REAL EDUCATION

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on 20th October 1469 AD, at Talwandi Rai Bhoi, which is currently known as Nankana Sahib, in the districy of Sheikhpur which is in Pakistan. Mehta Kaalu, his father was employed as a village official in charge of land records and revenue with Rai Bhullar, the ruler of that village. At the age of seven Guru Nanak Dev Ji's father sent him to Gopal Dass who was the village teacher. He learnt accounts and Devnagiri which is one of the scripts from that time.
One day Guru Nanak Dev Ji was sitting silently with a writing board in font of him. Seeing Guru Nanak Dev Ji sitting in this way, the teacher said, ''Nanak, why are you not learning your lesson?'' Guru Nanak Dev Ji replied, ''Respected teacher, what is the use of learning this lesson which teaches multiplication tables only? This lesson does not tell how to be free from the shackles of the worlds.''
The teacher replied, '' I have learnt only sums and measurements and have been teaching ever since. If you have knowledge of the ways to get freedom from bonds of this world, tell me.'' Guru Nanak Dev Ji replied, ''Respected teacher, writing in worldly deeds. Bonds by the shackles of worldly deeds, the mind is drawn towards The true education helps in breaking the attachment from the bonds of this world and the mind is freed from immorality. When the mind is pure, good feeling grows in it. That true education inspires one towards the praise of the creator and sustainer of this world. By singing his praises, the mind is filled with bliss and the fear of birth and death is removed forever.''
The teacher said,'' Nanak, I have taught you whatever I knew, I know nothing about this true education. I cannot teach it.'' Guru Nanak Dev Ji came home and narrated the whole story to his parents. Guru Nanak was only thirteen at that time so his father started sending him to Islamic religious teacher, Maulvi Kutabudin, to learn Persian. One day Guru Nnak asked Maulvi Kutabdin, What are the meanings of  Persian alphabets?'' No one had asked this type of question from him before, so no answer came to his mind and he said, ''Nanak, you tell me, what these letters of Persian alphabet in words in praise of God. After hearing the meanings of the letters from Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Maulvi Kutubdin understood that if one considers the worldly education, it is the praise of God which can free the mind from worldly attachments.