Guru Nanak Dev - ggssc.net...historical dates or some other data. In totality the focus is on morals...
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Transcript of Guru Nanak Dev - ggssc.net...historical dates or some other data. In totality the focus is on morals...
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Guru Nanak Dev - Life & TeachingsDr. Mandeep Singh
ISBN : 978-93-87152-73-1
© Publishers
First Edition : October, 2020
Price : Rs. 80/-
Printer : Printwell , Sri Amritsar
Published by :
Virsa Publications (Sikh Book Trust International)
Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle
Model Town Extension, Ludhiana-141002
Ph : 0161-2450352
Email : [email protected]
“Disclaimer : GGSSC has tried it’s best to provide material
from free resources. Please note that there might be differences in the
historical dates or some other data. In totality the focus is on morals
and conceptual authenticity though care has been taken to use
commonly accepted resources for historical information. All
reference materials are to be weighed against teaching of Guru
Granth Sahib ji.”
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Dedicated to
the 550th
birth Anniversary
of
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
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Objective
Sri Guru Nanak Dev was the first Sikh Guru and founder of
Sikh Faith. The Infinite Supreme Spirit, God himself was the Guru
or Teacher of Guru Nanak Dev. The Celestial Verse of the God,
Ksm kI bwxI, was revealed to Guru Nanak and to other five Gurus,his spiritual incarnations, and was revealed to the humankind.
Guru Nanak Dev also initiated the rich tradition of collection of
Celestial Verses which were revealed by Saints and Bhagats. He
started an illustrious faith with the message of sbdu gurU suriq Duincylw (AMg 943) (My Guru is His Word and my consciousness isthe disciple).
The status of Eternal Guru to Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been
granted as per the orders of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru.
Baptism of Sword and practice of the last verse of Japuji Sahib is
the practical way to live Sikh way of life. The life and teachings of
Guru Nanak Dev and his Celestial Verse are proficient to make our
personal and social life meaningful.
The Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, on the occasion of 550th
birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, has strived to publish a book,
for curious readers of schools, colleges and universities, on the life
and teachings of the Guru in the form of Questions and Answers. S
Mandip Singh, the writer of this book has worked hard with
commitment and feelings to complete this task. We are greatly
indebted to Prof. Maninder Singh Abohar for translating it into
English.
We are thankful of S Baljit Singh, the Chief of Manuscript
Approval Committee and Vice Chairman, Dr Balwinderpal Singh,
Convener and Addl. Chief Organiser, S Prithi Singh Secretary
General, Dr Avininderpal Singh, Director General, all of Guru Gobind
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Singh Study Circle and S Satbir Singh Editor of Cosmic Faith and
other member of the organization; who have all contributed their
valuable time for giving splendid facelift to this book, resulting in
publication of “Guru Nanak Dev- Life and Teachings” and making
this available to the eager readers.
We hope that the readers will welcome this book
enthusiastically and will not hesitate to give suggestion for further
improvement of this book. This will give us tremendous pleasure
for improving the future editions. In the end we thank the Immortal
Divine for blessing us to accomplish this service.
Jasbir Singh
Deputy Director
Sikh Book Trust International
Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle
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PrefaceFive hundred and fifty years ago, in 1469 A.D, the Creator
blessed His creation with the Spirit we call ‘Guru Nanak Dev ji ’.
Now, in 2019 A.D. the world unites in gratitude of the Almighty
Lord and rejoicing the event which revolutionized human life
thereafter.
Guru Nanak Dev ji is the ‘holy tune’ of the Lord’s rebec
(Rabaab) which, flowing in the air (pavan) and mingling with the
water (paani), infuses new life in every grain of sand on this earth
(Dharat).
Guru Nanak Dev ji is the ‘roaring beat’ of the eternal drum
(nagaara) which, wherever heard, banishes evil, injustice and
oppression.
Guru Nanak Dev ji is the ‘eternal power’ which stands by the
meekest of the meek and demolishes the barriers of narrow
mindedness and falsehood which chain the humanity in bondage.
Guru Nanak Dev ji is the ‘dazzling light’ that removes all
darkness from the path of humanity, making life simple, beautiful,
meaningful and blissful,
Guru Nanak Dev ji is a ‘selfless life’ dedicated to love amd
empathy for humanity, across boundaries - political, social and
economical.
Guru Nanak Dev ji is the ‘blissful journey’ which one
undertakes from ‘Dharm Khand’ to ‘Sacch Khand’, from being a
responsible citizen to realizing the highest realms of spirituality, of
oneness with the Lord.
Guru Nanak Dev ji is the ‘soothing message’ of eternal Truth
and all those blessed souls who see, understand and imbibe are
emancipated and in ecstacy hail thee as ‘Guru’ Nanak , ‘Peer’
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Nanak, ‘Lama’ Nanak, ‘Wali’ Nanak, ‘Baba’ Nanak, Nanak ‘Shah
Fakeer’, ‘Dhann Guru’ Nanak ‘Dev’!
Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle contributes on this auspicious
occasion with a humble effort to record the human journey of Guru
Nanak Dev ji and the inherent message in a simple question-
answer form focusing on the school going students in particular
though others too will find it connecting and fulfilling.
We pray that the Almighty bless us all to imbibe the message
of Guru Nanak Dev ji and lead blissful lives.
Academic Council
Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle
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From Writer’s DeskGurbani ordains that “Gur Nanak Jinh Suneya Paekhiya Sei
Phir Garbhaas Na Pariaah Rae” which literally means that people
who have listened to & witnessed Guru Nanak are able to free
themselves from that cycle of life & death. Now the question arises
whether we can witness Guru Nanak Dev Ji from the picture made
by an artist based on his preconceived notions? Here Bhai Gurdas
Ji beautifully explains that “Gurmurat Gurshabad hai” which means
that shabad of Guru ji is the true picture of the Guru himself. Shabad
Guru can be witnessed in the Gurbani which means that Guru Nanak
Dev ji’s philosophy has to be imbibed to free oneself from the worldly
woes.
This book was penned down to commemorate the 550th Birth
Anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib in the sincere hope that it will
spread the teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib amongst the mankind.
The book is based on simple format of questions & answers for
easy comprehension, followed by the crux of the sakhi for easy
learning.
The emphasis is on the authenticity of concept and message
though care has been taken to be historically correct as per com-
monly accepted resources/references.
The need of hour is to understand & internalize the teachings
of Guru Sahib by being motivated by his life.
Dr Mandeep Singh
Zonal Secretary
Abohar-Sri Ganga Nagar Zone
Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle
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Guru Nanak Dev
Life & Teachings
Questions & Answers
1. When and where was Guru Nanak Dev ji born?
Guru Nanak Dev ji was born on 15th April, 1469 at ‘Talwandi
Rai Bhoi’, since called ‘Nanakana Sahib’, now in Pakistan.
Some historians say it was katak puranmashi of samvat
1526 (1469 AD) and hence is celebrated on Katak
Puranmashi.
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2. What was the name and occupation of Guru Nanak Dev
ji’s parents?
Mata Tripta ji–the mother and Mehta Kaliyan Chand ji was
Guru Nanak Dev ji’s father. His was an affluent Hindu Khatri
family and ‘Mehta Kalu ji’, as his father was commonly called,
was a ‘patwari’, an officer for land records, taxation and
revenue. He had 10 villages under his supervision.
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3. What does the prefix ‘Mehta’ indicate?
The prefix ‘Mehta’ implies important/respectable. As he was
entrusted with an important and responsible task, people
respectfully called him ‘Mehta’ Kalu ji.
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4. What did the renowned scholar Bhai Gurdas write on
the advent of Guru Nanak Dev ji?
‘Satgur Nanak pargateya miti dhund jag chanan hoa’:
Implies that with the advent of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the dense
fog of ignorance vanished and the light of knowledge
illuminated everything.
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5. Who was entrusted with the job of teaching young
Nanak?
The hymns written down by Guru Nanak Dev ji showcase a
striking evidence of his expertise in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian
and Punjabi. He was tutored at the young age by:
Pandit Gopal – Hindi; Pandit Brij Lal – Sanskrit; Maulvi Qutab
ud din – Persian.
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6. What does the Janeu symbolize?
Guru Nanak Dev ji was born in a Hindu khatri family and the
janeu-a thread worn across the body, was considered essential
as initiation into Hinduism and spirituality.
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7. Who was assigned to perform the janeu ceremony?
Pandit Hardayal, the family priest was requested to do the
courtesy in a grandly organized ceremony well attended by
all relatives and friends.
