Guru Nanak or Guru Nanak Dev?
There are some Sikhs who believe that the great Guru's name should be referred to as Guru Nanak and not as Guru Nanak Dev. This is confusion which needs to be cleared.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib
In the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, at SGGS ang (page) 430 is a shabad which contains the reference to the founder Guru as Nanak Dev as listed below:
| ਸੋ ਵਸੈ ਇਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਸੇਵ ॥ ਅਬਿਚਲ ਨਗਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ॥੮॥੧॥ |
| So vasai iṯ gẖar jis gur pūrā sev. Abicẖal nagrī Nānak ḏev. ((8)(1)) |
| One who serves the True Guru dwells in this house. O Nanak, the Divine City is eternal. ((8)(1)) |
Further, at SGGS ang (page) 990 is another shabad which contains the reference to the founder Guru as Guru Nanak Dev as listed below:
| ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਰੂਪ ॥੮॥੧॥ |
| Gur Nānak ḏev govinḏ rūp. ((8)(1)) |
| Guru Nanak Dayv is the Embodiment of the Lord of the Universe. ((8)(1)) |
Yet further, at SGGS ang (page) 1192 is another shabad which contains the reference to the founder Guru as Guru Nanak Dev as listed below:
| ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵੈ ਕਾਹੂ ॥੪॥੨॥ |
| Kaho Nānak ḏevai kāhū. ((4)(2)) |
| Says Nanak, rare are those who are blessed with this Boat. ((4)(2)) |
And finally, at SGGS ang (page) 1304 is another shabad which contains the reference to the founder Guru as Nanak Dev as listed below:
| ਮਿਲੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜਗਤ ਗੁਰ ਕੇਰੈ ॥੨॥੧॥੩੪॥ |
| Mil Nānak ḏev jagaṯ gur kerai. ((2)(1)(34)) |
| Please come and meet Nanak, O Divine Guru of the World. ((2)(1)(34)) |
So although the founder Guru is referred to mainly as simply Nanak in the SGGS, the reference as Guru Nanak Dev is NOT wrong.
In fact, Bhai Gurdas uses this reference many times in his Varan, Varan Bhai Gurdas. See Bhai Manvir Singh's blog for a full account.
Bhai Gurdas
In Varan Bhai Gurdas, the great Guru is also referred to as Guru Nanak Dev.
Vaar 20, Pauri 15 - ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਗ - First episode of Guru Nanak Dev ji
| ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਗ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਬਾਬੇ ਪਾਯਾ ਬਖਸੁ ਦਰਿ, ਪਿਛੋ ਦੇ ਫਿਰਿ ਘਾਲਿ ਕਮਾਈ। ਰੇਤੁ ਅਕੁ ਆਹਾਰੁ ਕਰਿ, ਰੋੜਾ ਕੀ ਗੁਰ ਕਰੀ ਵਿਛਾਈ। ਭਾਰੀ ਕਰੀ ਤਪਸਿਆ, ਵਡੇ ਭਾਗੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਬਣਿ ਆਈ। ਬਾਬਾ ਪੈਧਾ ਸਚਖੰਡਿ, ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਗਰੀਬੀ ਪਾਈ। ਬਾਬਾ ਦੇਖੈ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰਿ, ਜਲਤੀ ਸਭਿ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਵੀ ਦਿਸਿ ਆਈ। ਬਾਝਹੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਬਾਰ ਹੈ, ਹੈ ਹੈ ਕਰਦੀ ਸੁਣੀ ਲੁਕਾਈ। ਬਾਬੇ ਭੇਖ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਉਦਾਸੀ ਕੀ ਰੀਤਿ ਚਲਾਈ। ਚੜ੍ਹਿਆ ਸੋਧਣਿ ਧਰਤਿ ਲੁਕਾਈ ॥੨੪॥ |
| Pahilaa Baabay Paayaa Bakhasu Dari Pichhoday Firi Ghaali Kamaaee.
