NANAK

born April 15, 1469, Rai Bhoi di Talvandi [now Nankana Sahib, Pak.], near Lahore, India died 1539, Kartarpur, Punjab Indian spiritual teacher who was the first guru of the Sikhs, a monotheistic religious group that combines Hindu and Muslim influences. His teachings, expressed through devotional hymns, many of which still survive, stressed salvation from rebirth through meditation on the divine name. Among modern Sikhs he enjoys a particular affection as their founder and as the supreme master of Punjabi devotional hymnody. Additional reading W.H. McLeod, Guru Nanak and the Sikh Religion (1968), attempts to apply strict historical research procedures to the traditions concerning Nanak. Harbans Singh, Guru Nanak and the Origins of the Sikh Faith (1969), is more generous in its treatment of the traditional narratives, but not uncritical. J.S. Grewal, Guru Nanak in History (1969), analyzes the impact of Nanak upon the subsequent history of the Sikh community. Gurbachan Singh Talib, Guru Nanak: His Personality and Vision (1969), studies his teachings. Ganda Singh (ed.), Sources of the Life and Teachings of Guru Nanak (1969), a useful anthology of works dealing with Nanak from the earliest traditions to the present day, includes an English translation of a janam-sakhi (the Mahima Prakas) and a comprehensive bibliography. Khushwant Singh, Hymns of Guru Nanak (1969), offers a selection of Nanak's hymns in English translation.