Question

Explain the main beliefs and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev.

Answer 1

Guru Nanak Dev (1469–1539), the founder of Sikhism, emerged during a period of religious unrest and social transformation. He was born at Nankana Sahib (in present-day Pakistan) into a Hindu merchant family. Throughout his life, he travelled widely and interacted with both Sufi and Bhakti traditions. His ideas form the foundation of Sikh philosophy and were preserved in devotional hymns known as shabad.

Teachings and Beliefs:

1. Nirguna Bhakti (Formless devotion):
   • Guru Nanak taught nirguna bhakti, the worship of a formless, attribute-less Supreme Being (rab).
   • He rejected human-like representations of God and stressed that the Absolute had no form, gender, or image.
2. Rejection of rituals and orthodox practices:
   • He strongly criticised outward rituals such as sacrifices, ritual baths, penances, idol worship, and blind dependence on scriptures.
   • Both Hindu and Muslim religious formalism were seen by him as obstacles to genuine spiritual experience.
3. Divine Name and remembrance (Naam Simran):
   • Guru Nanak highlighted Naam Simran, the constant remembrance and chanting of God’s name, as the simplest and most effective way to attain the Divine.
   • His teachings were expressed through hymns composed in Punjabi, sung in different ragas, accompanied by Mardana on the rabab.
4. Community worship (Sangat):
   • He introduced collective worship through sangat (congregation) and kirtan (devotional singing).
   • This practice promoted equality, unity, and shared devotion instead of individual ritual acts.
5. Succession and organisation:
   • Guru Nanak organised his followers into an organised community and appointed Guru Angad as his successor.
   • This marked the beginning of the line of ten Sikh Gurus, who carried forward the spiritual and institutional tradition for nearly two centuries.
6. Legacy and scriptures:
   • The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan, compiled the Adi Granth, which included Guru Nanak’s hymns along with those of saints like Kabir, Baba Farid, and Ravidas.
   • Later, Guru Gobind Singh added more compositions and declared the text as the Guru Granth Sahib.
7. Social message:
   1. Guru Nanak’s teachings emphasised universal brotherhood, social equality, and inner spiritual awakening, going beyond divisions of caste, creed, and gender.