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8. What reason did Pandit Hardayal give to satisfy Guru
Nanak Dev ji’s curiosity about the utility of the janeu
ceremony?
He replied that the janeu ceremony would usher in a new life
for Nanak, the spiritual life.
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9. Why was young Guru Nanak Dev ji not satisfied with
the statement?
The janeu meant for nurturing a spiritual life must be befitting.
The janeu of cotton thread that was being offered was a
physical entity subject to physical conditions. It would get
soiled and even break through wear and tear over time and
will have to be sought again. It would burn with the body
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while the soul was everlasting. How could it benefit the soul?
The Pandit had no answer to young Guru Nanak Dev ji’s
queries.
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10. What alternate form of janeu did Guru Nanak Dev ji
suggest the Pandit to offer?
dfJnk egkj ;zsoy[ ;{s[ is[ rzYh ;s[ tN[]“Daya kapah santokh sut jat gandhi sat vat;
J/j[ iB/T{ ihn ek jJh s gkv/ xs[]Ehu janeu jeo ka hai ta pandey ghatt:
Bk J/j[ s[N? B wb[ br? Bk J/j[ ib? B ikfJ]Na ehu tuttai na malu laggai na ehu jaley na jaaye;
XzB[ ;[ wkD; BkBek i o rfb ub/ gkfJ]Dhan so manas nanka jo gall challey paaye:”
(SGGS 471)
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11. What is the meaning of the statement above?
O’ pandit , if you have a janeu that could benefit the spirit/
soul then please give me that instead. Let compassion be the
cotton, contentment be the thread, discipline be the knots and
truthfulness be the twist of this janeu.
A janeu made not from perishable materials but from virtues
like compassion, contentment, discipline and truthfulness is
what could transform and benefit spiritually. Lucky are those
who wear such a janeu around their neck.
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12. What was the end result of the discussion at the
ceremony?
The priest had no answer to the logical query of the young
boy and the ceremony ended without Guru Nanak Dev ji
wearing that janeu.
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13. “Lakh choriya lakh jariya lakh kooriya lakh gaal; lakh
thuggiya pahinamiya raat dinas jee naal”. What is the
meaning of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s verse?
Man commits thousands of robberies, thousands of acts of
adultery, thousands of falsehoods and thousands of abuses.
He practices thousands of deceptions and shady deeds, night
and day, against his fellow beings. Of what use is then the
superficial ritualistic wearing of the janeu.
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14. What do we learn from this verse?
Without imbibing the virtues inside and mere outward religious
appearance is useless and deceptive. It does no good to the
soul.
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15. What is the implicit message for the modern youth from
this incident?
Dare to ask; but be respectful and logical, with a yearning to
learn.
All practices and rituals should be made to pass through the
test of logic and reason. Dogmatic practices and meaningless
rituals should be discarded as they make life hard and
complicated.
To make life simple, blissful and purposeful sincere efforts
should be made for the spiritual elevation of self and mankind
by imbibing the humane virtues of love, compassion,
contentment, self discipline and truth.
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16. Where and when was Guru Nanak Dev ji married?
Guru Nanak Dev ji, at the age of 18, was married to Bibi
Sulakhni, daughter of Sri Mool Chand of Batala, presently a
township in Punjab, India.
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17. Who was Bhai Mardana?
His father Mir Baadra and mother Lakkho belonged to the
chonbhad caste of miraasis. He was blessed with the intimacy
and holy company of Guru Nanak Dev ji for about 47 years.
He was elder to Guru Nanak Dev ji by 9 years and 2 months
and a master musician of the rabaab, a versatile string
instrument.
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18. What was the impact of his companionship with the Guru
on the society?
With the caste system deeply rooted in the society it was
revolutionary to see a despicable low caste, poor Mardana
being befriended and honoured by the high caste Khatri, son
of a patwari, Guru Nanak Dev ji. Both used to sit together for
long hours, unmindful of the social opinion, singing hymns in
praise of the Almighty. People saw the two together on the
long journeys, udaasis, undertaken by Guru Nanak Dev ji for
spreading the message of love and truth. Their being together
had a demolishing impact on the divisions existing on religious,
social and economic grounds.
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19. What was ‘Sacha Sauda’, - the true bargain, incident
related to the life of Guru Nanak Dev ji?
At the age of eighteen, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was sent by his
father Mehta Kalu Ji to the city to do some profitable business.
His father was disappointed that Guru Sahib’s mind was not
into farming and other worldly work, therefore, he thought
perhaps engaging him in trade would firstly, be a good
profitable profession, and secondly his son would be happy
all day talking to his clients about his business.
Thinking this way and choosing an auspicious day, he called
Bhai Mardana Ji to accompany Guru Sahib.
Mehta Kalu Ji gave twenty rupees to Bhai Mardana Ji and
said, “Go with Nanak. Buy and bring some genuine goods by
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selling of which we may make profit. In this way if you make
a profitable transaction, next time I will send you with more
money to buy goods.”
Guru Nanak Dev ji and Bhai Mardana Ji started from
Talwandi towards Choohar-kaana to purchase some
merchandise. They had hardly gone ten or twelve miles from
the village when they came across a group of ascetics (Sadhus)
who were hungry. It was a famine like situation in those days
and no one offered them food.
Guru Nanak Dev ji was appalled at their self inflicted state of
misery and wanted to guide them out of it. But seeing that
any advice will be effective only after their basic and immediate
need was met, he took Bhai Mardana Ji to the next nearest
village dwelling, where he bought plentiful supply of food and
clothing.
After feeding them he advised them that it is futile to beg for
your needs and think that renunciation of work and family life
would lead to salvation. They should live in tune with nature
and only then can they lead a virtuous life. The sadhus felt
blessed and enlightened and thanked Guru Nanak Dev ji .
Taking leave from the sadhus, they started back empty-
handed. Mehta Kalu ji did not appreciate this and was very
angry.
For father Mehta Kalu Ji, amassing of wealth was the only
true bargain because in this world it is money which is the
mark of nobility, it is the wealthy that is wise.
Guru Nanak Dev ji tried to convince his father by telling that
he had not done anything wrong with the money but has done
a ‘Sacha Sauda’ (True bargain) in the true sense. He had fed
the hungry, unemployed, wandering Sadhus but in lieu
empowered them with the wisdom never to beg again and
earn their livelihood through hard work and share their earnings
with the needy thereby being an asset and not a burden to the
society.
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At the place where the true bargain took place, Gurdwara
Sacha Sauda Sahib is built. In current day Pakistan the
Gurdwara Sacha Sauda is in the city of Farooqabad.
The true bargain of life is earning goodness; sharing one’s
earning/ knowledge with the needy and helping in whatever
way we can.
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20. What message does this incident give us?
We should not merely help or serve the needy but also empower
them to overcome the handicap and be self reliant in future.
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21. What job did Guru Nanak Dev ji take up at Sultanpur
Lodhi?
The Nawab Daulat Khan appointed him as the store keeper
(Modi).
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22. What were the duties and responsibilities of Guru Nanak
Dev ji as the ‘Modi’?
The farmers paid the tax in the form of their produce.
Employees of the government were paid from this produce.
To collect and disburse the produce in true measure was the
task of the ‘modi’. The leftover produce in the store was sold
and the earnings were deposited in the state treasury by the
‘modi’.
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23. What type of a person was required for that post?
The job required an honest and efficient person to handle the
task. Usually corrupt officers at this post weighed more from
the farmers and paid less to the state servants thereby greedily
usurping the extra charged and deducted respectively from
both sides.
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24. What change was observed in the affairs of the store
(modikhana)?
Guru Nanak Dev ji set all the records in order. The farmers
were no longer cheated, nor were the state employees paid
less. Complete fairness prevailed in all deals and even the
state revenue increased. From his own share as wages, Guru
Nanak Dev ji would take only the requisite portion and the
rest was kept in the store itself and disbursed to the needy.
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25. What did the corrupt officials do in retaliation and to
what result?
The corrupt officials, deprived of their extra earnings, plotted
to defame and get Guru Nanak Dev ji off the job. They
complained to the Nawab that Guru Nanak Dev ji was
distributing food grains freely to the poor. This loot would
lead to loss in state revenue.
The Nawab ordered an inquiry and everything was found
correct. This made Guru Nanak Dev ji all the more respectable
as an officer and popular among the masses.
26. What do we learn from this incident of the modikhana?
Firstly, anything we do must be taken seriously and done in all
fairness with the best efforts.
Secondly, we should share our honest earnings with the needy
as a duty towards humanity.
