| (11) Question:- |
Bhai Gurdas has called the birth of Guru Nanak Dev ji as a beacon of light in those dark days. What are those significant verses of Bhai Gurdas in this respect? |
| Answer:- |
As mentioned above, the social, religious, economic and political condition of Punjab at the time of birth of Guru Nanak was miserable. The people of both religions had forgotten the spiritual values, the true religion and there was a lack of sense of brotherhood among the people. The political turmoil had upset the living of general public and the invader and his forces were exploiting them in every manner. Bhai Gurdas has taken note of these facts and has paid rich tributes to Guru Nanak. He describes the birth of the prophet in the 27th stanza of Vaar 1 as:-
ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ। (ਵਾਰ 1, ਪਉੜੀ 23)
Suni Pukaar Daataar Prabh Guru Nanak jag maahen pathaaia.
The Merciful Master heared the wail of the earth.
And sent down Guru Nanak.(Var 1, Paori 23)
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਆ ਮਿਟੀ ਧੁੰਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋੋਆ।
ਜਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਨਿਕਲਿਆ ਤਾਰੇ ਛਪੇ ਅੰਧੇਰੁ ਪਲੋਆ।
ਸਿੰਘ ਬੁਕੇ ਮਿਰਗਾਵਲੀ ਭੰਨੀ ਜਾਇ ਨ ਧੀਰਿ ਧਰੋਆ। (ਵਾਰ 1, ਪਉੜੀ 27)
Satgur Nanak pargatiaa miti dhund jag chaanan hoaa.
Jion kar suraj nikliaa tare chhape andher paloaa.
Singh buke mirgaavali bhanni jaae na dheer dharoaa
As Guru Nanak made his appearance in the world. There was light everywhere. As when the Sun rises, the Stars vanish and darkness retreats or as when the lion roars, the deer flee in panic. |
| (12) Question:- |
Name some of the persons who were associated with Guru Nanak at the time of his birth and during his childhood? |
| Answer:- |
The midwife who was present at the time of birth of Nanak
was named Daulta. She noticed a smile on the face of the child at the time of his birth and a peculiar light at that sight. Pandit Hardyal also described the child as different from others and predicted that he Will bring salvation to the whole world. Rai Bullar was a leading zamidar of Talwandi and he had a deep devotion towards Nanak since Guru's childhood. He always used to tell Mehta Kaalu, father of Guru Nanak, in this regard. It may be mentioned here that the descendants of Rai Bullaar -still live in Pakistan. Mr. Rai Rasheed Ahmed Bhatti, a descendant of the 15th generation of Rai Bullar was honoured at Anandpur Sahib at the time of tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa in April, 1999' The most ardent admirer of Nanak right from his childhood was his sister who is remembered as Bebe Nanaki. She considered her brother as an incarnation of God who had come to this world to show the people, the path of religion and righteous living. |
| (13) Question:- |
Mention some of the important incidents which occurred during the childhood of Guru Nanak? |
| Answer:- |
Nanak was a different child. His heart was full of feelings of love and service and attuned to the devotion of God. There are many notable stories associated with his childhood. For example, when the family custom of wearing a Janeoo (Sacrificial thread of the Hindus) around his neck was to be performed, Nanak refused to wear it. He held that he will not wear a Janeoo which will break with the passage of time. He recited certain verses to explain what type of Janeoo should be worn as under:-
ਦਇਆ ਕਪਾਹ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸੂਤੁ ਜਤੁ ਗੰਢੀ ਸਤੁ ਵਟੁ॥
ਏਹੁ ਜਨੇਊ ਜੀਅ ਕਾ ਹਈ ਤ ਪਾਡੇ ਘਤੁ॥
ਨਾ ਏਹੁ ਤੁਟੈ ਨਾ ਮਲੁ ਲਗੈ ਨਾ ਏਹੁ ਜਲੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ॥
ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਮਾਣਸ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜੋ ਗਲਿ ਚਲੇ ਪਾਇ॥ (ਅੰਗ 471)
Daya kapaah santokh soot jat gandhi sat vat.
Eh janeoo jee ka haee to paade ghat.
Na eh tute, na mal laage naa eh jale na jaaee.
Dhan su maanas Nanaka jo gal chale paaee
Let mercy be cotton, contentment the thread
Continence the knot. truth the twist
Pundit! if you have such a thread Then put it on me.
It will not wear out, nor get soilled not be burnt or lost.
O Nanak! blessed are those, who wear such a thread
Once his father told him to take the buffaloes to the fields for grazing. While doing so, Nanak was lost in meditation and because of the diversion from grazing buffaloes, the cattle entered another person's field and destroyed it. When that particular farmer complained to Rai Bullaar and the matter was examined, it was found that the field was green as it was and there was no loss. Similarly, when one day while herding his buffaloes, Nanak closed his eyes and was lying in meditation in the pasture ground, a large Cobra watched over him and protected his face from the sun with its hood. This miracle was watched by Rai Bullaar, who was convinced of the spiritual power of the Guru. At the place of this miraculous happening, there has been existing a Gurdwara known as Gurdwara Maal Ji, (now in Pakistan.)
