| Truth is about everything: | | | | became his first disciple. |
| But the higher is the living of the truth - Guru | | | | It is said that at the time of his birth, the wise in |
| Nanak | | | | the locality heard celestial music; his Muslim |
| Baba Guru Nanak, was born during a period of | | | | midwife Daultan revealed to neighbors that the |
| great social, political and spiritual crisis in the history | | | | child laughed as an adult immediately after birth. |
| of India. Muslim rule had come to India and the | | | | The family astrologer, Hardyal, on seeing the child, |
| Mughal dynasty was firmly established by Babur. | | | | with folded hands, said that he would be |
| With the new brand of rulers came a new religion, | | | | worshipped by Hindus and Muslims alike and even |
| which had created a further social upheaval in a | | | | the inanimate would utter his name in reverence. |
| compartmentalized, caste ridden Hindu society. | | | | Those who are received in the sanctuary of the |
| The spiritual doctrine preached by the Hindu priest, | | | | Guru, are the ones so destined from eternity - |
| was challenged by the new thoughts that came | | | | Guru Nanak |
| with the Muslims, as well as the exploited | | | | The three fundamental principles preached by |
| amongst the Hindus. | | | | Guru Nanak are: |
| In this period of turmoil, Guru Nanak introduced a | | | | - Remember God, remembering God through |
| new stream of thought. He sought to transform | | | | meditation. |
| the people's outlook and attitude towards life and | | | | - Earn Honestly, earning an honest living. |
| society; that the God of Muslims and the God of | | | | - Share with Needy, selflessly serving others, |
| Hindus was one and the same God; that all | | | | sharing income and resources. |
| humans were his children and thus members of | | | | In his life time Guru Nanak travelled extensively, |
| the same family. He preached love and regard for | | | | preaching the gospel, living the truth, with love and |
| each other to live in peace and harmony. | | | | humility. Guru's travels are called Udasis. His closest |
| Guru Nanak's challenge to the social turmoil was | | | | companion, was Mardana, who came from a |
| most profound, as well as the most practical for it | | | | Muslim family. They traveled together extensively |
| laid the foundation to a practical challenge to the | | | | for more than 20 years. Guru Nanak sang hymns |
| Mughal rule in India. His gospel was the germ that | | | | he composed in devotion to one God. Mardana |
| ultimately developed into modern Sikhism. | | | | accompanied him by playing the Rabab, a stringed |
| Baba Nanak was born on April 15, 1469 CE., in a | | | | instrument. |
| place called Talwandi, known after him as Nankana | | | | If man receives bliss only as result of his efforts. |
| Sahib, in the divided state of Punjab, now in | | | | What need then is there of God and his Grace? |
| Pakistan. His parents were Mehta Kalu, his father | | | | Effort one must make, but the fruits thereof |
| who was a village record keeper, and Triptan his | | | | must be surrendered to God. |
| mother. He had an older sister Nanaki, who later | | | | |