Who Are The Gurus?

[justrandeepsingh]

Waheguru Ji Ke Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh

Who are our ten gurus?
Are they God?
Are they an aspect of God?
Were the sent by God?
Are they one with God?
Are they prophets from God?
Please in detail describe our gurus' relationship to God using some referances.

--Gurfateh

 

[S|kH]

The Gurus were human beings that became one with God.


They were not sent by God -- It took 30 years before Guru Nanak had completely began to change the region...there was no "baby Nanak" similar to Baby Jesus's birth. Guru Nanaks birth was not prophecized.

They are not prophets from God -- None of them claimed knowledge of the future and its holdings.

They are not aspects of God -- They just speak the message, which they think is God's true message. This is shown because the Gurus acknowledged other pathways to finding God. They knew, that they only speak one certain message to get to God. Guru Nanak denounced the multiple Gods in Hinduism that claimed to be aspects of the one true God....but one can also argue, that everyone is an aspect of God.

The Introduction of the book "Soft Target" does a nice analysis on Guru Nanak's history, and his childhood. Some of these questions are answered there.

 

[The lion king]

Does that mean we can all become gurus? if so, then we do not need a guru to lead us to god....?

can god not be achieved thruogh self realization? without a guru, prophet, enlightener, saga?

i was once posed with this comment

"If you're saying that you need a guru, then I say let your heart be your guru"

what will be the best reply to the best of ur knowledge?

there is also a thread on this:

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/threads/your-signatures-please.818/

 

[Astroboy]

Spreading the message.
Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504-1552) gave a new form to the gurmukhi alphabet. , to spread the message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

 

[Astroboy]

The Guru Raised Me From the Lowliest Position

Bhai Jetha Ji used to earn his livelihood by selling boiled grains. Very often he would freely give away the boiled grains to the needy and to the poor laborers. Guru Amar Das was highly impressed by his charitable nature and blessed the young boy. Ultimately the divine succession was bestowed on him, he was named Ram Das and was installed as the Fourth Guru.

 

[Astroboy]

The Invincible Guru

Several fruitless efforts were made on the life of (Guru) Hargobind right from his infancy. A snake-charmer was bribed who let loose a poisonous snake. But the great
(Guru), overpowered the snake.

 

[Astroboy]

The Robe of Honor

Baba Amar Das served Sri Guru Angad Dev with utmost devotion and dedication. Besides fetching water from the river Beas for Master's bath every day, he would serve in the Langar. Every year the Guru acknowledged his services by conferring upon him robe of honor which the Great Guru wrapped around his head. Baba Amar Das was decorated with the Siropi seven times. Seva is one of the main tenets of Sikhism, exemplified through the lives of Gurus.

 

[Astroboy]

Listen to this history of our Gurus.
YouTube - Miri Piri Khalsa - Satgur Ki Safal He

 

[Astroboy]

The Ethics Of a Shop-Keeper

Guru Nanak had joined as a Modi (storekeeper) of Daulat Khan Lodi at Sultanpur. Everyone hailed Nanak, as he was fair in his dealings. He used to say that an honest shop- keeper alone can have a- balanced personality. Only his-words carry weight. What one requires is integrity and one can achieve it being true to one's vocation.

 

[Astroboy]

Bhai Handal bowing to Guru Amar Das Ji.

Bhai Handal bowing to Guru Amar Das Ji.
The institution of Guru-ka-langur (free kitchen) was growing and becoming a great force during the time of Guru Amar Das Ji. Guru Ji ensured that social prejudices were renounced and equality of mankind accepted by all those who came to seek his blessings. Every devotee whether Hindu or Muslim, Brahmin or Shudra, rich or poor was asked to partake of food in the langur before he/she could see the Guru.
Once when Guru Ji came to visit the langar Bhai Handal Ji was kneading dough. He was delighted to see Guru Ji and as he prepared to bow he realised that to maintain cleanliness he needed to keep his hands off the floor. He put his hands behind his back and bowed infront of Guru Ji. Guru Amar Das ji was greatly impressed and appointed him as a preacher. He went back to his home town of Jandiala and started preaching the Guru's message

 

[Astroboy]

The Drought at Chheharata

To mitigate the suffering of drought affected people, Guru Arjan Dev ordered digging up of wells. A multi-purpose well constructed at village Chheharata was so wide that six persian wheels around it could operate simultaneously. Availability of water and greening of area brought relief to the people and cattle alike.

 

[Astroboy]

The Blessing

Prema Chaudhri, who had become a leper, once, fell at the feet of Guru Amar Ms. Guru Sahib blessed him, gave him a bath with his own hands, restored him to good health and called him, 'My son Murari.' He got him married to Matho and made them an ideal couple.​

 

[Astroboy]

Belittling the Caste-System

Guru Nanak Dev disparagingly condemned caste-prejudices. To do away with this social malady he set an example. He visited Bhai Lalo an 'out-caste', and both had their meals together, giving a shocking surprise to the village-folk. Moreover, Mardana, the life-long companion of Guru Sahib was minstrel, coming from 'low-caste'.​

 

[spnadmin]

These are really great pics and blurbs, Begum ji. I have not seen them before. Always wait to see what you have posted each day.

 

[Astroboy]

Curing a Leper

During his first Udasi - preaching odyssey - Guru Nanak (1469 - 1539 CE)along with Bhai Mardana visited Goindwal, now in district Amritsar. Here, he called on a leper and asked him to permit them to spend a night in his cottage. the leper was amazed and filled with joy and said, 'Even the animals would not come nearby. Because of the Grace of God I have come across a human being.' Whereas, at the very sight of Guru Sahib the leper was cured of leprosy. These are the ways of 'Men of God', who by way of Compassion cure the ills of humanity​

 

[Archived_member2]

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal!
Dear all!

This is a great query. Who are the Gurus?

Begum Jee has shown many paintings. Does he want to say that the Gurus are the paintings or a part of it?
Should Sikhs now believe that True Guru is not only Sabad but a painted picture also?


Balbir Singh

 

[Astroboy]

Balbir Jee,
Leave these pictures for the kids. You are too advanced level for all of us. But I will never consider YOU as my guru.

 

[Astroboy]

The Cobra Provides the Shade

Once the young Nanak had taken his cattle for grazing in the fields. As he lay resting, the sunrays fell on his face, after some time. A cobra crawled out of its hiding place and spread its hood to provide shade over young Nanak’s divine face. The local official of the village, Rae Bular, noticed this miracle as he was passing that way. He had sent for Nanak’s father, Mehta Kalu, and told him, 'Kalu! Don’t curse your son. He is a Great Being. My village survives because of his Grace. Kalu! Both of us are blessed as he is born in our village.​

 

[Astroboy]

The Bebe Nanaki - The First Sikh

A sister's love for her brother is a perennial theme of Punjabi folklore. Janam Sakhis tell us of several stories depicting Bebe Nanaki (b. 1464 CE) love for her brother Nanak. Bebe Nanaki was the first to recognize Nanak, one blessed by God. She is seen here with her husband Jai Ram, as Mardana the ministerial, receives the rebeck on which he accompanied Guru Nanak, singing his divinely inspired songs. This was before Guru Nanak set out on his preaching odyssey' accompanied by Bhai Mardana​

 

[Astroboy]

Bhai Mardana

Bhai Mardana (1459-1534 CE) accompanied Guru Nanak Dev by playing on rebeck, when the latter used to Sing the Glory of God.​