Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji | 18 Nov 2024

For Prelims: President, Prakash Parv, Guru Nanak Dev, Sikhism, Lodi Administration, Nirguna School, Kabir Das, Sikh Guru Arjan, Guru Angad, Bhakti Movement, Kartarpur Corridor, Golden Temple. 

For Mains: Teachings of Guru Nanak and their relevance in today’s world. 

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,  which falls on the Kartik Purnima, 15th lunar day in the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar.
  • 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. 
  • 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. 

Bhakti Movement 

  • About: Bhakti movement advocated devotional surrender to a personally conceived supreme God for attaining salvation. 
  • Concept of Bhakti: In the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, Bhakti simply means participation, devotion and love for any endeavour.  
    • The Bhagvada-Gita stresses the importance of having unwavering faith in God. 
  • Origin: The Bhakti movement began in South India during the 7th to 8th centuries AD, initiated by the Nayanars (devotees of Shiva) and Alwars (devotees of Vishnu). 
    • The movement spread from South India to North India, aided by the use of local languages by saints to communicate their teachings. 
  • Social and Religious Reforms: Bhakti saints preached equality of all human, regardless of caste, class, or religion. 
  • Prominent Bhakti Saints: Saints associated with the Bhakti movement include Ramdas, Mirabai, Tulsidas, Namdev, Tukaram, Ramanuja, Kabir, Nanak, and others. 
    • Kabir and Guru Nanak played pivotal roles in bridging the gap between Hindus and Muslims by drawing from both Hindu and Islamic traditions. 

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. 

Precious Words of Guru Nanak Dev Ji 

  • If you can keep your mind calm, you will conquer the world. 
  • Speak only that which brings you respect. 
  • One-tenth of your income should be devoted to charity and one-tenth of your time should be devoted to devotion to God. 
  • Always be ready to help others because when you help someone, God helps you. 
  • Only one who has faith in himself can believe in God.
Sikh Gurus and their Major Contributions
Guru Period Key Contributions
Guru Nanak Dev 1469-1539 Founder of Sikhism; started GURU KA LANGAR; contemporary of Babur; 550th birth anniversary commemorated with Kartarpur corridor. 
Guru Angad  1504-1552  Invented Guru-Mukhi script; popularised GURU KA LANGAR. 
Guru Amar Das  1479-1574  Introduced Anand Karaj Marriage; abolished Sati and Purdah; contemporary of Akbar. 
Guru Ram Das 1534-1581  Founded Amritsar in 1577; initiated construction of Golden Temple. 
Guru Arjun Dev  1563-1606 Composed Adi Granth in 1604; completed Golden Temple; executed by Jahangir. 
Guru Hargobind 1594-1644 Transformed Sikhs into a military community; established Akal Takht; waged wars against Jahangir and Shah Jahan. 
Guru Har Rai  1630-1661  Promoted peace with Aurangzeb; focused on missionary work.
Guru Har Krishan  1656-1664  Youngest guru; summoned by Aurangzeb for anti-Islamic blasphemy. 
Guru Teg Bahadur  1621-1675  Founded Anandpur Sahib, Beheaded on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1675. 
Guru Gobind Singh  1666-1708  Founded Khalsa in 1699; introduced Pahul (Baptism ceremony) ; last guru to pass Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib. 

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.

Drishti Mains Question: 

Explain the key teachings of Guru Nanak and their relevance in contemporary society.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. Consider the following Bhakti Saints: (2013) 

  1. Dadu Dayal 
  2. Guru Nanak
  3. Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over? 

(a) 1 and 3  

(b) 2 only 

(c) 2 and 3  

(d) 1 and 2 

Ans: (b)

Mains 

Q. Evaluate the nature of Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (2021)