Guru Nanak’s father was Kalayan Das Mehta, also known as Kalu Mehta, and mother was Matta Tripat. They were both and belonged to the Vedic Brahmin caste. Guru Nanak had an older sister called Bebey Nanki, who was the first to recognise Nanak as an enlightened person. Guru Nanak from an early age seemed to have acquired a questioning and enquiring mind. He refused as a child to wear the ritualistic called a Janeu, saying instead that he would wear the true name of God in his heart for his protection, as the thread which could be broken, soiled, burnt or lost could not offer any security to him at all. His parents were furious at this but soon didn’t mind the fact that he had refused to wear the sacred thread. As a child Nanak didn’t spend much time at home and was interested in religion and would go and talk with holy men, sometimes bringing them home and making his mother cook for him. When Guru Nanak grew up he married Sulkhni, of Batala, and they had two sons, and . Guru Nanak’s brother-in-law, the husband of his sister Nanki, obtained a job for him in Sultanpur as the manager of the government granary. One morning, when he was thirty, he went as usual down to the local river the “kali bein” (shown above) to bathe and meditate. It was said that as he was bathing a passer by looked at him, then looked again he had disappeared, presumed to have drowned. His friend tried looking for him and ordered that the whole river should be netted, he was not found. After , he reappeared, filled with the spirit of God, he said, "nā kō hindū nā kō musalmān" in English “there is no Hindu and no Muslim”. It was from this moment that he began his missionary work.
The ten gurus of Sikhism started with Guru Nanak, after Guru Nank's death the leadership of the Sikhs was passed down to nine more gurus(shown on the table). Guru Nanak spread the religion of Sikhism into many countries. The second Guru, Angad Dev spread the teachings of religion by making collections of shabads (hymns) of Guru Nanak, and even making up his own. The third Guru, Amar Das stressed about the equality of men and women, he introduced women preachers and started 52 study circles to give education to women. The fourth Guru, Ram Das. The gurus continually preached the religion of Sikhism until they had started being killed so the last Guru Gobind Singh decided that the Guru Granth Sahib should be the “next Guru” to make sure no other Guru’s were killed. The tenth guru decided that it was important for the Sikhs to be able to defend their faith and he formed a brotherhood called the Khalsa of devoted Sikhs who are willing to defend the faith even at the expense of their lives. Men and women may join. If they do they take part in the Amrit ceremony held by five exemplary community members who represent the original "beloved Five" or first five who joined the Khalsa. There are five symbolic aspects of the dress of members of the Khalsa: uncut hair which symbolizes the belief in not disturbing nature anymore than necessary; a wooden comb for neatness; white shorts to wear under clothes for purity and modesty; a steel bangle for strength and eternity; and a short sword as a reminder to defend the truth and what is right. These are now known as the 5k’s that most Sikhs today carry with them.
The final version of the Guru Granth Sahib was compiled by Guru Gobind Singh (the last guru). It consists of the original Adi Granth with the addition of Guru Teg Bahadur's(the ninth guru) hymns. It is believed that it was announced by Gobind Singh that the Granth was to be considered the eternal, living guru of all Sikhs.
The language that the Guru Granth Sahib is written is in Sant Bhasa but has been translated in other languages so that not only Sikhs can read it but people from all religions, it contains compositions by the first five gurus, Guru Teg Bahadur and just one couplet from Guru Gobind Singh. It also contains the traditions and teachings of saints such as , , and ; some of these people are from different religions, along with several others.
The main language used in the scripture is known as Sant Bhasa, a language related to both Punjabi and and is used extensively across medieval northern India by proponents of popular devotional religion. The text further comprises over 5000 (hymns) which is poetical it can be set to classical form of music, it can be set to predetermined musical “Tal” (rhythmic beats).
The Granth begins with the “”, a verse created by Guru Nanak:
In : ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
Translated into : There is One God, He is the supreme truth, He, the Creator, is without fear and without hate. He, the omnipresent, pervades the universe. He is not born, nor does he die again to be reborn. By His grace shalt thou worship Him.
All text within the Guru Granth Sahib is known as “i”. Gurbānī, according to Nanak, was revealed by God directly, and the authors wrote it down for the followers.
The Gurdwara
A Sikh Gurdwara may simply be a terraced house or a spectacular golden temple like the one in Amritsar (right).
A Gurdwara is a simple place where the Sikh scriptures (the Guru Granth Sahib) are present. Many homes contain a Gurdwara because they have their own copy of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Shoes must be taken off before entering the building.
Offerings of money, food and flowers are made at the foot of the Granth Sahib. The money is used to help in the up-keep of the Gurdwara and the food will be used in the large meal that follows a service in the Gurdwara.
The Guru Granth Sahib is deliberately positioned so that worshippers can walk around the Granth Sahib, it is located opposite the entrance, this is significant because it should be the first thing that is seen when someone enters the Gurdwara.
There are no seats in the Gurdwara, this is to show equality, everybody must sit together on the floor. The Granth Sahib should be higher than the Sikhs to give it a high status, no-one has a special seat except the Sikh who is reading from the Granth Sahib at the time.
A feature that is to all Gurdwaras is the Sikh flag, the Nishan Sahib. It contains the symbol you can see in the picture on the left, a double edged sword, two scimitar swords and a circle.
The double edged sword, the Khanda, is a symbol of the teaching that Sikhs must fight for truth. The two scimitar swords (kirpans) represent the spiritual and earthy worlds. The chakra or circle reminds the Sikhs that God is one.
The main purpose of the Gurdwara is to be a place where Sikhs can study the Guru Granth Sahib and to praise God. It is also used as a community centre for youth clubs and women's meetings. The Gurdwara also serves as an education centre, teaching local Sikhs about their faith and
language. Although any traveller is welcome to a free meal at the Gurdwara and can find temporary accommodation there.
All Sikhs are encouraged by the Guru Granth Sahib to perform Seva or Selfless Service. This is not only good for the community but also is good for themselves its more of a thing where if you were to do it you would fell good that you’ve done something. Sikhs are busy in free service in washing dishes or cleaning the floors. Sikhs are also encouraged to help the community by performing unpaid work in hospitals, old peoples' homes, community centre’s etc. Volunteers in Seva are known as and for many people sewa is an essential part of their life, providing spiritual fulfilment and practical benefit.
Seva from means to serve, or to attend is usually translated as ‘service’ which means work paid for, but in the Sikh religion it is done freely and is the persons own decision. Seva in is necessary for spiritual life. It is the highest atonement. It is a means to getting the highest merit
Seva is part of the Sikhs third rule Vand chakkra, it may mean giving money, time ,effort , using your skills or expertise to help others, it involves not only Sikhs but everyone. We can see this in different religions by the acts of Charity for example Christian Aid – an organisation built to help people who are starving in third world countries or to hel warstrucken cities back to their potential. In Islam there is the act of Zakat or Zakah which is compulsary for all Muslims it is when they give as an act of charity, that they do not expect to be rewarded for it, Zakah is a way of giving, Muslims pay 2.5% (one fortieth) of their savings on a regular basis as a duty. The word Zakah means to cleanse, when Muslims pay Zakah it is given to the local Mosque who then disperses it to the various charities – it does not just benefit Muslims but people from all religions.
