Birth place of Guru Nanak

Kalu’s Money• Nanak grew up to be a fine young man but was more interested in

thinking and spending time with the monks rather than doing any work.

• One day his father, Kalu had an idea. He gave him 20 rupees, told him to take it to the city, buy something, sell it and make a profit. Earn his living!

• Reluctantly he went. In the city he saw some monks sitting under trees. They looked pale and frail. They told Nanak they had not eaten for 3 days.

• “Wait there!” said Nanak and went into the city. He bought food for the monks and took it back to them. “Bless you,” they said.

• But now it was Nanak’s turn to be sad. He had to return home to face his angry father. As his father was telling him off, Nanak said, “What could be a better bargain than feeding the hungry?”

• What does this tell you about Guru Nanak’s teachings?

God’s Message

• One morning, when Nanak was 30 years old, he went to bathe in the river. He disappeared and people thought he had drowned.

• Three days later, the reappeared and remained silent for a whole day.

• Then he said, “There is neither a Hindu nor as a Muslim, only God’s path and I shall follow God’s path.”

• What does this tell you about Guru Nanak’s teachings?

Nanak’s Journeys

• Guru Nanak spent 20 years making 4 long journey spreading his messages. People joined him in his beliefs.

• He finally settled on the banks of the River Ravi.

• People would gather there and pray together.

• In the evening everyone would cook together in the same kitchen, and ate together – no matter how rich or poor they were.

• What does this tell you about Guru Nanak’s teachings?

A final argument• After the death of Nanak both Hindus and Muslims argued as to who should do the funeral

service. Hindus wanted him cremated; Muslims wanted him buried.

• The body of Guru Nanak was lying under a sheet.

• A wise man appeared and told them to look below the sheet. There was no body, just a few flowers.

• They realised that Nanak himself who had to tell them not to quarrel.

• The flowers and the sheet were divided into two halves. The Hindus cremated their half; the Muslims buried theirs.

• What does this tell you about Guru Nanak’s teachings?

Important Stories to share

• He had many important adventures – we will learn about the stories of:

• Bhai Lalo• Duni Chand and the Needle of Heaven• The Holy Men and the Jasmine Flower

Bhai Lalo was a carpenter who earned his living by honest work. One day he saw Guru Nanak and a friend approach. He quickly put aside his work, spread a bed for them and went to get them some lunch.  As the kitchen was supposed to be the cleanest place in a house, Bhai Lalo asked Guru Nanak to come there and have his meal. The Guru said “Bhai Lalo, every place is clean and pure for us. Please bring the meal here.” So the meal was brought out into the courtyard and all ate together. “This meal tastes like honey. What have you put in it?” asked Bhai Mardana. Guru Nanak replied, “That was the taste of truthfulness and honesty that you tasted.”

It then happened that Malik Bhago, a rich landlord of high status was giving a feast. He invited all the high-status religious and holy men to join him. When he discovered that Guru Nanak was staying at the house of Bhai Lalo, Malik Bhago sent a servant to invite Guru Nanak to join them But when the Guru declined the invitation, it made Malik Bhago very angry, and he sent his servants to fetch Guru Nanak to explain. When the Guru reached Malik Bhago’s house, Malik looked angrily at him and said, “Why do you refuse my bread and eat at the house of a lowly carpenter, though you are a holy man of high status?” Guru Nanak replied, “I have no status, all human beings are equal.”  “Then why did you decline to join my feast?” asked Malik Bhago angrily. Guru Nanak then said, “Do you really want to know?” Bhago said, “Yes, I want to know why you preferred Lalo’s simple bread to my luxurious food.”  The Guru asked Bhago to bring some of his food, and asked Lalo to do the same. When the food was brought, Guru Nanak put a piece from Lalo in one hand, and a piece from Bhago in the other and squeezed.  From Lalo’s food came drops of milk, and from Bhago’s food, blood! The Guru said, “Now you see why I would not join your feast; your food is blood-stained because you have got your wealth by exploiting the poor, while Lalo earns his bread by the sweat of his brow. And even though he is not a wealthy man he shares his earnings with the needy.”  Malik Bhago was much ashamed at this and became speechless. He fell at the Guru’s feet and prayed for mercy, and vowed that from that day he would earn his bread honestly and share his wealth with the poor.

The Story of Malik Bhago and Bhai Lalo

Guru Nanak was a travelling teacher. He visited Lahore, where there lived a banker called Duni Chand, well-known for being greedy. His beautiful palace shone with gold, marble and precious jewels.

The story of Duni Chand

Duni Chand leant that Guru Nanak was visiting. He rushed to invite the Guru to a special feast: it would make him look very

important to have a famous guest.

Guru Nanak accepted the invitation. It was a wonderful occasion.

When everyone had finished, Duni Chand turned to Guru Nanak and said, “I am a wealthy man, I can help you. What do you want me to do?”

Guru Nanak sat and thought. Fumbling in his pocket, he drew out a tiny sewing needle.

“Something you can do for me,” he replied, holding up the needle. “I want you to keep this needle very safe and give it back to me when we meet in the next world.”

Duni Chand felt very important. The Guru had given him a very special task.

He took the needle and showed it to his wife, explaining what the Guru had told him.

To his surprise, she burst into laughter. “How are you going to do that?” she asked.

He thought and thought, then ran back to the Guru asking, “How can I take this needle with me when I die?”

“If you cannot take a tiny needle with you when you die, how are you going to take all your riches?”

For the first time in his life, Duni Chand felt ashamed. He realised he had been greedy. He and his wife decided to use their wealth to help the poor.

Task: Make a story book of Guru Nanak’s life and

teachingsLevel 4

•Be able to describe some stories of Guru Nanak

•Ask questions about the stories and suggestion some answers

Level 5•Be able to suggest reasons behind Guru Nanak’s teachings

•Give your and other’s opinions

Level 6•Explain how Guru Nanak’s message affects the lives of Sikhs

•Use reasoning and examples to show the importance of Guru Nanak’s message