Illustrated Stories of Guru Nanak Dev Ji - Book By Dr. Ajit Singh Aulakh

THE BIRTH

Guru Nanak Dev was born on (Kattak full moon night) October 20, 1469 AD. at Talwandi Rai Bhoe in District Shekhupura, forty miles to the south-west of Lahore But some prominent historians are of the view that the Guru was born in the early hours of the morning of April 15, 1469 AD In order to confirm their claim they cite the examples of Puratan Janam Sakhi, Janam Sakhi by Meharban, Janam Sakhi Bhai Mani Singh and Mehma Prakash But the tradition of observing the birthday on day of full moon ofKattak continues and it is celebrated everywhere on this day

The village Talwandi later came to be known as Nankaana Sahib, now in Pakistan. The name of his father was Mehta Kalyan Dass which was affectionately abridged by the people as Mehta Kaalu.

The name of his mother was Tripta Devi and his sister Nanaki was five years his senior.

Originally Mehta Kaalu belonged to village Pathewal near Jaama Rai in district Amritsar Later on this village came to be known as Dera Sahib. He has gone to Talwandi for the sake of service There he served a Muslim ruler, Rai Bulaar as a revenue accountant Though Bulaar was a great landlord but he was very generous, merciful and kind hearted Mehta Kaalu being the chief revenue accountant of a rich land lord, so his own financial condition was also very sound The people of the area had a great regard for him.

In our country the birth of a male child is considered to be very fortunate When the midwife came out and announced that a male child was, born, Mehta Kaalu felt very happy. The midwife Daultan also told him that at the time of the birth of the child, a beam of light flashed across the room and strange and sweet voices were heard as welcoming the child The child was not an ordinary child, instead of weeping he smiled The news of the birth of a gifted child spread every where. People flocked to see the child The ruler Rai Bulaar also came to see the child Guru, On seeing the child he was over joyed. Sister Nanaki was considering herself the most happy living being. She was seeing her brother very eagerly She did not like to part from him .for a single minute Who ever was having a glimpse of the child, was filled with a celestial joy. They eagerly yearned to lift the blissful child in their arms, but sister Nanaki was sitting there as a shrewed watchman.

The village Talwandi where the birth of Guru Nanak took place is now in Pakistan. Its new name is Nankaana Sahib. At Nankaana Sahib many Gurdwaras had been built in the memory of Guru Nanak. A very beautiful Gurudwara stands at the place-of the mudbuilt house where the Guru Nanak was born. The name of this Gurudwara is Janam Asthan The Sikhs. consider Nankana Sahib as one of the holiest places. Sikh Jathas visit the Gurudwaras on special occasions. They always pray to God, "O, Immortal God kindly confer the gift of visiting, maintaining, managing and worshiping the Gurudwaras of Nankaana Sahib."