CM Vishnu Deo Sai pays tribute on Guru Nanak's Jyoti Jot Divas
Synopsis
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai marked Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Jyoti Jot Divas on 5 October 2026 with a tribute honouring the Sikh founder's teachings of equality, selfless service, goodwill, and brotherhood as an enduring guide for all humanity.
Key Takeaways
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai paid homage to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj on his Jyoti Jot Divas , 5 October 2026.
CM Sai invoked the classical Sikh verse 'Nanak naam jahaj hai, chadhe so utare paar' , affirming the Guru's eternal spiritual relevance.
He described Guru Nanak as the founder of the Sikh Panth whose teachings guide humanity towards truth, compassion, and righteous conduct.
The tribute specifically highlighted four values: samata (equality), seva (service), sadbhav (goodwill), and bandhutva (brotherhood).
Jyoti Jot Divas is observed with prayers and kirtan at gurdwaras as a day of introspection and remembrance across the Sikh community worldwide.
On the solemn occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Jyoti Jot Divas — the day marking the departure of Sikhism's founder from the mortal world — Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai offered a heartfelt tribute, invoking one of the most revered verses in Sikh devotional tradition.
CM Sai opened with the timeless couplet: 'Nanak naam jahaj hai, chadhe so utare paar' — 'The name of Nanak is a vessel; those who board it, cross over.' The verse, sung across gurdwaras for centuries, frames Guru Nanak not merely as a historical figure but as an eternal guide across the ocean of existence.
A founder's legacy, still navigating humanity
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj, the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, founded the Sikh Panth in the 15th century and spent his life preaching the oneness of God, the equality of all people, and the primacy of selfless service — seva. His teachings dissolved barriers of caste, creed, and class at a time when those walls stood tall and rigid across the subcontinent.
CM Sai described those teachings as 'priceless' — amulya shikshayein — and said they continue to inspire all of humanity to walk the path of truth, compassion, and righteous conduct. He specifically highlighted the four pillars Guru Nanak embodied: samata (equality), seva (service), sadbhav (goodwill), and bandhutva (brotherhood).
Jyoti Jot Divas: a day of quiet reflection
Jyoti Jot Divas is observed by the Sikh community with prayers, kirtan, and remembrance at gurdwaras across the country and the world. Unlike the more widely publicised Gurpurab birth anniversary, this day carries a quieter, more introspective weight — a moment to reflect on what the Guru left behind, not what the world lost.
The Chief Minister's tribute, offered early on Monday, 5 October 2026, joins a chorus of remembrances from political leaders across party lines — a reminder that Guru Nanak's message has always transcended the boundaries of faith, geography, and governance.
Centuries after his teachings first resonated through the villages of Punjab, Guru Nanak's compass — truth, compassion, and service — still points in the only direction that matters.
Point of View
Reflecting the community's demographic and symbolic weight across states including Chhattisgarh. CM Sai's invocation of the classical verse rather than a generic statement signals an effort to ground the tribute in doctrinal authenticity. Within the BJP's broader outreach to minority and religious communities, such gestures are part of a deliberate cultural diplomacy — affirming shared national heritage without overstepping sectarian lines. The emphasis on universal values like equality and brotherhood also allows the message to resonate well beyond the Sikh community.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jyoti Jot Divas for Guru Nanak Dev Ji?
Jyoti Jot Divas marks the day Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, passed from the mortal world. It is observed by the Sikh community with prayers, kirtan, and quiet reflection at gurdwaras worldwide, distinct from his birth anniversary Gurpurab.
What does 'Nanak naam jahaj hai' mean?
'Nanak naam jahaj hai, chadhe so utare paar' translates to 'The name of Nanak is a vessel; those who board it, cross over.' It is a revered devotional couplet affirming that devotion to Guru Nanak's name carries one across the ocean of worldly suffering.
What did Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai say on Guru Nanak's Jyoti Jot Divas?
CM Sai offered tribute to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, calling his teachings 'priceless' and highlighting the four pillars of his message — equality, selfless service, goodwill, and brotherhood — as an enduring inspiration for all of humanity.
Who was Guru Nanak Dev Ji?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of the Sikh Panth, born in the 15th century. He preached the oneness of God, the equality of all human beings regardless of caste or creed, and the importance of selfless service, laying the spiritual foundation of Sikhism.
When did CM Vishnu Deo Sai post this tribute?
CM Vishnu Deo Sai posted his tribute to Guru Nanak Dev Ji on Monday, 5 October 2026 , at 9:19 AM IST, on the occasion of Jyoti Jot Divas.
