 |
|
Guru Angad
Dev (1504-1552)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Guru Angad was very fond of children and took a great interest
in their education. He advocated that they should be taught
to read and write in their mother tongue, Punjabi.
One of the Guru Angad's wealthy disciple named Gobind decided
to build a new township on the river Beas to honour the
Guru. Guru Angad sent Amar Das to supervise the construction
of this new township which came to be known as Goindwal.
When it was completed Guru Angad instructed Amar Das and
his family to move there. Amar Das complied. Every morning
he would get up early in the morning and carry water from
the river to the Guru and remain in his company the entire
day before returning to Goindwal in the evenings. Each year
Guru Angad would present a turban as a symbol of honour
to his devoted followers. Such was the devotion of Amar
Das that he would wear one on top of the other, refusing
to discard the Guru's gift. People ridiculed Amar Das for
his blind faith, but he was never concerned.
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.
|
|
|
|
