Guru Angad (31 March 1504 – 29 March 1552; Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਅੰਗਦ, pronounced [gʊɾuː əŋgəd̯ᵊ]) was the second of the ten Sikh Gurus. He became a devoted follower of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, after meeting him and serving alongside him for many years. Impressed by his dedication, Nanak gave him the name "Angad," meaning "my own limb," and appointed him as his spiritual successor in 1539.
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| Personal life | |
| Born | Lehna 31 March 1504 |
| Died | 29 March 1552 (aged 47) Khadur Sahib, Lahore Subah, Mughal Empire |
| Spouse | Mata Khivi |
| Children | Baba Dasu (1521–1598) Baba Dattu (1524–1575) Bibi Amro (1529–1601) Bibi Anokhi (1531–1608) |
| Parent(s) | Mata Ramo and Baba Pheru Mal |
| Known for | Standardising the Gurmukhi Script |
| Other names | Second Master Second Nanak |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Religious career | |
| Based in | Khadur |
| Period in office | 1539–1552 |
| Predecessor | Guru Nanak |
| Successor | Guru Amar Das |
Following Guru Nanak's death, Guru Angad led the Sikh community and is noted for standardizing and formalizing the Gurmukhi script. He played a significant role in preserving Guru Nanak's teachings by beginning the compilation of his hymns while also contributing 62 or 63 Saloks (stanzas) of his own. Guru Angad chose his devoted disciple, Amar Das, as his successor instead of his own son, establishing the tradition of spiritual merit as the basis for leadership in Sikhism.
Early Life
Guru Angad, born as Lehna (also spelled Lahina), on 31 March 1504, in the village of Matte-di-Sarai (now Sarainaga) in Punjab's Muktsar district, was the son of a prosperous trader named Pheru Mal and Mata Ramo (also known as Mata Sabhirai, Mansa Devi, and Daya Kaur). His grandfather was Baba Narayan Das Trehan, and he belonged to the Khatri caste, specifically the Trehan gotra (clan).
Marriage and Family
At the age of 16, Lehna married Mata Khivi, a Khatri woman, in January 1520. Together, they had two sons, Datu (b. 1535) and Dasu (b. 1542), and either one or two daughters, Amro (b. 1526) and Anokhi (b. 1535), depending on historical accounts. His family relocated from their ancestral village due to the invasions of Babur's armies, eventually settling in Khadur Sahib, a village near the River Beas, close to present-day Tarn Taran.
Spiritual Transformation
Before becoming a follower of Guru Nanak, Lehna was a religious teacher in Khadur and served as a priest at a temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, reflecting his family’s devotion to the deity. During a pilgrimage, he passed through Kartarpur, a settlement founded by Guru Nanak. His encounter with Nanak deeply influenced him, leading him to abandon his previous beliefs and become a dedicated disciple. Lehna remained in Kartarpur for six years, serving Guru Nanak with unwavering devotion and renouncing the Hindu way of life.
Selection as Successor
The Sikh tradition narrates various accounts explaining why Lehna was chosen as Guru Nanak's successor instead of his own sons. One such story describes a jug falling into the mud. When Guru Nanak asked his sons to retrieve it, they refused, deeming it too dirty and beneath their dignity. However, Lehna willingly picked up the jug, cleaned it thoroughly, and presented it back to Guru Nanak filled with water.
Impressed by his humility and devotion, Guru Nanak appointed Lehna as his spiritual successor on 14 June 1539, with the formal installation ceremony taking place later that year on 7 September 1539. During this ceremony, Guru Nanak touched Lehna and gave him the name Angad (derived from Ang, meaning "a part of the body"), signifying that Angad was an extension of Nanak himself.
Following Guru Nanak's death on 22 September 1539, Guru Angad was overwhelmed with grief and withdrew into a state of Vairagya (detachment), isolating himself in a disciple's home. Baba Buddha eventually located him after an extensive search and persuaded him to return to fulfill his responsibilities as the Guru. At that moment, Guru Angad expressed profound devotion with the words: "Die before the one whom you love, for living after his death makes life worthless in this world."
Leadership and Challenges
After leaving Kartarpur, Guru Angad settled in Khadur Sahib (near Goindwal Sahib). Initially, few Sikhs acknowledged him as the legitimate successor, as Guru Nanak's sons contested his leadership. Despite these challenges, Guru Angad remained committed to spreading Nanak's teachings. He focused on community service, emphasizing principles such as langar (free communal meals) and selfless service, which became central practices in Sikhism.
Relationship with the Mughal Empire
In 1540, the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, visited Guru Angad after losing the Battle of Kannauj and being dethroned by Sher Shah Suri. According to Sikh hagiographies, Humayun arrived at Gurdwara Mal Akhara Sahib in Khadur Sahib, where Guru Angad was seated, teaching children. The Guru did not immediately rise to greet the emperor, which angered Humayun.
