Timeless Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

“I bow at His Feet constantly, and pray to Him, the Guru, the True Guru, has shown me the Way.” Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Kartik is the most sacred and magnificent of all months. The month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi. The highly auspicious festival of Kartik Purnima (Dev Diwali, Tripuri Poornima, or Tripurari Purnima) falls in this month during which devotees pray for success, affluence, and happiness in life. The full moon day of this Kartik month is also celebrated as Gurpurab, Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Gurpurab, marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev, and is also known as Prakash Utsav It is a day of reverence and reminder for the devotees to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and his selfless service to people. Guru Nanak Dev is the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
On this auspicious day, Sikhs around the world gather at Gurudwaras to celebrate their Guru and His teachings. Gurudwaras are decorated gracefully and people chant hymns from the scriptures. The sacred day is also marked with Gatka (traditional martial arts), grand processions of the Guru Granth Sahib, and the glorious Sikh flag, the Nishan Sahib.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s social and spiritual teachings are timeless. They guide all men to promote equality, love, fraternity, and virtue. These teachings are marked with a universal appeal, they are deep, and the source of these teachings is the Holy Scripture, The Guru Granth Sahib.

The Essence of Guru Nanak Dev’s Teachings

1.  One God: There is only one God who is the Supreme Truth and ultimate reality. He reveals Himself to human beings through His own grace.
2. Shun the five evils: The evils of Ego, Anger, Greed, Attachment, and Lust gravitate you towards Maya and hinder your spiritual progress. Thus, become Egoless and purify yourself with daily devotions.
3. Practice the Three Principles of Spiritual Life: Vand Chhakkna – Share with others; Kirat Karna: Earn with honestly; Naam Japna – remember God limitlessly
4. Equality: Shun away all discrimination against people based on race, status, and caste. Guru Nanak Ji started Langar or community kitchens based on this philosophy.
5. Service for all mankind: Sewa and Simran go hand in hand. See God in the poor, serve them, and get closer to God.
6. Submission to the will of God: Waheguru, O’God, you are Supreme. Love God and trust God. Trust Him for He has a plan for you and a perfect one.
7. The Guru leads you to God: Without the guidance and Grace of a Guru, none can cross the ocean of life. Guru’s grace shall eliminate delusion and light up your path to the divine. Only an awakened Guru has the truthful knowledge and can lead the seekers to salvation.
More timeless teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji can be found in the Guru Granth Sahib. May this auspicious day bring peace and happiness in your life and may every seeker be successful in the quest of his Guru, his Divine Master who can lead him on the path of inner awakening.