Gurdwara Sri Patti Sahib
About Gurdwara Sri Patti Sahib
Gurdwara Patti Sahib (‘Patti’ means a wooden board on which children learn to write alphabets with a pen made of a soft stem) – Patti is no more medium of writing. The board (Patti) could be washed after the lesson and would be given another coating of soft light clay and is re-used. Now a Gurdwara is located at the site where young Guru Nanak learned the various different languages mainly Persian and Arabic which were then used in the Punjab, each with its own distinct alphabet. This sacred shrine lies hardly 100m to Gurdwara Janam Asthan and between Gurdwara Bal Lilah that is few yards from the school.
As a young child Guru Nanak Sahib Ji first studied Punjabi with Pandit Gopal, then Sanskrit with Pandit Brij Lal and at 13 years of age he mastered Persian studying with Maulvi Kutab Ud Din. Hence Patti Sahib is also known as Gurdwara Maulvi Patti Sahib.
The divine wisdom and spiritual enlightenment was evident in his young hood. In his very early life, the young Nanak became well known in his village at the age of seven when he astonished his teacher Pandit Gopal.
with his eloquence in explaining deeper truths about man and God and even composed an acrostic on the Punjabi alphabet giving a divinely inspired interpretation to each letter. Guru Nanak always spoke and sang of one God and his love for God and being music and melody enthusiast he left an irresistible impression on all those who listened to him. Guru Nanak continued to attend school for some time but one day he was observed to remain silent, and not apply himself to given school assignments. The village tutor finally asked him why he wasn’t reading. The teacher was deeply impressed by the profound and convincing thoughts of Guru Nanak, Gopal met Mehta Kalu and advised him to send his son to a more learned scholar because he is above our level.
Composition in the holy Granth Sahib
His composition in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib known as Patti was written especially to remove the suspicions and doubts in the minds of the Pandits. The very first words of Patti hymn says:
Sase soi srisht jin saaji Sabhana sahib ek bhaeya…
He who created all existence is the sole lord of all
Sevat rahe chit jin ka laagaa, Aaaya tin ka safal bhaeya.
Those who serve Him are his devotees, Fruitful is their coming into the world.
Patti as symbol of “Light and Education”
This is a place where he gave concept of oneness in the same manner to the Pandits who used to teach him. Now there is a Baba Nanak University to commemorate his services to mankind in the field of education and “Patti” as a symbol of light and education.