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27. What does the holy Guru Granth Sahib guide us in this
context?
xkfb ykfJ feS[ jEj[ d/fJ]BkBe okj[ gSkDfj ;/fJ]‘Ghaal khaye kichh hatthon dei, nanak raahu pachhaney
sei”. (SGGS 1245)
He who earns an honest living and shares it with the needy
has discovered the true way to higher living.
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28. How did Bhai Bhagirath come in contact with Guru
Nanak Dev ji?
When Guru Nanak Dev ji was at the modikhana, Bhai
Bhagirath, a (numberdar) state nominee belonging to Malsihan
village used to visit and was so impressed with the serene
personality and personal conduct of Guru Nanak Dev ji that
he became his disciple.
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29. How did the trader Mansukh happen to meet Bhai
Bhagirath?
While working at the modikhana, a poor Brahmin requested
Guru Nanak Dev ji for help to marry off his daughter. Guru
Nanak Dev ji deputed Bhai Bhagirath to buy some necessities
from Lahore. It was here that Bhai Bhagirath met the trader
named Mansukh.
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30. How did this meeting change the life of Mansukh?
Mansukh was of the view that all sadhus and saints were
idlers and merely duped the common folk. On hearing about
the life and ways of Guru Nanak Dev ji from Bhai Bhagirath
he was mighty impressed and visited the Guru. He too became
an ardent disciple of the Guru. Being a trader he visited far
off lands and his earnest ways and simple living impressed all
he met. Shivnabh, the king of Sangladeep, modern Sri Lanka,
was highly impressed by his virtuous personality and wished
to meet his mentor, Guru Nanak Dev ji.
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31. What was the global political scene prevalent during
the time of Guru Nanak Dev ji?
Guru Nanak Dev ji saw the world suffering out of hatred,
fanaticism, falsehood and hypocrisy. There was unrest and
insecurity in every corner of India. The ruling class abused,
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exploited and looted the common man. They lived a life of
opulence while there was misery all around.
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32. How does Guru Nanak Dev ji pen down the situation of
those times?
efb eksh oki/ ek;kJh Xow[ gzy efo T[vfonk]“Kal kaati raje kasai dharma pankh kar udriya”.
(SGGS 145)
The kalyugi nature is like a dagger and the rulers have become
cruel. It seems that dharma has righteousness (dharma) drawn
its wings and flown away.
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33. How did Guru Nanak Dev ji describe the loot of the
masses by the kings and their courtiers?
oki/ ;hj w[edw e[s/] ikfJ irkfJfB - - - - - p?m/ ;[s/]ukeo Bjdk gkfJfB -- -- - xkT[] os[ fgs[ e[fsj' ufN ikj[]“Raje shinh mukaddam kuttey jaaye jagayan baithey
suttey. Chaaker nahda payan ghaau, ratt pitt kutteyho
chatte jaahu”. (SGGS 1288).
The kings are lions and their courtiers like the dogs that disturb
the masses at odd hours. The courtiers act as the claws of
the lion to bruise the masses and then these kings lick the
blood of the masses through these courtiers.
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34. What do we infer from the description of the times given
by Guru Nanak Dev ji?
Guru Nanak Dev ji describes the helplessness of the citizens
and their exploitation by the rulers.
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35. What was the religious scene that Guru Nanak Dev ji
saw around him?
Instead of the worshipping the Almighty Lord, the people were
wasting their precious lives in futile rites and rituals. Religious
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leaders were themselves lost to truth and a lot of unethical
practices were prevalent in the name of religion. There was
hatred and violence among the people in the name of religious
differences. Religion was a tool to exploit and loot the masses.
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36. How does Guru Nanak Dev ji record this degradation
of religion?
;ow[ Xow[ d[fJ Sfg yb'J/ e{V[ fco? goXkB[ t/ bkb']“Saram dharma doey chhap khaloey kood phirai pardhan
ve Lalo.” (SGGS 471)
The virtues of saram (hard work) and dharma (virtuous living)
have vanished and falsehood rules the society.
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37. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji proclaim to the world after
he returned from the ‘Bein’ river at Sultanpur Lodhi?
Guru Nanak Dev ji proclaimed “na ko hindu na mussalman”.
This implies the eternal truth that we are all human beings
and the differences of being a Hindu or Muslim are superficial
and meaningless.
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38. What was the reaction of Nawab Daulat Khan to this
proclamation?
He told Guru Nanak Dev ji, (knowing he was born in a Hindu
khatri family), “If you don’t make any difference in Hindus
and Muslims then come and join me at the masjid for namaz
today”.
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39. How did Guru Nanak Dev ji respond to the Nawab’s
invitation?
Guru Nanak Dev ji promptly accepted the invitation and
accompanied the Nawab, the Qazi and other Muslims present
to the Masjid.
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40. What was Nawab unhappy about after the namaz?
The Nawab complained that while all of them were offering
namaz Guru Nanak Dev ji stood still and did not join them.
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41. What reason did Guru Nanak Dev ji have for not joining
them in the prayers?
Guru Nanak Dev ji had agreed to join the Nawab in offering
namaz but stood still instead because the Nawab and even
the Qazi were not praying. Elaborating further Guru Nanak
Dev ji said that they both were only physically involved in the
process here as the Nawab was mentally in Kandhar, buying
good horses and the Qazi was thinking that his newborn foal
may not fall in the open well dug in his courtyard. So how
could he join them? At this both of them felt astounded and
ashamed.
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42. What is the significance of this incidence?
Guru Nanak Dev ji emphasized that while in prayer or any
other task for that matter; we must be involved not merely
physically but mentally as well. Else it is nothing more than a
ritual and a futile exercise.
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43. What as per Guru Nanak Dev ji is true namaz?
gzfi fBtkik tys gzfi gzik gzi/ BkT[]“Panj niwaja vakhat panj panja panje nao;
gfjbk ;u[ jbkb d[fJ shik y?o y[dkfJ]Pahila sachu, halal dui, teeja khair khudai;
uT[Eh Bhnfs okf; wB[ gzith f;cfs ;BkfJ]Chouthi neeyat raas manu, panjvi sifat sanai;
eoDh ebwk nkfy e? sk w[;bwkD[ ;dkfJ]Karni kalma aakh kai, ta mussalman sadai”. (SGGS-141)
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The Muslims offer prayers five times a day and each time a
different one with a different name. Guru Nanak Dev ji gives
his version of the five namaz as:
First – Truth;
Second – honest earnings;
Third – seeking the welfare of all;
Fourth – purity of thought
Fifth – appreciating the glory and grace of the Almighty.
Imbibing these virtues is the kalma which defines a true
Muslim.
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44. What are the journey/tours of Guru Nanak Dev ji for
the propagation of truth called?
Each of these travels is called “Udassi”. (Odyssey)
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45. What was the purpose behind the extensive travels of
Guru Nanak Dev ji?
Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled extensively;
1. Meeting people, to deliver humanity suffering from
falsehood by guiding them to the light of truth.
2. To look for and meet enlightened souls living earnestly in
the light of truth.
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46. Who accompanied Guru Nanak Dev ji on his travels?
Bhai Mardana ji with his rebec (a medieval string instrument
like a violin but having a pear shaped body, called rabaab),
accompanied Guru ji.
fJe pkpk nekb o{g[ d{ik opkph wodkBk.“Ikk Baba Akaal roop doojaa rabaabi Mardana”
(Bhai Gurdas vaar 1-35)
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47. How does the great scholar Bhai Gurdas comment on
the travels of Guru Nanak Dev ji?
pkpk d/y? fXnkB Xfo ibsh ;fG fgqEth fdf; nkJh.“Baba dekhai dhiyan dhar. Jalti sabh prithvi dis aayee.
pkMj[ r[o{ r[pko j? j? j? eodh ;[Dh b[ekJh.Bajhou guru gubaar hai, hai hai kardi suni lokaee.
pkp/ G/y pDkfJnk T[dk;h eh ohfs ubkJh.Babey bhekh banaya udassi ki reet chalayee.
ufVQQnk ;'XfD Xofs b[ekJh]Chadiya sodhan dhart lokayee”
He means to say that when Guru Nanak Dev ji saw with
empathy the world around he found that the whole creation
was embroiled in the fire of vices. Without the guiding light all
was engulfed in darkness of ignorance and could feel the
people crying for help. He put on the guise of an ascetic and
set out to heal the world. This was a trendsetting decision/
event for future generations to emulate by leaving their comfort
zone to serve humanity.
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48. What made the travels of Guru Nanak Dev ji unique?
