The Source Book On Sikhism

The Passing Away Of Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak loved Lehnaji more than his own sons for his self-effacement and devotion. Considering Lehnaji a usurper, his sons were very sore with him. Seeing this, the Guru advised Lehanji to go back to Khadur and come to Kartarpur only when urgency demanded. But his love for the beloved Master was too intense to keep him away for long and he frequented Kartarpur often. But after Lehnaji’s installation to Gurudom, Guru Nanak ordained: “You are the Guru now. From now on it is I who must come to meet you.” So, a meeting place was fixed across the Ravi, near an old well (now Dera Baba Nanak) where Guru Nanak used to go to meet Guru Angad.

Nanak was 70 now. He felt that he had completed his life’s work. On September 22, 1539, he fell into a quiet contemplation and his lofty soul left its mortal frame.

Both the Hindus and the Muslims loved the Guru. So a dispute arose between them over his last rites. Both wanted to dispose of his body according to their belief. Guru Angad advised them to place flowers on the left and the right of the Guru’s body. The community, whose flowers remained fresh till the morning, would be given the body for disposal. But in the morning, when the covering was removed, there was nothing under it. So the sheet was divided into two and given to the parties for disposal.

Thus passed away the greatest friend and benefactor of mankind whose message of love, truth and beauty beckons it forever towards the land of light and eternity.