Prakash Purab Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji
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Born as Bhai Lehna in 1504, in Sarae Naga, located near district Muktsar Sahib in present day Punjab- to parents Baba Pheru Mal Ji and Mata Daya, Guru Angad Dev Sahib is the second Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru Sahib entered into the fold of Sikhi through Bhai Jodh Ji, a Gursikh shopkeeper When he heard him reciting Asa ki Vaar. Guru Sahib was taken away by Baani, and enquired Bhai Jodh ji about it, following which he was guided to the darbar of Guru Nanak Dev ji in Kartarpur Sahib.
Guru Sahib served Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji for seven years. Guru sahib’s immense seva, Simran, bhagti made him as the perfect successor of the House of Guru Nanak.
Subsequently, he was renamed as ‘Angad’- signifying his closeness to Guru Nanak Dev ji, who considered Guru Sahib to be as close as his own ਅੰਗ/ body part. Guru Sahib was ordained with the Gurgaddi in the year 1539, following which he was continuously engaged in prachaar.
Guru Sahib established Khadur Sahib as the main point of Prachar. Here Guru sahib taught the Gurumukhi script to children, he also introduced Baal Bodh- Gurmukhi kaydas for children. It was with Guru Angad Dev Ji that the Gurumukhi script was formularised. What was previously a mixture of different scripts, and had around 52 alphabets was consolidated by Guru Angad Dev Ji into 35 alphabet script, where he also stated the pronunciation for each alphabet. In addition to the alphabets, he also introduced the rules of grammar into the script.
This is an extremely important moment in the Sikh history, since a separate script acts as one of the defining pillars of a religion, other than their own scripture and a supreme place of worship [which in the case of Sikhs is the Akal Takht sahib/Darbar Sahib]
Guru Sahib was started with the tradition of organising ‘Akharas’ for the physical strength of the panth. At present, there exists itihaasic /historic Gurdwara by the name of Gurdwara Mal Akhara Sahib, Khadur Sahib.
Guru sahib’s also ordained ‘Guru ke mahal’ Mata Khivi Ji with the Langar duties. Mata Khivi Ji is widely known in Sikh history for her selfless seva in the langar. She is one of the few Gursikhs whose seva has been mentioned in Gurbani as well:
Guru sahib’s Bani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji includes a total of 63 sloks, of which 15 sloks are in the Asa di vaar [one of them in the attached picture]. Sorath and Maaru di vaars- only include one slok authored by Guru sahib respectively. These sloks are composed in a total of 10 raags by Guru Sahib.
Guru Sahib’s Prakash Purab also marks Gurmukhi Divas in honour of Guru Sahib’s immense contribution of devising the Gurmukhi script-one of the things that forms the pillar of the panth.
Guru Sahib’s jeevan serves as the example of an ideal life for us. We usually end up giving a lot of importance to people with a lot of worldly power- even when we know that they stand up against principles we believe in; but Guru Sahib’s encounter with Mughal emperor Humayun explains that the false worldly power takes us no where, if we are still in the hold of the five vices. Guru Sahib’s invaluable gift to us in the form of the Gurmukhi script should serve as a lesson for us,- that of, taking pride in our Maa-Boli/Mother tongue, which asserts our separate identity. Most important of all, his life full of seva, simran, relying solely on Guru’s Hukam- is what blessed him with the Guruship of the unmatchable House of Nanak. May we become capable of walking on the same path!
[in picture: Gurdwara Janam Asthan, P:2]
ਗੁਰੂ ਅੰਗਦ ਦੇਵ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਪੁਰਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ! 🌹