When Mehta Kaalu found that Nanak was not taking interest in any work and was also sitting in solitude engaged in contemplation, he thought that the child was not well. A Vaid (Physician) was then called. The physician checked Nanak's pulse but he could not understand as what was ailing Nanak. It was at this occasion that Nanak uttered the following verses:-
ਵੈਦੁ ਬੁਲਾਇਆ ਵੈਦਗੀ ਪਕੜਿ ਢੰਢੋਲੇ ਬਾਂਹ ॥
ਭੋਲਾ ਵੈਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਈ ਕਰਕ ਕਲੇਜੇ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ ਅੰਗ (1279)
Vaid bulaaiaa vaidgi pakar Dhandhole baanh.
Bhola Vaid na jaanee karak kaleje maah.
"The physician is sent for to diagnose ailment.
He takes my hand and feels my pulse.
The ignorant physician is not aware.
That ailment is deep in the heart.
The most important event associated with Guru Nanak's childhood is that of Sacha Sauda. Mehta Kalu desired that his son should go to the city and buy certain items for the purpose of trading. He gave him Twenty Rupees and sent one person (It is said that the person accompanying Nanak was Bhai Bala) with him. Nanak was instructed to do some gainful Business. However, Nanak spent this money on providing food to certain saints whom he met on the way. When his companion tried to explain to him what was his father's desire, the Guru replied that there was no other better bargain for spending the money than serving hungry persons. In commemoration of this incident, there stands a Gurdwara at Chuharkaana in the present district of Gujjranwala, (now in Pakistan.) |
| (14) Question:- |
Give information regarding education of Guru Nanak? |
| Answer:- |
Guru Nanak was first sent to Gopal who was a Brahmin teacher. When the child Guru started asking him the meaning of various alphabets the teacher became answerless. It was on this occasion that the Guru composed Patti ( Acrostic on the alphabets) which is enshrined on page 432 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. In this composition, various letters have been consecutively and the words whose initials they form have been employed to give metrical expression to Guru's Divine thoughts centered upon his admiration for the Almighty Creator. There is also a Gurdwara named as Patti Sahib situated in Nankana Sahib presently in Pakistan as a commemoration of this event.
For the purpose of learning Sanskrit and spiritual education, Guru Ji was then sent to Pandit Brij Lal, who was also surprised to see the knowledge and ability of the child. When the Guru was sent to a Mullaah for learning Faarsi (Persian), the Mullaah was astonished to hear the following utterances from the mouth of the child Guru :
ਮਰਣਾ ਮੁਲਾ ਮਰਣਾ ॥
ਭੀ ਕਰਤਾਰਹੁ ਡਰਣਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਤਾ ਤੂ ਮੁਲਾ ਤਾ ਤੂ ਕਾਜੀ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਖੁਦਾਈ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 24)
Marna mulla marna. Bhee Kartaaroh darna.l. Pause.
Ta too Mulla to too Quazi jaaneh Naam Khudaa-ee.
O Mulla!. Death must come to all
Then why not abide in the fear of God
Only then one Mulla one is Quazi. 1. Pause.
If one understands the Name of God.
The Mulla also realised that Nanak was not a child who could be taught like other children. Thus, the Guru impressed all the three teachers with his metaphysical knowledge and ability. |
| (15) Question:- |
It is said that the first person who appreciated the spiritual ability of Nanak was his sister. What was her name, give brief information about her life? |
| Answer:- |
Guru Nanak's sister named Nanaki, reverently known as Bebe Nanaki, was six years elder than her brother. She loved her brother very much. She was hardly eleven years old when she was married to one Jai Ram. Jai Ram was an employee of Daulat Khan Lodhi at Sultanpur. When Mehta Kaalu desired his son-in-law Jai Ram to get some work for Nanak at Sultanpur, Jai Ram got him employed at the storehouse (Modi Khana ). The duty of Nanak was to sell the eatables and other goods at the storehouse. He remained at Sultanpur for a long time. He also loved his sister so much that even after marriage he took his wife, first of all, to Sultanpur. Till Bebe Nanaki was alive, Guru ji used to go to Sultanpur and meet her whenever he was free from his travels. He was there at Sultanpur even when Bebe Nanaki breathed her last. Her last rites were performed by Nanak himself. |
| (16) Question:- |
Briefly describe Guru Nanak's stay at Sultanpur Lodhi. Which Gurudwaras are associated with this period of his life? |
| Answer:- |
As mentioned above, his brother-in-law Jai Ram had got him employed at Modi Khana. It is said that when he was selling the things, while counting. Guru ji used to stop at Number 13, which in Punjabi is pronounced as `Tera, and which literally meant" I am yours".When Guru ji reached this number, he started praying to God repeatedly saying that he belonged to him. Some of the persons, who were jealous of the Guru complained to the Nawab that as the Guru could not do proper counting, he was causing a loss to the revenue. The Nawab got the accounts checked, but found that instead of loss there was a surplus. In the meantime, Guru ji got married and even after that he continued to stay at Sultanpur. There are a number of Gurudwaras situated at Sultanpur which are associated with this period of Guru's life. To name them Gurudwara Ber Sahib, Gurudwara Hatt Sahib, Gurudwara Guru Ka Baag, Gurudwara Kothari Sahib and the old residence of Bebe Nanaki, now known as Gurudwara Bebe Nanaki. |
