Today is being celebrated as the day the first guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak spread the light of His knowledge. Guru Nanak taught us to abide by the threefold principles of:
- kirt karo – Making an honest living through hardwork
- naam japo – remembering God at all times
- vand chako – sharing with others in need
He also taught us, through the Japuji Sahib (one of the writings) what God is, and how to worship him.
The importance of a Guru can’t be stated: there is no way to seek God without the Guru. Guru Nanak was the first one to show the divine path.
Some thoughts about the importance of the Guru:
ਪੂਜਹੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੀ ਦੇਵਾ ॥
ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Worship the One Divine Lord. Service to the Guru is the real bath (compared to bathing at religious places). (Pause)
ਗੁਰ ਜੈਸਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋ ਦੇਵ ॥
ਜਿਸੁ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਭਾਗੁ ਸੁ ਲਾਗਾ ਸੇਵ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
There is no deity equal to the Guru. Whoever has good destiny inscribed on his forehead, applies himself to selfless service. (Pause)
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਹਉ ਸਦ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਇਆ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਗਟੁ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਕਰਿ ਦਿਖਲਾਇਆ ॥੩॥
I am forever a sacrifice to the True Guru. He has shown me the path.
ਜੇ ਸਉ ਚੰਦਾ ਉਗਵਹਿ ਸੂਰਜ ਚੜਹਿ ਹਜਾਰ ॥
ਏਤੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਹੋਦਿਆਂ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਘੋਰ ਅੰਧਾਰ ॥੨॥
If a hundred moons were to rise, and a thousand suns appeared,
even with such light, there would still be pitch darkness without the Guru (because the path of righteousness would not be visible).
The image below shows Guru Nanak resting, and a cobra providing the Guru shade from the sun. Rai Bular (the person standing on the side) is amazed to see this.
