Name : Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji
Date of Birth : March 31, 1504
Place of Birth :Matte di Sarae, Dist. Ferozepur (Punjab – India)
Father : Bhai Pheru Mall
Mother : Mata Daya Kaur
Mahal(Wife) : Khivi
Sahibzade(Sons) : Baba Dasua, Baba Datu
Sahibzadian(Daughters) : Bibi Amarso, Bibi Anokhi
Year of Gurgadi : 1539
Date of Eternal Rest : March 29, 1552
Place of Eternal Rest : Khadur Sahib in Punjab
His Message
To do selfless Service to humanity
Completely surrender to the Will of God
Disapproval of exhibitionism and hypocrisy
Brief Description Of Life
The son of a prosperous Hindu trader, Bhai Pheru, Guru Angad was an ardent devotee of the Hindu goddess Durga. Lehna, as he was known before becoming Guru was born on March 31, 1504 in the village of Matte-di-Sari but eventually his family moved to Khadur. He was married to Khivi and had two sons, Datu and Dasu, and one daughter Amro. Lehna would annually lead groups of pilgrims to visit the temple of Durga at Jwalamukhi for preying and dancing. Here the flames emitted by the volcano are worshipped by devout Hindus. One day Lehna heard a Sikh named Bhai Jodha reciting the Japji, the early morning prayer composed by Guru Nanak. Finding out about Guru Nanak from Bhai Joda, Lehna decided to visit the Guru and pay his respects. Upon meeting Guru Nanak at the age of 27, Lehna became a devout disciple of Guru Nanak and renounced his former practices.
Guru Nanak instructed Lehna to return to Khadur to instruct people in the ways of Sikhism. Here Lehna spent his time in prayer and serving the people. He distributed food to the poor daily. Longing to be with Guru Nanak he eventually returned to Karthapur where he became totally devoted to the service of Guru Nanak. After undergoing countless tests, Guru Nanak eventually appointed Guru Angad as his successor on July 14, 1539 as described previously. Upon the death of Guru Nanak, Guru Angad returned to Khadur where he went into seclusion and meditation for six months. Eventually a delegation of Sikhs led by Baba Buddha convinced the Guru that they needed him. Guru Angad longed for Guru Nanak, when he said to Baba Buddha;
“He whom you love, die for him. Accursed is the life without the beloved. The head should be sliced that does not bow before the Master. O Nanak! the body should be burnt that suffers not the agony of separation.” (Sri Rag) “He who has been blessed by Guru Nanak is lost in the praises of the Lord. What could one teach those, Who have Divine Nanak as their Guru?” (Majh)
Guru Angad was the embodiment of humility as Guru Nanak had been before him. The renowned yogi Daya Nath visited Guru Angad to try to convert him. Daya Nath believed that mental purity could only be obtained through renunciation of the world, observance of rituals, introspection, and yoga. Guru Angad engaged him in discussion saying that only through living a simple truthful life as Guru Nanak had lived can God be realized, by remaining pure amidst impurity. The yogi was eventually won over by the purity and innocence of Guru Angad and asked the Guru if there was anything that he could do for him. The humble Guru Angad replied that he only seeked the learned yogis blessings.
Guru Angad followed the daily routine that Guru Nanak had. He would wake up early at dawn to recite Guru Nanak’s Japji (morning prayer) as well as sing Asa di var with his congregation, work during the daytime and then have evening prayers. Guru Angad also maintained langar where people of all religions and casts could gather for a free meal. Guru Angad also took a keen interest in physical fitness, and encouraged his devotees to be involved in sports after their morning prayers.
A village women once ridiculed Amar Das for his faithful devotion as being that “homeless old man who carries water every day for his Guru daily.” When Guru Angad heard this he embraced Amar Das and told his congregation; “Amar Das is not homeless, he is the shelter of the unsheltered. He is the strength of the weak and the emancipation of the slave!” Finding that Amar Das was his most worthy disciple and feeling that his end was near Guru Angad announced that Amar Das would be his successor. Guru Angad’s two sons were unhappy with their fathers decision but the Guru told them that the honour would go to Amar Das because he was the most worthy and humble. Guru Angad bowed before Guru Amar Das placing five copper coins and a coconut before him signifying as Guru Nanak had done before him. Guru Angad then had Baba Buddha anoint the forehead of Guru Amar Das with a saffron mark. Shortly thereafter Guru Angad left this world on March 28, 1552.
Ten Sikh Gurus [Das Patshaiyan]
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539)
Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504 – 1552)
Sri Guru Amardas Ji (1479 – 1574)
Sri Guru Ramdas Ji (1534 – 1581)
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563 – 1606)
Sri Guru Har Gobind Ji (1595-1644)
Sri Guru Har Rai Ji (1630-1661)
Sri Guru HarKrishan Ji (1656-1664)
Sri Guru Teg Bhadur Ji (1621 -1675)
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708)
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (An Everlasting Guru)