Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus. He traveled extensively throughout South Asia and the Middle East from 1469-1539 CE sharing his message of unity and equality. During his travels he visited major religious and cultural centers to engage with leaders and spread his teachings of one God and universal brotherhood. His travels helped propagate the core Sikh beliefs of monotheism, equality, and service to humanity.

1. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
(Sambat 1526-1596, AD 1469-1539)
An Illustrated Spiritual Journey

2. In Sikh faith worshiping idols and pictures of Sikh
Guru's is not practiced as we believe that the
We believe in the Shabad* of the Gurbani
enshrined in the
our present Guru.
God is
Unborn, Uncreated and beyond Incarnation (¡‹»È∆).
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
1. Shabad* - Creator / Order of creator obtained by Guru / Religion.
(page 131 of Gurmat Martand by Bhai Sahib Bhai Khan Singh-Nabha)
2. The pictures used in this book are unverified pictures.
Disclaimer

3. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
(Sambat 1526-1596, AD 1469-1539)
An Illustrated Spiritual Journey
by
Commander Balvir Singh
th
Dedicated to 550 , Birth Anniversary
of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Founder of Sikhism

4. Guru Nanak Dev Ji
(1469-1539)
Ruler of India Period Sikh Guru
1
2
Lodhi Dynasty :
Bahol Khan Lodhi
Sikander Shah
Ibrahim Hussain Lodhi
Muslim Period :
Babur
Humayun
1450-1489
1489-1517
1517-1526
1526-1530
1530-1540
Political Map of India during 1469-1539

5. <siqgur pRswid]
siqgur nwnk pRgitAw imtI DuMD jg cwnx hoAw]
ijauN kr sUrj inkilAw qwry Cpy AMDyr ploAw]
On the divine emergence of the true guru, Guru Nanak,
the ignorance (fog/mist) is set free and the light of true
knowledgescatteredaroundtheworld.
As with the appearance of sun, the stars disappear(s)
andthedarknessisdispelled.
Bhai Gurdas Ji Var 1/27

6. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born when India was going through very
unsettled time. Punjab has been in the route of many invasions of
India.Lodhi’sandlaterMuslim’s invaded,ruledand somewentback
withplunder/loot andsomestayedbacktocontinuetheirrule.
The administration was oppressive. Though largely Muslim, it was
discriminatory not only between Muslim and non - Muslim, but also
between Muslim’s different sects and grouping ; the Sunni, the Shia
andtheIsmaili. TherewerealsotheSufi’s.
Indian society was deeply divided on caste lines. People of lower
caste were treated badly and were not allowed to use common
facilities like sharing Water resources, Worship places and even not
allowedtolearnreading andwriting.
Advent of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539)

7. Guru Nanak Dev Jiwas born on 15 April 1469 at Rai Bhoi di
Talwandi(ItisnowknownasNankanaSahib,NearLahore,
Punjab,Pakistan).
His father was Mehta Kalyan Chand Das Bedi popularly
knownasMehtaKaluJi,andMotherMataTriptaJi.
HisfatherwasaPatwari(arevenueOfficer)ofTalwandi.
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

8. BebeNankiJiwastheeldersisterofGuruNanakDev.
Bebe Nanaki was married to Bhai Jai Ram Ji, a reputed
Revenue official of Sultanpur Lodhi. Sultanpur was then
thecapitaloftheJalandharDoab.
At her insistence, Nanak Dev Ji at the age of 18 years
followedhertolivewithherandherhusbandatSultanpur.
Bhai Jai Ram ji got Guru Nanak Dev Ji employed in the
serviceof DaulatKhanLodhi theNawabofSultanpur.
Bebe Nanki Ji (Sister)

9. Family of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
1. On 24 September 1487 Guru Nanak Dev Ji married
Mata Sulakkhani, daughter of Mul Chand and Chando
Rani, in the town of Batala, Punjab.
2. They had two sons, Sri Chand ji and Lakhmi Chand Ji.
3. Sri Chand received enlightenment from Guru Nanak's
teachings and went on to become the founder of the
Udasi sect.

10. Early Life of Sri Guru Nanak
Attheageof6,HewassendtolearnHindifromPanditGopalandlater
Sanskrit from Pandit Brij Lal. He was also send to learn Persian and
ArabicfromMaulviQutab-ud-Din.
Stories of his precocious progress in the lessons are unanimous that
he did not stay in Pathshala ( Hindi & Sanskrit School) and Madrasah
(IslamicsystemofeducationforPersian&Arabic)forlong.
It is said he use to question them about the Creator and role of the
Divinepowersforwhichtheyhadlittleornoanswers.
Nanak was always immersed in the divine love towards the creator.
expressedremarkable roleoftheDivinepowers.
All his teachers found him to possess signs of Knowledge and
Intelligence beyond their understanding of subject and were of the
opinionthatitwasunnecessaryforhimtocontinueinschools.

