Babaji ki Janam Sakhi

73.7, Folio 67 Obverse, Illustration No. 16

Babaji ki Janam Sakhi

73.7, Folio 67 Obverse, Illustration No. 16

Description

Janamsakhis are short narratives in Pujabi language and Gurumukhi Script and are stories of the birth and life of Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of Sikhism. These Sakhis were written after the demise of Guru Nanak and describe about his miraculous acts.

The text was authored by Paide Mukhe under the orders of Guru Angad, the Second Guru of the Sikh faith who was the resident of Sultanpur, in 1525 CE.

This illustration depicts the story of Kauda the Cannibal. Kauda was the chief of a tribe that were known to eat human flesh. Here he is depicted as a demon. People and children going to the forest to collect fire-wood became victims of this tribe. Once, Guru Nanak and his two companions Bala and Mardana went to the forest to convince this tribe to give up their cruel practice. Agitated Kauda caught Guruji and threw him in the cauldron of hot oil. But with his divine power the oil and the fire became cold and Guru Nanak stood up on the cauldron with a smiling face. Guruji stepped out and recited Gurubani (Compositions of Guruji). Kauda realised his mistake and repented. Guruji advised him to earn his living through hard work and teach this to his tribesmen as well. He thereafter lived as a devout disciple of Guru Nanak.

Gift of Smt. Alma Latifi.

Collection

Indian Miniature Paintings

Object Type

Manuscript

Material

Water colour on Paper

Schools/Culture/Period

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Technique

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Date

1724 CE

Location

India

Dimension

Manuscript page: 32.4 x 29 cm (approx.) Paintings: 18.4 x 13 cm (without border)