Guru Nanak Dev Ji – A Timeline to be revered

Guru Nanak Dev ji, founder of the Sikh faith was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi Di Talwandi, currently known as Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. This glorious place is situated near Lahore. Nanak was born at the third day of the month of Vaisakh (April-May according to Gregorian calendar) on Saturday 15th April 1469. Gurpurab is revered worldwide as a sacred festival in Sikhism, which is essentially the birth of Guru Nanak.

Early life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Tripta Devi and Kalyan Chand Das Bedi delivered infant Nanak. Kalyan Chand Das Bedi belonged to the Khatri clan, and were employed as merchants. His father Kalyan Chand Das Bedi, commonly shortened to Mehta Kalu was the local patwari (accountant) for crop revenue in the Talwandi village. Nanak’s horoscope was observed by priest and astrologer ‘Hardayal’.

In 1473, soon to be wife, Sulakhani was born to Mool Chand and Chando Rani. Sulakhani and young Nanak married on 24th September 1487. They had two sons Sri Chand and Lakhmi Chand.

In 1475, Bibi Nanaki, the only sister of Nanak married to the Dewan of Nawab Daulat Khan Lodi. She moved to Sultanpur to live with her husband. Jai Ram, husband of Bibi Nanaki secured a job for Nanak at Sultanpur. Baba Nanak started working at the age of around 16 at Sultanpur.

The Incident

In 1481, the most famous incident in Sikhism, “Sacha Sauda” took place .  Observing the behavior of Nanak, his father was worried that Nanak shows no interest in worldly things. He wanted his son to be able to earn a livelihood. So, to teach the basics of business he gave him twenty rupees (a huge deal at that time) and asked him to go to Chuharkhana (market) to buy some goods. His father instructed, “Go and make profit from the money I have given’. Passing by the woods, he saw few sadhus sitting under a tree. Nanak loved to talk with sadhus. So, he went up to them and started talking to them. He then discovered that they had not eaten food for several days. Nanak rushed to the market and bought food for the sadhus from the money given by his father. When he returned home, his father was angry on knowing what he had done with the enormous amount of money. In a fit of rage, he wanted to punish Nanak. But Bibi Nanaki protected her younger brother. Young Nanak replied with a serene look on his face, “Father you asked me to make a good bargain. That is what I did. We might not get any money in return, but we will be blessed. That is what true profit is about – Serving others”. His father was astonished and his anger disappeared and instead a reflection of veneration shone on his face.

ONE WHO KNOWS THE IMMACULATE ONE SWALLOWS DEATH, ONE WHO UNDERSTAND KARMA RECOGNIZES THE WORD, HE HIMSELF KNOWS, AND HE HIMSELF REALIZES THIS WORLD IS ALL HIS PLAY.

Young Nanak was then appointed by Nawab Daulat Khan Lodi as storekeeper at the modikhana in Sultanpur.

In 1485, Nanak met Mardana, a mirasi (Muslim musician) who played the rabab and become Nanak’s companion during his travels.

1494, nanak’s first son was born (Sri Chand). Sri chand received enlightenment from Guru Nanak’s teaching and went on to become the founder of Udasi Sect.

In 1497, Nanak’s second son, Lakhmi Chand was born on 12 February.

In 1499, many historians state that Nanak went missing at the age of thirty, and was presumed to have drowned after going for his morning bath to a local river called Kali Bein. But Nanak returned after three days after achieving Enlightenment. This marked the beginning of Nanak’s perseverance to spread the message of peace and enlightenment.

In 1500, Nanak decided to spread the holy message of peace to all mankind. He then travelled to many places within India despite having two children and a wife. Nanak also travelled to Tibet and Arabia, which he travelled for two decades.

In 1506, Nanak returned home to Talwandi and visited his parents after the first Udasi to east India.

In 1508, Guru Nanak Dev ji got himself into another long trip, the mission of this trip was to promote spirituality.

In 1522, Nanak’s mother passed away (Mata Tripta) at Talwandi. After that he settled down at Kartarpur and spent the rest of his life there. The concept of daily kirtan and langar was introduced here.

In 1539, Nanak appointed Bhai Lehna as the successor Guru, renaming him Guru Angad, meaning “one’s very own” or “part of one”. Short after claiming Bhai Lehna as his successor, Guru Nanak died in Kartarpur on 22 September.