11. Nanak was pained to see deep divide in the society on caste
lines and atrocities inflicted on common man by the Rulers
and discrimination by High Caste Priests.

12. Sri Guru Nanak discarded religious rituals which
created difference among people of society.
Janeou is considered a sacred
thread worn by upper caste
Hindu’s.
Guru Nanak as a child of 11 years
refused to wear sacred thread
called Janeou. He stated that
instead he would wear the true
name of God in his heart for his
blessings.
He reasoned with Pandit Hardyal
“Pandit Ji if you have a Janeou for
soul than put it, This will not break
orgetsoiled,itwillneitherburnnor
perish”.

13. Sacha Sauda (Truthful Business)
Once his father gave him Rs.20
for business, While he was going
to market , He saw a group of
hungryandweakSaints.
He arranged food and clothes for
all and thus started “Langar”
(Free Kitchen for all without any
discrimination on Caste / Color
/Rich or Poor) and “Service of
Poor and Needy” as an
importantprincipalofSikhism.

14. Sri Guru Nanak as in-charge of Stores
at Sultanpur Lodhi
Sri Guru Nanak's
Message
When you are in the
position to serve people
do it without any
discrimination and with
pureHonesty.

15. @ Sultanpur Lodhi (Near Jalandhar)
OnedaywhileatSultanpur,Nanak(30yearsold) wenttotakebathina
river and did not return. The news of him missing spread like fire in
town. Those who went to look for him found his clothes. It was feared
thathehasdrowned.
The Nawab and the fellow countrymen were distraught. Only Bebe
Nanki (Sister)wasunperturbedasshewasconvincedofhisreturn.
It is believed that during his absence Nanak was in the presence of the
Almighty Creator, where he was ordained by him to spread the
messageofuniversalloveandhis name(oneGod).
Nanak reappeared after three days, He did not respond to any
questions on his absence. The following day he gave a strong message
tothesociety:
(all are creation of one God and all are his children)
“There is neither a Hindu nor Mussalman”

16. Nanak realised about the Social, Political and Spiritual
crises prevailing in the India and the world around. To
address the issue he left for historic journeys which were
to spread over two decades and directed one after
another towards the East, South, North and West. He
coveredover41000Kminfoursuchtours(Udasian).
It was an unparalleled mission to propagate divine
message of “One God” and “Brotherhood of Mankind” to
the entire universe. He travelled to apprise people of the
vices and the loss of values that had crept in their Moral,
Social,ReligiousandPoliticalLife.
Udasian – Travels of Sri Guru Nanak

17. He visited all important centers of Religious, Social and
Cultural activities and sought the company of Leaders,
Religious heads, Scholars, people of all Status, Professions,
CasteandCreed.
He engaged with them to convey the message of One God and
stressed upon to improve life of Peasants, Farmers so that all
canliveinbettersocialenvironment.
He travelled length and breath of whole of Indian
subcontinent, He also went to far off places now known as
Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Ceylon (Srilanka), Yemen,
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal,
BhutanandTibet(China).
Udasian – Travels of Sri Guru Nanak

18. Udasian – Travels of Sri Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak was always accompanied by his fellow Bala (Hindu) &
Mardana (Muslim)aRebeb(MusicalInstrument)player.
HegenerallywalkedhiswaythroughPlain,Hillsand alongtherivers.
Healsousedallavailablemeans forcrossingriversandseas.
He is believed to have travelled, thus over a greater part of land and
for greater period of time than any other prophet or founder of any
religion.
There is no single source or document which gives sequence of
places visited by Guru Nanak. Effort to track places have been made
based on the available historical evidence, Route maps of ancient
travellers, mode of transportation and account of various Historical
Gurdwara’s. Theremaybevariationinthisrecords.Researchonthis
subjectisacontinuousprocess….

