Date of Birth: 15 April 1469 (Kartik Purnima, as per Nanakshahi calendar).
Birthplace: Talwandi Rai Bhoi (modern Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan).
Father:Mehta Kalu Ji (Kalyan Chand) – accountant in the service of local chief Rai Bular.
Mother:Mata Tripta Ji – gentle, religious woman.
Elder Sister:Bebe Nanaki Ji – first to recognize Nanak’s divinity and became his earliest disciple.
Caste: Khatri (Bedi sub-caste).
Family Profession: Village accountants and traders.
Rai Bular Bhatti, the Muslim chief of Talwandi, had deep faith in Nanak’s divine nature and later became one of his admirers.
📚 2. Early Signs of Spiritual Genius
From childhood, Nanak displayed extraordinary spiritual insight. At the age of 5, he began speaking about God and equality. At 7, he joined a local school where he astonished his teacher by interpreting the spiritual meaning of the alphabet:
(Alef) “A” stands for the beginning of all — the Creator. ( Be) “B” means that He is without end, infinite.
Even as a boy, Nanak preferred meditation and compassion over play. He would give away food and clothes to the poor. Once, when his father gave him 20 rupees to do business, Nanak instead spent it feeding hungry saints — calling it a “True Bargain” (Sacha Sauda).
🌼 3. Education and Learning
Languages learned: Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and Punjabi.
Teachers: Pandit Gopal Das (Sanskrit) and Maulvi Qutab-ud-Din (Persian).
Guru Nanak studied Hindu and Muslim scriptures alike, realizing the truth behind both — that God is one and beyond rituals.
💍 4. Marriage and Family Life
Marriage: 1487 CE at the age of 18, to Mata Sulakhni Ji, daughter of Mool Chand Khatri of Batala.
Children:
Sri Chand Ji (1494 CE) – later founded the Udasi sect, emphasizing meditation and renunciation.
Lakhmi Das Ji (1497 CE) – lived a simple family life.
They lived in Sultanpur Lodhi, where Nanak worked for Daulat Khan Lodi as a storekeeper.
💫 5. Spiritual Experience and Enlightenment
While working at the Nawab’s storehouse, Nanak distributed grains equally among the poor and saints, believing all wealth belonged to God. One morning around 1499 CE, he went to bathe in the Kali Bein River and did not return for three days.
People thought he drowned, but after three days, he reappeared, saying:
“There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim — only God’s children.”
This divine experience marked his spiritual awakening. He now devoted his life to spreading God’s message of love, equality, and service.
🌍 6. The Udasiyan – Great Journeys (1499–1521 CE)
Guru Nanak undertook four major missionary journeys (“Udasiyan”) across India, Tibet, Arabia, and Persia — covering more than 30,000 km on foot.
At Mecca, he pointed his feet toward the Kaaba; when scolded, he said: “Turn my feet where God is not.” This amazed all present, proving God’s omnipresence.
In Baghdad, he met spiritual leader Bahlol Dana, and both exchanged divine wisdom.
🎵 7. Companions (Sangat)
Bhai Mardana Ji – Muslim musician, lifelong companion.
Bhai Bala Ji – faithful Sikh who recorded Nanak’s travels.
Bebe Nanaki Ji – his first devotee.
Lehna Ji (later Guru Angad Dev Ji) – disciple and successor.
Daulat Khan Lodi – supporter during his Sultanpur period.
💡 8. Major Debates and Dialogues
Guru Nanak engaged with scholars, priests, and rulers to challenge false practices.
With Pandits: He explained that true purity comes from good deeds, not caste or ritual.
With Qazis: He taught that real prayer is to see God in all.
With Yogis: He said renunciation of the world is meaningless without renouncing ego.
At Haridwar: He turned the direction of water offering, showing that God is everywhere, not just in one direction.
⚖️ 9. Guru Nanak and the Rulers
Ruler / Period
Relation / Incident
Bahlol Lodi & Sikandar Lodi (Delhi Sultans)
He preached during their time, advocating harmony among religions.
Daulat Khan Lodi (Governor of Sultanpur)
His employer and admirer.
Babur (Founder of Mughal Empire)
Met during Babur’s invasions of India. Guru Nanak condemned the cruelty in his hymns, called Babar Vani. Babur respected him and released him from prison.
Humayun
When Humayun lost to Sher Shah, Guru Nanak told him to act with humility when he regained power.
