Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, known throughout the world for his motto of equality, humility and devotion to one God. Guru Sahib’s death anniversary, celebrated on September 22, is also known as Jyoti Jot Diwas, when he left his mortal coil. This day coincides with a period of remembrance and contemplation by millions of Sikhs and many others who admire his preachings. Here are five lesser-known facts related to this great spiritual helmsman as the world celebrates Guru Nanak Dev’s death anniversary.
1. Guru Nanak’s early spiritual inclination
As a child, Guru Nanak was very spiritual and mystical. He was born in 1469 in Rai Bhoi di Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan). He showed almost no interest in conventional education or profession. He spent a lot of time pondering the divine and asking serious questions about the nature of existence and spirituality. It was these early experiences with mysticism that laid the foundation for his later teachings.
2. The famous disappearance at age 30
When he was 30, Guru Nanak disappeared for three days while bathing in the river and many people believed he had drowned. Upon his return, Guru Nanak declared that “there are no Hindus and Muslims” and that humanity should be united, not divided, by religious labels. This, in fact, marked the beginning of his life as a spiritual leader, solemnly affirming the oneness of God and, likewise, the brotherhood of man.
3. Extensive travel to spread your message
Guru Nanak’s large-scale journeys are known as Udasis, with the aim of spreading the message of truth, equality and justice. He is believed to have travelled not only across India but also to places in Sri Lanka, Tibet, Afghanistan and the Arabian Peninsula. On his travels, apart from getting to know various cultures, he also exchanged views with people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, thus advocating universal brotherhood and tolerance.
4. Interaction with other religious leaders
The most unique aspect of Guru Nanak’s life was his discourses with exponents of various religions. He debated with Hindu, Muslim and Jain scholars and always expounded the central mystical message of unity and belief in one formless God. He never believed in the rigid rituals of religion, but in purity of heart and direct connection with the Divine.
5. His teachings compiled in the Guru Granth Sahib
Although Guru Nanak himself did not compile his teachings into a scripture, his hymns, known as Shabads, form an important part of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. At their core, his songs are about selflessness, service and surrender to one’s own will. Successors, especially Guru Arjan Dev, compiled the Guru Granth Sahib, which still guides Sikhs around the world.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.