VaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa, VaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh
Bani Guru Guru Hai Bani, Vich Bani Amrit Saare
(sorry for the english writing of the shabad, i don't know how post Gurbani Akar)
Most Sikh are familair with this Shabad and know it's meaning it pretty straight forward.
Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is our Guru the True Shabad Guru.
i want to start with saying; I agree with most everyone that the pictures we see in Gurudwaras and in most Sikh households are not of the Guru Ji's themselves but just drawn form someone imagination. They shouldn't be bowed down to or prayed to etc. They should only serve as reminders, Just like if you have pictures of Harimandir Sahib or Anandpur Sahib, when you look at them, you are reminded of the history behind them, their significances etc. Or they might just remind you of the time you spent at those places.
Now there are people who naam jap and are so much in gurbani that they don't such reminders. They constantley think of Waheguru and are so much leaned into thier simran. ( i wish i could be at that stage)
Then there are people wich includes me, who need such reminders, people who get cought up in worldley things or thoughts.
So throughout the day when i look at or see pictures of Guru Nanak or Guru Gobind Singh; it reminds me of them, there teachings, the sacrifices made, sakhis i've heard etc. So many thought go through my mind. BUT I DON'T BOW TO THEM. i just close my eyes and say "Waheguru"
Picture or no-picture it depends on the person's faith, Vishwaas, respect they have for Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Again i see pictures representing Guru Ji's as reminders drawn from someones imagination. Where as Gurbani (which Has come straight from the Lord himself) compiled in Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji As the True Guru who i Bow down to with the outmost respect.
My mom has been greeting(folding hands, and tilting head) to Guru Nanak Dev Ji's picture every morning since she was a child, I know it is wrong because we dont follow the Guru's image we follow his words which are in the Guru Granth Sahib. Is there any quote from Gurbani saying that it is a useless practice? Should I tell my mom that she is wrong, and if yes, how?
My parents and family members also have lots of photos of the Guru's hanging in our house but i've never seen them tilt head to them. but when they look at them i can't really say or know what they are thinking in there minds. but i know that they understand that the pictures are just pictures to serve as reminders and that the True Guru is Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
You should ask your mom what she thinks when she does what she does, Does she understand that they are just pictures?
Bhul Chuk Maf Karni