It is natural for the thirsty to seek and go to a well but Guru
Nanak Dev ji ’s travels were unique in the sense that it was
he who sought the needy and went to them to quench their
thirst, travelling thousands of miles in the process, to different
parts of the world, spreading the light of truth.
Guru Nanak Dev ji is believed to have travelled more than
28000 miles from 1500 AD to 1524 AD.
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49. What problems would Guru Nanak Dev ji have to face
while embarking upon such a journey?
Guru Nanak Dev ji must have envisaged that exposing the
excesses and wrongs of the ruling class would invite their
wrath; getting the subdued and dejected people to rise and
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oppose oppression would amount to revolt in the system. The
challenges of travelling thousands of miles on foot through
unknown lands, jungles, deserts or mountains and different
people, cultures, languages at all were not simple either.
Despite all this he was determined to go for the human welfare.
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50. How many such travels (Udasis) did Guru Nanak Dev
ji undertake?
There is a controversy regarding the number of Udasis
undertaken by Guruji among the historians. On the basis of
the Puratan Janam Sakhi and the Vars of Bhai Gurdas, some
historians claim the number of Udasis undertaken by Guruji
is four whereas some historians claim it to be five in number.
But Dr. Fauja Singh and Dr. Kirpal Singh claim the number
of udasis as three though the places of visit are the same in
all cases.
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51. Which important places are recorded to have been
visited by Guru Nanak Dev ji during the first udasis?
Sultanpur, Tulamba (now Makhdumpur in district Multan,
Pakistan), Panipat, Nanak Matta (district Nainital,
Uttarkhand), Tanda Vanraja (district Rampur), Kamrup
(Assam), Aasa desh Des (Assam), Saidpur (Eaimnabad),
Parsur, Sialkot (Pakistan), Dhanasari ghaati, Sangladeep (Sri
Lanka), Kashmir, Sumer Parbat, Tashkent, Nepal, Sikkim,
Tibet etc. were the main places he visited during his travels.
He also visited Mecca, the holy place of Muslims and various
Arab countries which are on record.
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52. When did Guru Nanak Dev ji embark on his first udasi?
First udasi was from September 1508 AD up to 1515 AD (as
per eminent historian and theologian Prof. Sahib Singh).
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53. What sort of places did he visit and what was special
about his plan of the tour?
He visited the sites of Hindu pilgrimage and planned his tour
such that he reached there at the festival time of that site and
maximum number of pilgrims would gather there.
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54. Why did Indian sadhus wear deep saffron coloured
robes?
This colour suited them as they were constantly on the move
and washing and cleaning regularly was not possible. Even
soiled robes did not look dirty in this colour. Gradually with
time this colour got recognition as the colour for religious
people.
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55. How did Guru Nanak Dev ji manage to communicate
with people of different languages?
Guru Nanak Dev ji was formally trained in Persian and
Sanskrit during childhood.
Secondly, the ascetics in India and even beyond had developed
a common language “sadh bhasha” which included words
from various languages and dialects.
Thirdly, Guru Nanak Dev ji used to travel only a few miles
daily and halted at every village on the way, talking to people
and thus got acquainted with new vocabulary which he imbibed
and used in his discourses.
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56. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji carry on his udasis?
‘Awsw hiQ ikqwb kiC ......’
‘Aasa hath kitab kachh’ (Bhai Gurdas vaar)
Bhai Gurdas writes that Guru Nanak Dev ji always held a
staff in his hand and carried a notebook under his arm. He
would record his hymns in it and also would record the hymns
of other worthy saints.
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57. What lesson did Guru Nanak Dev ji bless Duni Chand
with?
Duni Chand was a millionaire of khatri caste in Lahore. He
invited Guru Nanak Dev ji and other religious sadhus of the
area for the lunch, as was customary, for the ‘shradh’
ceremony of his late father. Guru Sahib explained to him that
it was a futile ritual as the food and the gifts would not benefit
his dead father in any way. It is necessary that we serve well
our living parents and the other needy people to be blessed by
the almighty.
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58. Can you cite a quote from gurbani in this context?
ihts fgso B wkB? e oT{ w{J/A f;okX eokjh]“Jeevat pitar na mane kou muey siradh karayee” (Bhakt
Kabeer ji, SGGS 332).
It means “people don’t respect and serve their parents when
They are alive but host ‘shradh’ lunches and donate a lot in
their name after death. How will this food and gifts reach the
dead?
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59. What can man get at the Lord’s court?
BkBe nr? ;o fwb? fi yN/ xkb/ d/fJ]“Nanak aggey so milai je khattey ghaley dey”.
(SGGS 472)
O’ Nanak there he will get only the outcome of what he has
earned and given to the world. No one else can support him
there.
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60. What lesson do we learn from the quote above?
We should abstain from futile rituals as directed by the Guru.
Anything such as cots, clothes, utensils etc. donated in the
memory of the deceased with the belief that it will reach the
dead is senseless and should be stopped.
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61. “Lahore sahar zahar kaher sava pahar”, (SGGS 1410).
What does Guru Nanak Dev ji mean by this?
bkj"o ;jo[ ijo[ ejo[ ;tk gjo[]
This quote has a historical connect that when Guru Nanak
Dev ji reached the city of Lahore he observed that the rulers
and the people there were engulfed in unethical and inhuman
activities. They were oblivious to the grace of the Almighty
God. The city of Lahore was like poison for the lifestyle there
brought spiritual death to its residents. The mornings which
should have been devoted to prayers and to seek the blessings
of God for a meaningful life were spent in killing animals for
delicious meals. A life of leisure and luxury devoid of ethics
and values was prevalent there.
After this, in 1524 AD, Babar, the Mogul, invaded Hindustan
and set the city on fire which burned for a quarter of the day.
This incident is recorded in Tuzak-e-Babri.
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62. “Lahore sahar amrit sar sifti da ghar”. (SGGS 1412).
What does this verse indicate?
bkj"o ;jo[ nzfwqs ;o[ f;csh dk xo[]This verse has been quoted by the third Nanak, Guru
Amardass. Guru Nanak Dev ji had in his time preached and
promoted a culture of ethics and human values. There were
gatherings (sangats) and people sat singing in praise of the
Almighty God. Much had changed in the lifestyle of the people
after the visit of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Guru Amardass, on seeing
people in prayer, singing praises of the Lord and leading a
noble life, said that if earlier the city was like poison to its
citizens, now it was like a pool of nectar.
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63. With whom did Guru Nanak Dev ji stay at Saidpur
(Eminabad)?
Starting from Sultanpur Lodhi first of all he came to Saidpur
(Eminabad). There Guruji chose to stay at the humble dwelling
of a very poor carpenter, Bhai Lalo.
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64. Why did Guru Nanak Dev ji choose to stay at Bhai Lalo’s
place?
Bhai Lalo, his wife Bhagwanti and their two children lived in
poverty but Bhai Lalo earned his living with hard work and
honest means. He had a spiritual bent of mind but being a
‘low caste’, he was not allowed the company of the learned.
He prayed for someone to help him unite with the Almighty.
Answering his prayers Guru Nanak Dev ji not only chose to
stay with him, he blessed Lalo with true knowledge and
honored him as a preacher for the region.
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65. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji do to uplift the socially
opressed classes in society?
Guru Nanak Dev ji raised his voice in support of the
downtrodden.
Bhuk nzdfo Bhu ikfs Bhuh j{ nfs Bhu[]“Neechan andar neech jaat, neechie hu att neech;
BkBe[ fsB e? ;zfr ;kfE tfvnk f;T[ fenk oh;]Nanak tin ke sang saath vadhian siyo kiya rees”.
(SGGS 15).
Meaning: O’ Lord, Nanak seeks the company of the lowest
of the low class, the very lowest of the low; why should he
try to compete with the ‘high’?
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66. What benefits does Guru Nanak Dev ji guarantee to
those who care for the underpriviledged?
fiE? Bhu ;wkbhnfB fsE? Bdfo s/oh py;h;]
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“Jitthey neech sambhaliyan titthey nader teri bakhshish”.
(SGGS 15)
Guru Nanak Dev ji declares that “The Lord Almighty showers
his blessings where the underprivileged are taken care of”.
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67. Who was the rich landlord of Saidpur who had invited
Guru Nanak Dev ji to a feast?
Malik Bhago invited Guru Nanak Dev ji to the feast.
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68. Who was Malik Bhago?
Malik Bhago (Bhag Mall) was an official of the Nawab of
Saidpur. He had hoisted a grand feast as a ritual in the memory
of his ancestors and invited ascetics and saints of the region.
