On the Passing of Guru Nanak (1469-1539)

On the Passing of Guru Nanak (1469-1539)

Sant Mat Fellowship:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SantMatFellowship
{The one who has purity of character,
who practices diligently the Yoga of Sound,
and who can explain *clearly* Sant Mat
(the complete Path of the Masters with nothing missing),
can be accepted and trusted as Satguru/Teacher.}

By communion with the Word, one becomes the abode of all virtues;
By communion with the Word, one becomes a Sheikh, a Pir
  and a true spiritual king;
By communion with the Word, the spiritually blind
  find their way to Realisation:
By communion with the Word, one crosses beyond
  the Limitless Ocean of illusionary Matter;
O Nanak, His devotees live in perpetual ecstasy, for the Word
  washes away all sin and sorrow.

By practice of the Word, one speeds on to the
  Higher Spiritual Planes unhindered;
By practice of the Word, one gets into the spiritual plane
  openly and honourably;
By practice of the Word, one escapes the by-paths of Yama,
  the king of Death;
By practice of the Word, one gets in close touch with the Truth.
O, great is the Power of the Word,
But few there be that know it.

By practice of the Word, one rises into universal consciousness
  and develops right understanding;
By practice of the Word, one develops clairvoyance
  and transvision of the whole creation;
By practice of the Word, one is freed from sorrow and suffering;
By practice of the Word, one shall not go to Yama (1) after his death.
0, great is the Power of the Word,
But few there be that know it.

– Guru Nanak, from the Jap Ji (Morning Prayer):
http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org/jj/japji.htm

On the 22nd of September in the year 1539 Guru Nanak was sitting under a tree in Kartarpur in his ashram. His face was radiant and peaceful and all his disciples were chanting spiritual hymns in devotion and great ecstasy. The sound of a special Sikh hymn called Japaji infused the whole ashram. At that time Guru Nanak drew a sheet over his body and began chanting. He left this body and merged into the Divine forever.

After the shock of realizing what had transpired his followers began to consider the funeral arrangements. There was a considerable and heated debate between his disciples as to whether the rites should be Hindu or Muslim because all considered him to be their guru and master. It is said that after some time spent in this heated debate, the sheet covering Guru Nanak's body was lifted. To everyone's amazement Guru Nanak's material body had disappeared. The disciples were humbled, and they divided the sheet, giving one piece to the Muslim followers and one piece to the Hindu followers. The funeral rites were duly performed for the respective traditions using the sheet in place of the missing body of the great sage. According to one legend, flowers were found under the sheet instead of his physical body.

– Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj,
   The Harmony of All Religions,
   Chapter Six: Sikhism