Q. What were the last words of Guru Nanak Dev Ji?

A. According to the "Puratan Janam Saakhi", when Guru Nanak merged into the Supreme Being, it was early in the morning. The Master was, at that time, reciting the "Barah Mah" of Tukhari Raag*. His last words were:

"Listen O' Lord, Your created beings may get happiness or sorrow according to their past deeds, but whatever You do is in the best interest of everyone."

After this he was repeating the word "bhala" for a long time. The meaning of this word is, whatever You do O' Lord, is for our good.

Then he urged, all those present, to sing the hymns of 'Sohila' (the song of laudation) that included "Sohila Raag Gauri Deep ki". The meanings of this song are:

The home where the Divine laudation of the Creator is sung and His greatness expounded, let us sing this paean of laudation.

Following this Hymn the 'Aarti' of Raag Dhanasari was sung, which is:

Placed on the salver of heaven are the lamps of Sun and Moon, with pearls of constellations of stars scattered around--------------.

After this Kirtan was sung. At the conclusion the Salok was recited:

Air is the Guru (Master), water the progenitor, the vast earth the mother and day and night the nurses, in whose bosom all creation frolics. His judgement will be made upon good as well as bad deeds. Depending on the actions, some will become close to God while others will become far away. Those who have meditated upon the holy Naam and have departed after their task consummated, their faces shine and with them many more will be emancipated.

As the last line of this Salok was recited, the Guru covered himself with a sheet, said "Waheguru", bowed his head and passed his spiritual power and the Shabad (the Divine word) to Guru Angad.

Mohsan Fani (a historian, contemporary of Guru Har Gobind) writes: "It is the belief of Sikhs that Guru Nanak was just spiritual radiation. He exhibited only his spiritual attributes to the people".

Sikhs also believe that when he discarded his physical form he infused his spiritual light into his close companion and disciple, Guru Angad. Thus Guru Angad is just another name of Guru Nanak.