36. Message of the six guru’s  (Part-1 )

Sri Guru Naanak Dev Ji

Main Teachings : Worship and devotion to One and only one God, without becoming truthful, unison with Almighty is not possible. Shun whims, superstitions and become a true personality by working hard, being honest, share your food and earnings, recite naam, do and ask for welfare of all and inculcate in yourself the habit of ‘vichay Greh sada rehai udaasi,Jeo Kaml rahay wich paani ray’ meaning within your householder life remain detached and pure like a lotus growing in a pond. When Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji came to this world, the political, social and religious condition of the Indian sub-continent was wretched. Politically, India was divided into numerous regions and kingdoms. The ruler of one region never liked the ruler of the other region. Due to mutual discord and division, India had become the slave of slaves. There was restlessness all around. Deception, trickery, cunningness, and disloyalty were in full swing. The dark clouds of sin were visible everywhere. The kings, who were supposed to shelter and protect the public, were swallowing them like lions. The mentality of their officers had become like that of rabid dogs. Sat Guru Nanak Dev ji has himself described the condition of that time on page 88(Guru Granth Sahib) :

The kings are tigers, and their officials are dogs; they go out and awaken the sleeping people to harass them. The public servants inflict wounds with their nails. The dogs lick up the blood that is spilled.

The saviors and protectors had shunned their responsibility and led luxurious lives in splendour. The common people were completely helpless and were struggling to stay alive. The judiciary, after taking bribes, were giving the right of a true person to a liar. According to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the degrading actions of the officers were rife in society.

The Kings had become butchers. There was nothing left of true religion. It seemed religion had grown wings and flown away. Falsehood and lies prevailed all around. The truth was hard to find. Egotistical behaviour was in vogue. Every person was trapped in the throes of misery.As on page 145…

The Dark Age of Kali Yuga is the knife, and the kings are butchers; righteousness has sprouted wings and flown away. In this dark night of falsehood, the moon of Truth is not visible anywhere. I have searched in vain, and I am so confused; in this darkness, I cannot find the path. In egotism, they cry out in. Says Nanak, how will they be saved ? ||1||

The persons who had accepted or were responsible for saving and protecting the general public had lost heart and were singing the tune of oppression. As on page 663:

The K'shatriyas have abandoned their religion, and have adopted a foreign language. The whole world has been reduced to the same social status; the state of righteousness and Dharma has  

Religious degradation had reached such a low level that just for the sake of money, so called Guru’s would even go to the homes of their disciples to sell naam by whipering holy mantra’s in their ears. There was no love between husband and wife. Every relation was based on money. Money was everything in public life. Anyone with money could go and do any immoral action that they pleased. This sin of greed dominated everyone. Bhai Gurdas ji describes the prevalent condition of this time in his first vaar as followed :

O God! in kaliyug, the mentality of the mortal has become like the mouth of dog which always seeks the dead to eat. The kings are sinning as if the protective fence were itself devouring the (crop in the) field. Bereft of knowledge, the blind people are uttering falsehood. Now the gurus are dancing variously to the tunes played by the disciples. The taught disciples now sit at home and the teachers go their abodes. Qazis enjoy bribes and getting the same they have lost their high regards and position. Man and woman love each other for riches, may they come from anywhere. The sin has become ubiquitous in the whole world.

Society was divided into far too many castes and individuals from one caste hated those from another. Every sect or religion had daggers drawn against the other. Religion had become the practice of superficial rituals which reduced to the practice of religion as a mere showpiece. As on page 662 :

They close off their nostrils with their fingers, and claim to see the three worlds. But they cannot even see what is behind them. What a strange lotus pose this is! ||2||

All religious deeds were performed only for money. Religion was like a lifeless dead body. The plight of the persons who were supposed to propagate religion has been described by the Great Guru Nanak Dev ji himself in raag Dhanasari on page 662 :

The Qazi tells lies and eats filth the Brahmin kills and then takes cleansing baths. The Yogi is blind, and does not know the Way. The three of them devise their own destruction. || During this time period of darkness :Guru Nanak dev Appeared bringing light lifting the dark fog of ignorance Like the stars and darkness banishing when the sun rises  (Bhai Gurdas Ji vaar 1, Pauri 2)

And :

The Lord Himself wielded His Power and entered the world.

In such conditions of the falsehood and absence of truth, the form of Almighty Sat Guru Nanak Dev ji, in order to relieve the public from the mesh of treachery, appeared in this world on 10-20-1469 (Puran Mashi Katak 1526 Bikrami) at Rai Bhoe Di Talwandi(now Nankana Sahib), District Shekhupura, Pakistan. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji made up his mind to carry out the task he was destined to perform from a very early age in his life. He renounced false and hollow rituals and he very daringly highlighted the truth to teach the lesson of “Fatherhood of God” to humanity. Daana Marasi(Muslim Humanist) was transformed into Bhai Mardaana for the upliftment of mankind. As on page 1070 in Maroo Mahala fourth :

In his own home, he remains unattached, like the lotus flower in the water. ||10||

To practice and leave footprints of the above reality, Guru Ji himself adopted the path of Grihsath Dharam (to be married and lead a family life).

As on page 1245 Salok Mahala first :

One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has ||1|| O Nanak, he knows the Path. ||1||