Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, 2nd Sikh Guru Ji.

Guru Angad Dev Ji is the second of the ten Sikh Guru. He was born on March, 31, 1504, his father Sri Pheru Mal Ji and Mata Ramo Ji named him Lehna. Guru Ji’s Birth place is “Sarai Naga” near Muktsar.
The time period immediately after the departure of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a very challenging for the followers of Nanak. Sikh community was at a nascent stage of formation and faced danger of extinction as it had happened to the various Bhakti movements during the past. It was due to the efforts of Guru Angad Dev Ji, Sikhism flourished upholding the principles and vision of Sri Guru Nanak.

1. Sri Guru Angad Dev JI
(1504-1552 AD)
by : Commander Balvir Singh

2. Disclaimer
In Sikh faith worshiping idols and pictures of Sikh Guru’s is
not practiced as we believe that the God is Unborn,
Uncreated, Beyond Incarnation (ਅਜੂਨੀ). We believe in the
Shabad* of the Gurbani enshrined in the
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji our present Guru.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Shabad* - Creator / Order of creator obtained by Guru / Religion.
(page 131 of Gurmat Martand by Bhai Sahib Bhai Khan Singh Nabha)
2. The pictures used in this book are unverified pictures.

3. Guru Angad Dev Ji is the second of the tenSikh Guru. He was born on
March, 31, 1504. His father Sri Pheru Mal Ji and Mata Ramo Ji named him Lehna.
They lived at Matte-di-Sarai (The village is now known as Sarai Naga near
Muktsar). The family of Sri Pheru Mal were worshipper of the Hindu Goddess,
Durga. Lehna Ji used to performed annual pilgrimage to Hindu religious places.
Due to frequent ransacking of the village by theMughalsand Baloch military,
Bhai Pheru Ji left their ancestral village and settled at villageKhadur (Sahib)beside
theriver Beas.
Guru Angad was married to Mata Khivi Ji in Jaunary 1520 and had two sons
(Bhai Dasu Ji and Bhai Datu Ji) and two daughters (Bibi Amro Ji and Bibi Anokhi
Ji).

4. Birth place of Guru Angad – Sarai Naga, Mukatsar, Punjab

5. Enlightenment
He once heard recitation of Sri
Assa Di War of Sri Guru
NanakDev Ji from Bhai Jodha.
He was deeply touched by the
simplicity of bani and the
meaning it conveyed to him.
pauVI ] ijqu syivAY suKu pweIAY
so swihbu sdw sm@wlIAY ] ijqu
kIqw pweIAY Awpxw sw Gwl burI
ikau GwlIAY ] mMdw mUil n
kIceI dy lµmI ndir inhwlIAY ]
ijau swihb nwil n hwrIAY qyvyhw
pwsw FwlIAY ] ikCu lwhy aupir
GwlIAY ]21
(SGGS-474)

6. Journey to the destiny of Mankind
He travelled to Kartarpur to have
darshan of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is
said that when he reached outskirts of
Kartarpur, he enquired about Guru
Nanak Darbar from an elderly person,
who said follow him as he was also
going there, On reaching he smiled and
said tie your horse and come in, When
Bhai Lehna ji entered the Darbar of Sri
Guru Nanak, He realised that the
person who led him to this place was
none other than Guru Nanak himself.
Bhai lehna ji sought his forgiveness,
Guru Nanak Dev Ji blessed him
Having met Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji only
once, Bhai Lehna Ji became his ardent
follower. He shifted his family to
Kartarpur and devoted his time in the
service (sewa) of Guru and Sangat. He
spent about seven years in the service
of Guru Nanak Sahib at Kartarpur.

7. From Bhai Lehna to (Guru) Angad:
Guru Nanak had already seen him as his able successor. However, Bhai
Lehna ji was subjected to various tests by Guru Nanak Dev Ji so that his
humbleness and ability to carry every one along with him is well known to all
including his sons. Some of the Sakhi’s of Bhai Lehna’s Ji’s of total surrender to the
will of Guru Nanak are as narrated briefly as under:
1.Once he continued to wait on the bank of river Ravi where Sri Guru Nanak Dev
Ji was taking bath despite heavy rains and all his companions had left him
alone.
2.Once he continued to build and rebuild a collapsed compound wall during the
night on the directive of Guru Nanak Dev Ji while all other disciples and Guru’s
sons left.
3.On instructions from Guru Nanak, he washed floor spread sheets during middle
of night while others excused themselves.

