Guru Mantra

Born Tyag Mal to Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru was rechristened Teg Bahadur (brave sword) by his father for his valour in battles against the Mughals. A principled leader, scholar and gifted poet, he became the ninth Nanak of the Sikhs, erudite in the Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas. He exhorted people to live ethical and righteous lives, amplifying Nanak's message of the oneness of God. He founded the town of Anandpur Sahib, where his successor later created the Khalsa, galvanising Sikhs with a distinct identity.

Guru Granth Sahib contains 116 hymns composed by him in 15 ragas. These emphasise the importance of meditation, selflessness and devotion in one's quest for deliverance. 'Jio supna ar pekhna, aise jag kio jaan; In mein kachu sacho nahin, Nanak bin bhagwan' - World is like a dream, there is nothing real in it, O Nanak, but God. Travelling far and wide, wherever he went, he reiterated Guru Nanak's message of love, equality and compassion.

'Chinta ta ki kijiye, jo anhoni hoye; Eh marg sansar ko, Nanak thir nahi koe' - Be anxious only regarding the unexpected. It is the way of the world, Nanak, that nothing is permanent.


The guru did not give up his principles even in the face of death. 'Naam rahiyo sadhu rahiyo, rahiyo Gur Gobind; Kaho Nanak eh jagat mein, kin japu gur mant' - The name remains, saints remain, and the guru who is one with God remains forever, says Nanak. How rare are those who chant the guru's mantra?