsequent gurus to Nanak had his divinity and blessings.

Guru Nanak Gurpurab is an occasion to pay homage to a great reformer and a teacher who taught the world to love and respect the entire humanity.

Taking to Twitter, the President said that Guru Nanak Dev showed people the path of unity, harmony, fraternity, comity, and service, and gave an economic philosophy to realize a lifestyle based on hard work, honesty, and self-respect.

“Greetings to all fellow citizens, especially to our Sikh brothers and sisters in India and abroad, on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. On this sacred occasion, let us resolve to conduct ourselves in a manner so as to emulate his teachings,” the President tweeted.

“Guru Nanak Dev Ji showed people the path of unity, harmony, fraternity, comity and service, and gave an economic philosophy to realize a lifestyle based on hard work, honesty and self-respect. His life and teachings are inspiration for all human-beings,” he said in another tweet. The Prime Minister prayed that the Sikh Guru’s thoughts keep motivating people to serve society and ensure a better planet.

“I bow to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his Parkash Purab. May his thoughts keep motivating us to serve society and ensure a better planet,” he tweeted.

Earlier on Sunday, the Prime Minister on Sunday extended greetings to people on the eve of the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru.

“Tomorrow we shall celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. His influence is clearly visible in the entire world. From Vancouver to Wellington, from Singapore to South Africa, his message reverberates everywhere,” Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the nation in the 71st edition of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

“…I feel that I have special blessings of Guru Sahib as I have always been associated with all activities connected to him. And I feel deeply indebted that Guru Sahib accepted my services. Last year, the opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was historic,” he said.

Devotees offered prayers at Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar on the occasion of 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev today.

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru and is considered one of the most sacred festivals among Sikhs. The day is celebrated on the full moon day of the Kartik month as per the Hindu calendar. It is also marked as Kartik Poornima.