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69. Did Guru Nanak Dev ji accept his invitation?
Guru Nanak Dev ji refused to accept food from Malik Bhago
because he had earned his livelihood throughout by corruption
and cheating.
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70. How did Malik Bhago react to Guru Nanak Dev ji’s
response to his invitation?
He ordered his guards to bring Guru Nanak Dev ji forcibly to
his place.
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71. What did Malik Bhago say when he saw Guru Nanak
Dev ji?
On seeing Guru Nanak Dev ji having been forced to come,
Malik Bhago was furious and remarked, “You are eating the
dry bread made of ‘kodhra’ at the poor carpenter’s. Don’t
you like the variety and delicious food offered here”?
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72. What does ‘kodhra’ mean?
It’s a type of grass. Its seed is crushed to powder and used to
make bread by the poor folk instead of wheat.
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73. How did Guru Nanak Dev ji reply to Malik Bhago’s
query?
Guru Nanak Dev ji calmly replied, “The bread at poor Lalo’s
house was baked out of honest labour and thus is like nectar
and fulfilling. Your delicacies come from dishonest means and
loot and plunder of the common man. I can see blood and
sweat of the poor people in it. By donating a part of this ill
gotten wealth to the saints it doesn’t get sanctified. Such a
feast cannot be termed as a religious act.”
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74. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji say to the sadhus attending
the feast?
Addressing the ascetics present there Guru Nanak Dev ji
said, “The seeds of Babool (kikkar) tree are very soft but the
tree bears thorns right from the beginning. Similarly the feast
prepared out of ill gotten wealth seems delicious to eat but
will have a damaging impact on the noble hearts.”
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75. What impact did the incident have on Malik Bhago?
Malik Bhago promised to earn honestly henceforth and also
started propagating the message of the Guru.
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76. What do we learn from this incident?
Donations or service from ill gotten wealth through corrupt
means is not acceptable at the altar of the Almighty Lord.
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77. How does Gurbani warn us from usurping what rightly
belongs to others?
je[ gokfJnk BkBek T[;[ ;{no T[;[ rkfJ]
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“Haq paraya Nanaka us sooar us gaaye.
r[o[ gho[ jkwk sk Go/ ik w[odko[ B ykfJ]Gur peer haama ta bharey ja murdaar na khaaye”.
(SGGS 141)
Meaning: usurping the rights of others is like eating pork for
the Muslim and eating beef for the Hindu (forbidden by their
respective religions). Even Guru for the Hindus and Pir for
the Muslims will stand in testimony only for such people who
do not usurp others’ rights.
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78. What advice did Guru Nanak Dev ji give to the rulers?
i/ os[ br? egV? ikwk j'fJ gbhs[]“Je ratt laggey kapadey jama hoey paleet.
i' os[ ghtfj wkD;k fsB feT[ fBowb[ uhs[]Jo ratt peevey maansa tin kio nirmal cheet.
BkBe BkT[ y[dkfJ ek fdfb jS? w[fy b/j[]Nanak nao khudai ka dil hachhai mukh lehu”. (SGGS 140)
Meaning: if blood stains make the cloth impure and cannot
offer namaz wearing those then those who live on the earnings
of others and are like parasites sucking the blood of the society
then how can the heart of such people be deemed to be pure
and fit for offering namaz? Nanak says recite the name of
the holy Lord with a pure heart.
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79. Where did Guru Nanak Dev ji establish the first
dharmshala?
The first dharamshala was established at Saidpur and Bhai
Lalo was its first sewadar. But according to some historians
it was at Tulumba.
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80. Does Dharmshala signify the name of a building?
Not necessarily building, it could be a place (an open space)
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where the Guru’s message could be delved upon collectively
and singing hymns in praise of the Creator.
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81. Who is a dharmshalia?
He who would coordinate the congregation of people at the
dharmshala was called a dharmshalia. He would have to be a
person of high moral character.
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82. How does Guru Nanak Dev ji define ‘Satsang’, the holy
congregation?
;s;zrfs e?;h ikDhn?] fiE? J/e' Bkw[ tykDhn?]‘Satsangat kaisi janiae; jitthey aeiko naam vakhaniye’,
(SGGS 72)
Guru Sahib first plants a question as to what sort of a
congregation can be called a holy congregation. Then he
clarifies that such a congregation is holy where only the holy
name of the Creator, the almighty lord is recited; only His
praises are sung.
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83. When did Guru Nanak Dev ji reach Haridwar?
He reached Haridwar on vaisakhi day when it is festival time
and pilgrims from all over gather there.
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84. To whom did Guru Nanak Dev ji send Mardana to get
some fire?
Bhai Mardana went to a Vaishnav sadhu as instructed by the
Guru.
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85. Why was the sadhu disturbed on the coming of Bhai
Mardana?
The sadhu, as per the ritual, had purified his cooking place by
a coat of cow dung but when Bhai Mardana went there his
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shadow fell on the cooking place. Bhai Mardana was
considered a low caste by birth and the sadhu felt his cooking
place had been defiled because of this. He got very upset
and ran after Bhai Mardana threatening to hit him with a
burning wood in his hand.
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86. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji say to pacify and educate
the sadhu?
The Lord Almighty does not care for the outer purity of the
food court. He resides in the heart and so the purity of the
heart is the necessity. If the heart is filled with cruelty, hatred,
anger and ill will for others then such a heart is not a suitable
place that God likes. See the Creator in the whole creation.
Don’t look towards anyone as of inferior caste and hate him.
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87. What hymn did Guru Nanak Dev ji recite at this time to
bless the sadhu with wisdom?
e[p[fX v{wDh e[dfJnk e;kfJfD go fBzdk xN u{jVh w[mh e'qfXuzvkfb]‘Kubudhh doomanee kudaeiaa kasaaein par nindaa ghatt
chooharee muthee krodh chandaal.
ekoh eYh fenk Ehn? iK uko/ p?mhnk Bkfb]Kaaree kaddhee kiaa thheeai ja chaarae baitheeaa naal’.
(SGGS 91)
False-mindedness is the drummer woman; cruelty is the
butcheress; Slander of others in one’s heart is the cleaning-
woman; and deceitful anger is the outcast-woman.
What good are the ceremonial lines drawn around your
kitchen, when these four are seated there with you?
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88. What is the message the Guru gives through the
meaning of the above hymn?
The so-called upper castes hated the so called low castes to
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the extent that they felt defiled even by their shadow if cast
upon them. Guru Sahib explains that man is not low by birth
but by the evil he does. So the evil thoughts are the mirassan
(a low caste name), heartlessness is the butcheress; others’
slander in the heart is a sweepress and deceitful wrath is a
pariah-woman. What does drawing lines for purity on food
court avail thee when these four are seated within your heart?
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89. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji say to the people gathered
there?
Guru Sahib said that alongwith outer cleanliness the purity of
heart with human values and ethics is very important. God
loves those who shun evil and nurture good values and lead a
life of high moral character. “Truth is above all; truthful living
is higher still”. (SGGS 62)
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90. Should we ask anybody his caste?
ikDj[ i'fs B g{Sj[ iksh nkr? ikfs B j/]“jaanahu jot n pooshhahu jaatee aagai jaat n
hae”.(SGGS 349)
Recognise the Lord’s light within all and inquire not the caste,
as there is no caste in the Lord’s court.
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91. Who is a low-caste as per Gurbani?
y;w[ ft;kofj s/ ewikfs] BkBe Bkt? pkM[ ;Bkfs]“Khasam visaaarehi te kamjaat; Nanak naavai baajh
sanaat”. (SGGS 10).
Vile are they who forget their Master. O Nanak! Without
God’s name, men are out caste wretches.
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92. What message does this hymn give us?
We should never differentiate between people on the basis of
so called castes and creeds.
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93. In which direction were the pilgrims offering water at
the Kumbh festival at Haridwar?
The pilgrims were offering towards the rising sun; the east
direction.
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94. What was their intention in doing so?
They believed that this water would reach the spirits of their
dead ancestors and benefit them.
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95. What did Guru do on seeing this activity?
Without talking to anybody Guru Nanak Dev ji quietly started
offering water in the opposite direction, towards the west.
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96. What was the reaction of the pilgrims and how did Guru
Nanak Dev ji justify his act?