8. able successor
4. Sakhi of recovering a utensil from
pool of dirty water while all others
refused to do so as desired by Sri
Guru Nanak Dev Ji is well known.
5. On one occasion while sitting in
Shamshan, Guru Nanak Dev ji asked
him to eat human flesh of a dead man.
Without any hesitation and wasting
time, he humbly requested Guru Ji to
tell him from which side he shall start
eating.

9. OneveryincidentsLehnaJifollowedthedictateofhisGuru,GuruNanakDevJiwas
convincedofhisabilitytosteerthepathandprincipal’stoSikhsangat.Here-namedBhai
LehnaasAngad(fromone'sownbody).Thereafter,Inthepresenceofahugecongregation
ofSikhsatKartarpuron14June,1539AD,hedeclaredhimtobehissuccessor.
BhaiGurdasinVar1(Pauri45/46)describedtheincidentstatingthatGuruNanak
seatedBhaiLehnaonhisseat,placedfivepaiseandacoconutasanoffering(Bheta)and
bowedbeforehim.Hedirectedhisfollowerstoobeyandservehim.HecalleduponBhai
BuddhatoputaTilakofGurshiponhisforehead.
QwipAwlihxwjINvdyguirAweIisrCqRiPrwXw] (1-45-5)
joqIjoqimlwiekYsiqgurnwnkrUpvtwXw] (1-45-6)
lKn koeIskeIAwcrjyAwcrjidKwXw] (1-45-7)
kwXWpltsrUpbxwXw]45] (1-45-8)
so itkwso CqRisrsoeIscwqKqitkweI] (1-46-1)
gur nwnkhMdImohrhQgur AMgddIdohIiPrweI] (1-46-2)
id`qwC`fkrqwrpurbYTKfUryjoiqjgweI] (1-46-3)
Cont-next
Anointed 2
nd
Guru by Guru Nanak Dev Ji

10. BhaiGurdasJidescribedthat,
AngadgotthesameTilak,the
sameumbrellaoverhishead,and
wasseatedonthesametrue
throneasGuruNanak.
ThesealofGuruNanak’shand
enteredGuruAngad…
GuruNanakDevjithenaskedhim
toleaveKartarpurandgoto
KhadoorSahib.
TheseatwastakenbyGuruAngad
DevJionSeptember22,1539,
whenGuruNanakDevJi
culminatedhisjourneyofthis
world.
Anointed 2
nd
Guru by Guru Nanak Dev Ji

11. Khadur Sahib
KhadurSahib or KhadoorSahib
isa village in the district of
Amritsar, Punjab, India.
The village of KhadurSahib is
beside the Beas river about 38
kms from Amritsar, 20 Kms
from Tarn Taran and nine kms
from Goindwal.
KhadurSahib has been
sanctified by the visits from
eight of the Sikh Gurus

12. LeadershipofGuruAngadDevJi:
The time immediately after the departure of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a
very challenging for the followers of Nanak. The Sikh community was at a
nascent stage of formation and it faced danger of extinction as it had
happened to the various Bhakti movements during the past.
It was due to the untiringefforts of Guru Angad Dev Ji, theSikhism
flourished upholding the principles and vision of Sri Guru Nanak.
Indu Bhushan Banerjee in the “Evolution of Khalsa” says that the
organizational point of view the most important step taken by Guru Nanak
was the nomination of Angad as his successor, which he regards as "a fact
of the profoundest significance in Sikh history.
Guru Angad nurtured the movement of Guru Nanak under his able
guidance and control. This succession marked a clear distinct line which
was unique and separate form the prominent religions of India. This gave the
world a distinctive new religion as Sikhism.

