Guru Angad Dev Ji -

Guru Angad Dev Ji

Introduction

Guru Angad Dev Ji was born with the name of Lehna on March 31, 1504, was the second sikh guru of the sikh religion.

Guru Angad Dev Ji was born to Bhai Pheru Mall Ji and Mata Sabhrai Ji (or Daya Kaur) in Matte Di Sarai (Sarainaga), in the present-day District of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, India. He was originally a believer in the Hindu goddess Durga. When he was 27 years old, Guru Nanak Dev Ji had such an impact on him that a Sikh follower, Bhai Jodha, had made him hear the hymns of Guru Nanak, and decided to go to Kartarpur to meet him. When Bhai Lehna met the Guru, he was significantly transformed and decided to become a full fledged Sikh, and committed his life to the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He was subjected to a number of trials of faith, and demonstrated his devotion and service, being made a model of dedication and humility. Guru Nanak Dev Ji before his death, renamed him Angad, which means part of the body or of the self, and made him his successor June 13, 1539.

As the second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji made significant contributions, including:

The inclusion of 63 Shabads and Saloks (holy songs) to the Guru Granth Sahib.
Representing the values of unselfish service (Nishkam Sewa), complete submission to the Guru and the will of God and absence of hypocrisy and pretentiousness.
Homogenizing the Gurmukhi typeface of Sikh texts.
The tradition of Langar (community kitchen) that Guru Nanak Dev Ji started was improved and maintained.
Spreading Sikhism through long distance traveling and establishing new centers in which to teach.
Bringing in the Mall Akhara tradition as a way of physical wellness as well as spiritual development.
Before dying in this world in 1552, he appointed Guru Amar Das Ji as his successor.

Guru Angad Dev ji Contributions

Inventer of Gurmukhi language

Guru Angad Dev Ji played a critical role in promoting education and communication in the oppressed and disadvantaged layers of the society. He founded schools and even taught Punjabi by himself with the Gurmukhi script, education was now available to ordinary folk. His work was directed at empowering people, equipping them with the means of following their own educational, economic, and spiritual goals, without religious or political organizations.

The Punjabi alphabet was primitive at the time Guru Nanak existed. This script was refined and perfected by Guru Angad Dev Ji and it became known as Gurmukhi- Meaning, that which is spoken by the Guru. The standard script adopted to write Punjabi became Gurmukhi, well appropriate to the language of people, as well as to render the hymns of the Gurus. Though the history of the Punjabi script is not completely transparent, it is clear that Guru Angad Dev Ji popularized this simplified script to Sikhs around 1541.

The implementation of Gurmukhi was a major break in to the tradition of using Sanskrit language by the Brahmins and the Vedic texts. Only the upper castes had access to spiritual literature in Sanskrit and the lower castes and the untouchables were excluded. From the creation and propagation of Gurmukhi, the caste-based restrictions that enforced pressure on Sikhs were relieved by Guru Angad Dev Ji as they could create their own spiritual literature. The Sikh community was given a new identity by this new script and was able to express their thoughts and beliefs freely.

Further, Gurmukhi served the purpose of maintaining the purity of the hymns of the Gurus by also giving a more accurate and uniform means of recording the hymns, making the chance of misinterpretation less likely. This effort was a guarantee to the unhindered development of Sikhism by protecting the sanctity of its doctrines.

Besides these reforms, Guru Angad Dev Ji also embarked on the first-approved biography of Guru Nanak, written in 1544 and under his watch, the hymns of Guru Nanak were transcribed in the new Gurmukhi script. These acts played a key role in cementing the texts of Sikhism and making sure that they are correctly passed down to the next generation.

Promoting Langar System

The Langar tradition was maintained and increased. Mata Khivi, the wife of the second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev plays a central role in the Sikh history. Even though she is not as well known as the Gurus themselves, she played a vital role in the Sikh religion especially in the development of the langar, which is the community kitchen that forms the core of the Sikh movement.

Mata Khivi was born in 1506 and she showed the Sikh principles of generosity and service at an early age. Being the wife of Lahina who subsequently became Guru Angad Dev, she has known the value of hospitality herself because people travelled long distances to listen to Guru Nanak teachings.

Mata Khivi is said to have systematized the langar system upon the establishment done by Guru Nanak. She ensured that all people regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs were welcome and given a nutritious meal. Her langar, occasionally called Mata Khivas da Langar (the langar of Mother Khiva) after her, became the representation of the principles of equality and social justice that are the keystones of Sikhism.

The influence that she made was not limited to the langar. Mata Khivi was an important part of the early Sikh community and she dealt with the finances and guests of the house and also contributed to religious education. The persistence and commitment that she gave to Sikh values motivated others.

