Guru Angad Dev Ji
(1504-1552)
Born: 31st March 1504.
Place of birth: Serai of village Matta, district Firozpur (Punjab)
Parents: Bhai Pheru Mal and Mata Sabhrayi
Spouse: Mata Kheevi daughter of Devi Chand Khatri of Khadoor
Children: Two sons Dasu Ji and Datu Ji and two daughters Bibi Amro and Anokhi
Period: The reign of Sher Shah Suri and Mogul Emperor Humayun
Teachings: Selfless service, serving the Guru leads to the service of humankind, forgiveness exalts ones stature, and worship cleanses the soul and instils fearlessness
Died: 29th March 1552 in Khadoor Sahib
Guru Angad Dev Jis given name was Bhai Lehana Ji. He was born on 31st March 1504 in the serai of village Matta, district Firozpur to Pheru Mal Khatri and Mata Sabhrayi. His father belonged to a trading family and was a follower of Mata Vaishno Devi. Under his influence Bhai Lehana too became a follower of Vaishno Devi. Later they left the village and shifted residence to Khadoor Sahib. There he married Kheevi, the daughter of Devi Chand Khatri, commenced his marital life and started running a shop for living. They had four children, two sons Dasu and Datu and two daughters Amro and Anokhi. One day Bhai Lehana was returning after visiting Devis temple when he overheard Bhai Jodha reciting utterances of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He decided to meet Guru Nanak Ji. Later during a visit to Kartarpur he met Guru Nanak Ji and imbibed his utterances. From that moment he realised that this was where he belonged. He served Guru Ji for seven years continuously. Guru Nanak too was much impressed by his dedication yet continued to test him and his own sons Lakhmi Das and Sri Chand. Every time it was Bhai Lehana who passed the test and the sons who failed.
Before his death Guru Nanak transformed Bhai Lehana into Guru Angad Dev Ji and bequeathed the gurus seat to him. Once Emperor Humayun came to Guru Ji to seek his blessings after his defeat at the hands of Sher Shah Suri. Like in the case of Guru Nanak Ji, whosoever came in contact with Guru Angad Dev went away as an exemplary human being. For example people like Malooka Jatt, Chaudhary Bakhtawar and many others. There was a sadhu called Shivnath in village Khadoor who promised the people rainfall through his supernatural powers. Since Guru Angad Dev Ji did not believe in this kind of mumbo-jumbo Shivnath asked the villagers to banish him. However there was still no rainfall.
Around the same time Guru Amardas Ji came to visit Guru Angad Dev Ji and was very distressed by this. He explained the people their folly who then got together and gave the sadhu a good thrashing. When Guru Angad Dev Ji came to know of it, he said, " Sikhism is to forgive the corrupt and reform them. The ideal of Sikhism is to pardon the sinner."
Guru Angad Dev Ji set up an arena for wrestling and other physical exercises. Now Gurudwara Mal Akhara is situated there in Khadoor Sahib. He said that worship strengthens the mind and exercise tempers the body. The body of work created by Guru Angad Dev Ji is not very large. There are sixty-three hymns and shlokas attributed to him in Guru Granth sahib.
Guru Angad Dev Ji said that only the Guru or his utterances have the power to make one reach God. This world based on passion, greed, arrogance and temporal pursuits is mere fallacy and delusion. Guru Ji propounded the true knowledge of love that forms the base of Sikhism. Any religion that is devoid of love and empathy is a lifeless religion. Such a religion is bound to get burdened by superstitions and idolatory.
Guru Angad Dev Ji propagated Sikhism and took Guru Nanaks mission all over Punjab. On the other hand he developed Gurmukhi script further and had Guru Nanaks biography written by Bhai Paira Mokha.
Famous Gurudwaras connected with Guru Angad Dev Ji are the following:
1. Gurudwara Mai Bhrayi: Mai Bhrayi was Guru Jis paternal aunt. When he shifted to Kartarpur from Khdoor Sahib on Guru Nanaks behest, this is where he stayed and worshipped in solitude.
2. Gurudwara Darbar Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, Khandi Sahib: Guru Ji would gather his followers here and disseminate his teachings.
3. Gurudwara Tapiana Sahib: After the religious gatherings, Guru Ji used to chant and worship here.
4. Gurudwara Mal Akhara: This was the arena for exercising. 5. Gurudwara Matte di Serai: This is Guru Angad Dev Jis place of birth.
