Who was Guru Angad? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Indian Celebrities Born In March

Died At Age: 47

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Khivi

Indian Men Indian Spiritual & Religious Leaders

Died on: March 28, 1552

place of death: Amritsar, India

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1

What significant contributions did Guru Angad make to Sikhism?

Guru Angad formalized the Gurmukhi script, compiled the teachings of Guru Nanak into the Adi Granth, and emphasized physical fitness through the practice of wrestling.
2

How did Guru Angad promote education and literacy among his followers?

Guru Angad established schools to teach Gurmukhi script, encouraged the practice of writing and reading, and emphasized the importance of knowledge in spiritual growth.
3

What spiritual practices did Guru Angad emphasize during his leadership?

Guru Angad stressed the importance of meditation, daily prayers, selfless service (seva), and living a disciplined and virtuous life to attain spiritual enlightenment.
4

How did Guru Angad contribute to the development of the Sikh community during his time as the second Sikh Guru?

Guru Angad focused on organizing the Sikh community, establishing Langar (community kitchen), promoting equality among all individuals, and expanding the reach of Sikh teachings.
5

What teachings and principles did Guru Angad emphasize to guide his followers on the spiritual path?

Guru Angad taught the importance of humility, devotion to the Guru, selfless service to others, living a truthful and honest life, and developing a strong connection with the Divine through meditation and prayer.

Childhood & Early Life

He was born as Lehna on 31 March 1504, in Matte Di Sarai, Muktsar, Punjab, India, into a wealthy Hindu family. His father Pheru Mal was a prosperous trader and his mother’s name was Mata Ramo. Eventually his family moved to Khadur.

He became interested in God and spirituality at a young age and grew up to be an ardent devotee of the Hindu goddess Durga. Every year he led groups of pilgrims to visit the temple of Durga at Jwalamukhi for praying and dancing.

He once heard the recitation of a hymn of Guru Nanak from Bhai Jodha a neighbor who was a follower of the guru and was immediately captivated by it. While on his annual pilgrimage to Jawalamukhi Temple he asked his group if they would mind going to see the guru. The group objected and being their leader, he obliged to their decision.

However, the hymns of Guru Nanak never left his mind. So overtaken was he by his desire to meet the guru that he mounted a horse and left for the guru’s village one night. Upon meeting Guru Nanak he was overcome by the Sikh leader’s humility and simplicity, and decided to become his disciple immediately.

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Later Years

Lehna renounced all his former religious practices and became completely devoted to the guru. Guru Nanak told Lehna to return to Khadur and spread the teachings of Sikhism. Lehna followed the guru’s instructions and returned.

He spent considerable time preaching the teachings of Sikhism to the people. He wholeheartedly served the people and distributed food to the poor daily. However, he was so consumed by the thoughts of his guru that he longed to go back to him.

Lehna came back to the service of Guru Nanak. He served him wholeheartedly and displayed unfailing devotion towards him. Guru Nanak tested his devotion and loyalty many times, and each time Lehna followed the guru’s orders with utmost loyalty.

Legends in the Sikh tradition state that when Guru Nanak was looking for his successor, he gave some tests to both of his sons and Lehna. While the sons refused to follow the guru’s orders, Lehna obediently complied with them. Thus Guru Nanak was prompted to choose Lehna as his successor instead of either of his sons.

Guru Nanak touched Lehna and renamed him Angad (part of the body) or the second Nanak on 7 September 1539. By this time Lehna had spent six or seven years in the service of Guru Nanak at Kartarpur.

Guru Nanak left for his heavenly abode on 22 September 1539. Guru Angad carried forward his legacy and continued to spread the teachings of Sikhism. Like his predecessor, Guru Angad too followed a simple lifestyle and laid much emphasis on the value of physical labour.

He earned his own living by twisting coarse grass into strings used for cots to demonstrate that physical labour is honorable and desirable. He travelled widely, preaching the teachings of Sikhism and also established several new centers of learning.

He loved children and cared greatly about their education. For this purpose he opened many schools. He felt it was better for the children to receive education in their own mother tongue. Thus, he popularized the use of Gurmukhi script for education; the script is now most commonly used for writing the Punjabi language.

He was a prolific writer who wrote the first biography of Guru Nanak after collecting the facts about Guru Nanak's life from Bhai Bala. In addition he composed 63 Saloks (stanzas), which are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.

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Major Works

Guru Angad Dev is best remembered for popularizing the use of Gurmukhi script which became the medium of writing the Punjabi language in which the hymns of the gurus are expressed. Initially the Punjabi language was written in the Landa or Mahajani script but these scripts were not suitable for the gurus’ hymns as there was a risk of incorrectly deciphering the writing. The development of the Gurmukhi script helped to express the true meaning of the gurus’ teachings without any misunderstanding.

Personal Life & Legacy

Guru Angad married Mata Khivi in January 1520. The couple had four children: two sons and two daughters. His wife was a very pious woman who personally worked in the community kitchen and served food to the visitors and followers.

Before dying, Guru Angad Dev appointed his sincere disciple Amar Das as his successor. Guru Angad died on 28 March 1552 at the age of 47.

Facts About Guru Angad

Guru Angad was known for his physical fitness and strength.

He was skilled in wrestling and archery, showcasing his athleticism beyond his spiritual role.

Guru Angad introduced the Gurmukhi script, creating a written form of the Punjabi language that is still widely used today.

Guru Angad was a proponent of community service and encouraged his followers to engage in selfless acts of kindness.

Guru Angad was known for his sense of humor and wit, often using parables and stories to convey spiritual teachings in a lighthearted and engaging manner.

Guru Angad was a skilled farmer and worked the land with his own hands, emphasizing the value of hard work and humility.

Guru Angad Biography

You wanted to know

What significant contributions did Guru Angad make to Sikhism?

How did Guru Angad promote education and literacy among his followers?

What spiritual practices did Guru Angad emphasize during his leadership?

How did Guru Angad contribute to the development of the Sikh community during his time as the second Sikh Guru?

What teachings and principles did Guru Angad emphasize to guide his followers on the spiritual path?