Guru Granth Sahib has mentioned numerous stories, characters and teachings from Hindu Puranas and epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata. Guru Granth Sahib emphasizes the chanting of the name of God without profound belief and deep devotion as did Prahlada and Dhruva. Since God has infinite qualities, any attribute of His can be praised.
In Bhatta Bani of Guru Granth Sahib, the time of Guru Arjan is depicted as the era of King Janaka (father of Sita) and he is compared with Arjuna of the Mahabharata. Guru Granth Sahib confirms the idea that God, in the incarnation of ‘Narsingh’ (Narasimha), had killed the wicked ‘Harnaksha’ (Hiranyaksha) and saved Prahlada.
The episode of Sri Krishna preferring the simple food of Vidura to Duryodhana’s delicious dishes, finds a place in Granth Sahib.
Granth Sahib states that Vrindavan is ‘spiritually beautiful’. Devaki is praised as the mother of Krishna. The liberation of Putana, the selfless services of Sudama and Kubja and Sri Krishna’s help to them, are also duly noted.
The following episodes from Ramayana and the Mahabharata find a place in Granth Sahib: the disrobing of Draupadi, the abduction of Sita, Hanuman’s valor, Lakshmana’s loyalty, Vibhishana’s surrender and Ravana’s death.
The division of cosmos into heaven (swargaloka), netherworld (patala loka) and the world of men (martya loka) in Puranas are found in Guru Granth Sahib. Some of the important incidents from Puranas that find a place in the Guru Granth Sahib include the bad temper of Rishi Durvasa, the generation of nectar or amrita, the celestial cow Kamadhenu, Lakshmi, Kalpataru (the divine tree), the yajna of king Janamejaya and the record keeping of human deeds of Chitragupta.