Sher Shah Suri
No direct meeting recorded, but his administrative reforms later supported Sikh stability.
📜 10. Writings and Compositions (Bani)
Guru Nanak’s divine poetry is preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture. He composed around 974 hymns, including the famous Japji Sahib, which forms the foundation of Sikh philosophy.
Important Works:
Japji Sahib – Morning prayer; essence of his teachings.
Asa di Var – Hymns on righteous living.
Sidh Gosht – Spiritual dialogue with Hindu yogis.
Sohila Sahib – Night prayer before sleeping.
Babar Vani – Poems describing Babur’s invasions.
🌺 11. Teachings – The Essence of Sikhism
Principle
Explanation
Ik Onkar
One God, the same for all.
Naam Japna
Remembering God constantly.
Kirat Karni
Honest, hardworking living.
Vand Chakna
Sharing with the needy.
Seva
Selfless service to humanity.
Equality
All humans are equal, no caste, creed, or gender difference.
Truthful Living
Higher than truth itself is truthful living.
Reject Rituals
No idol worship or meaningless rites.
🕍 12. Establishment of Kartarpur
Around 1522 CE, Guru Nanak settled at Kartarpur Sahib (on the banks of Ravi River).
He founded a community based on:
Honest labour (Kirat)
Collective prayer (Sangat)
Free community kitchen (Langar)
He institutionalized equality — everyone sat together regardless of caste or religion to eat the same food.
🕊️ 13. Appointment of Successor
Before his death, Guru Nanak chose Bhai Lehna Ji as his successor, naming him Guru Angad Dev Ji — the 2nd Guru. He said,
“Lehna has become Angad (my own limb).”
⚰️ 14. Death (Joti Jot Samai)
Date: 22 September 1539 CE
Place: Kartarpur Sahib
Age: 70 years Before merging with the Divine, he recited “Satnam Waheguru.” Hindus and Muslims both claimed his body. When they lifted the sheet, only flowers were found — symbolizing unity. Half of the flowers were cremated, half buried.
🌼 15. Legacy and Impact
Guru Nanak’s teachings led to the rise of Sikhism, a new spiritual path combining the best of Hindu and Islamic thought.
He established the foundations of equality, service, and devotion that later Gurus expanded.
His message remains timeless: “God is One. Recognize all humanity as one.”
💖 16. Miracles and Stories (Sakhis)
Sacha Sauda: Nanak fed hungry saints instead of doing business — “True bargain.”
Water at Haridwar: Showed that God is everywhere.
Mecca Incident: Feet pointing to Kaaba proved God’s omnipresence.
Snake at Nanak’s Head: A cobra shaded infant Nanak while he slept in the sun — a divine sign.
Flower Transformation: At his death, his body turned into flowers — symbolizing peace.
📖 17. Influence on Society and Religion
He bridged Hindu and Muslim ideologies, emphasizing spiritual unity.
Opposed casteism, ritualism, and religious exploitation.
Promoted gender equality — respected women as divine creations.
Encouraged a balance between worldly duties and spiritual growth.
🪶 18. Important Quotes of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
“There is but one God, whose name is Truth.”
“Let no man in the world live in delusion. Without a Guru none can cross over.”
“He who has no faith in himself can never have faith in God.”
“Speak only that which brings you honor.”
“Even kings and emperors, with heaps of wealth and vast dominion, cannot compare with an ant filled with love of God.”
🌈 19. Symbols and Identity
Ik Onkar (ੴ): Symbol of God’s oneness.
Kartarpur Sahib: His last abode.
Langar: His greatest social contribution — equality through food and service.
Bani (Scripture): Preserved in Guru Granth Sahib.
Japji Sahib: Daily recitation of Sikhs, encapsulating his philosophy.
🕊️ 20. Conclusion
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life (1469–1539 CE) was a divine mission — to unite humanity under the truth of One God, One Creation, One Love. He transcended barriers of religion and caste, established equality and moral living, and left behind a spiritual path of eternal relevance — the Sikh Dharma.
🧑🏫 Hi, I’m Mr. Surendra Singh, a passionate teacher with a focus on the 🏫 CBSE curriculum. I share 📚 notes, 📝 study materials, and 🎯 tips to make simple, engaging, and easy to learn. 📖 Let’s explore the past and succeed together! 🚀
