Was Guru Nanak a Good Father?

Randip Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 12-Feb-2009, 16:18 PM

This was an interesting discussion I had the other night. Several facts were pointed out to me (note I don't necessarily agree with these views).

1) He left his own family and went wandering, in effect leaving his sons to their own devices?

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-gurus/24028-was-guru-nanak-a-good-father.html
2) He seemed to be more concerned about the welfare of everyone else then his own children?

3) He did not seem to be a good provider for his family?

what are everyone else's views?
*

Narayanjot Kaur · #2 (**permalink**) 12-Feb-2009, 20:06 PM

He left his own family and went wandering, in effect leaving his sons to their own devices?

There is a thread somewhere else in the forum that raises this issue from an Islamic perspective, stating he left his wife on several occasions and was therefore a bad husband. I think this argument is ridiculous. People lived in large extended families close to relatives in those days, and still in India they do so. Uncles and brothers fill in. Taya/chacha power. Sometimes an uncle is more influential than a father as far as protection of a family is concerned. It is a normal part of life within extended families. People who make this sort of criticism are living in cocoons. I hope you actually don't think this so I don't feel bad and have to apologize to you

He seemed to be more concerned about the welfare of everyone else then his own children?

There are only scraps of information to go on-- much of it taken from janaam sakhis that are part truth and part fable. There is also hypocrisy in this argument. Suppose Nanak were a holy man known around the world today. He would be making pilgrimages for the sake of learning and teaching, and for the sake of liberating souls, He would be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and so on and so on. Everyone would be "crazy about Nanak ji" and buying tickets to hear him at the local football stadium.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24028
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24028

He did not seem to be a good provider for his family?

Again -- who was checking his bank account last we read. Actually this is a funny statement. See my comments to number 1. But also -- Didn't Nanak start a religious community of householders using some land he owned? Many were provided for and provided for each other through honest labor. Are there any stories of his children dying from starvation? It seems to me that one of his sons lived long enough to meet Guru Ram Das in person. So he had to be healthy in spite of his ascetic lifestyle. On a somewhat sarcastic note -- if Guru Nanak got married it means his family had enough resources to convince his in-laws that he was a good match. Wealth stayed with the family not the individual. People lived in families who shared resources and looked after children together. Individual wealth is a modern notion.

Sorry for being a little more than skeptical. This kind of thing always cracks me up. No facts, no evidence, no eye-witness accounts, no understanding of society and culture, or of historical differences -- but theories and stories in abundance.

And for some reason, after making up a theory the theory-makers get all upset.

Narayanjot Kaur · #3 (**permalink**) 12-Feb-2009, 20:11 PM

Praise Guru Nanak Dev ji for liberating the world!

P/S If Guru Nanak's father were alive during the time of his travels, then his father would have been in charge anyway. DaDa power. Taking care of everything.

mahanbir singh · #4 (**permalink**) 13-Feb-2009, 01:00 AM

I think Guru Nanak was a great Father like Jesus. The whole world was his family. All the sons(children) under the sun were his sons. He had a mission & a purpose of his life.That was to unite people & remember God thrugh Naam Simran. He went to Hindu temples & mecca to teach oneness of God & oneness of whole humanity.Guru Nanak did not take birth to start a new religion. He came here to show us new way of life. Guru Nanak did not biieve in fake teligious rituals. His way of teaching was unique. How he taught to the people in Hardwar who were throwing water & worshipping Sun.How he convinced the quazi at mecca that God resides every where. How he taught Pandits in Kurkshetra who refrained & objected to his cooking meat.What a beutiful Shabad there is in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. maas maas kar moorakh jhagre........
How strong was Guru Nanak's passion to inculcate Love of God in both Hindus & Muslims. He was darling of both.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24028
Those who think Guru Nanak did not look after his children & wife should remember that his purpose of life & his mission to heal the world with his love & spirtual guidance was much greater than looking after a small family.He was assured that his family is safe & is being well lo0ked after by his jija & his sister at Sultanpur.Guru Nanak was doing a job as storekeeper to look after the granery of Nawab.He had enough money.
When Guru Nanak recieved his call from God , he left everything & set out on a mission that has hardly been achieved by any other human being.It is in his travels that he collected the writtings of Kabir,Namdev & other saints which is a beutiful part of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
It is impossible for me to write & sing praises of Guru Nanak in this short note.
I consider Guru Nanak as my own Father & some times i differ with him also on certain parts of his writtings in gurbani which do not appeal to my soul & i frankly tell him, which he appreciates. Like some times sons differ from fathers & fathers give freedom to their sons to do so.I love Guru Nanak as my spirtual Father.Just imagine in 9 words Guru Nanak has given us the gift of MOOL MANTAR. This is a treasure.we know who God is from Guru Nanak's point of view. It was Guru Nanak who in 15th century spoke about the equality of women what a beutiful shabad there is in Asa di vaar....Bhand Jamiaye Bhand Nimiaye......
Guru Nanak was a great Father, a great philospher , a great guide.
Guru Nanak was the humblest prophet.
what a beutiful line is this: Dan Menhda Tali Khak je Mile ta Mastak Laeeaye.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24028
I bow my head to Guru Nanak & pray that those who do not know Gurmukhi to please read & heed what Guru Nanak has written in his mother tongue.Guru Nanak was the greatest poet.Please read what he has written in the Gurbani in Patti Likhi which is in Asa de vaar.This bani has all the 35 words of our punjabi language written in Gurmukhi script. This gurbani he uttered at the age od 7-8 when he was sent to study from a muslim teacher.

I bow my head again on the feet of Guru Nanak.
Mahanbir Singh.

Narayanjot Kaur · #5 (**permalink**) 13-Feb-2009, 03:24 AM

Mahanbir Singh ji
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24028

Of course, the points you are making are the main points...He was and is a great father to each and every one of us.

mahanbir singh · #6 (**permalink**) 13-Feb-2009, 04:01 AM

I am sorry i mentioned Guru Nanak as great Father like jesus.. jesus always said ' i am the sun. He also said i & Father are one. what ever may be your openion regarding Guru Nanak as father of small wordly family of his 2 children & wife but Guru Nanak was the a great father of the whole humanity.

Narayanjot Kaur · #7 (**permalink**) 13-Feb-2009, 04:09 AM

mahanbir ji

No need to apologize. I think most readers know what you meant and were not offended by anything you said. Your main idea was very clear.

mahanbir singh · #8 (**permalink**) 13-Feb-2009, 04:21 AM

Mistake again, please read jesus always said i am His son. He also said i & father are one. That is the message Guru gave Ek PITA EKAS KE HUM BARIK. if we can understand this & treat every one as son of God, our Life will change for ever. Our differences of cast, creed ,colour, sex & language will cease to exist.Every one will become our friend. we shall treat others as we desire to be treated. You give your love first, You will get love 7 times more. what you give you recieve. Giving is Recieving.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24028
Love is the experience of God.Love is all there is .Give your Love to one and all. reject no one. May Gurus give you the wisdom to use love in your life.

mahanbir singh · #9 (**permalink**) 13-Feb-2009, 04:25 AM

Thank you so much aadooo2 ji, God Bless You.