13. Guru Angad in the writings of Bards:
Bard (Bhatt) “Kalasar” in “SwaiyyaiMahaleDoojeKe: says Guru Angad is an
epitome of spiritual Joy, Wisdom, Purity, Humanity and Generosity. He became the
world -teacher.
sveIeymhlydUjyky2 ] <> siqgurpRswid]
soeIpurKuDMnkrqwkwrxkrqwrukrxsmrQo]
siqgurUDMnunwnkumsqikqumDirEijinhQo]
q DirEmsqikhQushijAimauvuTauCijsuirnr gxmuinboihXAgwij]
mwirEkMtkukwlugrijDwvqulIEbrijpMcBUqeykGirrwiKlysmij]
jgujIqaugur duAwirKylihsmqswirrQuaunminilvrwiKinrMkwir]
khukIriqkl shwrspqdIpmJwrlhxwjgqRguru pris murwir]1]
GuruAngadDevJigaveanewdirectiontotheSikhPanthbyfocusingon
education,healthandupliftmentofwomeninsocietyandmanyotherimportant
fieldsasdescribedunder:

14. GuruAngadinthewritingsofBards:
Bard(Bhatt)RaiBalwand,inRamkaliKiVaarhasdescribedhimasan
embodimentofvirtuousliving,meditation,dedicatedservice.GuruAngadfollowed
averyhumblelifestyle.
“nwnkrwjuclwieAwscukotusqwxInIvdY]
lhxyDirEnuCquisirkir isPqIAMimRqupIvdY]
miqgur AwqmdyvdIKVigjoirprwkuiejIAdY]
guircylyrhrwiskIeInwnikslwmiqQIvdY]
sihitkwidqosujIvdY]1](SGGS 967-968)

15. GurmukhiScriptandEducation:
PunjabiscriptdidexistbeforeGuruAngadDevJi.GuruNanakdevjihadspecified35
alphabets,GuruAngadadoptedthese,modifiedthemanditsgrammar.
ThisnewformatwasentirelydifferentfromSanskrit,PersianandUrdu.Thisnewscript
couldbeeasilyunderstoodandadoptedbythemasses.Itisalsoknownas“Gurmukhi”
meaningfromthemouthofGuru.
GurAngadensureditswidespreadadoptionbyopeninglearningcentres(Schools/
Pathshalas).Heisknowntohavepersonallytaughtthescripttochildren.Hewiththe
helpofmanydisciplesincludingBhaiBalaJirecordedbaniofSriGuruNanakinGurmukhi
Script.
Anumberofbooks(pothi’s)wereproducedandsendalloverforpeopletolearnand
adoptthescript.
DuncanGreenlees,theauthorof“TheGospeloftheGuruGranth”writesthatevolution
ofGurmukhiasalanguageofmassesunderGuruAngadDevjibroketheshackleof
bondageformtheBrahminswhohascontrolledthesocietyduetotheirtightcontrolon
educationinSanskrit.

16. Gurmukhi Script and Education
•Almostallofthehistoriansare
unanimousonthepointthat
GuruAngadinitiatedthe
processofadoptingand
modifyingtheLandascript
whichwasthenusedinthe
Punjabforwriting,Itisnow
calledGurmukhi,thusgivingita
CharacteristicallySikhname
togetherwiththesealof
religioussanctity.
•Thisledtothecompilationof
theAdiGranthSahib.

17. Physical Fitness:
He encouraged his devotees to train
themselves to be physically fit and
laid emphasis on the competitive
sports trough “Mal Akharas”.
Participation in the sports by the
people of the society also helped
doing away with social taboos of
untouchability and developed
healthy bond among themselves.

18. Women’s role:
Social upliftment of women in the society was started by Sri Guru Nanak Dev
Ji, it was further taken up by Guru Angad Dev Ji, He welcomed women to the
Sangat and gave them religious rights that were denied to them.
Mata Kheevi Ji played a major role in enlarging the women participation in the
leadership position in the Guru’s court.

