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20 Best Facts about Guru Nanak

*Originally Published by Diana K in April 2022 and Updated by Diana K in May 2024

Guru Nanak was born in the year 1469, in the village Talwandi Talvandi [now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan], which is located in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent.

Nanak was married to Mata Sulakkhani. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Kartik Pooranmashi, the full-moon day in the month of Katak, October-November.

He was born to Mehta Kalu, and Mata Tripta. His parents were both Hindu Khatris and employed as merchants.

The Indian spiritual teacher was the first Guru of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion that combines Hindu and Muslim influences.

His teachings, expressed through devotional hymns, many of which still survive, stressed salvation from rebirth through meditation on the divine name.

Among modern Sikhs, he enjoys a particular affection as their founder and as the supreme master of Punjabi devotional hymnody.

What little information there is about Guru Nanak鈥檚 life has been handed down mainly through legend and tradition.

1. Guru Nanak Founded Sikhism

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Nanak was a Guru (teacher) and founded Sikhism during the 15th century.

The fundamental beliefs of Sikhism, articulated in “Guru Granth Sahib” (principal scripture of Sikhism) include faith and meditation on the name of the one creator, unity of all humankind, engaging in selfless service, striving for social justice for the benefit and prosperity of all and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder’s life.

As the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak contributed a total of 974 hymns to the book.

2. Guru Nanak Received his Teachings from the 鈥淐reator鈥�

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Sikhs believe that Guru Nanak’s message was divine.

Sikhs give the utmost importance to the writings of the gurus in Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book that is revered as the 11th and perpetual guru.

Guru Nanak’s own words in Guru Granth Sahib state that his teachings are as he has received them from the Creator Himself.

3. Guru Nanak  Travelled the World

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Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled tens of thousands of miles to spread God鈥檚 message of oneness and purity.

From His birthplace of Punjab, Guru Nanak travelled on foot as far as the middle-east, Europe and East Asia.

 Guru Nanak visited  Mecca , historic sites in Tibet and Turkey in over 20 years of travelling.

These claims include Guru Nanak visiting the Mount Sumeru of Indian mythology, as well as Mecca, Baghdad, Achal Batala and Multan.

In his stops, he debated religious ideas with competing groups. These stories became widely popular in the 19th and 20th centuries, and exist in many versions.

4. Guru Nanak Appointed his Successor

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When Guru Nanak Ji realised that his end was near, he decided to choose a successor. He appointed Bhai Lehna, the most worthy disciple as his successor.

Guru Nanak appointed Bhai Lehna as the successor Guru, renaming him Guru Angad, meaning “one’s very own” or “part of you”.

Guru Angad had given up his religion and became a Sikh. He served and worked with Guru Nanak for many years.

Shortly after proclaiming Bhai Lehna as his successor, Guru Nanak died on 22 September 1539 in Kartarpur, at the age of 70.

5.  Guru Nanak  Promoted the Oneness of Mankind

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Born in 1469, Guru Na Nanak Dev Ji lived in a time of huge inequality in 15th century India. Religious segregation, slavery and caste/gender discrimination were rife.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji openly talked and acted against this, humbling royalty and noblemen, whilst elevating the poor.

Through his proclamations of ‘oneness of God and oneness (equality) of humans’, along with his subsequent views and expressions, became the founder of a distinctive way of life for humans, to live as children of one God.

The whole world celebrates his birthday.

鈥樷�楻ecognise the Lord鈥檚 light within all, and do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter鈥�鈥� Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Ang 349).

6.  Guru Nanak Championed Gender Equality

Guru Nanak Dev championed the cause of equality and justice and his teachings transcend all man-made boundaries irrespective of race, caste, creed or religion.

Only the one true lord is without women鈥� (Var Asa. Guru Nanak). Therefore everyone is equal before Lord why inequality before men.

Inheritance of property, right to worship and economic independence, Guru Nanak preached that women are equal to men to claim all rights for their welfare.

In India at the time Guru Nanak was around, women had very few rights.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached against this discrimination and sought to improve the respect of women.

鈥樷�楩rom woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman, he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman, he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, a woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all鈥� 鈥� Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Ang,473). 

7.  Different Cultures Different Names

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 Different cultures revered  Guru Nanak Dev Ji thus the is referred to by various names.

The Afghanis call him Nanak Peer.