The pundits (priests) were shocked to see this act of the Guru
and inquired as to why he was doing so. Instead of giving an
answer Guru Nanak Dev ji counter questioned them as to
what they were doing. To this the pundits replied that they
were offering water to their dead in the ether world. Guru
Nanak Dev ji then calmly replied that he was offering water
to his crops in Talwandi. The pundits mocked at him for his
ignorance. Guru Nanak Dev ji asked them as to how far the
ether world was. A learned pandit promptly replied that it
was 409, 500, 0000 Kos (1 Kos =3,075m). Now Guru Nanak
Dev ji explained that if his water could not reach a few hundred
Kos then their offering would not reach that far.
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97. By this interaction what message does Guru Nanak
Dev ji give to humanity?
False beliefs and baseless rituals, without any reason and logic,
are futile exercises and we should desist from such activities.
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98. What is unique about Guru Nanak Dev ji’s interaction?
Guru Nanak Dev ji is unwavering on truth and dares to
propagate it everywhere and anywhere and in any
circumstances but he does so in a very subtle way such as
the occasion, the timing, the tone and the temperament, all
mixed with reason and empathy, synchronize so well that he
is readily accepted and adored.
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99. What do we observe from the above incident?
Where one needs to have a deep understanding of truth and
the guts to stand by it, one also needs the proper way to
propagate it effectively in the world.
Truth never hurts; if communicated properly. Truth heals.
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100. Which place did Guru Nanak Dev ji visit after moving
from Haridwar?
Gorakh Matta
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101. What were the reasons of the influence of the jogis on
the people?
The people believed that due to their meditation, the jogis had
acquired super powers. Some served them expecting special
blessings while others for the fear of their curse.
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102. What false belief was prevalent at Gorakh Matta?
The rulers of this area killed humans who were travelers or
brought from adjoining regions at the sacrificial altar believing
that it would please the goddess Chandi.
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103. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji preach to those people?
Let the Creator of the whole universe be the focus of your
prayers. To please Him you will have to see Him manifested
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in all His creation and then it is mandatory that you love all
the creation to please Him. God does not need any such
sacrifices.
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104. What was the method stressed by the jogis for
emancipation of man?
The jogis professed tough body postures in meditation for
long hours, smearing of ash on the body, piercing the ears and
renunciation of family life. They would blow the conch shell
and beg for food and considered all this the best way of life.
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105. What hymn did Guru Nanak Dev ji recite to refute the
claims of this lifestyle?
i'r[ B fyzEk i'r[ B vzv? i'r[ B G;w uVkJhn?]“Jog n khinthha jog n dandai jog n bhasam charraaeeai;
i'r[ B w[zdh w{zfv w[vkfJn? i'r[ B f;zCh tkJhn?]Jog n mundhee moond mudaaeiai jog n singee vaaeeai;
……
i'r[ B pkjfo wVh w;kDh i'r[ B skVh bkJhn?]Jog n baahar marree masaanee jog n taarri laaeeai
i'r B d/f; fd;zsfo Gftn? i'r[ B shofE BkJhn?]Jog n des disantar bhaviai jog n tirath naaeeai.”
(SGGS 730)
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106. What is the message inherent in the above hymn?
Wearing tattered clothes, holding a staff in hand, smearing
the body with ash, piercing ears and wearing ear rings , shearing
off the head or blowing the conch shell do not unite you with
God. Similarly living in graveyards, meditating in different
postures, roaming to far off places and bathing at sites of
pilgrimage does not bring you closer to God.
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107. What way did Guru Nanak Dev ji suggest to realize God?
nziB wkfj fBozifB ojhn? i'r i[rfs sT[ gkJhn?]“Anjun maahi niranjan raheeai jog jugat tao paaeeai.”
(SGGS 730)
Meaning: Abide purely amidst the worldly impurities, don’t
be obsessed by materials even though not renouncing them;
thus you shall find the way to ‘jog’ i.e. union with God.
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108. What symbols did the jogis wear as a sect?
Glass ear rings, begging bowl, loose cloth bag for storing the
offerings, a patched coat made of rags, a walking stick in
hand and the body smeared with ash.
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109. What substitutions did Guru Nanak Dev ji suggest to
them instead?
w[zdk ;zs'y[ ;ow[ gs[ M'bh fXnkB eh eofj fpG{fs]“Mundha santokh saram pat jholee dhian ki karehi
bibhoot;
fyzEk ekb[ e[nkoh ekfJnk i[rfs vzvk goshfs]Khinthha kaal kuaaree kaaeiaaa jugat danddaa parteet”.
(SGGS 6)
Make contentment your ear rings; hard work your begging
bowl and focus (concentration) the ash that you apply to your
body. Let the remembrance of death (end) be the patched
coat, a healthy body free of vices be your technique and let
faith in the Lord be your walking stick. Imbibe these virtues
instead of the external physical symbols and you shall be
enlightened.
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110. How do these substitutions help in leading a blissful
life?
Contentment leads to an equilibrium state of mind (sehaj)
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which is a pre condition to sound thinking. Hard work is
required to put the good thoughts into action. Focus in the
work at hand accomplishes the task effectively. Keep the
end (death) in mind and one does not indulge in meaningless
distractions. Physical fitness supports the realization of the
mental plans. Unflinching Belief in the Creator supports in
tough times and overcome hurdles. Thus a meaningful and
blissful life can be lived.
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111. What does ‘Aaiee panthi’ mean in the jogi cult?
Jogi sect is classified into 12 levels and ‘Aaiee panth’ denotes
the highest level.
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112. Who does Guru Nanak Dev ji consider to be of the ‘Aaiee
panth’?
nkJh gzEh ;rb iwksh wfB ihs? ir[ ihs[]‘Aaiee panthee sagal jamaati…’ (SGGS 6)
He who considers the whole creation as his own and equal,
belongs to the ‘aaiee panth’ as per Guru Nanak Dev ji .
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113. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji advise the jogis on using
the super powers?
Indulgence in showing off super powers (riddhi siddhi) acquired
through meditation distracts you from realizing higher spiritual
levels. A life bereft of love and service to the almighty God is
a life wasted.
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114. What was the impact of Guru’s message there?
Many jogis were impressed by Guru Nanak Dev ji’s advice
and resolved to live the rest of their lives as ordained by him
and preach his message. People of the region who served
the jogis out of fear were enlightened and empowered and
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stopped pampering the jogis. So the jogis left the place. Guru
Nanak Dev ji established a dharmshala and people would
congregate to delve over the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji
and sing praises of the Almighty God. The place got renamed
from ‘Gorakh Matta’ to ‘Nanak Matta’.
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115. What do we learn from this incident?
Real jog (Yoga) of human life is to live in synchronization
with the laws of nature, earning an honest living, sharing the
assets with others, treating all humans as equals and thanking
the Creator for all His gifts.
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116. When did Guru Nanak Dev ji reach Prayag?
He reached Prayag in mid January, on the first day
(sangraand) of the magh (a month as per the Bikrami
calendar). It is a place of confluence of three rivers and on
this day bathing at this place was considered auspicious and
would free from the cycle of rebirth. So a huge number of
pilgrims would gather here on this day.
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117. What message did Guru Nanak Dev ji give to the
pilgrims present there for the holy dip?
Guru Nanak Dev ji advised them that mere bathing in the
rivers would not wash away their sins and free them from
the cycle of rebirth. Bathing merely washes your body but
not the mind (soul).
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118. Which alternative did Guru Nanak Dev ji suggest
them?
shofE BktD ikT[ shoE[ Bkw[ j?]“Teerathh naavan jaao teerathh naam hai;
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shoE[ ;pd phuko[ nzsfo frnkB[ j?]Teerath sabad beechaar antar giyaan hai.” (SGGS 687).
Meaning: The Naam, the name of the Lord is the sacred
shrine of pilgrimage to bathe in. My sacred shrine of pilgrimage
is the spiritual wisdom within, and contemplation of the Word
of the Sabad.
Simply put; Singing the Lord’s praises washes clean the soul.
That is the real bathing for pilgrims.
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119. What is the purpose behind installation of pools
(sarowars) and wells (baoli)?
Bathing in pools and using water from wells is open to all and
gives the message of equality and universal brotherhood.
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120. What according to Gurbani is true bathing?
;kuk BktD[ r[o eh ;/tk]‘Saacha naavan gur ki seva’. (SGGS 484)
Living a life as per the directions of the Guru is the real bathing
that emancipates.
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121. What method did Guru Nanak Dev ji reveal to wash
out the negativity of the mind?
