On this day in the year 1469, the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak was born in the present day Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. He is known to have spread the message of equality, brotherhood and divinity.
He settled in Kartarpur at the age of 55 and is believed to have passed away at the age of 70. Kartarpur Sahib, a gurdwara is of major importance to the Sikh community because Guru Nanak stayed there and assembled the believers of Sikhism.
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Here are five facts about the founder of the Sikhism:
- He was born to Hindu Khatri parents named Kalyan Chand Das Bedi and Mata Tripta. In their village called Talwandi, Guru Nanak’s father was the accountant for the crop revenue.
- It is traditionally believed that Guru Nanak had divine grace since birth. He was enrolled in school at age seven and from a very young age, it appeared that he had interest in divine subjects.
- Guru Nanak had an elder sister named Nanaki. She was married in the year 1475 and moved to Sultanpur. Nanaki’s husband Jai Ram helped Nanak get an employment opportunity in modikhana which was a storehouse akin to treasury and started working there at the age of 16.
- When Guru Nanak travelled across the world to spread the holy message, he had a Muslim companion named Bhai Mardana with him. It is said that he travelled to places like Tibet, Manipur, Rome, Mecca, Kashmir and Bengal on foot with him.
- The first Guru found the Sikh scripture named Guru Granth Sahib and recorded his teachings in the same. He majorly gave three messages — Vand Chakko, Kirat Karo and Naam Japna. The first message means helping those who need your support. Kirat Karo urges the devotees to lead a sincere life without cheating others while the meaning of Naam Japna is meditating the various names of God.