Guru Nanak and Srimanta Sankardev: A Comparison of the Philosophies

Guru Nanak and Srimanta Sankardev: A Comparison of the Philosophies

Dr. Rohil Oberoi

The 15th and 16th centuries marked an era of intense socio-religious turmoil in India.

The Bhakti Movement emerged during this period as a spiritual and reformative response to the rigid caste system, socio-political fragmentation, and religious orthodoxy.

Among its torchbearers were two visionary reformers: Guru Nanak Dev (1469–1539) from Punjab and Srimanta Sankardev (1449–1568) from Assam. Though they emerged in different cultural contexts, the parallels in their philosophies, methods, and missions are remarkable.

This article presents a comparative analysis of their ideologies and contributions, highlighting how both saints sought to redefine religion as a path of devotion, equality, and social justice.

Historical Context and Life Mission

Guru Nanak and Srimanta Sankardev appeared at a time when Indian society was torn apart by caste divisions, ritualism, religious intolerance, and external invasions. In such a climate, both saints offered spiritual solace and socio-political reform through devotion to a single, formless God, social equality, and moral discipline. While Nanak emerged from the northwestern plains of Punjab, Sankardev belonged to the Brahmaputra valley of Assam.

Despite the geographical distance, their philosophical concerns were profoundly similar. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan). From a young age, he displayed deep spiritual inclinations and a keen sensitivity to social injustice. His experience of divine revelation in 1496 set him on a lifelong journey across India and beyond, preaching the ideals of Ik Onkar (One Universal Creator), equality of all beings, and the futility of hollow rituals.

He renounced caste-based discrimination and lived by examples such as eating and residing with those considered oppressed and condemning the exploitation of the poor. His principle of “Naam Jap, Kirat Kar, Vand Chhak” (meditating on God’s name, earning through honest labor, and sharing with others) laid the foundation for a new spiritual path.

Similarly, Srimanta Sankardev was born in 1449 in Nogaon, Assam. A scholar well-versed in Sanskrit texts, epics, and Puranas, his early brilliance led him to create literary and theatrical works that conveyed spiritual messages in local languages.

One of his first major works, ‘Cihna Yatra,’ a dramatic performance depicting paradise, earned him widespread acclaim. This event marked the beginning of his journey as a spiritual leader. He rejected idol worship and propagated ‘Ek Sarana Naam Dharma,’ a devotional path centered on surrender to one God, usually identified as Krishna.

Core Philosophies

The heart of both saints’ teachings was devotion (bhakti) to a single, formless, all-pervading God. They opposed the priestly monopolization of religion and empowered the masses to seek divinity through devotion, moral conduct, and community participation. Guru Nanak’s proclamation that “There is no Hindu, nor any Mussalman” challenged the very foundations of religious exclusivity.

Sankardev too opposed rigid Brahmanical orthodoxy and made religious texts accessible to common people by translating and adapting them into Assamese.Both were iconoclasts, rejecting idol worship and empty rituals. Instead, they promoted inner purity and direct communion with God through singing hymns, collective worship, and ethical living. While Guru Nanak’s teachings were preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib ji, which includes 943 of his hymns, Sankardev’s philosophy is embodied in texts like Kirtan Ghosha and Bhagavat Puran translations, composed in simple, lyrical Assamese.

Role of Literature and Music

Both Nanak and Sankardev understood the transformative power of literature and music. Guru Nanak composed spiritual hymns in Punjabi, Braj, and Persian, often set to music and sung by his companion Mardana. These hymns addressed theological questions and social issues with poetic grace.Sankardev, on the other hand, was a master dramatist and poet.

His Kirtan Ghosha, composed in rhythmic and vivid language, remains a foundational text of Assamese Vaishnavism. Written for congregational singing, it blends devotional poetry with narrative episodes from Krishna’s life, creating a deeply emotional and accessible religious experience. The Sattras and Namghars are the community centers for devotional gatherings which became hubs for this literary-spiritual tradition.

Social Reform and Egalitarianism

One of the most striking similarities between Guru Nanak and Srimanta Sankardev was their commitment to social reform. Both spoke against caste discrimination, untouchability, gender inequality, and religious bigotry.

Nanak’s insistence on the Langar (community kitchen open to all castes and creeds) was a direct challenge to caste hierarchies. Similarly, Sankardev initiated people from all backgrounds, including women and Muslims, into his fold. The initiation ceremony (Saran) that he devised involved bowing before sacred texts rather than images, symbolizing surrender to divine wisdom rather than religious icons.

Spiritual Successors and Institutionalization

Guru Nanak’s appointment of Guru Angad Dev as his successor established the lineage of Sikh Gurus, which ultimately led to the institutionalization of Sikhism. His spiritual community, the Sikh Panth, was built upon the principles of service, equality, and remembrance of God.Sankardev too ensured the continuity of his spiritual tradition by mentoring Madhavdev, who compiled and preserved his works.

Under his leadership, the Eka Sarana Nama Dharma spread widely in Assam, giving rise to a vibrant cultural and religious movement rooted in vernacular traditions.

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

Guru Nanak’s message continues to inspire millions across the globe. His emphasis on universal brotherhood, devotion, and ethical living has made Sikhism one of the most progressive and service-oriented religions in the world. Nanak’s challenge to the caste system and religious orthodoxy resonates deeply with modern values of secularism and social justice.Sankardev’s influence remains foundational to Assamese identity.

The cultural, literary, and spiritual institutions he established form the backbone of Neo-Vaishnavism in Assam. His works are celebrated for their artistic excellence and spiritual depth, and the Namghars continue to be active centers of moral and cultural life.

Guru Nanak and Srimanta Sankardev stand as towering figures of India’s spiritual renaissance. Though separated by geography and linguistic traditions, they were united in vision which was a vision of a just, compassionate, and God-centered society.

Through poetry, song, drama, and lived examples, they democratized religion and laid down pathways for personal and collective transformation. Their legacies continue to guide not only religious communities but also secular humanists seeking a more inclusive and equitable world.

Dr. Rohil Oberoi, Assistant Professor, Political Science, DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, India; email: rohil1991@gmail.com

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