19. FormalisingInstitutionofLangar:
TheinstitutionofLangarwasstartedbySriGuruNanakDevJi.Thispractice
wasgivenashapeofanInstitutionbyGuruAngadDevJi.TheroleofMata
KhiviJiwifeofSriGuruAngadDevjiinestablishinglangarMaryadafinds
mentionintheholyscriptofSriGuruGranthSahibJi
blvMf KIvI nyk jn ijsu bhuqI Cwau pqRwlI ]
lµgir dauliq vMfIAY rsu AMimRqu KIir iGAwlI ]
During his time Guru Ji extended the true meaning of Langar as an act where
the needy, destitute and orphan people got a safe abode. Langar took care of
their all humanly needs for a respectable living.
He enlarged and expanded the characteristic of institution of the Langar which
not only served foodbut also cared for the healthof people and education.

20. Mata Khivi Ji at the service of Sangat.

21. Compilation of Guru Nanak’s Biography (Janamsakhi):
He collected Guru Nanak’s bani compiled it in Gurmukhi. He and compiled the
biography of Guru Nanak Dev Ji bases on the inputs from various Sikhs.
This biography was not written in a sequential order of events but were recorded
in the form of short stories as and when were received.
Unfortunately, authenticated transcript or its copies are not traceable.
It is believed that the Janamsakhi(MeharbanWali) which is in circulation is an
altered version of that Janamsakhi.

22. Guru Angad dev Ji’s bani: Guru Angad Dev Ji contributed 63 Shabads(Hyms)
and Shlokas to Gurbani. He touched upon various aspects of human life to make
his devotee understand life is a beautiful journey when submitted to God as per
his will.
Devotion and Love towards God;
Guru Angad Dev Ji asked individual’s to be humble and bow to the will of almighty
God. He says, human body has no value if it does not have love for God from
within:
slok mÚ 2 ] jo isru sWeI nw invY so isru dIjY fwir ]
nwnk ijsu ip Mjr mih ibrhw nhI so ip Mjru lY jwir ]1] (SGGS- 89)

23. LoveanddevotiontowardsNanak:
WhenGuruNanakDevJilefthisbody,thepainofseparationfromhismaster
wasunbearableforhim.Heimmersedhimselfintodeepmeditationforavery
longperiod.TheearliestShloks(Hyms)ofhisBani(holyrecitation)speaksof
thepainthathefelt:
mÚ2]ijsuipAwryisaunyhuiqsuAwgYmir clIAY]
iDRgujIvxusMswirqwkYpwCYjIvxw]2] SGGS-83
“Dying before the one whom he loved is to live a worthless life in this worl

24. Karamas:
He said man is independent to do his Karamas, he will be judged purely on its
merit and will attain freedom from worldly sufferings or will go away far from
receiving blessing of almighty and continue to suffer:
mÚ 2 ] pauxu gurU pwxI ipqw mwqw Driq mhqu ]
idnsu rwiq duie dweI dwieAw KylY sgl jgqu ]
cMigAweIAw buirAweIAw vwcy Drmu hdUir ]
krmI Awpo AwpxI ky nyVY ky dUir ]
ijnI nwmu iDAwieAw gey mskiq Gwil ]
nwnk qy muK aujly hor kyqI CutI nwil ]2] (SGGS- 147)

25. Truthful living:
He preached to live a truthful life; those who understand the way of God do not
fancy storing worldly wealth. Only ignorant ones wish to multiply their powers.
sloku mÚ 2] ijnI clxu jwixAw sy ikau krih ivQwr ]
clx swr n jwxnI kwj svwrxhwr ]1]
mÚ 2 ] rwiq kwrix Dnu sMcIA Y Blky clxu hoie ]
nwnk nwil n cleI iPir pCuqwvw hoie ]2]
mÚ 2] bDw ctI jo Bry nw guxu nw aupkwru ]
syqI KusI svwrIA Y nwnk kwrju swru ]3]
mÚ 2] mnhiT qrP n ijpeI jy bhuqw Gwly ]
qrP ijxY sq Bwa u dy jn nwnk sbdu vIcwry ]4]

