Core teachings of guru nanak dev jee

[nehkeval]

Core teachings of Sri Guru Nanak which we must live by , this is the right way to commemorate 550th birthday of guru sahib. All of the lines below are from the bani of Sri guru granth sahib

 

First and foremost is this human life is extremely precious and we might never get it again.

ਇਹੁ ਮਾਣਕੁ ਜੀਉ ਨਿਰਮੋਲੁ ਹੈ ਇਉ ਕਉਡੀ ਬਦਲੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੩॥

Eihu Maanak Jeeo Niramol Hai Eio Kouddee Badhalai Jaae ||3||

This jewel of the soul is priceless, and yet it is being squandered like this, in exchange for a mere shell. ||3||

 

We must start our day with naam simran -

ਸਬਾਹੀ ਸਾਲਾਹ ਜਿਨੀ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ॥

Sabaahee Saalaah Jinee Dhhiaaeiaa Eik Man ||

Those who praise the Lord in the early hours of the morning and meditate on Him single-mindedly,

 

ਸੇਈ ਪੂਰੇ ਸਾਹ ਵਖਤੈ ਉਪਰਿ ਲੜਿ ਮੁਏ ॥

Saeee Poorae Saah Vakhathai Oupar Larr Mueae ||

Are the perfect kings; at the right time, they die fighting.

 

ਦੂਜੈ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਰਾਹ ਮਨ ਕੀਆ ਮਤੀ ਖਿੰਡੀਆ ॥

Dhoojai Bahuthae Raah Man Keeaa Mathee Khinddeeaa ||

In the second watch, the focus of the mind is scattered in all sorts of ways.

 

Our mind is habitually wandering in thoughts about money, other people, sense pleasures (ras kas), we should keep bringing it to a word ( like satnam or waheguru or ek onkar etc) , this earning of naam is the only thing that will accompany us

 

ਵਣਜੁ ਕਰਹੁ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਹੋ ਵਖਰੁ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥

Vanaj Karahu Vanajaariho Vakhar Laehu Samaal ||

Make your deals, dealers, and take care of your merchandise.

ਤੈਸੀ ਵਸਤੁ ਵਿਸਾਹੀਐ ਜੈਸੀ ਨਿਬਹੈ ਨਾਲਿ ॥

Thaisee Vasath Visaaheeai Jaisee Nibehai Naal ||

Buy that object which will go along with you.

 

We should eat little and sleep only the amount that body needs to feel rested, and spend our free time meditating on the truth.

ਖੰਡਿਤ ਨਿਦ੍ਰਾ ਅਲਪ ਅਹਾਰੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥੮॥

Khanddith Nidhraa Alap Ahaaran Naanak Thath Beechaaro ||8||

Sleep little, and eat little; O Nanak, this is the essence of wisdom. ||8||

 

Always live in the present moment - mind tends to wander in past and future , we should try to pull it back to the present moment and focus on the activity like eating, walking, cooking, talking etc.

ਸਚੇ ਸੇਤੀ ਰਤਿਆ ਸਚੋ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ॥੭॥

Sachae Saethee Rathiaa Sacho Palai Paae ||7||

Attuned to Truth, you shall obtain the True One. ||7||

 

 

We should approach each and every moment as though it is the first time we are experiencing this e.g we go to the same place to work or meet same family members in the morning, we should treat this experience as if we are doing it for the first time in life- we should pay attention to everything body language, sounds, color because its waheguru himself that is ever new manifesting itself through these physical phenomenon

 

ਦੂਖ ਵਿਸਾਰਣੁ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ॥੧॥

Dhookh Visaaran Saeviaa Sadhaa Sadhaa Dhaathaar ||1||

I serve Him, who makes me forget my pains; He is the Giver, forever and ever. ||1||

 

ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਨੀਤ ਨਵਾ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਦਾਤਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Saahib Maeraa Neeth Navaa Sadhaa Sadhaa Dhaathaar ||1|| Rehaao ||

My Lord and Master is forever new; He is the Giver, forever and ever. ||1||Pause||

 

 

We must alwasy speak truth , when we are lying we do so only because we are attached to the worldly affairs , either greed or fear is us causing us to selfishly lie.

 

ਬੋਲਹਿ ਸਾਚੁ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਨਹੀ ਰਾਈ ॥

They speak the Truth - not an iota of falsehood.

ਚਾਲਹਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ॥

The Gurmukhs walk in the Way of the Lord's Command.

ਰਹਹਿ ਅਤੀਤ ਸਚੇ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੧॥

They remain unattached, in the Sanctuary of the True Lord. ||1||

 

It is very unspirtiual to let thoughts greed or worry about livelihood flourish in our minds, for the lord forever takes care of our food provided we dont ask for too much

ਨਾਨਕ ਜੰਤ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੈ ਸੰਮਾਲੇ ਸਭਨਾਹ ॥

Naanak Janth Oupaae Kai Sanmaalae Sabhanaah ||

O Nanak, having created the living beings, He cherishes them all.

 

ਜਿਨਿ ਕਰਤੈ ਕਰਣਾ ਕੀਆ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਭਿ ਕਰਣੀ ਤਾਹ ॥

Jin Karathai Karanaa Keeaa Chinthaa Bh Karanee Thaah ||

The Creator who created the creation, takes care of it as well.

 

 

 

To be continued...