| (17) Question:- |
Where is Bein river situated? How is it associated with the life of Guru Nanak? |
| Answer:- |
Bein river used to flow near Sultanpur. When Guru Ji was residing at Sultanpur, he used to go to this river for bathing. One day, when he entered the river for bathing, he did not come out. Everybody tried to search him but for three days nothing could be known about him. When the hope of discovering Nanak was lost, he was found one morning sitting on the bank of the river deep in his meditation. When the people gathered around him and enquired about his whereabouts during the last 3 days, Nanak remained silent for sometime, and then uttered his first words, "There is no Hindu and no Musalman.". This pronouncement of the Guru was pregnant with the spiritual enlightenment on his part and literally meant that both Hindus and Musalmaans had forgotten the precepts of their religion. |
| (18) Question:- |
When the Guru said, "There is no Hindu and no Musalmaan", it was objected to by the Governor, the Quazi and other Musalmaans. How did Guru Nanak explain his statement to their satisfaction? |
| Answer:- |
In Majh Di vaar, we find a statement of the Guru regarding the true religion that makes a Muslim a true Musalmaan. To quote the
Significant lines from the said composition:
ਮਿਹਰ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਸਿਦਕੁ ਮੁਸਲਾ ਹਕੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਕੁਰਾਣੁ ॥
ਸਰਮ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਸੀਲੁ ਰੋਜਾ ਹੋਹੁ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ॥
ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਬਾ ਸਚੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਕਲਮਾ ਕਰਮ ਨਿਵਾਜ ॥
ਤਸਬੀ ਸਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵਸੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਖੈ ਲਾਜ ॥1॥ (ਅੰਗ 140)
Mihar maseet sidak musala hak hallaal Quraan.
Saram sunat seel rota hoh Musalmaan.
Karnee Kaaba sach peer qalma karam niwaaj
Tasbee saa tis bhaavsee Nanak rakhe Iaaj.
Let God's grace be your mosque, sincerity carpet,
Let good conduct and justice be your Quraan,
Let Modesty he your circumcision, good manners fasting,
Then you should be a true Musalman.
Let good actions be your Kaaba, truth your spiritual guide
And let Kalma be your creed and prayer.
If you make Will of God your rosary.
Then He would vindicate your honour
The Guru thus satisfactorily explained to the Musalmans as what was their true religion, and how it was different from what they were actually following. It was in view of this position that he had uttered that there was no Hindu and no Musalman. |
| (19) Question:- |
What did Guru mean by his words, "There is no Hindu"? |
| Answer:- |
When Guru obtained the enlightenment, his opening words for Hindus were that there was no Hindu. He meant to say that there was no one who was professing the Hindu religion in its true sense. The different castes, various denominations of Sanyasis, the various yogic sects were spreading, conflicting views and the Vedas Shastras and Puranas were being said against one and another. The Hindus believed in various gods and goddesses forgetting thereby that there was one God of all. The Hindu Religion was confined to such external symbols like Holy Cord, Forehead Mark and rituals and formalities like bathing and that of pilgrimage. The reality of faith was lost in superstitions and conventional ceremonies. Idol worship by the Hindus was also a mere ritual as the real method of remembrance of God was forgotten. It was in this respect that the Guru had said that there was no Hindu. |
| (20) Question:- |
Give information regarding the marriage and issues of Guru Nanak? |
| Answer:- |
Guru Nanak was 18 years old and he had completed only two years service at Modi Khana at Sultanpur when he was married to one Bibi Sulakhni, daughter of Khatri Mool Chand of Batala. The Wedding Party had gone to Batala. It is said that the wedding party was made to sit near a mud wall, Which being indilapidated condition, could fall any moment. But, blessed by Guru Nanak, a part of wall is intact and present even today at a shrine, called Gurdwara Kandh Sahib. There is another Gurdwara at Batala i.e. Dehra Sahib, which originally was the house of Sh. Mool Chand.
Guru Ji's marriage took place on Bhaadon Sudhi 7, 1544 BK/ 24th September 1487. Guru Ji stayed with his wife at Sultanpur immediately after their marriage and it was here that two sons were born to them, namely, Baba Siri Chand and Baba Lakshmi Chand. Baba Siri Chand did not marry and started Udasi Sect, whereas Baba Lakshmi Chand spent a householder's life. The Bedi family of Dera Baba Nanak descended from him. |
