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November 15: Guru Nanak Jayanti

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Gems from Guru Nanak's Life

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New Delhi | Friday | 15 November 2024

Guru Nanak, the revered founder of Sikhism, spread his teachings through powerful symbolism and reasoned arguments, inspiring countless individuals to follow the path of righteousness. His approach emphasized humility, kindness, and spiritual devotion rather than confrontational debates. Here are a few episodes from his life that highlight his wisdom and unique way of imparting moral lessons.

During his travels, Guru Nanak once visited Multan, a city known for its numerous pirs and fakirs, including the respected Muslim fakir, Bahauddin. Hearing of Guru Nanak’s arrival, Bahauddin sent him a bowl filled to the brim with milk, symbolizing that Multan already had enough spiritual leaders and had no room for another. Guru Nanak responded by placing a chameli (jasmine) flower in the milk and returning the bowl to Bahauddin. This gesture conveyed that he did not come to displace anyone but to add value, like the flower that floats atop the milk, enhancing its fragrance without disturbing its contents. Through this symbolic act, Guru Nanak expressed his intent to spread love and peace without undermining others.

On another occasion, Guru Nanak arrived in a village where he stayed with a humble carpenter named Lalo. Their bond grew strong, and Lalo embraced Guru Nanak’s teachings wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, Malik Bhago, the headman of the village, was known for exploiting the poor and amassing wealth through oppressive means. When he invited Guru Nanak to a feast, Guru Nanak declined, choosing instead to eat with Lalo. This angered Malik Bhago, who questioned why the Guru preferred the company of a poor carpenter over a man of wealth.

Article at a Glance

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, imparted his teachings through powerful symbolism and moral lessons, emphasizing humility, kindness, and spiritual devotion. His encounters illustrate his wisdom and approach to spreading love without confrontation. For instance, when faced with a bowl of milk symbolizing the sufficiency of spiritual leaders in Multan, he added a jasmine flower, signifying his intention to enhance rather than displace.

In another episode, he demonstrated the difference between honest living and exploitation by squeezing bread from a poor carpenter and a wealthy headman, revealing that the former's bread yielded milk, while the latter's produced blood. Guru Nanak also taught the futility of material wealth, encouraging a wealthy trader to focus on spiritual riches instead.

Through his life stories, Guru Nanak emphasized that true spirituality lies in compassion and ethical action, transcending religious boundaries and material possessions. His teachings continue to inspire individuals toward a life of kindness, unity, and moral integrity.

To demonstrate his point, Guru Nanak asked for a piece of bread from both Malik Bhago and Lalo. Holding each piece in his hands, he squeezed them—Lalo’s bread exuded milk, while Malik Bhago’s yielded blood. Through this vivid act, Guru Nanak conveyed that Malik Bhago’s wealth was tainted by the suffering of others, while Lalo’s meager resources were earned with honesty and integrity. This story became a timeless reminder that wealth gained through exploitation lacks true value.

Guru Nanak’s wisdom also touched the hearts of the affluent. In Lahore, he met a wealthy trader named Dunichand, who came to seek blessings. Instead of the typical benediction, Guru Nanak handed him a needle and asked him to return it in the afterlife. Dunichand was puzzled, admitting he could not take the needle with him beyond this life. Seizing the opportunity, Guru Nanak explained that worldly riches and possessions cannot be carried into the next world. The only true wealth one could take is spiritual wealth and good deeds. Deeply moved, Dunichand recognized the futility of material hoarding. Inspired, he distributed his wealth among the needy and devoted himself to a more righteous path.

During his stay in Sultanpur, Guru Nanak was invited by local Muslims to join them in prayer. Curious about his sincerity, they wanted to test him. Guru Nanak agreed and joined them at the mosque, but when the others knelt in prayer, he remained standing. Surprised and offended, the local Kazi questioned him. Calmly, Guru Nanak explained that genuine prayer requires undivided attention and a pure mind. He pointed out that while the Kazi’s body was engaged in prayer, his mind was preoccupied with his calf, which he feared might fall into a well. Astonished, the Kazi realized Guru Nanak’s point: true devotion lies in wholehearted focus and sincerity, not in the mere physical act of prayer.

In his pursuit of truth, Guru Nanak even traveled to Mecca, where an incident further illustrated his belief in the omnipresence of God. While resting, he inadvertently placed his feet in the direction of the Kaaba, a revered place in Islam. A fellow pilgrim, outraged at this perceived disrespect, demanded that he move his feet away from God’s house. Guru Nanak responded by inviting him to position his feet in any direction where God does not exist. The man was silenced, realizing the profound truth that God is present everywhere, not confined to one place.

The story of Karoon, a wealthy but ruthless sultan, presents another example of Guru Nanak’s wisdom. Karoon had amassed immense wealth through exploitation and met Guru Nanak while on pilgrimage in Mecca. Intrigued by the saint, Karoon asked if there was a way to take his riches with him into the afterlife. Guru Nanak replied that distributing his wealth among the poor would allow him to carry its benefits to the next world, as those blessings would remain with him in spirit. Realizing the truth in this teaching, Karoon chose to give away his fortune, understanding that his legacy would live on through the goodwill of others.

Guru Nanak’s stories serve as timeless lessons in compassion, humility, and devotion. He believed in the importance of selflessness and encouraged people to find God not through rituals or possessions but through love, truth, and service to humanity. His teachings remain relevant today, guiding individuals toward lives of kindness and unity.

In Guru Nanak’s view, genuine spirituality was not about symbols or status but about inner purity and ethical action. He taught that true devotion transcends religious labels and material wealth, emphasizing that the essence of a fulfilling life lies in simplicity, sincerity, and compassion. Through his profound yet simple stories, Guru Nanak continues to inspire people to seek spiritual depth and moral integrity, encouraging humanity to create a world grounded in peace, understanding, and universal love.

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