He is also known as Nanak Rishi in Nepal, Baba Nanak in Iraq, Nanaka-Chraya in Sri Lanka and Nanak Lama in Tibet. These are just a few examples.

8. Guru Nanak Originated  Langar

Langar was an innovative charity and symbol of equality introduced into Sikhism by its founder, Guru Nanak around 1500 CE in the North Indian state of Punjab.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji started the Sikh concept of langar over 500 years ago as a child.

Translating as a鈥� communal kitchen鈥�, langar sees every Gurdwara (Sikh temple) in the world have an open kitchen that distributes free meals all day, every day, to anyone, regardless of faith, gender, age or status.

The langar, however, is much more than a convivial meal served by a people known for their hospitality.

It is a profound embodiment of the philosophy of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

9. Guru Nanak’s son Sri Chand is the founder of the Udasi Sect

Baba Shri Chand (Shri Chandra), whose 525th birthday falls on September 7, was the elder son of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of the Sikh faith and Mata Sulakkhani Devi.

He established the historical Udasi (Udasina) sect, traditionally traced from the four sons of Brahma namely Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanata Kumara.

An udasi is one who has an ascetic outlook towards a mundane life, and remains in God-consciousness

Shri Chand meditated for hours in the solitude of forests, without any fear of carnivores. Miracles came naturally to him.

At Shankheshvara (near Dvarika, Gujarat), he made a spring flow by just blowing his conch.

While in Kashmir, he took out a burning piece of wood from his dhuna (hearth), and buried it, materializing green leaves, to humble the representatives of  Nawab Yakub Khan, who had come to arrest him on account of his unorthodox views.

At Chamba, when a boatman refused to ferry him across the Ravi, he made a large stone move like a boat.

10. Guru Nanak Joti jot Concept

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When it became apparent that Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s end was imminent, an argument ensued as to who would claim the guru’s body for funeral rites.

The Muslims wished to bury him according to their customs, while the Sikhs and Hindus wished to cremate his body according to their beliefs.

He explained the concept of joti jot, that only his mortal body would expire, but that light which illumined him was divine light and would pass to his successor.

Guru Nanak asked them to bring flowers and lay them next to his mortal remains. He asked the Hindus and the Sikhs to place their flowers on the right side of his body and the Muslims to place theirs on the left.

He said that the honour of performing the last rites would go to the party whose flowers remain fresh for a night.

When Guru Nanak breathed his last, the religious communities followed his instructions.

When they came back the next morning to see whose flowers remained fresh, they were surprised to see that none of the flowers had wilted, but the biggest surprise was that Guru Nanak鈥檚 mortal remains had disappeared and all they could see in place of his body were fresh flowers.

It is said that the Hindus and the Sikhs picked up their flowers and buried them, while the Muslims did the same with their flowers.

11. The Udasi Journeys

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Can you imagine travelling across vast lands for years, just to share a message of love and devotion? That’s exactly what Guru Nanak did through his four major Udasi journeys. Between 1506 and 1513, this wise spiritual leader embarked on epic treks across India, South Asia, Tibet, and even Arabia. His goal wasn’t to conquer territories, but to unite people under the divine truth of one God. 

Guru Nanak walked thousands of miles, facing challenges along the way, all to spread teachings of equality, compassion, and inner peace. Just picture him sitting with locals, from all walks of life, and imparting jewels of wisdom through poetic verses.

12. Guru Nanak Displayed Early Signs of Spirituality

Guru Nanak was a special child from the moment he opened his bright, curious eyes as a baby. Even before he could walk, he seemed to gaze at the world with an amazed, reverent look. It was like he was witnessing miracles in every little thing. Once he started talking, the spiritual insights just flowed out of him. 鈥婬is parents were stunned by his deep questions and mature way of thinking about the divine. It was clear early on that his soul burned with spiritual wisdom far beyond his years.

13. The Gurudwaras around the world follow the traditions established by Guru Nanak

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Guru Nanak set traditions that Sikh Gurudwaras (places of worship) worldwide uphold to this day. Step inside any of these serene houses of worship and you’ll be welcomed by the melodious sounds of devotional hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. The air carries a warm, homely fragrance wafting from the Langar hall, where people from all walks of life sit cross-legged, sharing a simple vegetarian meal.

It’s a sight that reminds of Guru Nanak’s core message of equality and love for all humanity. These sacred spaces vibrate with his timeless wisdom.  They are a sanctuary where soul and spirit can find nourishment for its believers.

