Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji | 18 Nov 2024

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

Recently, the President of India greeted citizens on the eve of Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, urging them to adopt his teachings and promote unity and equality in society. 

• Prakash Parv is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and a social reformer. 
• It is celebrated as Prakash Parv because he tried to take people from darkness towards light. 

What are Key Facts About Guru Nanak Dev? 

• Birth and Early Life: Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was born in 1469 in Talwandi village, near Lahore in Pakistan. 
  • He was the first of the 10 Sikh gurus. 
  • He worked as a clerk in Sultanpur in the Lodi administration. 
• Spiritual Revelation: Around the age of 30, Guru Nanak had a profound spiritual experience and a direct encounter with God near a river Kali Bein, leading him to declare, "There is neither Hindu nor Muslim."  
• Philosophical Inspiration: He was a proponent of the Nirguna School of the Bhakti movement and was influenced by Kabir Das. He emphasised spiritual practices like "Nam Japna" i.e., the repetition of God's name to experience God’s presence. 
• Teachings and Travels: He travelled extensively across India and the Middle East, spreading his message with his Muslim companion, Mardana. 
  • The hymns composed by him were incorporated in the Adi Granth by the fifth Sikh Guru Arjan in 1604. 
• Community and Legacy: He settled in Kartarpur and established the first Sikh community where disciples lived and worshipped together.  
  • He appointed Guru Angad (Bhai Lehna) as his successor to lead the community. 

What are the Teachings of Guru Nanak? 

• Ek Omkar (Monotheism): Guru Nanak emphasised that there is one God who is omnipresent, and all humans are children of this one God. 
• Naam Jap (Chanting the Name of God): He promoted remembering and chanting God's name to eliminate darkness, bring peace and happiness, and instil values of kindness and love. 
• Working with Honesty: Guru Nanak stressed the importance of working honestly and earning through fair means. Honest labour brings blessings, a sense of satisfaction, and self-confidence. 
• Wand Chhako (Sharing and Service): He taught the practice of sharing a portion of one’s earnings with the needy to foster societal equality and compassion. 
• Attitude Towards Other Religions: Guru Nanak respected all religions and believed all humans were equal, rejecting judgement based on religious differences.  
  • With a deep understanding of texts like the Vedas, Quran, and Bible, he showed equal respect for each faith. 
• Idol Worship: Nanak rejected idol worship, believing that God cannot be found in idols. He taught that God is infinite, beyond human words, symbols, or forms, and cannot be defined by man-made idols. 
  • Guru Nanak was the main proponent of the Nirguna ('formless God') tradition of the Bhakti movement.  
• Salvation: Guru Nanak believed that good deeds help the soul merge with the eternal soul, while bad deeds hinder it.  
  • Meditation in God's name is key to salvation, which means freedom from rebirth and union with God.  
• Brotherhood and Equality: Guru Nanak opposed any form of discrimination based on caste, religion, or class. 
  • He believed in the inherent equality of all people and preached that everyone deserves equal love and respect. 
• Detachment from Materialism: He advocated against attachment to material possessions and encouraged spiritual development and devotion to God to create a just and ideal society. 
• Respect for Women: Guru Nanak emphasised the equality and respect of women, standing against gender discrimination and advocating for their dignity and equal treatment. 

Conclusion 

Guru Nanak's teachings on unity, equality, and devotion profoundly shaped Sikhism and the Bhakti movement. His emphasis on the oneness of God, respect for all religions, and social reforms continues to inspire millions. Guru Nanak’s legacy promotes peace, love, and social justice, which remains relevant today.