26. Fearlessness:
Hewasanarchitectofasocietywhichfocusedonthesocialequalityand
religiousfreedom.
OnceHumayunwhowasontheruntoLahoreafterbeingdefeatedbySherShah
Suri.AftercrossingriverBeas,hecametoknowthatGuruAngadthesuccessor
ofGuruNanakisinKhadur.HereachedtheretoseekGuru’sblessing.Guruwas
watchingyoungboysplayinggames,hedidnottakenoticeofHumayun’s
presence.
Humayunfeltignoredandinsulted.Hetriedtounsheathehissword.
Gurusmiledathimandsaid,O’Kingwherewasyourswordduringthefightwith
SherShah?
Humayunfeltashamed,alightedfromhorseandapologised.Gurublessedhimto
bevotaryoftruthandrighteousness.

27. Humayun
•He taught people to lead
a righteous life and show due
reverence and respect to God
instead of supplicating before
men in power.
•He told Humayun who
became impatient to get
immediate audience of Guru
Angad to be patience and
humble.

28. Anxiety/ Patience : He preached mankind to have patience and unflattering
believe in god since it is only he who is our saviour:
slok mÚ 2 ] nwnk icMqw miq krhu icMqw iqs hI hyie ]
jl mih jMq aupwieAnu iqnw iB rojI dyie ]
EQY htu n cleI nw ko ikrs kryie ]
saudw mUil n hoveI nw ko ley n dyie ]
jIAw kw Awhwru jIA Kwxw eyhu kryie ]
ivic aupwey swierw iqnw iB swr kryie ]
nwnk icMqw mq krhu icMqw iqs hI hyie ]1] (SGGS 955)
O’Nanak,don'tbeanxious;theLordwilltakecareofyou.Hecreatedthe
creaturesinwater,andHegivesthemtheirnourishment.Therearenostores
openthere,andnoonefarmsthere.Nobusinessisevertransactedthere,andno
onebuysorsells.Animalseatotheranimals;thisiswhattheLordhasgiventhem
asfood.Hecreatedthemintheoceans,andHeprovidesforthemaswell.O
Nanak,don'tbeanxious;theLordwilltakecareofyou.||1||

29. Kalyug:
He preached; When the bankrupt rules as kings and stupid’s are called scholars;
when blind are appointed invigilators; when criminals are appointed as leaders; and
corrupts are decorated with honours; that era is Kalyug:
slok mÚ 2 ] nwau PkIrY pwiqswhu mUrK pMifqu nwau ]
AMDy kw nwau pwrKU eyvY kry guAwau ]
ieliq kw nwau cauDrI kUVI pUry Qwau ]
nwnk gurmuiK jwxIAY kil kw eyhu inAwau ]1] (SGGS 1288)

30. BhaiNandLalJiwritethepraiseofGuruAngadin“GanjNama”as
“GuruAngadisGuruofuniverseandallbyhisblessingallsinsare
washed”.
ਗੁਰੂਅੰਗਦਹੈਉਹਜੋਦੋਹਾਂਜਹਾਨਾਂਦਾਮੁਰਸ਼ਦਹੈ,
ਓਂਕਾਰਦੀਬਖਸ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ਨਾਲਉਹਗੁਨਾਹਗਾਰਾਂਲਈਰਸ਼ਹਮਤਹੈ॥55॥
ਦੋਜਹਾਨਤਾਂਕੀ, ਉਸਦੀਆਂਬਖਸ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ਾਂਨਾਲ
ਲੱਖਾਂਜਹਾਨਹੀਸਫ਼ਲਹੁੰਦੇਹਨ॥56॥
Bhai Nand Lal Ji

31. Reference:
1.The Life story of Guru Angad Dev Ji (An Illustrated Spiritual Journey) by Dr RS Bains and Roop Singh
2.https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Angad_Dev.
3.Guru Angad Dev Ji: Inspirational and pious architect of the Sikh religion
http://thepunjabpulse.com/guru-angad-dev-ji-inspirational-and-pious-architect-of-the-sikh-
religion/
1.Sikh History Part I, Prof Kartar Singh MA. Jan 1992 edition (pages113-138).
2.Bhai Nand Lal –Ganj Nama
3.KudratiNoor (Biography of Guru Angad) –Principal Satbir Singh
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