Sikh gurus

Guru Nanak (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ) (21 November 1469 – Monday 22 September 1539), the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten gurus of the Sikhs, was born in the village of Talwandi. Also called Rai Bhoe-ki Talwandi, the village, now known as Nankana Sahib, is near Lahore in present-day Pakistan.

The name "Nanak" was used by all the subsequent gurus who wrote any sacred text in the Sikh holy scripture called the Guru Granth Sahib. So the second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Ji is also called the "Second Nanak" or "Nanak II". It is believed by the Sikhs that all subsequent Gurus carried the same message as that of Guru Nanak and so they have used the name "Nanak" in their holy text instead of their own name and hence are all referred to as the "Light of Nanak."

Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak and nine other Sikh Gurus over the period of 1469 to 1708. Guru Nanak was the first Guru and Guru Gobind Singh the tenth (and last) Guru. Before his death, Guru Gobind Singh nominated the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib as the final and eternal Guru of Sikhism. All Sikhs are required to follow the teachings of the Gurus, which upon meditation leads to salvation.

Meaning

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee website states:

Sikhism has a very specific definition of the word 'Guru'. It means the descent of divine guidance to mankind provided through ten Enlightened Masters. This honour of being called a Sikh Guru applies only to the ten Gurus who founded the religion starting with Guru Nanak in 1469 and ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708; thereafter it refers to the Sikh Holy Scriptures the Guru Granth Sahib.

See also

• History of Sikhism
• Sikh Gurus poster