This book studies the life and the teachings of Guru Nanak, as reflected in his compositions. Special stress has been laid on discussing the morning prayer, Japji, the establishment of the institutions of sangat and langar and messages for improving the status of women. The book is profusely illustrated with reproductions of rare eighteenth century miniature paintings and line drawings, including a series from a Janamsakhi that has never been published before.It also has maps depicting the travels of Guru Nanak.
A significant contribtion to the understanding of Sikhism by young and old alike. This is one of a series of books on 'Indic' values, edited by Dr. Julius Lipner, former Head of the Department of Religion, Cambridhe University, England."
The Japji is by far the best-known work of Guru Nanak (1469-1539) - poet, philosopher, historian, composer, First Sikh Guru and founder of the Sikh faith. Many Sikhs recite its sacred verses daily. Its title derives from the root "jap-" meaning to recite or chant. Dr. Rupinder Singh Brar provides in this book a compelling new translation with commentary. This book also examines its core concepts, and presents the Japji as a condensed summary of Guru Nanak's philosophy. This translation and commentary is published to celebrate the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak's birth (1469-2019).
In this highly accessible and comprehensive biography, Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh deftly mines the available sources to construct a vivid and complex account of Guru Nanak's life and legacy, his personality and background, the pluralistic world he lived in, his teachings and philosophy, and even the manner in which he has been understood by believers and scholars over time. What emerges is a majestic and magisterial portrait of a great enlightener who not only founded one of the world's major religions but whose singular message of unity and hope has endured centuries after he first walked the earth. The First Sikh unites rigorous scholarship with a deep love for the subject, offering fascinating insights into Guru Nanak's life and times even as it explores key facets of Sikhism. Moreover, it shows us how Guru Nanak continues to remain relevant in a twenty-first-century reality.
This Study Is An Examination Of Guru Nanak`S Life And Teachings. It Concludes That Relatively Little Can Be Known About The Details Of His Life And Travels, But That Much Can Understood Of His Personality And His Teachings.
About The Book: ‘The Guru: Guru Nanak's Saakhis’ explores events in Guru Nanak Dev's life that give an insight into the thoughts and beliefs of a sagacious and humane person – an enlightened soul. This book is a collection of saakhis about the life of Guru Nanak – the wise and compassionate founder of Sikhism. The narratives, built on oral recounts, underscore the wisdom of a pure gentle soul with a world-view that is rational. Guru Nanak was a seeker of the Ultimate Truth. The Guru believed in equality and in respecting the dignity of all human beings – irrespective of caste, class, color, religion or gender. ‘The Guru: Guru Nanak's Saakhis’ is a collection of 500-year-old anecdotes about: an inquisitive child who questioned the world around him; – a perceptive teenager who thought rationally in an irrational world; – an informed youngster who looked for the logic behind the extant norms and mores; – a wise and empathetic human being who tried to obliterate prejudices that were deep-rooted in society – and a gentle, serene and pure soul who spread harmony, peace and compassion… About the Author: Rajni Sekhri Sibal is a writer and a civil servant. She is an Indian Administrative Service officer of the Haryana cadre. She topped the 1986 Batch of All India Civil Services Examination and was a Secretary to the Government of India. An alumnus of Welham Girls and Punjab University, Rajni is a post graduate in Economics and Psychology. She is the recipient of the Indian of the Year Award in the ‘Unsung Hero’ category for her ‘courage and commitment’. Rajni has authored several books including: ‘Clouds End and Beyond’, an anthology of verses and ‘Kamadhenu’, a coffee table book published by Wisdomtree; ‘Are You Prepared for a Disaster?” – a book to generate awareness about disaster risk reduction published by Bloomsbury; ‘Fragrant Words’, an anthology of verses brought out by Bloomsbury; ‘The Haunting Himalayas’, a Haranand publication of esoteric short stories set in the mountains; ‘Asariri’, a mystical novel published by Bloomsbury; and her latest ‘Women of Influence: Ten Extraordinary IAS Careers’ a collection of true events published by Penguin. The Guru: Guru Nanak’s Saakhis, the author’s eighth book, is a collection of short stories passed down in the oral tradition, over the last five centuries, about Guru Nanak Dev's life and his worldview.
