Sikh
Guru Angad Dev Ji - Popularly known as Bhai Lahna ji, the second
Nanak appointed by Guru Nanak Dev ji him self was born in Harike village
in Ferozepur district of Punjab, on March 31, 1504.
Bhai Lehna or
Guru Angad Sahib ji started worshipping Goddess Durga under the
influence of his mother, Mata Ramo ji. He is also believed to having
leaded various batches of devotees to the pious temple of goddess
Jawalamukhi each year. As a result of ransacking by the Mughal and
Baloch militia, the family of Guru Sahib got re settled at village
Khadur about 25 kms from Amritsar.
It was after he heard Bhai Jodha ji, a devotee of Guru Nanak Sahib
reciting a hymn that Bhai Lehna Ji decided to move to Kartarpur to have
a glimpse of Guru Nanak Sahib. His very first meeting with Guru Nanak
Sahib brought about a complete transformation in him. Thus renouncing
the worship of the Goddess, Angad sahib Ji dedicated himself to the
service of Guru Nanak Sahib. He got converted into a Sikh and started
living at Kartarpur. It was the utter devotion and an astute sense of
obedience of Bhai Lehna that saw his being elected as the second Nanak
that came after seven years of service to Nanak Sahib. Guru Angad Sahib
carried the thoughts of Guru Nanak Sahib both in letter and spirit after
his death in 1539.
Greatly interested in child education, he strived really hard to
increase the literacy rate amongst masses. He also has to his credit the
introduction of a new alphabet known as Gurmukhi Script which was a
modification of the older Punjabi Script's characters only. Not only
mental and spiritual but physical fitness was also of equal importance
to Angad Sahib Ji. This becomes evident by a tradition of Mall Akhara,
started by him. The very first biography of Guru Nanak Sahib was also
compiled by him having collected the facts from Bhai Bala ji. 63 Saloks
written by him were also included in Guru Granth Sahib. He also expanded
the institution of 'Guru ka Langar' started by Guru Nanak Sahib.
Visiting all the religious centers established by Guru Nanak Sahib,
Angad Sahib Ji established hundreds of new Sangats that was seen as
strengthening the base of Sikhism. A very crucial period for the infant
Sikh religion, the period of Angad Sahib ji's Guru ship was the most
crucial one. Despite several upheavals and troubles created by the
leaders of older religions, Guru Angad Sahib Ji established Sikhism in
its own separate religious identity.
It was at the mere age of 48 years that he breathed his last on March
29, 1552. But before this, he had already appointed Guru Amar Das Sahib
as his successor.
