The honour of saving Panchaali (Draupadi) from dishonour is often attributed to Sri Krishna. However, Gurbani reveals a deeper truth: it was, in fact, Guru Sahib who upheld her honour.

It was through the Shakti (divine power) of Guru Sahib that those avatars of earlier ages were able to perform miraculous deeds and bring temporary relief to devotees. But in reality, it was always Guru Sahib working behind the scenes, guiding and empowering them.

This is made clear in Bhattaan Ke Savaiye (Savaiye Mahalle 4 Ke):

ਅਬ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਦਾਸ ਭਾਟ ਕੀ ਲਾਜ ॥
ਜੈਸੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਲਾਜ ਭਗਤ ਪ੍ਰਹਿਲਾਦ ਕੀ ਹਰਨਾਖਸ ਫਾਰੇ ਕਰ ਆਜ ॥
ਫੁਨਿ ਦ੍ਰੋਪਤੀ ਲਾਜ ਰਖੀ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀ ਛੀਨਤ ਬਸਤ੍ਰ ਦੀਨ ਬਹੁ ਸਾਜ ॥
ਸੋਦਾਮਾ ਅਪਦਾ ਤੇ ਰਾਖਿਆ ਗਨਿਕਾ ਪੜ੍ਹਤ ਪੂਰੇ ਤਿਹ ਕਾਜ ॥
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੁਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਕਲਜੁਗ ਹੋਇ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਦਾਸ ਭਾਟ ਕੀ ਲਾਜ ॥੮॥੧੨॥

Here, addressing Sri Guru Raam Daas Ji (the Guru Jyoti), the Bhatt humbly prays for protection of his honour. This Savaiya makes it clear that it was Sri Satguru who saved Prahlaad from Harnakash, preserved Panchaali’s dignity, removed Sudaama’s poverty, and forgave the sins of the Ganika.

Some people ignorantly claim that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji only came into being in 1469. How mistaken! Guru Sahib, in the eternal Jyoti form, is the Guru-roop of Waheguru and has always existed:

ਤੂ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਚਹੁ ਜੁਗੀ ਆਪਿ ਆਪੇ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ॥
You are the True Guru, throughout the four ages; You Yourself are the Transcendent Lord.

The physical manifestation of this eternal Guru as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469 was not His beginning, but His open appearance for humanity’s guidance and salvation. The verses above stand as testimony to Guru Sahib’s divine works long before assuming human form.

In earlier Yugas, Satnaam had not yet been revealed in its full form. It appears that Sri Guru Ji, through Avatars and Rishis, granted limited salvation to the Bhagats of those ages. Later, these same Bhagats were reborn during Guru Ji’s time, where they received complete and final liberation through Sri Guru Nanak Sahib.