Punjab: 10 life lessons from Guru Nanak

Punjab: Heralding a new dawn of spiritual awareness and moral values, Guru Nanak Dev’s message was simple yet profound—faith should unite hearts, not divide them. His birth anniversary, or Prakash Parv, is celebrated with great enthusiasm on November 5th. The Guru’s 10 principles of wisdom are part of his eternal teachings. These are:
Kirat Karna: Guru Nanak taught that one should earn a living through honesty and hard work, free from greed, corruption, and exploitation.
Naam Japan: Chanting the Naam is not merely chanting God’s name, but also involves harmonizing with the eternal power through pure thoughts, noble deeds, and a loving heart. Guru Nanak taught that true happiness is found not in intoxicants, but by joyfully immersing the soul in uplifting hymns and soulful music that celebrate God.
Vand Ke Chakna: By encouraging Daswandh—donating a tenth of one’s income—Guruji encouraged sharing and inspired a culture of generosity. This principle ensures that no one goes to bed hungry.
Unity of Humanity: Guru Nanak revealed the truth of Ek Onkar—one God who resides in every heart. He rejected the barriers of caste, creed, and gender and demonstrated equality through Sangat and Pangat, where everyone sits together, shares langar, and sings Gurbani.
Respect Women: At a time when women were denied respect, Guru Nanak spoke out in their defense: “Why call lowly the one from whom kings are born?”
Service: Selfless service purifies the heart. True service arises from love, not from the desire for reward or recognition. Through service, one transcends ego and selfishness and finds joy in the upliftment of others. By serving humanity, one serves God.
Humility and Sweetness: Guru Nanak taught that if everything happens according to God’s will, there is no room for ego. Sweetness in speech and gentleness in conduct overcome pride, anger, and hypocrisy. Ego separates the soul from God, while humility connects it to Him.
Accept God’s Will: Guru Nanak said that true peace arises from accepting God’s will. Contentment flourishes when we stop resisting what comes our way and express gratitude for what we have, rather than grieving for what we lack. His teachings lead us to mental resilience, empowering us to face both adversity and happiness with balance and restraint, thus avoiding the pitfalls of depression and over-excitement.
Respect Nature: Guru Nanak saw divinity reflected in nature. By calling air Guru, water Father, and Earth Mother, he reminded us that protecting nature is a sacred duty.
Avoid superstitions: Guru Nanak denounced empty rituals and superstitions and advocated a life based on truth, compassion, and righteousness. He emphasized that dharma should be practiced, not merely observed.
The truest way to celebrate Guru Purnima is to live according to his teachings and uphold human values.