Raytu Aku Aahaaru Kari Rorhaa Kee Gur Keea Vichhaaee. Bhaaree Karee Tapasiaa Vaday Bhaagi Hari Siu Bani Aaee. Baabaa Paidhaa Sachi Khandi Nau Nidhi Naamu Gareebee Paaee. Baabaa Daykhai Dhiaanu Dhari Jalatee Sabhi Pridavee Disi Aaee. Baajhu Guroo Gubaaru Hai Hai Hai Karadee Sunee Lukaaee. Baabay Bhaykh Banaaiaa Udaasee Kee Reeti Chalaaee. Charhhiaa Sodhani Dharati Lukaaee. ((24)) |
| First episode of Guru Nanak Dev ji First of all Baba Nanak obtained the gate of the grace (of Lord) and then He underwent and earned the rigorous discipline( of heart and mind). He fed himself with sand and swallow-wort and made stones his bedding i.e. he enjoyed poverty too. He offered hid full devotion and then he was fortunate to have proximity with God. Baba reached the region of truth wherefrom he received Nam, the storehouse of nine treasures and humility. In his meditation, Baba found the whole earth burning (with the fire of lust and anger). Without Guru there is utter darkness and he heard the cries of the common men. To further understand the people, Guru Nanak donned robes in their manner and preached them to be detached (from the pleasure and pain). Thus he went out to depurate humanity on earth. |
Vaar 26, Pauri 21 - ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ - Guru Nanak Dev
| ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਸਿਧ ਨਾਥ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਸਭ ਗੋਸਟਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਕੰਨ ਫੜਾਇਆ। ਬਾਬਰ ਕੇ ਬਾਬੇ ਮਿਲੇ ਨਿਵਿ ਨਿਵਿ ਸਭ ਨਬਾਬ ਨਿਵਾਇਆ। ਪਾਤਸਾਹਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਵਿਛੁੜੇ ਜੋਗ ਭੋਗ ਛਡਿ ਚਲਿਤੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ। ਦੀਨ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਦਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ਬੇਮੁਹਤਾਜੁ ਰਾਜੁ ਘਰਿ ਆਇਆ। ਕਾਦਰ ਹੋਇ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਏਹ ਭਿ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਸਾਂਗੁ ਬਣਾਇਆ। ਇਕਨਾ ਜੋੜ ਵਿਛੋੜਦਾ ਚਿਰੀ ਵਿਛੁੰਨੇ ਆਣਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ। ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਅਲਖੁ ਲਖਾਇਆ ॥੨੧॥ |
| Sidh Naathh Avataar Sabh Gosati Kari Kari Kann Dharhaaiaa.
Baabar Kay Baabay Milay Nivi Nivi Sabh Nabaabu Nivaaiaa. Patisaahaa Mili Vichhurhay Jog Bhog Chhadi Chalitu Rachaaiaa. Deen Duneeaa Daa Paatisaahu Baymuhataaju Raaju Ghari Aaiaa. Kaadar Hoi Kudarati Karay Ayh Bhi Kudarati Saangu Banaaiaa. Ikanaa Jorhi Vichhorhidaa Chiree Vichhunnay Aani Milaaiaa. Saadhsangati Vichi Alakhu Lakh Aaiaa 21 |
| Guru Nanak Dev In discussions he ( Guru Nanak Dev) worsted the siddhs maths and the incarnations of gods. Men of Babur came to Baba Nanak and the latter made them bow in humility. Guru Nanak met the emperors as well and becoming detached from the enjoyments and renunciation he performed a wonderful feat. Self reliant king of the spiritual and the temporal world (Guru Nanak) moved around in the world. The nature enacted a masquerade that he becoming creator created (a new way life- Sikhism). He makes many meet, separates others and further reunites the ones separated long back. In the holy congregation, he arranges the glimpse of the invisible Lord. |
Other Vaarans
Bhai Gurdas Vaar 26,Pauri22 - Guru Nanak Dev - ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ
Bhai Gurdas Vaar 26,Pauri30 - The Sikhs pass the test given by the true Guru - ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ
