Guru Nanak: Good Actions Matter Most

Bhai Gurdas narrates a story of Guru Nanak traveling to the Middle East. There were many Haaji's (pilgrims,) going to Mecca. Among them were Kazis and Mullahs, people knowledgeable in Muslim teachings.

This simple narrative says a lot. In today's world, many people discuss religion, and the merits and demerits of the different religions. Some even argue that religion itself is the problem and without it people would behave more rationally.

Guru Nanak carried a book with him. It contained his songs that were spontaneously composed in various circumstances. These would later become part of Siri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

ਪੁਛਨਿ ਫੋਲਿ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਨੋ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਵਡਾ ਕਿ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨੋਈ॥
Puchan fol kitab no, hindu vada ki musalmanoi.
They asked (Guru Nanak) to open and search in his book and please tell them, which is better, the Hindu or the Muslim?

Guru Nanak's answer is simple and powerful.

ਬਾਬਾ ਆਖੇ ਹਾਜੀਆਂ ਸੁਭਿ ਅਮਲਾ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਦੋਨੋ ਰੋਈ॥
Baba akhe hajia, shub amla bajhu dono roi.
Baba Nanak said to the pilgrims, hajis, that without good actions both will go crying.

Guru Nanak teaches that it doesn't matter what your belief system is. Our virtue is shown by how we actively make the world a better place. Guru ji goes on to explain,

ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਦੁਇ ਦਰਗਹ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਲਹਣਿ ਨ ਢੋਈ॥
Hindu Musalman due dargeh andar lahan na dhoi.
By being Muslim or Hindu one can not get accepted in the court of God.

We are timeless souls. Though we may take pride in our upbringing, when we leave this earth, it will not matter what our belief system was, only our actions and if we fulfilled our destiny.

The entire world needs this message today. It does not matter what we believe. What matters is that we act from a place deep within ourselves where we honestly know that we have done the very best we can.

In the spirit of the vast and ever expanding power of these perfect teachings, may everyone have a most blessed celebration, in awe of Guru Nanak, the Great Guru whose teachings, and whose being, cannot be contained within our minds.

Happy Gurpurab

Dhan Guru Nanak Tuhi Nirangkar