Garima Chaudhry
The Janamsakhis are said to be biographical narratives of Guru Nanak Devji – the first Guru in the Sikh tradition and a great saint who walked on the spiritually fertile land of India. The word sakhi means a story or tale and multiple versions of the Guru’s janamsakhis or stories of this life are in existence. They are sometimes contradictory in nature because they were composed after Guru Nanakji passed away. The janamsakhis are generally considered to be admixtures of historical and legendary material but notwithstanding their ahistorical nature, the janamsakhis have been richly illustrated over the centuries. They have played a critical role in not only making Baba Nanak’s teachings accessible to one and all but also in expounding the basic tenets of his timeless teachings.
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In this piece, we have presented a few of our favourite sakhis that are both entertaining and instructive in random order.
Baba Nanak at School – His Early Teachings
One of the janamsakhis recounts Baba Nanak’s early teachings as a young student. As was customary, his father took him to school at a tender age. A precocious child, he excelled scholastically and learnt multiple disciplines including Sanskrit and Persian. His innate piety and wisdom astounded his teachers and he inspired both his gurus and fellow students. He expounded facets of the indescribable creator using the letters of the alphabet and proclaimed that the purpose of true learning was liberation from worldly affections or maya.
Our Takeaway: True learning leads to liberation from worldly affections or maya
Know more about Guru Nanak Devji’s teachings and the Mool Mantar
Saccha Sauda – The Best Bargain
Saccha Sauda is a famous sakhi which is sometimes said to have laid the foundations of the great institution of langar. Baba Nanak’s father was very worried about his future. One day, he gave his 18-year-old son, 20 silver coins. He instructed him to go the nearest town and spend the princely sum in a manner that would reap great profits. On his way, Guru Nanakji came across a group of sadhus who had not eaten for days. He was moved by their plight and spent the entire sum on feeding them. His father was not pleased but Baba Nanak explained that there could be no better bargain than feeding the hungry.
Our Takeaway: There is no better bargain than feeding the hungry
Baba Nanak Reforms the Cannibal Kauda
The sakhi of Guru Nanak Devji’s encounter with a cannibal called Kauda speaks volumes of how he could reform the wayward with his godliness. One day when Baba Nanak and Bhai Mardana were passing through a dense forest, they chanced upon a horrifying scene. The demonish Kauda had captured many innocent men with the sole purpose of devouring them. A huge cauldron of burning oil was being readied. When Kauda saw Guru Nanakji, he dragged him to the cauldron. An undeterred Baba Nanak dipped his finger in the hot oil and it became cold. A shocked but enlightened Kauda, fell on the Guru’s feet and pledged to mend his evil ways with the Guru’s grace.
Our Takeaway: The path of good can be found with the Guru’s grace
Baba Nanak and the Giant Fish
A not so famous but richly illustrated sakhi narrates the story of a giant fish which not only carried Guru Nanakji and his companions Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana across the ocean but also brought food for them. While Bhai Mardana was frightened when he saw the gargantuan fish, the gentle animal assured him that it was there merely to serve the Guru and attain his blessings to achieve liberation. Baba Nanak had been kind to it in a previous birth and the fish did not want to miss the opportunity to experience the Guru’s grace.
Our Takeaway: The Guru treats all living beings with kindness and to serve them is to serve him
Baba Nanak and Bhakta Prahlad
Some of the sakhi painting series depict an imaginary but moving meeting between Guru Nanak Devji and Bhagat or Bhakta Prahlad. In the Sikh tradition, the sakhi of Bhakta Prahlad is narrated many a times. He is considered to be the epitome of devotion to the One God. Vishnuji himself had to appear to destroy his father Hiranyakashipu and ensure that his devotee’s word would be honoured. Unwavering devotion to the Ik Onkar and endless faith in the all-pervading divine formed the cornerstone of the Guru’s teachings.
Our Takeaway: Unwavering devotion and faith in the Ik Onkar is the duty of all human beings
May Guru Nanak Devji’s teachings continue to illuminate and enlighten.
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