14. Miracle at the River Bein

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Guru Nanak at age of 30 experienced a divine encounter. While bathing in the serene waters of the River Bein he disappeared. For three days, he seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving his loved ones perplexed. But when he resurfaced, his words rang out like a clarion call: “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim” 鈥� a powerful message that transcended religious boundaries, uniting all of humanity under one divine essence. Guru Nanak’s journey as a spiritual luminary began then. From there his teachings illuminates the path for generations to come.

15. Guru Nanak was a Bhakti Saint

Guru Nanak was a true pioneer of the Bhakti movement. As the founder of Sikhism, he taught that the most meaningful form of worship is Bhakti – a loving devotion to the Divine. Through his poetry in the Guru Granth Sahib, he emphasized the realization of God through constant remembrance and praise. Nanak Ji embraced both the formless and personal aspects of the Supreme Reality. Yet, Sikhism wasn’t just an offshoot – it offered a unique perspective that harmonized Bhakti with ideas of divine power or Shakti.

16. Guru Nanak Established the Town of Kartarpur (now in Pakistan)

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In 1504, the enlightened guru settled on the banks of the Ravi River and founded a remarkable commune in Kartarpur. He plowed the fields himself and set up a community kitchen called the Langar, where people from all walks of life could eat together as equals.

For 18 years until his death in 1539, Kartarpur blossomed as a model community embodying Nanak’s teachings of equality, honest living, and service to others. The town’s name, means “City of the Creator.”  The gurdwara built where Guru Nanak breathed his last stands as a powerful symbol of the revolutionary yet simple way of life he conceived.

17. Guru Nanak Composed the Japji Sahib

This sacred scripture, a jewel in the crown of Sikh teachings, flowed from Guru Nanak’s enlightened soul like a gentle stream. Each word was filled with divine wisdom and spiritual truth. You can envision Guru Nanak in deep meditation, his face glowing with an inner light, as the verses took shape.

The  melodic lines seem to echo the harmonies of the cosmos itself. With each recitation, you can feel your consciousness expanding to perceive unity in all creation. No wonder devout Sikhs begin their day by waking their minds in the Japji sahib’s uplifting words.

18. He Taught the Principles of Kirat Karni (Honest Living)

One of the core principles Guru Nanak lived by was Kirat Karni or earning an honest living. Guru Nanak valued hard work and self-sufficiency. Begging or pursuing wealth through ill-gotten or unethical means held no place in his teachings.

Instead, he passionately advocated for dedicating oneself fully to one’s labour and reaping rewards through ethical, righteous means. Whether a farmer toiling in the fields, a merchant diligently tending to their trade, or a spiritual seeker on an inward journey. Guru Nanak inspired all to earn their daily bread honourably.

19. Guru Nanak’s Teachings Rejected the Practice of Fasting

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Guru Nanak boldly challenged traditional practices like fasting that were deeply ingrained in society. He taught that depriving oneself of food had no spiritual merit. Nanak preached that genuine piety comes from living an ethical life, not punishing the body through forced starvation.

Guru Nanak dismissed fasting as an  attempt to suffer for the sake of suffering. He preached that outer practices mean little without inner virtue. Fasting, penance, and austerities were deemed inferior to simply being a good human. True worship lay in a life guided by ethical conduct and moral integrity.

20. Memorials and Commemorations around the World

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Countless memorials across the globe honour Guru Nanak’s  impact on humanity.  His birthplace of Nankana Sahib in Pakistan stands as the crown jewel – a sacred pilgrimage site where devotees flock to pay their respects.

But the reverence extends far beyond, with Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in every corner of the world serving as beacons commemorating his divine wisdom. As you step into these serene sanctuaries, an unmistakable air of peace and belonging washes over you.

Sikhism originated with Guru Nanak five centuries ago. Nanak came from a Hindu family. He grew up surrounded by Muslim neighbours.

From an early age, he showed a deeply spiritual character. He broke away from his family鈥檚 traditions and belief systems, refusing to participate in empty rituals.

Nanak married and entered the business, but remained focused on God and meditation. Eventually, Nanak became a wandering minstrel.

He composed poetry in praise of one God, and set it to music.

Guru Nanak rejected idolatry and the worship of demigods. He spoke out against the caste system, teaching instead the equality of all humanity.