Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first Guru of the Sikhs. He preached oneness of God, equality, and social justice, rejecting caste discrimination and religious rituals. His teachings formed the basis of Sikh philosophy and the Guru Granth Sahib.
Basic Information on Guru Nanak
- Full Name: Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- Born: 15 April 1469 CE
- Birthplace: Talwandi (Now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan)
- Philosophy: Sikhism, Oneness of God, Social Equality
- Major Influence: Bhakti Movement, Sufi Saints, Kabir
- Religious Tradition: Sikhism
- Sacred Text: Guru Granth Sahib (Contains his hymns)
- Main Teachings: Naam Japna (Remembering God), Kirat Karni (Honest Living), Vand Chakna (Sharing with Others)
- Death: 22 September 1539 CE (Kartarpur, Pakistan)
Early Life of Guru Nanak
- Born in Talwandi (Now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan) into a Hindu Khatri family.
- Showed spiritual wisdom from a young age.
- Questioned rituals and superstitions in both Hinduism and Islam.
- At age 30, he experienced a divine vision and proclaimed:
“There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim, only one God.”
Key Teachings of Guru Nanak
1. Ek Onkar (One God)
- There is only one God, who is formless, eternal, and beyond rituals.
- Opposed idol worship and polytheism.
2. Universal Brotherhood & Social Equality
- All humans are equal, regardless of caste, religion, or gender.
- Opposed the caste system and untouchability.
3. Naam Japna (Remembering God)
- Emphasized constant meditation (Simran) on God’s name.
- Encouraged singing hymns (Kirtan) as a form of devotion.
4. Kirat Karni (Honest Living)
- Encouraged earning a living through honest work.
- Rejected begging, dishonesty, and exploitation.
5. Vand Chakna (Sharing with Others)
- Promoted charity and community service.
- Established Langar (free community kitchen), where people of all backgrounds ate together.
6. Rejection of Rituals & Superstitions
- Criticized meaningless rituals, fasts, pilgrimages, and idol worship.
- Taught that true devotion is through good actions and love for God.
7. Equality of Women
- Opposed Sati, Purdah (veiling), and female oppression.
- Believed women had equal rights in society and religion.
8. Service to Humanity (Seva)
- Taught that serving others is a form of worship.
- Encouraged volunteering and helping the poor.
Guru Nanak’s Travels (Udasis)
Guru Nanak traveled across India, Arabia, Persia, Tibet, and Sri Lanka to spread his teachings. His four long journeys are called Udasis.
Major Places Visited
- India: Haridwar, Varanasi, Assam, Rameswaram
- Tibet & China: Kailash Mansarovar
- Arabia & Persia: Mecca, Medina, Baghdad
- Sri Lanka: Jaffna, Kandy
- At Mecca, he famously said, “God is everywhere, not just in one direction.”
- In Haridwar, he demonstrated that offering water to ancestors was meaningless if not done with true devotion.
Guru Nanak and Bhakti Movement
- Influenced by Kabir, Ravidas, and Sufi saints.
- Preached a simple life of devotion, hard work, and service.
- Promoted Naam Simran (chanting God’s name) as the highest form of worship.
Guru Nanak’s Contributions to Sikhism
- Founded Sikhism – Laid the foundation of Sikh beliefs and traditions.
- Established Kartarpur (First Sikh Community) – Built the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, where people lived by Sikh principles.
- Started Langar (Community Kitchen) – Everyone, rich or poor, sat together and ate, promoting social equality.
- Composed Hymns (Shabads) – His teachings were written in Guru Granth Sahib.
- Appointed Guru Angad as His Successor – Ensured the continuation of Sikhism.
Sacred Text – Guru Granth Sahib
- Contains 974 hymns (Shabads) of Guru Nanak.
- Considered the eternal Guru of Sikhs.
- Also includes verses from Bhakti saints like Kabir, Ravidas, and Farid.
Major Gurdwaras Associated with Guru Nanak
- Gurdwara Nankana Sahib (Pakistan) – Birthplace of Guru Nanak.
- Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan) – Place where he spent his last years.
- Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple, India) – Most sacred Sikh shrine.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
- Born In: Nankana Sahib, Pakistan
- Philosophy: Sikhism, Oneness of God, Equality
- Main Teachings: Naam Japna, Kirat Karni, Vand Chakna
- Sacred Text: Guru Granth Sahib
- Influenced By: Bhakti & Sufi Saints
- Successor: Guru Angad Dev Ji
- Death Place: Kartarpur, Pakistan
MCQs on Guru Nanak
1. What is the core belief of Guru Nanak’s philosophy?
A) Idol Worship
B) One God (Ek Onkar)
C) Caste System
D) Ritualism
✅ Answer: B) One God (Ek Onkar)
2. What was the birthplace of Guru Nanak?
A) Amritsar
B) Haridwar
C) Nankana Sahib
D) Varanasi
✅ Answer: C) Nankana Sahib
3. Which practice was introduced by Guru Nanak to promote equality?
A) Yajna
B) Langar
C) Idol Worship
D) Pilgrimage
✅ Answer: B) Langar
4. What is the name of the holy book of Sikhism?
A) Bhagavad Gita
B) Guru Granth Sahib
C) Ramayana
D) Upanishads
✅ Answer: B) Guru Granth Sahib
5. Who was the successor of Guru Nanak?
A) Guru Angad Dev Ji
B) Guru Gobind Singh Ji
C) Guru Ram Das Ji
D) Guru Arjan Dev Ji
✅ Answer: A) Guru Angad Dev Ji
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- Who was Guru Nanak, and what were his main teachings?
- What are the three pillars of Sikhism taught by Guru Nanak?
- How did Guru Nanak challenge social inequalities?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss the contributions of Guru Nanak to the Bhakti movement.
- Explain the importance of Guru Nanak’s Udasis (travels) in spreading Sikhism.
- Compare Guru Nanak’s teachings with those of Kabir.