Guru Angad Dev Ji
Introduction
Guru Angad Dev Ji (born as Lehna on March 31, 1504, and passing on April 16, 1552), also known as Nanak II, was the second of the ten human Gurus of the Sikh religion.
Guru Angad Dev Ji was born in Matte Di Sarai (Sarainaga), in what is now the District of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, India, to Bhai Pheru Mall Ji and Mata Sabhrai Ji (also called Daya Kaur). Initially, he was a devotee of the Hindu goddess Durga. At the age of 27, after hearing the hymns of Guru Nanak from Bhai Jodha, a Sikh follower, he was so deeply moved that he traveled to Kartarpur to meet Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Upon meeting the Guru, Bhai Lehna was profoundly changed and chose to embrace Sikhism fully, dedicating himself to Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings. He underwent various tests of faith, proving his devotion and service, earning recognition as a model of dedication and humility. Before his passing, Guru Nanak Dev Ji renamed him Angad, meaning “part of the body” or “one’s own,” and appointed him as his successor on June 13, 1539.
As the second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji made significant contributions, including:
- Adding 63 Shabads and Saloks (sacred hymns) to the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Embodying the principles of selfless service (Nishkam Sewa), total devotion to the Guru and God’s will, and a rejection of pretentiousness and hypocrisy.
- Standardizing the Gurmukhi script used in Sikh scriptures.
- Enhancing and continuing the Langar (community kitchen) tradition initiated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
- Expanding Sikhism by traveling extensively and setting up new centers for teaching.
- Introducing the Mall Akhara tradition to promote physical health alongside spiritual growth.
- Designating Guru Amar Das Ji as his successor before leaving this world in 1552.
Guru Angad Dev ji Contributions
Inventer of Gurmukhi language
Guru Angad Dev Ji played a pivotal role in advancing education and communication among the marginalized and underprivileged segments of society. He established schools and personally taught Punjabi using the Gurmukhi script, making education accessible to common people. His efforts aimed to empower individuals by providing them with the tools to pursue their own educational, economic, and spiritual aspirations, independent of religious or political institutions.
At the time of Guru Nanak, the Punjabi alphabet was rudimentary. Guru Angad Dev Ji refined and improved this script, which came to be known as ‘Gurmukhi’—meaning “that which is spoken by the Guru.” Gurmukhi became the standard script for writing Punjabi, perfectly suited to the language of the people and the expression of the Gurus’ hymns. Although the origins of the Punjabi script are not entirely clear, it is evident that Guru Angad Dev Ji popularized this simplified script among Sikhs starting around 1541.
The introduction of Gurmukhi was a significant departure from the Sanskrit language traditionally used by the Brahmins and associated with the Vedic texts. Sanskrit was reserved for the upper castes, while lower castes and untouchables were excluded from accessing spiritual literature. By developing and promoting Gurmukhi, Guru Angad Dev Ji allowed Sikhs to create and maintain their own spiritual literature free from caste-based restrictions. This new script provided the Sikh community with a distinct identity and enabled them to articulate their thoughts and beliefs without limitations.
Moreover, Gurmukhi helped preserve the purity of the Gurus’ hymns by providing a precise and consistent way to record them, thus reducing the risk of misinterpretation. This initiative ensured the unimpeded growth of Sikhism by safeguarding the integrity of its teachings.
In addition to these reforms, Guru Angad Dev Ji also initiated the first authorized biography of Guru Nanak, completed in 1544, and supervised the transcription of Guru Nanak’s hymns into the new Gurmukhi script. These actions were crucial in solidifying Sikhism’s foundational texts and ensuring their accurate transmission to future generations.
Promoting Langar System
The tradition of Langar was upheld and expanded. Mata Khivi, the spouse of Guru Angad Dev, the second Sikh Guru, holds a revered place in Sikh history. Although she is not as widely recognized as the Gurus themselves, her contributions are crucial to the Sikh faith, particularly for her role in developing the langar, the community kitchen central to Sikh practice.
Born in 1506, Mata Khivi demonstrated the Sikh values of generosity and service early in life. As the wife of Lahina, who later became Guru Angad Dev, she experienced the significance of hospitality firsthand as people journeyed from far and wide to hear Guru Nanak’s teachings.
Building on the groundwork established by Guru Nanak, Mata Khivi is credited with formalizing the langar system. She made sure that everyone, irrespective of their background or beliefs, was welcomed and provided with a wholesome meal. The langar, sometimes referred to as “Mata Khivi ji da Langar” (Mother Khivi’s langar) in her honor, became a symbol of Sikhism’s fundamental values of equality and social justice.
Her impact extended beyond just the langar. Mata Khivi played a crucial role in the early Sikh community, handling financial matters, caring for guests, and contributing to religious education. Her relentless dedication and commitment to Sikh principles inspired many.
Mata Khivi’s influence reached beyond her own era. She is the only Guru’s wife mentioned by name in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred text of Sikhism. Her kindness, compassion, and steadfast support for her husband and subsequent Sikh Gurus are celebrated.
Today, langars are a vital component of Sikh gurdwaras worldwide, reflecting Mata Khivi’s enduring legacy of selfless service and her deep belief in community and equality. Her story highlights how the contributions of women, even those working behind the scenes, can profoundly impact history and leave a lasting mark on the world.
