Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Birth Date, Birth Place, Parents)

Guru Nanak Dev Ji 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Birth Date, Birth Place, Parents)

In this post we will discuss about the different birth dates of Guru Nanak Dev ji according to different sources and the stories of His childhood. Like other events of Guru Nanak's life, we have to depend mostly on Janam Sakhis about the date of Guru's birth. We will consider each of these issues one at a time. What is the exact date of birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji? At which place was Guru Nanak Dev Ji born? What was the name of Guru Nanak's father? What was name of Guru Nanak's mother? With which caste did Guru Nanak Dev Ji belong? Let us start to know it, in deep –

Exact Date of Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji? 

In these days the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji is celebrated on the full-moon day of Katak. But according to Purantan Janam Sakhi, Vaisakh Sudi 3rd of the month of Vaisakh in the Samvat year 1526 or 20 Vaisakh, 1526 BK, corresponding 15th April 1469 A.D. as the day of Guru Nanak’s birth, but if we study the ‘Bhai Bala Wali Janam Sakhi’ we found this date full moon day of Kartik. The copies of an old manuscript  ‘Bhai Mani Singh Wali Janam Sakhi’ also gives date of Vaisakh. The scholars forward a number of arguments in favor of each date. Sarup Singh Bhalla in his book ‘Mahima Pakash’ also supports Vaisakh Month. So Vaisakh seems to be the correct month of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Finally we have to must agree with Prof. G.S. Chauhan's point. He writes in his book ‘ Shri Guru Nanak Dev (Life, Travels and Teachings)’ that, “I think the main reason for deciding in favor of Poornima Day of Kartik month is that it was on this day Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji emerged from Kali Bein at Sultan Pur Lodhi after having received His message from the Supreme Being or in simple language his Day of Enlightenment.”

At which place was Guru Nanak Dev ji born?

Shri Guru Nank Dev ji was born at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi now as Nankana Sahib, situated in Shekupura District of Pakistan near Lahore. Sewaram Singh Thapar in his book ‘Life and Teachings of Sri Guru Nank Dev’ said that Nanak was born at Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib, in the Lahore District.  According to Vilait Wali Janam Sakhi birth place of Guru Nanak Dev ji is Rai Bhoi di Talwandi. But according to Bhai Miharban Wali Janam Sakhi birth place of Guru Nanak Dev ji is Village Chahalan Wala. It was the nanka (maternal grandparents village) place of Guru Nanak Dev ji. But this fact is not corroborated by any other source. So we have to accept that Village Rai Bhoi is the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev ji. It was a small village away from sets of power and tyranny, away from centers of learning and dry philosophy, far off from the arena of political strife and struggle. Rai Bhoe, was a Rajput of Bhatti clan and retainer of the ruler of Delhi. He had owned about a dozen villages around Rai Bhoe di Talwandi. After the death of Rai Bhoe, his son Rai Bular had succeeded him. Both were new converts to Islam religion. They had accepted the religion of the rulers under the effects of force or the influence of some other powerful persuasion. Like other converters they were neither fanatics nor bigots. So people of both persuasions were treated by them equally. In consequence, he had come to be loved and honored by all. Rai Bular was of a quiet, religious temperament. He loved the society of religious people. Over all we can say environment of the village Rai Boe di Talwandi was good where Guru Nanak dev ji spent his childhood.

What is the Name of Father and Mother of Guru Nanak Dev Ji?

The name of Guru Nanak Dev’s father is found mentioned in all Janam Sakhis. Sewaram Singh Thapar in his book ‘Life and Teachings of Sri Guru Nank Dev’ said that father of Guru Nanak Dev ji was Mehta Kalu son of Shiv Ram Das. The name of his mother is not mentioned in Purantan Janam Sakhi. But in the Janam Sakhi of Bhai Mani Singh and the Janam Sakhi of Bhai Bala ji it was mentioned Tripta as mother name. Bhai Miharban in his Janam Sakhhi gives the name as Tripto.  The name Tripta is found in the ancient Puranas as well and in thus quite old. The word Tripto seems to be derivative. According to Prof. Kartar Singh “Guru Nanak’s father Mehta Kalian Das, more popularly known as Mehta Kalu, was the Agent and Chief Accountant of Rai Bular. Thus he was materially quite well off. He belongs to Bedi Section of Kashattriaya caste. Because of his position and personality, he commanded the respect of whole ‘Tappa’ (or District). Rai Bular had full confidence in him”.  The mother of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s were middle class Hindus of the Khshatriya caste and were much respected in their community. Guru Nanak Dev ji was named after his sister Bibi Nanaki, who was so called as she was born in her nanka home, the family abode of her maternal grandfather. Bhai Meharban said in his Janam Sakhi when Guru Nanak Dev ji was of nine days, the Naming ceremony was performed. But in Bhai Bala ji wali Janam Sakhi the practice of naming performed after 13 days of birth. It seems correct because this ceremony is still continues in Khtris families. According to the Janam Sakhi of Bhai Mani Singh ji – Guru Nanak Dev uttered the word 'Waheguru' at the time of his birth. It seems incorrect because the significance of the word 'Waheguru' became current only after Guru Arjan Dev ji complied the Sikh Scripture as the Bhatts recited ‘Waheguru’. Some others said at the time of his birth Guru Nanak Dev ji did not weep like any other ordinary child, rather he uttered “Thy Name, Thy Name.” Guru Nanak Dev ji possessed an good and peaceful temper by birth. He was not inclined to weeping like other infants. In the end we can say that Guru Nanak Dev ji born on 15 April 1469 A.D. at Rai Bhoe di Talwandi. His father name was Mehta Kalu and mother name was Tripta.