Guru NanakDevJi - The Vaishnava Hindu Saint

The Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhias have managed to suppress the Sanatan Hindu Sikhi version by inventing a new anti Hindu history & ignoring the fact that Guru NanakDevji was a Vaishnava Hindu Saint. I have come across authentic frescos dating back over 200 years which clearly show NanakDevji wearing a Chandan Tilak, Rudraksh Mala & Seli Topi instead of the image we are made to believe of him today.
The first image ( above) is the original handwritten Pothi by NanakDevji, a Shaligram dedicated to Lord Vishnu & mala & padam belonging to him. A Shila or Shaligram is a Hindu Vaishnava aniconic representation of Lord Vishnu, in the form of a spherical, usually black coloured stone found in the sacred river Gandaki.


ਹਾਥਿ ਚੜਿਓ ਹਰਿ ਸਾਲਗਿਰਾਮੁ ॥
haathh charriou har saalagiraam ||
I hold in my hands the Saalagraam of the Lord.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਕੀਨੋ ਦਾਨੁ ॥੪॥੩੯॥੯੦॥
kahu naanak gur keeno dhaan ||4||39||90||
Says Nanak, the Guru has given me this Gift.
~SGGS Ji ang 393


Below is a fresco (over 200 yrs old), found in the inner sanctum of Dera Baba Charan Shah Udasin at Bahadurpur in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. It depicts the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev, along Bhai Bala, a Hindu disciple is fanning the Guru. Note the Vaishnav Chandan tilak on His forehead.




Wooden Slippers worn by Guru Nanak Dev ji 

This Seli Topi was worn by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji & Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Presently it is lying at the The Fort, Kartarpur District Jalandhar (Pb.) India. We are today made to believe that NanakDevji wore a Turban, when he wore the traditioal Seli Topi of Hindu Saints & sported a Vaishnava Chandan Tilak.



                                                       






                                                                                      

Above: Chola worn by Nanak Devji

                          

                

Above: Jaap Mala used by Nanak devji

Hand written pothis of Nanak Devji

What did Guru Nanak Dev ji Look Like ?

A very rare portrait of Guru Nanak Dev ji ( circa 16th cetury A.D ) - He is accompanied by Bhai Mardana & He seems to be addressing a Saint dressed up as a Hindu woman adorned with the sixteen forms of traditional beauty & clothing- notice the Red Tilak on Guruji's forehead & the traditional Seli Topi worn by Hindu saints of the Bhakti period.

Above: Guruji in the company of Bhai Mardana playing the rabab, while Bhai Bala stands behind Guruji who is conversing with Hindu saints - rare painting dated 17th century.

Above: Guru Nanak Devji with Bhai Mardana playing the rabab & Bhai Bala holding a fan - notice how Guruji is depicted in this traditional 18th century painting - He is holding a rudraksh mala & a traditional 'Kamandal' which a small pot used by all Hindu Yogis that holds water.

Above: Blocks of wood were carved with the outlines and shapes of pictures. These could then be inked and printed onto paper. This technique for mass production was adopted in Panjab in the 19th century and enabled artists to reach a much larger market than previously.Above is a 19th century portrait made in wood - Guru Nanak Devji with Bhai Mardana & Bhai Bala. ( Victoria & Albert Museum, London )

Upto the early period of 19th century Guru Nanak Devji was painted by artists as a traditional Hindu Saint of the Bhakti period of India until the Tat Khalsa was established towards the end. From then onwards, a very different looking Nanak Devji - an image of Him similar to some Sufi type of Saint was circulated - which today's Sikhs have been forced to accept.

Above: A very rare painting - 17th century - Hindu saints & Kings paying homage to Guru Nanak ji. Again Guruji is portrayed as a Hindu Saint wearing His traditional seli topi.

Above: Guru ji as a child & student of Pandit Gopal ji the Brahmin teacher ( painting 17th century).

Above: Guru Nanak ji with Sant Gorakhnath ( painting is from circa 17th century ). Again, Guruji is traditionally wearing the red tilak of a Hindu sant.

                  Above: Guru Nanak with Sant Kabir ( painting: circa 17th century ) 

Above: Bhai Lehna visits Guru Nanak Devji - ( ca: 17th century) Again all are depicted wearing traditional red tilak marks including Bhai Mardana who is playing the rabab.

Above: Painting from circa 17th century -Guru Nanak Devji listening to Bhai Bala who is seated on the red seat.

Above: Guru Nanak Devji in the company of Brahmins & Yogis ( painting: circa 17th century)

The Transformation of Guru Nanak Dev ji's Image as seen below:

Copyright©Arjan Singh Virdi 2012.