Objective: To exchange ideas and philosophies with scholars, saints, Bhagats, Sidhs, Naths and Jogis of that period. And, to influence them to his way of thinking, that of putting people on a righteous path by dispelling certain wrong beliefs and actions not coming of a human.

Total time spent on all the travels was 24 years within India and Ceylon around 12 years, Himalayan region nearly four years and Muslim countries of west Asia about eight years. The fourth Udasi within Punjab cannot be attributed a separate time as it got absorbed into the settled life of the Guru. The difficulties of the ravels could not deter the determined, zealous preacher and the most widely travelled man of his age the Guru Nanak.

At Sultanpur he got enlightenment. The Ceylon mission attained a great success and at Baghdad met eminent Muslim sufis. Although Guru Nanak travelled in India at a most difficult time for both transport and communication. His success reflects that Guru Nanak had sufficient knowledge of Indian west Asian and eastern languages to communicate his ideas.

Details of first Udasiwithin India and Ceylon: From Sultanpur to Joshimath the first stopover was at Krukshetra the Karra and Pehowa. Guru Nanak directed the pilgrims to meditate on Sat Kartar rather than entering into the controversy of meat or vegetables, At the above three places, there are Gurdwaras commemorating the visit of Guru Nanak. Then Guru Nanak had his meeting with Setkh Adul Kabirarenowned Sufi of his days at Panipat. Reaching Delhi, Guru Nanak stayed with Majnu Ka Tilla. Majnu was a Pious Faqir of some reputation. The Guru then journeyed onward to Hardwar, Kot Kawar and Pauni (SrinagarTehri Garhwal). At all these places, historical Gurdwaras commemorating the memory of Guru Nanak’s visit are present. A famous story is of the pilgrims at Hardwar. They were offering water to the sun from the holy ganges. Answering the Guru, they said the offering is to our ancestors. “Guru Nanak turned his back to the East, and started throwing water.” “What are you doing?” asked a fellow pilgrims. The sun at this hour is towards this side, and not on the side you think. Tam not offering water to the sun, but to my fields in the West,” said Guru Nanak, “But my good man, “How can it reach your withering crops so far away.” Guru Nanak replied, “my crops are much nearer than your ancestors.” From Joshi Math he went to Kidarnath and Baijnatn, the Centers of Hindu “Pilgrimage, back to Joshi Math and then on to Almora area and reached Durga Pipal 33 miles away from Haldwani, and a center of Jogis. Guru Nanak had a Sidh Gosht with Jogis on matters pertaining to religion. There is a tree of sweet walnuts and the Gurdwara in the memory of Guru Nanak is known as “Reetha Sahib.” Then, on to GorakhMata, again a Center of Sidh Jogis founded by Gorakh Nath, Tanda Vanjara (Rampur district) a home town of traders and Goal (istrict Kheri) was reached by boat, a sacred place of Hindus on the bank of Ganga. Then at Ayodhya, the supposed birth place of Lord Rama, then all the living Bhagats, such as Nama, Jaidev, Kabir Trilochan, Ravdas, Sadhna, Dhanna and Beni requested Guru Nanak then. It is here the Bhagats were influenced by the thoughts of Guru Nanak.

(To be Cont.)

BY: Bhai T.S. Sandhu

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 22, 1993