Guru Nanak Jayanti 2018: Facts, Quotes and Life of Guru Nanak Devji on Gurpurab

"If there is one God, then there is only His way to attain Him, not another. One must follow that way and reject the other. Worship not him who is born only to die, but Him who is eternal and is contained in the whole universe."   Guru Nanak

There are almost 19 million Sikhs in India and even many families have settled in UK, USA, and Canada.

Guru Nanak propagated that all mankind should love and respect each other. He was against caste inequality, and gender discrimination.

The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs. There are hymns in the scriptures and everything is written in a poetic and musical style.

"Dwell in peace in the home of your own being, and the Messenger of Death will not be able to touch you." Guru Nanak 

During childhood, he was one who never wore the sacred thread named Janeu, as he reasoned that it may break, or fall or get soiled. He advocated that a person should wear the name of God in his mind and soul and just not like an accessory.

He is called by various names like Nanak Peer in Afghanistan, Nanak Rishi in Nepal, and in Iraq he is revered and named Baba Nanak. In Sri Lanka, he is called Nanaka- Chraya and in Tibet he is called Nanak Lama.

"Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth, nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is meat and what is plant? Who knows where the sin lies, being a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian?" Guru Nanak

At the age of 12, his father gave him 20 rupees and asked him to do any business. But he instead, use it to feed the poor. He felt that it was the true form of business. Years later, he started the langar custom and to this day, he feeds so many people.

"I am neither male nor female, nor am I sexless. I am the Peaceful One, whose form is self-effulgent, powerful radiance." Guru Nanak

One of the most appreciated teachings of Guru Nanak is that he advocated that women are equal to men. It is she who builds a future generation and is a partner to a man. Therefore she should not be considered as bad, impure or less entitled to any blessings and facilities in life.

The Langar holds a very important place in the festival. The Langar means food is prepared in the community kitchen.

It denotes that all people irrespective of caste, creed, money or looks, can come and eat good food under one roof.

Thousands of devotees come together to prepare wholesome, clean food and serve many people who visit the temple.

There is a gurudwara named ‘Panja Sahib’ and it is one of the most holy places for the Sikhs. 

On this day, Gurudwaras are decorated, and hymns are sung and even fireworks are used to celebrate this special day.

It is believed that Panja Sahib holds a rock that contains Guru Nanakji’s Handprint.

Guru Nanak has taught his people to withdraw from the Five Vices of Mankind: Greed or the urge feel, pride or ego, anger or temper, lust or addiction and attachment or dependency.

The Langar has become so famous, that many people come forward, bathe, and prepare hygenic food every year together!

He has taught his devotees that there is no heaven or hell. Sikhs do not believe that there are incarnations as in Hinduism.

Instead, they feel that God has send his messengers in the form of Gurus or saints.