Sensing that his end was approaching, Guru Nanak took a decision to appoint his successor. His sons had not only been disobeying him. Lehna, whom he had renamed Angad, had always obeyed him. So he passed the umbrella of spiritual sovereignty over Angad’s head. Thereafter, he bowed to him as a mark of his succession to the Guruship.
His disciples flocked to make their last obeisance to him, Guru Angad then stood up before him and pleaded, “O Master, be pleased to reunite to your skirt those who seceded from you.” Guru Nanak replied, “I have forgiven them for your sake”.
The Guru’s family and relations began to grieve. The Guru then sang and went into a deep samadhi. When he ended it, his sons had seen that Angad had been appointed by their father to succeed him. So they inquired what provisions had been made for them. Guru Nanak told them, “God looks after all His creatures. You shall also get food and clothing in abundance. Moreover, if you love your God from within your heart, you shall also be saved at last.”
It was at that time that a dispute arose between the Muslim and the Hindu followers. The Muslims wanted to bury his remains while the Hindus wanted to cremate them after his demise. He ordered the crowd to sing Sohila, the love song of parting. Thereafter he blended his light with that of Guru Angad.
A supreme miracle ensued. One light integrated with the other and became complete as one. It simply changed its mortal frame. The Guru drew a sheet and desired to be allowed to rest. When the sheet was removed, but for a few flowers nothing else was found. The Guru had breathed his last in October, 1958 AD.
The Hindus and the Muslims divided the flowers between themselves. The Hindus constructed a samadhi over their half of flowers while on the other half, the Muslims erected a tomb on the bank of the Ravi. Both these memorials were washed away.
J.S. Neki, a psychiatrist of international repute, was director of PGIMER, Chandigarh.
He also received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his contribution to Punjabi verse.
Currently he is Professor of Eminence in Religious Studies at Punjabi University, Patiala.
