Bebe Nanaki (, ; ), alternative spelt as Bibi Nanaki, was the elder sister of

Guru Nanak Gurū Nānak (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539; Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ; pronunciation: , ), also referred to as ('father Nānak'), was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated w ...

, the founder and first ''

Guru Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverential ...

'' of

Sikhism Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit=Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fro ...

. Nanaki is an important figure in Sikhism, and is known as the first ''

Gursikh Gursikh ( Punjabi: ਗੁਰਸਿੱਖ ) is a term used by Sikhs, either to describe any Sikh, or one who is especially devoted to following the Sikh guru, a "pious, observant Sikh". See also * Amritdhari * Anand Karaj * Gurmukh * List of Si ...

''. She was the first to realize her brother's 'philosophical inclination', and is credited for inspiring his use of music as an instrument of devotion to

God In monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Oxford Companion to Philosophy'', Oxford University Press, 1995. God is typically ...

Early life

Nanaki and her brother were the children of

Mehta Kalu Mehta Kalu, formally Kalyan Das, (1440–1520) was the father of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Kalu was born as 'Kalyan Das' to Shiv Ram Bedi and Mata Banarasi in a Hindu Khatri family of the '' Bedi'' gotra. He served as the ''patwar ...

and

Mata Tripta Mata Tripta ( Punjabi: ਮਾਤਾ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾ; ''mātā tripatā'') was the mother of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. Her father was Bhai Raam, a Jhangar Khatri from the village of Chaliawala (or Chahal), near Lahore, and he ...

. Born in the city of Chahal, present-day

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...

, she was named by her grandparents, who named her ''Nanaki'' after the word ''Nanakian'', roughly meaning "the home of your maternal grandparents". ''Bebe'' and ''Ji'' are added to her name as a sign of respect. Bebe is used to pay regard to an older woman and Ji given to anyone whom you want to show your respects regardless of age. Bebe Nanaki got married at an early age of 11. In those days it was customary to be married at such a young age. Nanaki married Jai Ram, a Palta

Khatri Khatri is a caste of the Indian subcontinent that is predominantly found in India, but also in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the subcontinent, they were mostly engaged in mercantilistic professions such as banking and trade, they were the d ...

employed at a ''modikhana'', a storehouse for revenues collected in non-cash form, in the service of the Delhi Sultanate's

Lahore Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city ...

governor Daulat Khan. Jai Ram helped Nanak get a job at this ''modikhana'' in Sultanpur.

Brother and sister

Guru Nanak conversing with Jai Ram, painting from an 1830's Janamsakhi (life stories) 08

Bebe Nanaki had an immense adoration for her brother and was the first to recognize his "enlightened soul". She was 5 years older but played the role of a mother to him. She not only protected him from their father but she loved him unconditionally. Guru Nanak was sent to live with Nanaki when he was only 15 years old. To instill his independence, she searched for a wife for him. Bebe Nanaki along with her husband found a woman, Sulakhni Chona, for Nanak to marry. Since Bebe Nanaki had no children of her own she loved and helped raise her brother's children, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Chand. Bebe Nanaki is known as being Guru Nanak’s first follower. She was eternally devoted to him and his cause. She is also known for inspiring Nanak in using music as an instrument of devotion to God. Knowing he had musical talent she bought him a Rebab to help him further his music.

Death

Bebe Nanaki died in 1518. As one of her last wishes she willed her brother, Guru Nanak, to be by her side during her last days. Her last breaths were enlightened with the

Japji Sahib ''Japji Sahib'' (Punjabi: ਜਪੁਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ) is the Sikh thesis, that appears at the beginning of the ''Guru Granth Sahib'' – the scripture of the Sikhs. It was composed by Guru Angad, and is mostly the writings of Guru Nanak. I ...

which was recited to her. Three days after her death, her spouse, Jai Ram, also died. Their funeral rites were carried out by Guru Nanak.

References

Bibliography

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Nanaki Nanaki, Bebe Nanaki, Bebe Nanaki, Bebe Indian Sikhs Family members of the Sikh gurus 15th-century Indian people Indian women religious leaders People from Kasur District 16th-century Indian people 16th-century Indian women 15th-century Indian women Scholars from Punjab, India Women educators from Punjab, India Educators from Punjab, India Women mystics