"There is no Hindu, nor any Mussalman. God is not a hindu or a muslim. Whose path shall I follow? I will follow God’s path." This was Guru Nanak's first statement after his illumination. Raised as a Hindu, from an early age he evidenced a questioning and inquiring mind. When it was time for Nanak to be invested with the “sacred” thread, called the Janeu, he refused to take part in the ritual. When the priest continued to insist that the young Nanak done the string he went into a trance and sang:
'Let mercy be the cotton, contentment the thread, Continence the knot and truth the twist. Oh priest! if you have such a thread, Do give it to me. It will not wear out, nor get soiled, nor be burnt, nor lost.'
Nanak married Sulkhni, and they had two sons. One morning, when he was 28, he went as usual down to the river to bathe and meditate. It was said that he was gone for three days. When he reappeared, filled with the spirit of God, it was apparent to all that he was a changed man. He would say nothing, he quit his job and distributed all that he had to the poor. Accompanied by his childhood friend, a Muslim named Mardana who had always played the Rebab while Nanak sang, they left town. When, after a few days, he spoke saying "There is no Hindu, no Musalman. God is not a hindu or a muslim. Whose path shall I follow? I will follow God’s path."
It was then that Guru Nanak began his missionary work and travels to lead people on the true path. Some say Nanak's teachings and Sikhism were a revelation from God. Others say Nanak was a Guru or an illumined soul.
Image - Guru Nank & Mardana
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