Truth is high but higher still is truthful living

Guru Nanak Dev Ji has been documented to have travelled across India and the Middle East to spread his message. Once, at Mecca, the Guru was resting with his feet pointing toward the holy shrine. When a Muslim priest angrily reprimanded the Guru for showing disrespect to God, the Guru replied, Kindly point my feet towards the place where God does not exist. Among the many philosophical foundations laid by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, his characterisation of God, as illustrated by his visit to Mecca, is most recognisable. It forms the opening lines of the 1430th page of the Sikh holy scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The translation is as follows.There is but One God, The Supreme Truth; The Ultimate Reality, The Creator, Without fear, Without enemies, Timeless is His image, Without Birth, Self Created, By His grace revealed.

Like all the Gurus after him, Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached by example. During a time of great social conflict and religious decay, his message served as a fresh, uncorrupted approach towards spirituality and God. The Guru founded the institutions of Gurdwara, Sangat and Pangat. He introduced the concept of suitability for Guruship by ignoring his sons and appointing Bhai Lehna Ji as the second Sikh Guru to continue spreading his teachings. He departed for heavenly abode on September 7, 1539. The message of the Guru Ji took almost 240 years to unfold, and so, in accordance with the Will of God, the soul of Guru Nanak Dev Ji merged into the souls of his nine successors.