Life Sketch of Guru Nanak
from the view of a poet ( I am not the poet )
Early life
A new moral force
was needed on earth
it came to Punjab
in Guru Nanak's birth
In Talwandi Punjab
Guru Nanak was born
the mists lifted off
the light turned on
the Pundit attending
hailed it a divine birth
and the newly arrived
His envoy on earth
a beloved brother,
a much loved son
Nanak was a favourite
special to everyone
Nanak went to school
when he was seven
where he often mused
on God and Heaven
while still at school
he wrote an acrostic
it was a lovely hymn,
every bit fantastic
A Pundit taught Nanak
Devnagri and Sanskrit
and from a Mullah, he
learnt the Persian script
Nanak didn't agree
for a Janaeu to be worn
and he won't worship
any Gods of stone
with his dad's advice
and money for trade
he went to the market
as his father bade
seeing some sadhus
resting under a tree
Nanak was excited
he fed the lot for free
Nanak's sacha sauda
or this true bargain
annoyed his dad
and caused him pain
once on a summer day
Nanak rested under a tree
tired, he fell asleep
the cattle grazed nearby
as Nanak slept, a cobra
raised itself and stood
and like an umbrella
shaded him with its hood
The youth
Nanak calmed down
and peace descended
the change came to him
as the teens ascended
his parents were worried
on his quiet demeanour
they sought advice
to help him recover
tasks were suggested
to help him to settle
like ploughing the fiel
ds
or tending the cattle
but then again his cattle
will stray as it grazed
neighbours were upset
complaints were raised
the complaints lodged
with chief of the village
had to be dropped
they found no damage
Guru Nanak was married
at the age of eighteen
he settled for a while
within the domestic scene
his elder son, Siri Chand
was born nine years later
the next one, Laxmi Chand
two years thereafter
in Nanki's town Sultanpur
Nanak accepted a job
he ran a store of flour
in Modikhana of Nawab
Nanak will often get lost
chanting God's name
and flour flowed freely
to the folks who came
news of this generosity
reached Nawab's ear
but there was no shortage
and accounts were clear
after four and half years
Nanak called it a day
he abandoned the job
in a mysterious way
he plunged in the river
and couldn't be found
everyone was worried
but he wasn't around
three days on, when
Nanak did reappear
Nanak radiated a glow
and had an aura austere
in a world of his own
and seeped in His lore
he was much different
than he was before
he was indifferent
to worldly possessions
and shunned all company
friends and relations
evil spirits possess him
people began to say
Nanak was amused
described in this way
Nanak will respond,
" I am mad, I agree
but am mad for Him
the God Almighty
the Qaazi didn't like
Nanak's repeated stance
there are no Hindus
there is no mussalmaan
the Qaazi and Nawab
took Nanak for Namaz
but Nanak stood quiet
without untoward cause
the two were annoyed
at Nanak's behaviour
why he ignored Namaz
the reason wasn't clear
but Nanak explained
the Qaazi was being silly
his mind was elsewhere
in the birth of a filly
and as for dear Nawab
wasn't his mind rather full
bargaining for the hors
es
in the Bazaars of Kabul
His mission
as the time passed
Nanak itched for a start
he had a message
he needed to impart
for twenty-four years
he travelled the world
always on the move
spreading His word
always besides him
as he travelled around
was a disciple Mardana
he provided musical sound
a very spescial rebeck
for Nanak's mission
was given by Nanki
a sister's contribution
Nanak visited places
for years on end
travelling within India
and countries beyond
he taught against rituals
both straight and bent
that mislead the folks
exploited the innocent
folks were lost in these
in the name of God
Nanak gave them hope
and refreshing thought
he had a charisma
and radiated divine glow
Nanak was honoured
wherever he will go
in his visit to Hardwar
Nanak taught the flock
by flinging Ganga jal
towards his native crop
the crowds understood
it was a wasted gesture
flinging Ganga waters
for the dead ancestors
he met characters
who needed reformation
he led them to the path
of the true redemption
he reformed Sajjan Thug
a confidence trickster
who tricked the guests
with designs sinister
he met cannibal Kauda
who thrived on human flesh
Kauda repented to Nanak
and started his life afresh
Bhai Lalo
Bhai Lalo was a carpenter
from a lower caste
Nanak shared his food
and stayed as his guest
his mixing with Bhai Lalo
led to a confrontation
for Nanak had declined
Malik Bhago's invitation
Nanak called the two
and squeezed their bread
milk dripped out of Lalo's
Malik's one yielded blood
Nanak established Manjis
the seats of Sikh thought
centres of learning
for teacher and the taught
first Manji was established
by the Guru at Eminabad
Lalo was made incharge
despite his lower caste
>
Babar
when Saidapur fell
to Babar the invader
the Guru and Mardana
ended up as prisoners
Mardana led a horse
and Nanak carried a bale
they kept singing hymns
marching to the jail
here they saw women
both haggard and old
who struggled at the mills
toiled as they were told
Babar came to Nanak
and made his peace
the loot was restored
the prisoners released
Community Centre
after years of travel
Nanak settled down
he had founded this place
the Kartarpur town
people from all castes
formed a community
working and praying
in unity and harmony
it was a beginning
of a people in the making
Sikhism was in the offing
its culture was shaping
Successor
Nanak the visionary
chose from his Sangat
a guide, a future Guru
named him Guru Angad
The End
at the age of seventy
Guru Nanak passed away
with his successor there
Sikhism was here to stay
Hindus loved the Guru
as did Mussalman
when he passed away
a dispute began
one wanted him buried
the other cremated
Nanak had left a solution
the matter wasn't debated
flowers from the two
should besides me lay
he takes my body, whose
flowers are fresh next day
floral wreaths were laid
with the body of the sear
on lifting the covers
only flowers were there.
