Sikh devotees across the country are gearing up to celebrate the 549th birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. On the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima, Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm. In 2018, Guru Nanak Jayanti will be observed on November 23. It is also called Guru Nanak Gurpurab or Guru Parav. One of the important rituals during the festival is the non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib for 48 hours which is also called as Akhand Path. The opening words of the Granth or the Mool Mantra start from ‘Ek Onkar Satnam Karta Purakh’. This mantra forms an important part in the morning prayers of Sikhs called the Japji Sahib. Guru Nanak Gurpurab 2018: Inspiring Quotes from the First Sikh Guru on the Occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.

The meaning of Ek Onkar is – ‘Ik’ is one and only, who cannot be contrasted or compared with any other and ‘Onkar’ is the universal ever-flowing divine melody and never-ending sound of God. The creator and his creation are one and the supreme being resides everywhere and in everything. In Sikhism it means the unity of God i.e. God is One or there is only One God. Guru Nanak believed that God is neither male or female, nor Hindu or Muslim but is formless. The lyrics of the Mool Mantra is as followed:

“Ek onkar satnam kartapurakh nirmoh nirvair akaal murat ajuni sabham Guru prasad jap aad sach jugaad sach hai bhi sach nanak hose bhi sach soche soch na ho wai jo sochi lakh waar chhupe chhup na howai je laai har lakhtaar ukhiya pukh na utari je banna puriya paar sahasyanpa lakh who hai ta ek na chale naal k eve sach yaara hoi ae ke ve kude tutte paal hokum rajai chalna nanak likheya naal”

Full Video of ‘Ek Onkar’ Mool Mantra to Chant on Gurpurab

Found in the opening phrase of the Guru Granth Sahib, it is the first composition of Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in North India especially in Punjab. Many Hindu Punjabis and Sindhis also observe the occasion for a period of three days. The important rituals during Gurpurab is Akhand Path, Prabhat Pheri and Langar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 22, 2018 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).