19. 1st Udasi- East (Hindu pilgrimage places)
Sambat 1554-1566 (1497-1509 AD)
Thislastedforaperiodover
12years.
Saffronrobe(BhagwaChola)
WhiteKamarband
Cap(NoakdarTopi)
GarlandofBones
Differentcolorshoes
MarkofKesar(Tilak)on
forehead.
DresswornduringthisUdasi:
Route of 1st Udasi:
Pehowa, Kurukshetra, Haridwar,
Panipat,Delhi,Ayodhya
(via Bulandshahar-Rampur)
Nizamabad, Varanasi, Allahabad
(Pryag), Gaya, Jahanabad, Patna,
Hajjipur, Darbhanga, Siliguri,
Nalbari, Guwahati, Silchar,
Kamrup, Dhanasari Valley,
Shillong, Sylhet, Agartala, Dhaka,
Kolkata (Calcutta), Contai,
Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri
(Jagan Nath Puri), Raipur,
Jabalpur, Mathura, Jhajjar, Jind,
Mansa,FirozpurtoSultanpur.

20. 2nd Udasi ( South)
Sambat 1567-1572 (1510-1515 AD)
This travel lasted for a period
over 5 years .
Wooden slipper (Kharawa),
Assa, Rope wrapped on head
and upper body.
Bhai Saida and Bhai Siho
were also accompanying him.
Dress worn during this Udasi:
Routeof2ndUdasi
From Talwandi to Sirsa, Ajmer , Jaipur, Bhilwara,
Central Rajputana, Ujjain, Indore, Bhopal,
Marathware (Nagpur) Karimnagar, Guntur,
Nellore, Pullicat, Vellore, Tiruchchirappalli , Naga
Pattnam,
Sri Lanka (Cylone) , By sea route to Batticaola,
Kandy, Colombo (Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte),
Putlam, NuwareEliya, Anuradhapura,
Trinkomalee,Mannar(crossedtoIndiabyboat)
South India : Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam,
Palakkad, Mysuru (Mysore), Gulbarga, Bider,
Nanded, Aurangabad, Ellora, Manmad, Surat,
Bharuch near Vadodara (Baroda ), by sea route to
Somnath temples , Dwaraka, Okha, Ahmedabad,
Udaipur, Marwar, Jodhpur, Pokhran, Phalodi,
Kolayat, Bikanagar, Hanumangarh, Ganganagar,
Fazilka, Pakpatan, Dipalpur, Chunniaand returned
backtoTalwandi.

21. This travel lasted for a period
over 2 years .
Leather Clothes,
Mark of Kesar (Tilak) on
forehead.
Bhai Hansu Luhar,
Bhai Siha and Chemba
were also with Guru Sahib.
Dress worn during this Udasi:
3rd Udasi (North)
Sambat 1573-74 (1516-1517 AD)
Routeof3rdUdasi
From Kartarpur to Kalanaur,
Gurdaspur, Dasuya, Palampur, Kangra,
Jawala Mukhi, Mandi, Bilaspur, Kullu,
Shimla, Solan, Uttarkashi, Pauri
Garhwal, Gaumukhi, Kedarnath, Badri
Nath, Nanda Devi, along the bank of
Satluj to Rasak Lake, Mansarovar,
Pokhra, Kathmandu, Dhankuta in
Nepal, Gangtok (Sikkim), Thimpu
(Bhutan), returning via Tibetian Platu
(China) along northern bank of
Brahmaputra to Ladakh, Gilgit,
Kupwara, Baramula, Srinagar, Rajori,
Mirpur, Jammu, Sialkot, Pathankot and
back.

22. Thistravellastedfora
period over5years.
DressedlikeHaji,
Bluedress,
Bag(Basta),
Musla,Assa and Lota
DresswornduringthisUdasi:
4th Udasi (West)
Sambat 1574-1579 (1517-1522 AD)
Route of 4th Udasi
FromKartarpur,Dipalpur,PakPatan,
(along river Indus) Multan, Uch,
Sukkar, Hydrabad, Lakhpat, Karachi,
Hinglaj, Muskat (Oman), Adan
(Yemen), Mecca–Medina (Saudi
Arabia) Damascus (Syria)*, Ankara
(Turkey)*, Bagdad (Iraq), Herrat-
Tehran - Mashhad (Iran), Herat-
Kabul (Afghanistan), Jallabad,
Khyberpass,Peshawar,HasanAbdal,
Rohtas, Emanabad, Lahore and back
toTalwandi
*Sikh History (Part 1)- Prof Kartar Singh

23. Those arduous travels went a long way
in bringing about desired reformation
and regeneration, and spreading his
universal message far and wide.
This also apprised the world the divine
form of Nanak as
Universal Guru and Missionary of Almighty
( One God)