Gohn? wfs gkgk e? ;zfr] Uj[ X'g? Bkt? e? ozfr]‘Bhariae matt paapan ke sang; oh dhopae naavae kai
rang’. (SGGS 4)
If the human mind gets corrupted with malicious thoughts
then it can be washed to purity by imbueing the holy ‘Naam’,
which is reciting the praises of the Almighty God.
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122. What false belief was propagated in Prayag to loot the
pilgrims by the shrewd priests?
There was a banyan tree, which they called called ‘Akshay
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vat’, meaning indestructible tree, It was propagated that
whosoever donated his all belongings and fell to death from
this tree would attain immortality.
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123. How did Guru Nanak Dev ji clear the pilgrims of this
misconception?
Guru Nanak Dev ji explained to the pilgrims that this misdeed
and falsehood was propagated by unholy imposters to loot
the common man such that in search of immortality one would
willingly give all he had and then commit suicide. The pilgrims
could now see through the plan.
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124. What did the pilgrims ask Guru Nanak Dev ji?
They asked Guru Nanak Dev ji why they could not relish
worship and prayer.
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125. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji say in response?
o;[ ;[fJBk o;[ o[gk ekwfD o;[ gowb eh tk;[]‘Rass suina rass roopa kaaman rass parmal ki vaas;
o;[ x'V/ o;[ ;/ik wzdo o;[ whmk o;[ wk;[]Rass ghode rass seja mandar rass meethha rass maas;
J/s/ o; ;oho e/ e? xfN Bkw fBtk;[]Eatae ras sareer ke kai ghatt naam nivaas.’ (SGGS 15)
Guru Nanak Dev ji replied:
The pleasures of gold and silver, the pleasures of women, the
pleasure of the fragrance of sandalwood, the pleasure of
horses, of a soft bed in a palace, of sweet treats and the
pleasure of hearty meals; these pleasures of the human body
are so numerous; how can Naam, the name of the Lord, find
its dwelling in the heart?
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126. Should worldly things be renounced to attain the
pleasure of Naam?
No. Guru Nanak Dev ji says it’s not the worldly materials
and relations that need to be renounced but the obsession of
these which needs to be avoided. He explains that as the
lotus flower grows in a pond of filthy water but remains
untouched by the filth similarly while living the normal life of
a householder and using the entire materials one should not
be obsessed by any of these and stay aloof. As is commonly
said, “we should eat to live not live to eat”.
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127. What is the other name of Banaras?
Kaashi.
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128. What misconceptions were prevelant in Kashi?
It was propagated that he who died in Kashi would be
liberated. He who donates all his belongings and get himself
cut to pieces by the saw installed there would go straight to
‘shivpuri’, Heaven.
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129. What message did Guru Nanak Dev ji convey to the
people there?
It is by nurturing love for the Creator and the creation, living
a truthful life by adopting humane virtues and shunning vices
that one can attain liberation. He cautioned them against the
ulterior motives of the priests and the futility of the sacrificial
saw.
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130. What impact did Guru Nanak Dev ji’s message have on
the pundits (priests)?
The pundits felt that Guru Nanak Dev ji was exposing their
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plot and preaching to the people the simple, easy and
inexpensive way to salvation. This would adversely affect
their income. They were jealous of Guru Nanak Dev ji and
tried to oppose him under the leadership of a pandit by the
name Chatur Das.
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131. What advice did Guru Nanak Dev ji give to the pundits?
Carrying out futile rituals, which have no spiritual impact, in
the name of religion is like irrigating barren land which yields
nothing. Don’t waste your valuable life in such rituals and
live a life of honesty and service to humanity instead.
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132. Who were the saints whose hymns Guru Nanak Dev ji
collected from Kashi?
Guru Nanak Dev ji met the followers of Bhakt Kabeer ji and
Bhakt Ravidass ji and collected their compositions. Apart from
this Guru Nanak Dev ji also collected one hymn each
composed by Bhakt Ramanand ji, Bhakt Sain ji and Bhakt
Peepa ji from Kashi.
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133. Where is the town of Gaya situated? What were the
beliefs prevalent in the people there?
Gaya is situated on the banks of Falgu river in Bihar state.
The people there donated kneaded flour balls (called pind) to
the pandits for the liberation of their dead ancestors. The
pandit doing the service was also given gifts.
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134. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji advise the people there?
Guru Nanak Dev ji asked them, “How long would your
ancestors survive with four kneaded flour balls (pind) donated
after a year?” Guru Nanak Dev ji explained to them that no
ritual on earth could benefit the soul of the dead. So burning
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lamps, breaking earthen pitchers, hoisting feasts for priests
etc. are useless and wasteful expenditure and should be
stopped.
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135. What was the purpose behind burning lamps?
When a person was breathing his last he was laid on the floor
and a burning lamp was placed on his palm assuming that the
soul may have to travel through unknown dark lanes and will
benefit by the light of the lamp.
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136. How did Guru Nanak Dev ji nullify this belief?
dhtk w/ok J/e[ Bkw[ d[y[ ftfu gkfJnk s/b[]“Deeva mera ek Naam dukh vicch paaia tel ;
T[fB ukBfD Uj[ ;'fynk u{ek iw f;T[ w/b[]Un chanan ohu soukhia chooka jamm siyo mel.”
(SGGS 358)
The Naam of the Lord is the lamp for me which renders
spiritual light in my life. I have put my sufferings in it as oil
which burn in the spiritual illumination and I have escaped my
meeting with the masssenger of death.
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137. How should the dead body be disposed off such that
the person gets liberated?
fJe dMfj fJe dphnfj fJeBk e[s/ ykfj]“ik dajhhe ik ddabbiai ikkna kuttey khahey;
fJfe gkDh ftfu T[;Nhnfj fJfe Gh fcfo j;fD gkfj]Ik paani vich ushtiae ikki bhi phire Hassan paahe;
BkBe J/t B ikgJh feE? ikfJ ;wkfj]Nanak ev n jaapaee kitthey jaaie samahey.” (SGGS 648)
Nanak says that some burn their dead, some bury, some dead
are savoured by dogs, and some dispose them in flowing water
while some put them in dry wells. But no one knows ultimately
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where the soul goes. Thus the way one disposes off the dead
body doesn’t have any bearing on the soul.
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138. Presently where does the area of Kamrup lie?
Kamrup is an area on the border of Bhutan in Assam State of
India.
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139. Which cult of meditation was prevalent there?
The ‘Vaam Maarg’ cult was prevalent in Kamrup region.
They propagated the fulfillment of desires as a way of
overcoming distractions in union with God. This promoted all
sorts of vices and brazen disrespect of the social fabric. Non
vegetarianism, alcoholism, prostitution were regarded as
acceptable and religious activities. One of these, by the name
Keena Ram, started the ‘Aghori’ cult which promoted feeding
on human defecation. Human skulls were collected from
cremation grounds and used as utensils to eat and drink
considering it to be auspicious.
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140. What was the impact of the Vaam Maargis on the
society?
They propagated their ideology from their temples which they
called ‘Yonipeeth’. The value of human life got degraded and
human sacrifices became prevalent. The rulers would capture
humans from adjoining territories and kill them as sacrificial
offerings in front of the idols of the goddess Kali and such
others. Gradually the heads of even small ethnic groups started
this practice.
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141. How did Guru Nanak Dev ji organize the people to
check the unholy practices of the Vaam Margis?
As Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled from Patna towards Guwahati
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the impact of Vaam Maargis was on the rise. He preached in
the affected villages for six months. The sweet music of the
rabaab (Rebec) enchanted the people and they came to the
Guru’s congregation. Gradually they shunned addiction of
intoxicants and also other unethical and characterless activities
adhering to the Guru’s advice.
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142. What message these anecdotes have for the modern
youth?
The Youth should not get entrapped in the consumerist attitude
under the influence of the market forces and adhere to social
ethics and moral values. A life of honest earning, sharing,
sacrifice and love for fellow humans and in gratitude of the
Creator only can be blissful and fulfilling; not the “Khao piyo
aish karo” attitude.
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143. Who was the lady expert in witchcraft Guru Nanak Dev
ji encountered at Dhanpur?
Noor Shah was her name and she ruled the area.
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144. How did she treat Guru Nanak Dev ji?
She tried to subdue Guru Nanak Dev ji through her skill of
witchcraft but in vain.
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145. What did Guru Nanak Dev ji do in response?
When she had tried her best and failed to have any impact on
Guru Nanak Dev ji , then he lovingly explained to her that she
was misusing her powers. “This world is already full of
humans behaving as animals. Instead of making normal
humans behave as animals, if you use your skills for their
uplift those misguided people you could be blessed by the
Lord.”
