In the tapestry of human spirituality, few threads shine as luminously as the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. As we mark his Prakash Purab on November 15, 2025—the 556th anniversary of his birth—the world pauses to honor a visionary whose message of unity, equality, and selfless service transcends time and borders. Born in 1469 in Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan), Guru Nanak’s early life was marked by a profound quest for truth, culminating in his famous epiphany at age 30 by the Bein River. Emerging from those sacred waters, he proclaimed, “No Hindu, no Musalman”—a radical declaration that dismantled religious divides and laid the foundation for a faith rooted in one Creator, Ik Onkar.
Guru Nanak’s travels, chronicled as Udasis, spanned thousands of miles across South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. He engaged with scholars, rulers, and the marginalized, challenging caste hierarchies, gender biases, and ritualistic excesses. His verses in the Guru Granth Sahib, including the Japji Sahib, pulse with poetic wisdom: “Truth is high, but higher still is truthful living.” This ethos of honest labor (Kirat Karna), sharing with the needy (Vand Chakna), and meditating on the divine (Naam Japna) remains Sikhism’s moral compass. In an age of escalating conflicts—from the Middle East’s turmoil to global inequality—Guru Nanak’s advocacy for peace and social justice feels urgently relevant. His langar, the community kitchen, birthed a tradition of feeding millions daily, embodying dignity for all, regardless of faith or status. Today, as climate crises displace communities and economic divides widen, his call to ethical living urges us toward sustainable compassion.
In India, Guru Nanak’s legacy inspires millions, particularly in Punjab, where gurdwaras like the Golden Temple host joyous Akhand Paths and processions. Yet, his universalism beckons beyond rituals: it challenges us to combat modern ills like discrimination and environmental neglect. As the Sikh community exemplifies through Seva—disaster relief in Turkey’s earthquakes or aid in Ukraine—Guru Nanak’s light fosters global harmony.
On this Prakash Purab, let us not merely celebrate but emulate. May his teachings ignite hearts, bridging divides in a fractured world. In remembering Guru Nanak, we reaffirm that true enlightenment lies in uplifting humanity. As he envisioned, let truth prevail, and may the divine name echo eternally.
