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| Image credit: Raja Ravi Varma |
Guru Nanak Jayanti Special
The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji - the first or the founder guru of the Sikhs - is celebrated with great fervor on the full moon day of Kartik month. Taking the holy book Guru Granth Sahib out in a procession is an integral part of these celebrations. Langars (community feasts) are organized where people of all castes sit together to eat and sing hymns from Guru Granth Sahib.
On the occasion of this pious festival, let us take a moment to read some teachings of Guru Nanak Devji.
Guru Nanak Dev ji says:
संगी साथी चल गए सारे, कोई न निभयो साथ |
कह नानक इह बिपत में, टेक एक रघुनाथ ||
Meaning: All our kith, kin, and friends went away from this world and could not stay with us forever. Nanakji says that in this world full of calamities, Lord Almighty is our only True and Eternal support.
फिरत फिरत प्रभु आइयो, पङियो तो शरणाय |
नानक की प्रभु बेनती, तू अपनी भक्ति लाये ||
Meaning: After wandering through various high and low incarnations (bodies), I have finally come to seek refuge in you, my Lord. Nanakji prays that he may be blessed with the Lord’s sublime devotion (bhakti).
जे को जनम मरण ते डरे, साध जना की शरणि पड़े |
जे को अपना दुःख मिटावे, साध जना की सेवा पावे ||
Meaning: One who would like to be delivered from the cycles of birth and death should seek the shelter of a saint. One who would like to be freed from all sorrows should engage himself in the service of a saint.
राम गयो रावण गयो, ताको बहु परिवार |
कह नानक थिर कछु नहीं, स्वप्नेहु ज्यों संसार ||
Meaning: Lord Rama went, and so did Ravana, and their kith and kin. GuruNanakji says that nothing is permanent in this world, which itself is like a dream (where everything is passing through).
भय नाशन दुरमति हरण, कलि में हरि को नाम |
निश दिन नानक जो जपे, सफल होवहि सब काम ||
Meaning: All the fears get destroyed, all your negative thoughts get destroyed in kaliyug, if you chant the holy name of Lord Shri Hari. Nanakji says that if you chant His pious name daily, you will be successful in all your endeavors. So now, we have the key to all success.
जो तिधु भावे सो भलि कार |
तू सदा सलामत निरंकार ||
Meaning: Guru Nanak ji says that O Lord! (I do not wish to ask you for anything; instead I pray that) Kindly do what you like and deem appropriate for me, as you are All Knowing and our True Friend.