Mata Khiva left an impact on future generations. She is the sole wife of the Guru whose name is not left out in the Guru Granth Sahib that is the holy book of Sikhs. Her tenderness, humaneness and constant support of her husband and later Sikh Gurus are glorified.

Today, the langars have become an essential part of Sikh gurdwaras all around the world that represents the legacy of Mata Khivas selfless service and strong faith in the community and equality. Her narrative underlines the importance of the role that women, even behind-the-scenes ones, can play in the course of history and leave a trace in the world.

Mall Akhara

The second Sikh Guru Guru Angad Dev Ji highlighted physical health as part and parcel of spiritual and mental health. The best contribution he made in this area was the creation of the Mall Akhara, which was a fitness training center that embraced wrestling and martial arts. This has been done by the belief that sound and healthy body leads to a strong and focused mind which is the key to spiritual awakening and effective service.

The Mall Akhara was not a mere exercising ground, but it symbolized the fact that Guru Angad Dev Ji believed the body and spirit should not be separated by anything. He advocated physical training as a harmonious part of individual development since he realized that one must be physically healthy to serve and be a successful leader in the Sikh community.

The state of equilibrium was demonstrated by the way of life led by Guru Angad Dev Ji. Physical activity, service and spiritual practice formed his daily routine and he led by example to his followers. His teachings advised the Sikhs to give health first priority so as to be able to serve others and fulfill their spiritual duties.

This focus on physical health had a more widespread social impact. Guru Angad Dev Ji trained Sikhs through physical training so that they could be active, engaged and responsible citizens of their communities. This holistic approach to well-being continued to exist in Sikh culture and practice and contributed to the development of the Sikh martial tradition and the advocacy of the concept of physical well-being as a condition of a balanced and productive life.

To conclude, Guru Angad Dev ji in his teachings on physical well being formed a significant constituent of his comprehensive approach to life, which built physical fitness together with spiritual and mental growth into a holistic and competent individual.

Empowering Women

The rights of women were terrible in the times of Guru Angad Dev Ji. They were regarded as inferior and were often confined to their households, not able to enter the world of social life and work. Guru Angad Dev Ji refuted such thoughts by saying that man and woman were equal before God. He welcomed women in the Sangat and offered them a seat equal to the men and gave them the religious rights they had never had.

Guru Angad Dev Ji is not the only person who struggled to promote equality. His wife, Mata Khivi, played a key role in spreading Sikhism and augmenting the rank of women in higher ranks in the court of the Guru. Mata Khivi had the role to play in the establishment and continued existence of Langar, which was a community kitchen where everyone was allowed to have a meal regardless of their background. Mata Khivi first took the mandate to serve food to community members as well as tourists who came to visit Guru Angad Dev Ji. This became a symbol of what the Guru taught, of the need to recognize the humanity of each person, and to deal with old prejudices. The selfless service and ability of Mata Khivi made her contributions notable and recognized in the whole world. This was an impressive contribution to her given that women were hardly to be found in key societal posts during that era. She ensured that the food served was healthy and wholesome particularly to the needy. The generosity and kindness shown by Mata Khivi were likened to a shaded tree that could offer shelter, shown by minstrel Balwand. Her contributions and respect that she received is recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Angad Dev Ji's Teaching

Promoting Equality

Guru Angad Dev Ji was an immense advocate of a casteless and classless society and dreamed of a community where all persons are treated equally and no one exploits another. He did not just talk theoretically and did not just advocate his views. A major achievement was one of his well known achievements, which was the creation of Langar, community kitchen in which people of different classes and caste would sit with a single row and have a meal. This strategy dwelt on the principle of equality of all people.

One of the most important points Guru Angad Dev Ji makes is that God values all the creation because he says: He Himself creates, O Nanak, and establishes the various beings. But how can anyone be bad? One Lord and Master over all. He also established the Sangat, which was a sacred meeting where people of different origins came together to hear hymns and get inspirations to ensure equality in worship and community life.

Promoting Selfless-Service (Sewa)

Guru Angad Dev Ji stressed on the need to serve all, and not just his disciples. He did not just abide by rituals and formalities, but focused on character development. His teachings were that enlightenment is achieved through service, devotion and adoration to one God. Guru Angad Dev Ji instructed his students to obtain Divine blessing through sincere prayer, praise and humility and selfless service to the will of God. He believed that real merit and goodness was a matter of choice and not of forced actions. Sewa or service, should be done in a sincere and selfless manner.

Guru Angad Dev Ji told him “Take away the pride, and then serve the man; otherwise you will not be honored.