24. After 4th Udasi in 1522 AD, he returned to Kartarpur and lived there.
He took on his social responsibilities with humble fervour. He continued
to preach his sermons in simple language and gave examples from daily
life. He thus practiced what he had preached.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Sahib ( Pakistan)

25. Last days of Sri Guru Nanak
Nanak enshrined the divine light into Bhai Lehna Ji as his
successor. Bhai Lehna Ji was with Guru Nanak as his devout
(Sikh)discipleforover7years.
Nanak embraced him and called him Angad ( My own limb)
and ordained him as Guru by bowing before him and
touching his feet. He handed over Book (Pothi) of Gurbani
recited by him and Bhagat Bani collected by him during
Udasianandleftforheavenlyabodein1539(AD).
Guru Angad Ji was followed by anothereight Guru's till the last
10th Guru Guru Gobind Singh ji enthroned Sri Guru Granth
SahibJiasSikh’spresentGuruin1706(AD).

26. First Principle given to Mankind by
Sri Guru Nanak
There is only one Supreme Protector
The only True one ,
The Creator , All Pervasive
Without Fear
Without Enmity
Eternal is the Manifestation
Free from Birth and rebirth and
Self Created.
This understanding
comes by the Guru's Grace.

27. Messages of Sri Guru Nanak
Kirat Karni
Naam Japna
Vand Chhakna
Live a honest Life and to earn your living with honest labor
Always remember God
Share their earnings with others who are less fortunate

28. 1. Accountability: Everyone is answerable to God. No one is saved except through
good deeds .
sBnw kw dir lyKw hoie ] krxI bwJhu qrY n koie ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Ramkali / 952)
2. Aim of Life: By making faith your bowings and knowledge of mind the aim of
your life , You will find God present wherever you look .
isdku kir isjdw mnu kir mKsUdu ] ijh iDir dyKw iqh iDir maujUdu ]1]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Siri / 84)
3. Answerable: Each one himself answers for his own deeds.
kIqw Awpo Awpxw Awpy hI lyKw sMFIAY ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Asa / 473)
4. Astrological Calculations: Astrological Calculations create suspense and fear in
heart , Peace of mind is through refuge in god.
gxIAY shsw duKu jIAY ] gur kI srix pvY suKu QIAY ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Ramkali / 904)
5. AttainmentofGod: ManattainstheGreatone throughthepraiseofGodone.
vifAweI vfw pwieAw ]7]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Asa / 474)
Messages of Sri Guru Nanak

29. 6. Auspicious Point of Time : While counting and determining auspicious
moments, man forgets that God alone is controller of time.
swhw gxih n krih bIcwru ] swhy aUpir eykMkwru ]
(SGGS - Rag/ Page – Ramkali / 904)
7. Belief: Mind itself is the teacher of the mind.
……… mn hI qy mnu mwinAw ]
(SGGS - Rag/ Page – Tukari / 1111)
8. Birth & Death: Man comes and goes in God’s will.
hukmy AwvY hukmy jwie ] AwgY pwCY hukim smwie ]2]
(SGGS - Rag/ Page – Gauri / 151)
9. Blood Suckers: The Garments soaked in blood is deemed unclean, Then
how can those who make human hearts bleed be considered clean.
slok mÚ 1 ] jy rqu lgY kpVY jwmw hoie plIqu]
jo rqu pIvih mwxsw iqn ikau inrmlu cIqu ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Majh / 140)
Messages of Sri Guru Nanak

30. 10. Business of the world: The principle of unions and separation regulate
the business of world.
sMjogu ivjogu duie kwr clwvih
(SGGS - Rag/ Page – Japu / 6) Pauri 28
11. Caste & Birth: God does not take into account our caste or birth, real
status of man is as his deeds are.
jwiq jnmu nh pUCIAY sc Gru lyhu bqwie] sw jwiq sw piq hY jyhy krm kmwie]
jnm mrn duKu kwtIAY nwnk CUtis nwie ]4]10]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Prabhati / 1330)
12. Creation:Nonebutthecreatorhimselfknowswhocreatedtheuniverse.
jw krqw isrTI kau swjy Awpy jwxY soeI]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Jap / 4) Pauri 21
13. Depriving others: Depriving others of their dues is like eating Pork for
Muslim and Beef for Hindu.
mÚ 1 ] hku prwieAw nwnkw ausu sUAr ausugwie]
guru pIru hwmw qw Bry jw murdwru n Kwie]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Majh / 141)
Messages of Sri Guru Nanak

