Five centuries after the passing of Guru Nanak, his words still resonate with his followers. Let’s take a look at 10 of his teachings that make sense to this day.
1. Never forget the poor.
This mantra was relevant in 1500 when there was no concept of poverty alleviation, and is just as relevant now, when poverty hasn’t left the world. When Nanak was 12, his father gave him Rs. 20 to set up a business. Nanak bought food worth Rs. 20 and gave it away. When his father asked him about this investment, Nanak told him it was a “true business”.
Today, a Gurudwara named Sacha Sauda (true business) exists, where Guru Nanak fed the poor.
2. There is one God.
Using religion to segregate people into categories is awful. In the Guru’s own words, “There is neither Hindu nor Muslim.”
On his visit to Hardiwar, he saw people offering the water of the Ganges towards the sun in the east, as an offering to their ancestors in heaven. He began to throw water towards the West. When others ridiculed him, he said: “If Ganges water will reach your ancestors in heaven, why should the water I throw not reach my fields in the Punjab, which are far less distant?”
3. Women are equal to men.
At a time when other Indian religions wanted quiet, demure women in the temple and no women in the mosque, he permitted women to join religious gatherings and openly sing their praises of God.
4. Running away to a forest won’t give you enlightenment.
“…Remember the essence of religion/ Is meekness and sympathy/ But a life of goodness and purity/ Amid the world’s temptations…” (Guru Nanak)
Maybe one could achieve enlightenment in forests centuries ago, but we’re not capable of that today. And Guru Nanak doesn’t even require you to do that. He believed that living as a householder was better than going away for a divine truth. Nanak himself was a farmer even after achieving enlightenment.
5. These five evils are probably ruining your life.
