The SikhRI team extends warm wishes on Guru Nanak Sahib's 556th Prakash Purab (illumination day).

Guru Nanak Sahib’s arrival illuminated a world steeped in darkness and ignorance, divided along religious, political, and social lines—much like today. Like the rising sun overpowering the dim light of the stars, the Guru’s presence brought forth Divine consciousness, shaking the foundations of hypocrisy and falsehood.

Guru Nanak Sahib established Divine rule, the political-spiritual (raj-jog) dominion, where no dichotomy or division existed. Everything was guided by Divine love, and there was no second or third class. Kirtan—the singing of Divine praises—became the foundation of this revolution.

Bhai Gurdas Ji beautifully captures this in his writings:

ਗੰਗ ਬਨਾਰਸ ਹਿੰਦੂਆ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣਾਂ ਮਕਾ ਕਾਬਾ।
ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਬਾਬਾ ਗਾਵੀਐ ਵਜਨਿ ਤਾਲ ਮ੍ਰਿਦੰਗੁ ਰਬਾਬਾ।
ਭਗਤਿ ਵਛਲੁ ਹੋਇ ਆਇਆ ਪਤਿਤ ਉਧਾਰਣੁ ਅਜਬੁ ਅਜਾਬਾ।
ਚਾਰਿ ਵਰਨ ਇਕ ਵਰਨ ਹੋਇ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਹੋਇ ਤਰਾਬਾ।
ਚੰਦਨੁ ਵਾਸੁ ਵਣਾਸਪਤਿ ਅਵਲਿ ਦੋਮ ਨ ਸੇਮ ਖਰਾਬਾ।
ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭ ਕੋ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਿਸ ਦੀ ਕਰੈ ਜਵਾਬਾ।
ਜਾਹਰ ਪੀਰੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਾਬਾ ॥੪॥

Hindus adore Ganga and Banaras, Muslims Mecca and Kaaba.
But to the accompaniment of mridang (drum) and rabab (stringed instrument), the praises of the wise Guru are being sung.
He has arrived as the lover of devotees and the emancipator of the fallen—the wonder among wonders.
All four varnas have become one and emancipated, joining the Divine-oriented company.
Like the sandalwood fragrances, the vegetation around, all are elevated, leaving no one to the fault of second—or third-class status.
All are under the Command—who has the power to act against.
Such a wise Guru-Guide of the whole world has manifested, has become apparent.‍

     Bhai Gurdas Var 24, Pauri 4

Guru Nanak Sahib engaged with people from all walks of life, conversing in their language, using their cultural symbols, and speaking in their context. Through Sabad and Kirtan, he transformed those he encountered. In Divine praises, they blossomed.

Today, as we reflect on Guru Nanak Sahib’s legacy, let us ask ourselves: What is our heritage as Sikhs? How do we confront and remove hypocrisy and falsehood within ourselves with clarity? The Guru advises:

ਹੋਇ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਦੂਰਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੈ ਕੇ ਹੋਵਹੁ ਜੋੜੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੈਸਹੁ ਸਫਾ ਵਿਛਾਇ ॥

Come together, my siblings, remove doubt through Divine connection.  
Connecting with Nam, spread out the mat and reflect, becoming Guru-centered.‍

     Guru Granth Sahib, 1184

May the light of the Sabad radiate within us, and may the melody of Kirtan resound within us, just as the mridang and rabab did five centuries ago.

We wish you a joyous and reflective Gurpurab!