Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Born on October 20th 1469 AD at Talwandi (Nankana Sahib) to a Hindu family near the city of Lahore (now a part of Pakistan), Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism. His father was Mehta Kaloo Ji and mother Mata Tripta Ji. Bhai Gurdas Ji writes about the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji,

“With manifestation (birth) of True Guru Nanak, the mist of ignorance and falsehood disappeared and there was the light of righteousness.” (Satgur Nanak pargatya miti dhundh jagg chanan hoa).

The young Nanak enjoyed the company of holy men and engaged them in long discussions about the nature of God. Around the year 1500, Guru Nanak Dev Ji had a revelation from God, shortly thereafter, he uttered the words:

There is No Hindu, There is No Muslim

This pronouncement was substantial as it referred to the day and age in which Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived: Hindus and Muslims of India constantly and bitterly fought each other over the issue of religion. The Guru meant to emphasise that, ultimately, in the eyes of God, it is not religion that determines a person’s merits, but one’s actions. The Guru witnessed the Mughal invasion of India, and saw the horrors inflicted upon the common people by the invaders. Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not hesitate to speak up against injustice:

The kings are ravenous beasts, their ministers are dogs.
The Age is a Knife, and the Kings are Butchers
In this dark night of evil, the moon of righteousness is nowhere visible.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji laid forth three basic principles by which every human being should abide:
1. Remember the name of God at all times.
2. Earn an honest living as a householder.
3. Share a portion of your earnings with the less fortunate.

Besides rejecting the Hindu caste system, adultery, and ritualism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached universal equality. In consistence with his message of equality, Guru Nanak Dev Ji scorned those who considered women to be evil and inferior to men by asking:

Why should we call her inferior, when it is she who gives birth to great persons?

He preached the concept of love, humility, compassion, selfless Sewa, social welfare, moral, social and spiritual values. He preached the sermon of human liberty, equality and fraternity.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji emphasised,