31. 14. Domination on Others: Stupid and boorish they are who seek to dominate
others.
hukmu krih mUrK gwvwr] nwnk swcy ky isPiq BMfwr ]4]3]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Basant / 1169)
15. Earth / Universe : There are many more earths beside ours , beneath and
beyond them are others still. Countless are the planetary systems and
innumerable there are universe.
DrqI horu prY horu horu] iqs qy Bwru qlY kvxu joru ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Japu / 3)
16. Enlightenment : As with the appearance of the sun luster of the moon
disappears , so with the attainment of knowledge ignorance is dispelled.
augvY sUru n jwpY cMdu] jh igAwn pRgwsu AigAwnu imtMqu ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Suhi / 791)
17. Equality: Call everyone high, None seem to be low for One God , the potter,
has fashioned all alike and his light shines in all creation.
sBu ko aUcw AwKIAY nIcu n dIsY koie] ieknY BWfy swijAY ieku cwnxu iqhu loie]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Siri / 62)
Messages of Sri Guru Nanak

32. 18. Falsehood: A hundred lies uttered as may times remains just lies and no
betterevenifwholeworldassentstothem.
jy sau kUVIAw kUVu kbwVu ] BwvY sBu AwKau sMswru ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Dhansari / 662)
19. Law of Karma: One receives in accordance with one does. As one sows so
oneeats.
jYsw kry su qYsw pwvY ] Awip bIij Awpy hI KwvY ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Dhansari / 662)
20. Humility: Humble sweetness is the essence of all that is good and all that is
virtuous.
imTqu nIvI nwnkw gux cMigAweIAw qqu ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Assa / 470)
21. Most superb task: The trusted deeds , to be done in this world is praise of
God.
iesu jg mih krxI swrI] krxI kIriq hoeI ] jw Awpy imilAw soeI]4]1]12]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Sorath / 599)
Messages of Sri Guru Nanak

33. 22. Rituals : That ritual is forbidden that make us forget God.
mhlw 1 ] jwlau AYsI rIiq ijqu mY ipAwrw vIsrY ]
( SGGS - Rag/ Page – Wadhans / 590)
23. Family : He reasoned with Saints and Sadhus to be responsible to their family,
SocietyandPoliticalboundaries.
24. Woman : He reasoned why call a woman inferior, when she is demonstrably
thematrixofallhumangreatness. Kingsandsaintsarebornofher
mÚ 1]Bif jMmIAY BMif inMmIAY BMif mMgxu vIAwhu ] BMfhu hovY dosqI BMfhu clY rwhu]
BMfu muAw BMfu BwlIAY BMif hovY bMDwnu ] so ikau mMdw AwKIAY ijqu jMmihrwjwn ]
(SGGS – Rag/ Page Assa / 473)*
25. Rulers: A ruler remains installed on thrown by virtue of his good deeds.
rwjw qKiq itkY guxI BY pMcwiex rqu ]1]
( SGGS Rag/ Page Maru / 992)
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Rag / Page No)
Messages of Sri Guru Nanak

34. References
1. Varan of Bhai Gurdas Ji
2. Sikh History (Part -1) -Prof Kartar Singh MA. (1992 edition )
3. Gur Itihas Patshahi-(Part 1) -Prof Sahib Singh. (1996 edition)
4. Twarik Guru Khalsa (Part -1) -Giani Gian Singh Ji.
5. Five hundred thoughts of Guru Nanak -Dr Harnam Singh ( 1993 edition)
6. Travels of Guru Nanak (Atlas) S Fauja Singh, S Kirpal Singh (2004 edition)
You can request for a copy by:
Send message "send" on Whatsapp : 98148-09737
e-mail "send" to balvir57@gmail.com
Cdr Balvir Singh, 737 Urban Estate Phase I, Jalandhar.

36. CROTIAN – INDIAN SOCIETY, ZAGREB, CROATIA
HRVATSKO-INDIJSKO DRUŠTVO, Zagreb, HRVATSKA
With the Best Complements from :

37. Gurdwara Janamasthan (Nankana Sahib) Pakistan
Birth Place of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
The founder of Sikhism (6th largest religion of the world)
With the Best Compliments from :
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Urban Estate, Phase-I, Jalandhar. (INDIA)

38. Gurdwara Janamasthan (Nankana Sahib) Pakistan
Birth Place of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
The founder of Sikhism (6th largest religion of the world)
With the Best Compliments of :
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Imphal, Manipur.

39. Gurdwara Janamasthan (Nankana Sahib) Pakistan
Birth Place of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
The founder of Sikhism (6th largest religion of the world)
With the Best Compliments from :
Commander Balvir Singh