Guru Nanak, whenever he visited Chuharkana, liked to discuss religious philosophies with the holy men there. After he had read various religious scriptures, Guru Nanak felt there could not be multiple Gods, Ram for the Hindus, Allah for the Muslims, and so on as claimed by the people. He declared that there is only ONE God for all humanity, and that we can love Him by any name. Guru Nanak, therefore, preached that a believer of one faith should not be considered a 'pagan' or 'non-believer' by the followers of other faiths, just because he prefers to use a word of his own language for God, or express his love for society in a different way.

This was a revolutionary idea in those days, and it gave food for thought to the holy men of various faiths visiting Chuharkana. They carried this philosophy all over India on their pilgrimages and discussed it with other holy men. Because of his unique faith, Guru Nanak became well known not only in Punjab but also in all regions throughout the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka.

One morning, as was his routine, Guru Nanak visited the nearby rivulet for bathing, but this time he did not return. People began to worry about what had happened to him. They feared he had drowned in the river. However, three days later, people were shocked to find him returning. Everyone, including the local ruler, was jubilant to see him back. They came running to him and asked what he had been doing. Guru Nanak replied that he had brought a holy message for them. The essence of the message he declared was, "Let us not fight one another over what faith is best. What is important in God's eyes is not our label, but our deeds and our love for our brothers and sisters. Hatred or feelings of superiority have no place on the spiritual path." This is considered to be the first formal sermon of Guru Nanak.

After his historical message, Guru Nanak left Sultanpur to preach his newly-founded religion all over India and nearby countries. All through his arduous journeys his close associate, Bhai Mardana, played on the rebeck, a string instrument, while Guru Nanak sang holy hymns. He met the heads of religious sects in India and in the Arabian countries to explain his message of one God and the brotherhood of humanity. Religion was thus once again made a uniting force rather than a dividing force.

Basic Principles of Sikhism

Practice Love, Not Hollow Rituals

Guru Nanak went to a large number of religious places and met Pundits (scholars), Sidhs (miracle-workers), and Yogis (feat-performers, such as fire walkers). He told them all that mindless and hollow rituals done for exhibition or to inflate one's ego had no value with God. These amazing feats were like a counterfeit coin, which looks genuine but is rejected because it does not really contain the precious metal. Similarly, God rejects all rituals practiced by people who have no sincere goodwill for other human beings. There is no benefit to the soul for undergoing self-inflicted torture such as fasting, bathing in ice-cold water, remaining silent for long periods of time, or standing continuously on one leg or in any other awkward posture. In those days, Yogis and Sidhs performed such acts to claim their superiority over common people.