The 3 Golden Pillars & Guiding Tenets
Naam Japna
Remember and meditate upon the Name of God continuously.
Kirat Karni
Earn an honest living through sincere and truthful labor.
Vand Chhakna
Share your earnings and meals with those in need.
Complete Historical Chronicle
1. Sacred Birth & Early Life
Born on April 15, 1469 at Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan) to Mehta Kalu Ji and Mata Tripta Ji.
2. Spiritual Inquiries & Rejecting Dogma
From early childhood, Guru Nanak exhibited profound spiritual insight, famously refusing the ritual Janeu thread, explaining that a true sacred thread must be woven from compassion, contentment, truth, and self-restraint.
3. Householder Life & Divine Awakening
Married Mata Sulakhni Ji and had two sons, Baba Sri Chand Ji and Baba Lakhmi Das Ji. Worked at Sultanpur Lodhi managing the royal granary (Modikhana), where he gave charity generously while meditating on the Divine ("Tera Tera").
4. Sacred Journeys & Epochal Missions
Embarked on 4 major journeys (Udasis) spanning thousands of miles across India, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Mecca, Medina, and Baghdad accompanied by Bhai Mardana Ji playing the Rabab.
5. Establishing Holy Centers & Guru Ka Langar
Founded the town of Kartarpur Sahib on the banks of Ravi River in 1522. Established the institutions of Sangat (spiritual congregation) and Pangat (Guru Ka Langar).
6. Succession & Merging with the Divine Light
Passed the Divine Light to Bhai Lehna Ji (renaming him Guru Angad Dev Ji) in 1539, establishing succession based on devotion and obedience.
Eternal Legacy & Sacred Historical Shrines
Composed foundational Banis including Japji Sahib, Asa Di Var, Sidh Gosht, and Barah Maha across 19 Ragas in Guru Granth Sahib.