3 lessons by Guru Nanak Dev ji

Image source: India TV News

Guru Nanak Dev, also called by the name of Baba Nanak, was the founder of the Sikh religion and the first among the ten Sikh Gurus. Guru Nanak was born in the village Talwandi, now in Punjab, Pakistan. His father was Kalyan Chand Das Bedi (also known as Mehta Kalu) and his mother was Mata Tripta. Both the parents were Hindu Khatris. Guru Nanak’s father was a local patwari (accountant) for crop revenue in the village they resided. He had an elder sister Nanaki, who realized the godly power of his brother since the birth of Guru Nanak.

The three lessons taught by Guru Nanak are Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, and Vand Chhako.

1. Kirat Karo means to earn a livelihood by honest means and hard work. He expected every human being to earn honestly by physical and mental efforts, at the same time accepting pleasures and pains as gifts and blessings of God.

2. Naam Japo means to remember the name of god or god in every endeavor you undertake. He led the Sikhs to meditate on God through chanting, reciting, and constant remembrance of the name of God and virtues.

3. Vand Chhako means to share the selfless earning with others, especially with those who are less fortunate than you. He guided his followers to share one-tenth of their income with the needy and destitute. He gave an important message about the spirit of sharing and giving.

Guru Nanak says that the highest virtual is the truth and truthful living is still higher.