Mall Akhara
Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Sikh Guru, emphasized physical well-being as an essential component of spiritual and mental wellness. His most famous contribution in this field was the development of the Mall Akhara, a fitness training facility that incorporated wrestling and martial arts. This effort was founded on the notion that a strong and healthy body promotes a disciplined and focused mind, which is essential for spiritual growth and successful service.
The Mall Akhara was more than just a place to exercise; it reflected Guru Angad Dev Ji’s belief that physical health and spiritual progress are inextricably linked. He promoted physical training as part of a balanced approach to personal growth, understanding that physical health contributes to one’s ability to serve and lead successfully in the Sikh community.
Guru Angad Dev Ji’s lifestyle showed the state of equilibrium. His daily routine comprised physical exertion, service, and spiritual practice, and he set an example for his followers. His teachings encouraged Sikhs to prioritize their health in order to serve others and achieve their spiritual obligations.
The emphasis on physical well-being had broader societal repercussions. Through physical training, Guru Angad Dev Ji prepared Sikhs to be active, involved, and responsible citizens of their communities. This holistic attitude to well-being persisted in Sikh culture and practice, helping to shape the Sikh martial heritage and promoting the idea that physical health is necessary for a balanced and effective life.
In summary, Guru Angad Dev Ji’s teachings on physical well-being were an important part of his holistic approach to life, which combined physical fitness with spiritual and cerebral development to create a well-rounded and capable individual.
Empowering Women
Women’s rights were horrible during the period of Guru Angad Dev Ji. They were seen as inferior and were frequently restricted to their homes, unable to participate in public life or labor. Guru Angad Dev Ji countered these ideas by declaring that men and women are equal before God. He invited women to the Sangat, sat them alongside men, and awarded them religious rights that had hitherto been denied.
Guru Angad Dev Ji did not labor alone in his quest to promote equality. His wife, Mata Khivi, was instrumental in expanding Sikhism and increasing the number of women in senior positions within the Guru’s court. Mata Khivi was instrumental in founding and sustaining Langar, a community kitchen that welcomed people of all backgrounds to enjoy a meal. Mata Khivi initially took on the responsibility of serving food to both community members and tourists who came to see Guru Angad Dev Ji. This practice became a symbol of the Guru’s teachings, emphasizing each individual’s inherent humanity and addressing long-held discriminations. Mata Khivi’s contributions were distinguished by her unselfish service and skill, which earned her worldwide admiration. Her involvement was remarkable since women were rarely seen in major public positions at the time. She made certain that the food served was nutritious and wholesome, especially for those in need. Mata Khivi’s kindness and generosity were compared to a shady tree providing relief, as portrayed by minstrel Balwand. Her contributions and the respect she received are documented in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Angad Dev Ji's Teaching
Promoting Equality
Guru Angad Dev Ji was a great supporter of a society free of caste and class inequalities, envisioning a community in which everyone was treated equally and no one took advantage of others. His views were not simply theoretical; he actively practiced and promoted them. One of his most famous accomplishments was the establishment of Langar, a community kitchen where individuals of various class and caste backgrounds sat in a single row to enjoy a meal. This approach emphasized the belief in equality for all individuals.
Guru Angad Dev Ji emphasized that God values all creation equally, as evidenced by his teaching: “He Himself creates, O Nanak, and establishes the diverse beings. How can somebody be considered bad? “There is one Lord and Master over all.” He also formed the Sangat, a holy gathering where individuals from many backgrounds met to listen to hymns and be inspired, promoting the principle of equality in worship and community life.
Love and Devotion to God
Guru Angad Dev Ji highlighted God’s essential unity, teaching that the ultimate goal of existence is to seek and join with Him. He exhorted people to forgo ceremonial and superficial activities in favor of connecting with the Creator, who is all-powerful and always present. Guru Angad Dev Ji believes that true acceptance and self-realization can only be achieved through genuine devotion to God.
He emphasized that obtaining God’s grace is more important than doing good things alone. Pride, avarice, and ego are key obstacles to one’s journey to the Divine. A good spiritual leader is vital for guiding people down the right road.
Guru Angad Dev Ji observed that people who eschew greed and stick to the truth are welcomed by God. He warned against the vanity of egotistical deeds and worldly attachments, which detract from spiritual development. He emphasized that material wealth and external shows are meaningless after death. True contentment and relief stem from thanking and adoring God, not from sensory pleasures or financial pursuits.
Promoting Selfless-Service (Sewa)
Guru Angad Dev Ji emphasized the necessity of serving everyone, not only his own disciples. Instead of simply following rituals and formalities, he prioritized character development. He preached that enlightenment is attained via acts of service, devotion, and adoration to the one God. Guru Angad Dev Ji taught his followers to seek Divine blessing via honest prayer, praise, humility, and selfless service while surrendering to God’s will. He felt that genuine merit and goodness stemmed from choice rather than compelled behaviors. Sewa, or service, must be performed in a genuine and altruistic manner.
“Remove your pride and then serve humanity; only then will you receive honor,” Guru Angad Dev Ji instructed.