In his frustration, Humayun is said to have drawn his sword in a threatening manner. However, Guru Angad calmly reminded him that he had fled the battlefield when his throne was at stake, yet now wished to show aggression towards someone engaged in prayer and teaching. According to Sikh texts written over a century after the event, Guru Angad not only calmed the emperor but also blessed him, assuring Humayun that he would eventually regain his throne.
Death and Successor
Before his death, Guru Angad, following the precedent set by Guru Nanak, appointed Guru Amar Das as his successor. Amar Das, born into a Hindu family, was known for his deep spirituality and had undertaken around twenty pilgrimages to the Himalayas and Haridwar on the Ganges River in search of spiritual enlightenment.
In 1539, during one such pilgrimage, a sadhu (ascetic) questioned Amar Das about not having a spiritual guide. Upon returning home, he heard Bibi Amro, Guru Angad's daughter and wife of his nephew, singing a hymn by Guru Nanak. Inspired, Amar Das sought out Guru Angad with her guidance and became his devoted disciple, despite being older than Angad.
Amar Das exhibited unwavering devotion by performing selfless service. He would rise early to fetch water for Guru Angad's bath, assist in cleaning and cooking for the community, and dedicate himself to meditation and prayers. Impressed by his humility and devotion, Guru Angad named Amar Das as his successor in 1552. Guru Angad passed away on 29 March 1552.
Influence
Gurmukhi Script
Guru Angad is credited in Sikh tradition with developing and standardizing the Gurmukhi script, now the primary writing system for the Punjabi language in India. In contrast, Punjabi in Pakistan is primarily written in the Perso-Arabic Shahmukhi script. The Gurmukhi script, consisting originally of 35 glyphs known as the paintī, became the standard script for recording Sikh scriptures and historical Sikh literature.
Guru Angad improved the regional scripts to create Gurmukhi, although the exact origins remain debated. Some scholars suggest early acrostic hymns written by Guru Nanak as possible forerunners of Gurmukhi. Angad's script reforms ensured a consistent system for recording Sikh teachings and preserving the hymns of Guru Nanak.
He contributed 62 or 63 Saloks (verses) to the Guru Granth Sahib, constituting approximately one percent of the scripture. His primary contribution, however, was consolidating Nanak's hymns, supervising their transcription by Bhai Paira Mokha, and ensuring their accuracy. His efforts helped prepare the foundation for Sikh scripture and the emergence of vernacular Punjabi literature.
Langar and Community Work
Guru Angad institutionalized the langar system, the community kitchen present in all Sikh gurdwaras. Under his guidance, the langar offered free meals to all visitors, regardless of background or social status, emphasizing equality and humility. Guru Angad established standards for volunteer service (seva), focusing on politeness, hospitality, and inclusivity in the communal kitchen.
He expanded Sikhism's reach by visiting and strengthening the centers established by Guru Nanak and founding new community hubs, further solidifying the faith's foundations.
Mall Akhara
Guru Angad was a prominent supporter of wrestling and physical fitness. He established the Mall Akhara (wrestling arenas), where physical training, martial arts, and wrestling were taught alongside health education. These centers emphasized the importance of maintaining physical health, discouraging harmful substances such as tobacco and other toxic elements.
The Mall Akhara system placed significant focus on regular exercise and physical discipline. Many such wrestling arenas were established under his leadership, including several in Khadur Sahib. Wrestling matches were typically held after daily prayers and involved both competitive wrestling and lighter, recreational games to promote physical well-being.
Biography of Guru Nanak
Guru Angad is believed to have commissioned the compilation of a biography of his predecessor, Guru Nanak. However, the identity and authenticity of this work remain debated among scholars. Some suggest that the Bhai Bala Janamsakhi tradition may have originated from the biography ordered by Guru Angad. However, the historical reliability of these texts is often questioned, and it remains uncertain whether the commissioned biography still exists today.
References
- Guru angad dev (no date) Guru Angad Dev - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia. Available at: https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Angad_Dev (Accessed: 15 January 2025).
- Guru Angad Dev Ji (no date) PTC Punjabi. Available at: https://www.ptcpunjabi.co.in/tag/guru-angad-dev-ji (Accessed: 15 January 2025).
- Guru Angad Dev Ji – 2nd sikh guru - blog post (no date) Guru Angad Dev Ji – 2nd Sikh Guru - Blog Post. Available at: https://www.basicsofsikhi.com/post/guru-angad-dev-ji (Accessed: 15 January 2025).
- Kamboj, S. (2022) Biography of guru angad dev (1504 – 1552), RitiRiwaz. Available at: https://www.ritiriwaz.com/biography-of-guru-angad-dev-1504-1552/ (Accessed: 15 January 2025).
