Guru Nanak Dev
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Guru Nanak Dev Questions & Answers Dr. Mandeep Singh Guru Nanak Dev Questions & Answers Dr. Mandeep Singh Sikh Book Trust International Model Town Extension, Ludhiana -141002 Ph : 0161-2450352, 98882-66676 “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.” Guru Nanak Dev - Life & Teachings Dr. 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] Dedicated to the 550th birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji 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 Duin cylw (AMg 943) (My Guru is His Word and my consciousness is the 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 4 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 5 Preface Five 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’ 6 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 7 From Writer’s Desk Gurbani 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 8 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 9 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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