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146. What was the impact of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s words on
Noor Shah?
Noor Shah was captivated by the empathetic words and
understood the Guru’s message. She was a transformed
person and resolved to serve humanity. Her house now
became a dharmshala, a place of religious congregation where
she preached the message of Guru Nanak Dev ji .
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147. Where did Bhoomia meet Guru Nanak Dev ji?
He met Guru Nanak Dev ji in one of the congregations in
Assam.
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148. How did Bhoomia get introduced to Guru Nanak Dev
ji?
In one of the congregations which Bhoomia attended, he was
very impressed by the hallowed personality of Guru Nanak
Dev ji . So at the end of the session he requested Guru Nanak
Dev ji to accompany him to his house. Guru Nanak Dev ji
agreed and when he offered meals to Guru Nanak Dev ji and
Bhai Mardana, the Guru asked him about his job and how he
earned his livelihood. He then confessed that he was a thief
and did not do anything else for a living.
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149. What was Guru Nanak Dev ji’s response to this
confession of his?
Guru Nanak Dev ji refused to accept any food at his house.
Bhoomia pleaded in all humility and Guru Nanak Dev ji agreed
on the condition that he would never again commit theft and
earn an honest living.
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150. Did Bhoomia accept Guru Nanak Dev ji’s condition?
No. He pleaded that he knew no others means of earning
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and be exempted of this condition. But he assured that he
would gladly obey any other orders of the Guru.
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151. What other options did Guru Nanak Dev ji give to
Bhoomia?
Guru Nanak Dev ji considered his request and further laid
down three conditions to be followed in lieu of permission for
theft.
1. Don’t loot the poor
2. Don’t tell a lie
3. Stay true to him whose salt you eat.
Bhoomia earnestly agreed to comply with these three
conditions.
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152. What happened to Bhoomia after this meeting with the
Guru?
Bhoomia stopped stealing from the poor. He planned to steal
from the king’s palace. Wearing good attire he went to the
palace. The gatekeepers inquired about his visit. He realized
his commitment of not telling a lie. He stated truthfully, “I’m
a thief and I’ve come to steal from the palace”.
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153. What was the gatekeepers’ reaction to Bhoomia’s
statement?
They thought that he was someone close to the king and just
joking with them. They respectfully allowed him in.
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154. What did Bhoomia do after getting in the palace?
Bhoomia hid himself in the palace and at night, when all were
asleep, he started collecting all valuables he could find and
tied them in a large cloth.Just as he was about to leave with
his bounty he saw a golden plate. There was some powdery
substance in it and out of curiosity he tasted it. It turned out to
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be salt. He realized his commitment to Guru Nanak Dev ji
and left the palace without the bounty he had compiled to
steal.
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155. What was the King’s reaction to the news of the
attempted theft in the palace?
Though nothing was taken away but the fact, that the thief
could enter the palace, was in itself a challenge. The king’s
men rounded up some notorious men and started beating them
to get someone to confess. When Bhoomia came to know
that innocents were suffering because of him, he presented
himself before the king and confessed. The king was
surprised. When Bhoomia told him about his promise to Guru
Nanak Dev ji, the king was pleased with his honesty and
commitment. He instead honored and rewarded him.
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156. What change did come in Bhoomia’s life after this
incident?
He realized that by abiding the Guru’s advice just once he
was feeling highly honored for the first time in his life. If he
lived the rest of his life as directed by the Guru his life could
be blissful. He resolved never to steal again.
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157. What do we learn from the life story of Bhoomia?
It is important in the first place to introspect and admit one’s
shortcomings. Then keeping good company and honestly trying
with baby steps, the worst of habits can be got rid of.
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158. Quote a hymn of the Guru in this context.
;kM eohi? r[Dj e/oh S'fv ntrD ubhn?]“Saanjh kareejai gunai keree, chhod avgun challeeai”.
(SGGS 766)
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Look for and share virtues and ignore/shun the vices in others.
In this way one can gradually gain virtues and easily weed
out the vices and lead a virtuous life.
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159. Where did Guru Nanak Dev ji proceed from Assam?
From Assam Guru Nanak Dev ji proceeded to Jagan Nath
Puri through Bengal. It was in Bengal that he collected the
hymns of Bhakt Jaidev.
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160. Where did Guru Nanak Dev ji recite the true ‘Aarti’ of
the Lord?
At Jagan Nath Puri.
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161. What is this true cosmic “Aarti” (adulation) of the
almighty Lord?
rrB w? Ekb[ oft uzd[ dhge pB/ skfoek wzvb iBe w'sh]“Gagan meh thhaal rav chandd Deepak baney Taarika
mandal janak moti ;
X{g wbnkBb' gtD[ uto' eo/ ;rb pBokfJ c{bzs i'sh]dhoop maliaanlo pawan chavro karey sagal banrai
foolantt joti.” (SGGS 663)
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162. What does the above hymn (Aarti) mean?
Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are
the lamps.
The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.
The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is temple incense,
and the wind is the fan.
All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to
You, O Luminous Lord.
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163. What message did Guru Nanak Dev ji convey by this
hymn at Jagan Nath Puri?
The ritual of adulation (Aarti) of the Creator of the cosmos,
the Lord Almighty by placing some lamps in a plate and a
few other materials in the temples by the priests is futile and
unworthy of Him. He will be pleased only if human beings
lived a life in accordance with the eternal natural laws
(Hukam). Everything in the Nature, working in his will, was
an apt adulation of His Highness.
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164. What did the Nobel Laurate Rabinder Nath Tagore say
about this hymn?
He translated it in Bengali and declared that it was the “Cosmic
Anthem”.
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165. What was the name of the Pandit whom Guru Nanak
Dev ji met at Jagan Nath Puri?
His name was Kaliyug.
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166. What did Kaliyug do to befool the pilgrims?
He pretended to sit in deep meditation and proclaimed that he
could see all the three worlds - past, present and future. The
people were in awe and offered money to him in a small
utensil placed before him.
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167. How did Guru Nanak Dev ji expose him?
When he closed his eyes and pretended to go into meditation,
Guru Nanak Dev ji quietly picked up the utensil and placed it
behind him. When he opened his eyes, he was furious to see
his utensil of money missing and started shouting. Guru Nanak
Dev ji calmly asked him to close his eyes again and locate the
utensil as he could see all the three worlds. At this he felt
ashamed and exposed.
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168. What message did Guru Nanak Dev ji give to the
people?
Guru Nanak Dev ji made people to see through the trickery
of the pandit. “How can he claim to see the three worlds
when he cannot see his utensil lying just behind him?” Guru
Nanak Dev ji cautioned people against wasting their hard
earned money on such frauds.
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169. Which hymn is recorded about the incident by Guru
Nanak Dev ji?
nyh s whNfj Bke geVfj mrD eT[ ;z;ko[]ojkT[]Akhee th meetehi naak pakarrehi thhagan ko sansaar||
1 || rehaao||;
nKN ;/sh Bke[ geVfj ;{Ms/ fsfB b'n]Aaantt saetee naak pakarrehi soojhate thin loa||
wro gkS? eS[ B ;{M? J/j[ gdw[ nb'n]Magar paachhai kachh n soojhai eaehu padham aloa||2||
(SGGS 663)
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170. What does this verse mean?
Some people try to deceive the world by closing their eyes
and holding their nostrils closed.
They close off their nosetrills with their fingers and claim to
see the three worlds.
But they cannot even see what is behind them. What a strange
lotus pose this is.
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171. What do we learn from this incident?
We should ourselves pray to the Almighty Lord for our
needs and it is foolish to expect anything from such vile
mediators.
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172. Who is a Bheel?
The area along the eastern coast from Odisha to
Rameshvaram is called ‘dravid’. People here are expert bow
men. In the Dravidian language a bow is called ‘bheel’ and
so the people there came to be known as ‘Bheels’.
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173. Can the ‘Bheels’ be called demons (Raakshas)?
No. when the Aryans came to India, they pushed the natives
from the fertile food producing lands to jungles and hills and
down south. Those who submitted were categorized as
‘shudras’ and allowed to stay as workers for menial jobs.
Those who fled to save their honor nursed a deep sense of
hatred for the invaders. So, some of them resorted to dacoity
and even cannibalism.
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174. Who was the cannibal Bheel Bhai Mardana
encountered?
During their travel in that area Bhai Mardana got somehow
separated from Guru Nanak Dev ji and was captured by the
Bheel ‘Kaudda’, also mentioned as ‘Kaoudda rakshas’ in
contemporary literature.
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