The birth of a Star

Many many men have lived on this earth. We remember some of them, but many of them we don't remember at all. Great men give us great thoughts, so we remember them. We are always happy when Christmas comes. On Christmas Day a great man was born. He was Jesus Christ.

The Sikhs have a similar occasion. It comes in October/November every year. They call it GURPURB. It is the day when another great light of God was born. His name was Guru Nanak. The Sikhs call him Guru and to the Sikhs he is God on Earth.

Guru Nanak was born about 527 years ago (in 1469 A.D.) in a small village named Talwandi. The village is now called Nanakana Sahib after the Guru and is now in Pakistan. Nanakana means Nanak's village. The Guru's father Mr. Kalu was an officer and was known far and near.

He was a kind man and everybody loved him. Guru Nanak’s mother was Tripta Devi. She lived a simple life and was very kind to the poor. She spent a lot of her time in prayer and in remembrance of God.

"Here am I, composed of the five elements.And Nanak is my name".

Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak was the second child in the family. The first child in the family was his sister Bibi Nanaki. On the day of the Guru's birth, she was at home with her father. When the child was born the nurse, named Daultan, came running to tell the news. She looked sad and frightened.

"What is the matter Daultan? Why are you so sad?" asked Mr Kalu.

"O sir, I am not sad, I am pleased to tell you that you have got a very handsome son in your family" replied Daultan.

"But you do look sad Daultan. What's wrong with the child?" asked Mr Kalu once again.

"Nothing's wrong with the child sir, but I have seen something very strange I never saw before," said Daultan.

"What's that? Mr Kalu in surprise. He looked upset too.

"Children cry when they are born, sir," said Daultan. "But this child did not cry. He simply smiled."

"There must be something wrong with the child then," said the father. "What should I do ?"

"How should I know sir? I have never seen this happen before. But the most wonderful thing is the light," said Daultan, looking all the more surprised.

"Light? What light?" asked Mr. Kalu.

Daultan said, "I don't know whether it is good or bad sir, but I saw a dazzling light when the child was born. The light shone round his head like a star."

Mr. Kalu was worried, so he ran to Mr. Hardyal. Hardyal was a holy man. At once he came with Mr. Kalu to see the child. He asked Daultan many questions and also saw the child. He thought for a time and then said, "Mr Kalu, you are very lucky to have this child. When he grows up, he will be a great man. He may be a King or a Guru."

"What is the matter Nanaki? Why are you so sad?" asked Mr Kalu.

On hearing these words Bibi Nanaki was very pleased and she said, "I am sure, father, he won't be a king."

"Keep quiet Nanaki," said the father, "Don't you want to see your brother a king?"

"I would love to," said Nanaki. "But father, believe it or not, my dear little brother will never be a king. He will be a Guru, he will spread the message of God and make the world walk a straight path. He will love everybody and give great ideas to the world. He will be a friend to all. People will remember him for a very long time. They will call him the Guru."

Mr. Kalu, Hardyal and Daultan were all amazed at Nanaki's words. Bibi Nanaki's words came true.

The child grew up to be the first Guru of the Sikh faith. The Sikhs still remember him. They still enjoy his great thoughts. Guru Nanak taught his people to love everybody, regardless of colour, creed, Gender. He told us "God is one, and we are all His children. So we are brothers and sisters in one family. God is our father. He loves us only if we love one another."

"Come, O Sisters, let us embrace as friends. Let us relate our stories and talk about God."

Guru Nanak

Courtesy of an initiated Sikh- Kulvinder Singh.