Sikh Missionary Society U.K. (Regd)
10, Featherstone Road.
Southall, Middx, U.K. UB2 5AA
Tel: +44 020 8574
1902
Fax: +44 020 8574
1912
Reg Charity No: 262404
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Sikh Missionary Society U.K. (Regd)
10, Featherstone Road.
Southall, Middx, U.K. UB2 5AA
Tel: +44 020 8574
1902
Fax: +44 020 8574
1912
Reg Charity No: 262404
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The Birth of a Star
Many
many men have lived on this earth. We remember some of them, but many of
them we don't remember at all. Great men give us great thoughts, so we
remember them. We are always happy when Christmas comes. On Christmas Day
a great man was born. He was Jesus Christ. The Sikhs have another 'Christmas
Day.' It comes in October/November every year. They call it GURPURB. It
is the day when another great man was born. His name was Nanak. The Sikhs
call him Guru. A Guru is the wisest man, who loves everyone and tell us
about God.
Guru Nanak was born about 527 years ago (in 1469 A.D.) in a small village named Talwandi. The village is now called Nanakana Sahib after the Guru and is now in Pakistan. Nanakana means Nanak's village. The Guru's father Mr. Kalu was an officer and was known far and near. He was a kind man and everybody loved him. His mother was Tripta Devi. She lived a simple life and was very kind to the poor. She always remembered God.
"Here am I, composed of the five elements.And Nanak is my name".Guru Nanak was the second child in the family. The first child in the family was his sister Bibi Nanaki. On the day of the Guru's birth, she was at home with her father. When the child was born the nurse, named Daultan, came running to tell the news. She looked sad and frightened.
Guru Nanak
"What is the matter Daultan? Why are you so sad?" asked Mr Kalu.
"O sir, I am not sad, I am pleased to tell you that you have got a very handsome son in your family" replied Daultan.
"But you do look sad Daultan. What's wrong with the child?" asked Mr
Kalu once again.
"Nothing's wrong with the child sir, but I have seen something very
strange I never saw before," said Daultan.
"What's that? Mr Kalu in surprise. He looked upset too.
"Children cry when they are born, sir," said Daultan. "But this child
did not cry. He simply smiled."
"There must be something wrong with the child then," said the father.
"What should I do ?"
"How should I know sir? I have never seen this happen before. But the most wonderful thing is the light," said Daultan, looking all the more surprised.
"Light? What light?" asked Mr. Kalu.
Daultan said, "I don't know whether it is good or bad sir, but I saw a dazzling light when the child was born. The light shone round his head like a star."
Mr. Kalu was worried, so he ran to Mr. Hardyal. Hardyal was a Brahman. At once he came with Mr. Kalu to see the strange child. He asked Daultan many questions and also saw the child. He thought for a time and then said, "Mr Kalu, you are very lucky to have this child. When he grows up, he will be a great man. He may be a king or a Guru."
"What is the matter Daultan? Why are you so sad?" asked Mr Kalu.
On hearing these words Bibi Nanaki was very pleased and she said, "I
am sure, father, he won't be a king."
"Keep quiet Nanaki," said the father, "Don't you want to see your brother a king?"
"I would love to," said Nanaki. "But father, believe it or not, my dear little brother will never be a king. He will be a Guru. He will love everybody and give great ideas to the world. He will be a friend to all. People will remember him for a very long time. They will call him the Guru."
Mr. Kalu, Hardyal and Daultan were all amazed at Nanaki's words.
Bibi Nanaki's words came true.
The child grew up to be a very wise man. We still remember him. We still
enjoy his great thoughts. This great man taught us to love everybody, black
or white, rich or poor, man or woman. He said. "God is one, and we are
all His children. So we are brothers and sisters in one family. God is
our father. He loves us only if we love one another. If we do not love
one another, our father God, is not pleased with us." Let us all try to
do what this great man has asked us to do. Let us play, sing, eat and dance
together. Let us love one another as much as we can.
"Come, O Sisters, let us embrace as friends. Let us relate our stories and talk about God."
Guru Nanak
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