Guru Nanak Jayanti
WHY IN NEWS ?
Recently, the 554th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak was celebrated across India.
Contributions:
- Initiated inter-faith dialogue way back in the 16th century and had conversations with most of the religious denominations of his times.
- Wrote compositions which were included in the Adi Granth, compiled by Guru Arjan (1563-1606), the fifth Sikh guru.
- This came to be known as Guru Granth Sahib after the additions made by the 10th Sikh guru – Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708).
- Advocated the ‘Nirguna’ (devotion to and worship of formless divine) form of bhakti.
- Rejected sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities.
Key teachings of Guru Nanak and their relevance in contemporary times
- Religious Tolerance: In an era marked by religious diversity, Guru Nanak’s emphasis on the unity of all people under one divine force encourages mutual respect and harmony.
- This teaching promotes religious tolerance and understanding, which is especially relevant in today’s globalized and diverse world.
- Equality and Social Justice: Guru Nanak strongly advocated for social equality, rejecting caste-based discrimination and promoting the idea that all individuals are equal.
- This teaching remains relevant in the contemporary context where issues of social justice, discrimination, and inequality persist.
- Service to Humanity: The concept of “seva” or selfless service is central to Sikhism. Guru Nanak encouraged his followers to engage in acts of kindness and service to humanity.
- This teaching is relevant in addressing the challenges of poverty, inequality, and humanitarian crises that persist in the modern world.
- He set up rules for congregational worship (Sangat) involving collective recitation.
- Honest Livelihood: Guru Nanak emphasized the importance of earning an honest living through hard work and ethical means.
- In the contemporary world, where issues of corruption, dishonesty, and unethical practices are prevalent, Guru Nanak’s teachings encourage individuals to maintain integrity in their professional and personal lives.
SOURCE – The Hindu
