Guru Nanak ji shown with Janeu, Shikha and Tilak

 



 

Guru Nanak ji shown with Janeu, Shikha and Tilak

Image provided by Gyani Gyan Singh Amratsari, Shri Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Haryana.

Credits – Gurunanak Dev University Punjab

According to available records, Yes Guru Nanak Ji questioned the hollow understanding of Yajnopavita but not rejectected it.

Contemporary swaroop of all gurus show them always with turbans post 1860s, whereas Gurus wore different types of head covers and topis in their public appearances in different periods.

Dr Kirpal Singh, author of Janamsakhi Tradition (stories from Guru Nanak’s life), former Professor & Head – Punjab Historical Studies Department, Punjabi University, Patiala writes:

When Guru Nanak grew up to be of nine years, his parents thought of performing the ceremony of Yajnopavit i.e. investing the child with the sacred thread called janeu. The pandit brought along a janeu made of cotton. As per the practice, then prevalent, a special area was earmarked for the ceremony. The ground was sanctified by smearing it with a paste of cow-dung mixed with mud. Nanak was made to sit there, and it was whispered in his ear that it was the religion of Brahmins and Khatris to wear janeu. THE CEREMONY WAS COMPLETE and all the relations who had come to see it went back. However, all this did not leave any special impact on Guru Nanak’s mind. The Guru has explained thus the real janeu in one of his hymns:

Make compassion the cotton, contentment the yarn; Continence the knot and purity the twist; Such is the true sacred thread of the self Thou Brahmin-priest! Put this on me shouldst thou have it. This thread neither snaps nor is soiled; Neither burnt nor lost. Said Nanak : Blessed are the beings that around their neck put this… [Guru Granth Sahib]”

The Sikh author further writes and quotes from many janamsakhis (biographies of guru) :

“The Miharban and Mani Singh Janamsakhis say the ceremony of putting Janeu took place at the age of nine.. There is considerable difference of detail as regards the observance of his ceremony in the Janamsakhis of Miharban and Mani Singh. The latter refers to the performance by Kalu (Guru Nanak’s father) of a huge Yajna.. There are many details of janeu- ceremony, Gayatri mantras recited by Pandit Brij Nath

Guru Nanak jk explained true spirit of Yajnopaveet/Janeu behind the ritual which is to purify body, mind and Aatma. Threads of Janeu are symbols. Guru was absolutely spot on when he criticised Janeu being worn by wrongdoers, meat-eaters and womanisers. This only proves his love and devotion towards Janeu – Vedic symbol of purity. Don’t we have similar restrictions on wearing Janeu as per Shastras? Guru’s anger was on wrongdoings, hypocrisy and mindless ritualism and not on Janeu itself. That’s why he wore it after explaining the spirit behind.

 

 



A Large View of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple in Amritsar Signed top right corner "Bishan Singh Musavar Ambaratsr ji.”

Punjab, circa 1850-1872.

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