The Ten Gurus
Ten Gurus, one light — and a fun way to remember their order.
Grown-ups: Covers the order of the ten Gurus with one memory trick; the sentence is just a learning aid, not a teaching.
One light, ten Gurus
Sikhs had ten human Gurus over about two hundred years, from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Sikhs believe the same Divine light passed from one Guru to the next, like one lamp lighting another. Each Guru had a different life, but they all shared the same message of One Creator, equality and service.
The first five
1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the founder. 2. Guru Angad Dev Ji — helped shape the Gurmukhi script. 3. Guru Amar Das Ji — made Langar a place where everyone sits together. 4. Guru Ram Das Ji — founded the city of Amritsar. 5. Guru Arjan Dev Ji — built Harmandir Sahib and compiled the Adi Granth.
The next five
6. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji — taught Sikhs to be spiritual and brave. 7. Guru Har Rai Ji — loved nature and cared for the sick. 8. Guru Har Krishan Ji — the child Guru who served the sick. 9. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji — stood up for others' freedom of faith. 10. Guru Gobind Singh Ji — created the Khalsa.
An easy way to remember
Try this silly sentence: "Nanak's Ants Ate Rice And Had Hot Honey Tea Gladly." The first letters match the Gurus: Nanak, Angad, Amar Das, Ram Das, Arjan, Hargobind, Har Rai, Har Krishan, Tegh Bahadur, Gobind Singh. Notice the three H's in a row — three Gurus whose names begin with 'Har'!
Words to know
Guru Amar Das Ji carries the water
This is a story from Sikh tradition. Long before he became the third Guru, Amar Das Ji was already an old man. Every morning, before sunrise, he carried water from the river so that Guru Angad Dev Ji could bathe. He did this for years, in rain and in cold. One stormy night he slipped and fell, but he got up and carried the water all the same. Guru Angad Dev Ji saw his faithful, humble heart and chose him to be the next Guru. The story reminds us that it is never too late to learn and to serve.
From Gurbani
ਗੁਰੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਗੁਰੁ ਹਿਵੈ ਘਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਦੀਪਕੁ ਤਿਹ ਲੋਇ ॥
Gur daataa gur hivai ghar gur deepak tih loe.
The Guru is the Giver; the Guru is a home of cooling calm; the Guru is the lamp that lights all the worlds.
ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾਤਾ ਹੈ; ਗੁਰੂ ਠੰਢਕ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਦਾ ਘਰ ਹੈ; ਗੁਰੂ ਉਹ ਦੀਵਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੌਸ਼ਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
The Guru is described as a lamp that lights up the whole world.
ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਿਉਹਾੜੀ ਸਦ ਵਾਰ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਮਾਣਸ ਤੇ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਕੀਏ ਕਰਤ ਨ ਲਾਗੀ ਵਾਰ ॥੧॥
Balihaaree gur aapane diuhaarree sad vaar. Jin maanas te devate keee karat na laagee vaar.
I would give myself to my Guru a hundred times a day — the Guru who, without delay, turns ordinary people into godly beings.
ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਦਿਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੌ ਵਾਰ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਜਾਵਾਂ — ਉਹ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੋ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਦੇਰ ਕੀਤਿਆਂ ਸਧਾਰਨ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
This line shows deep love and thankfulness for the Guru, who helps ordinary people become good and wise.
Ten Gurus hand chain
- Trace both your hands on a piece of paper.
- Write one Guru's name on each finger, in order, starting from your left thumb.
- Say the silly sentence out loud and point to each finger as you go.
- Colour the three 'Har' fingers in the same colour to help you remember them.
- Try saying the order with your eyes closed!
Family conversation
- Which Guru's story would you like to learn more about, and why?
- Guru Amar Das Ji served even when he was old. Who is someone older in our life who keeps learning?
- Can you make up your own silly sentence to remember the Gurus?