Guru Angad Dev (गुरु अंगद देव)

Bhaktamal | Guru Angad Dev
Real Name: Bhai Lahna Ji
Guru: Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Birth Place: Matte Di Sarai, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab
Born: Thursday, March 31, 1504
Death: Saturday, April 16, 1552
Marital Status: Married
Languages: Punjabi, Hindi
Father: Bhai Pheru Mall Ji
Mother: Sabharai Ji (Daya Kaur)
Wife: Mata Khivi Ji (Married: January 1520)
Sons: Bhai Dasu and Bhai Datu
Daughters: Bibi Amro and Bibi Anokhi
Disciple - Guru Amar Das Ji
Fame - Second of the ten Sikh Gurus. Inventor of the current Gurmukhi script.
Literary works - 63 verses of the Guru Granth Sahib.Guru Angad Dev is the second Guru of Sikhism. His childhood name was Lahna, and he was born into a Hindu family. Inspired by his mother, he was a devout devotee of Goddess Durga and led a procession of devotees to the Jwalamukhi Temple every year.

Once, Bhai Lahna Ji heard a recitation of a hymn of Guru Nanak Sahib from Bhai Jodha, a follower of Guru Nanak, and was thrilled enough to decide to go to Kartarpur to have darshan of Guru Nanak Sahib. His first meeting with Guru Nanak Sahib completely transformed him. He dedicated himself to the service of Guru Nanak and began living in Kartarpur.

His devotion to Guru Nanak and his holy mission was so great that he was installed as the second Nanak by Guru Nanak himself on September 7, 1539. Guru Nanak gave him a new name, "Angad" (Guru Angad Sahib).

After Guru Nanak's death on September 22, 1539, Guru Angad Sahib left Kartarpur and moved to Khadur Sahib village (near Goindwal Sahib).

Guru Angad Dev Ji invented the current form of the Gurmukhi script. Previously, the Punjabi language was written in the Landa or Mahajani script. It had no vowel sounds, requiring the reader to visualize or decipher the script. The institution of langar was maintained and developed. Guru Ji's wife, Mata Khivi, personally worked in the kitchen. She also served food to community members and visitors.

Guru Ji earned his livelihood by weaving coarse grass into ropes and making cots. All offerings went into the community fund. This demonstrates that even the most menial productive work is necessary and honorable. It also emphasizes that a parasitic life is incompatible with the mystical and ethical path. In keeping with the teachings of Guru Nanak, Guru Ji also declared that there was no place for idle ascetics in the community.

Following Guru Nanak's example, Guru Angad Dev Ji appointed Amar Das Ji as his successor (the Third Nanak) before his death. He presented Guru Amar Das Ji with all the sacred scriptures he had received from Guru Nanak Ji. He breathed his last on March 29, 1552. It is also said that the Mughal Emperor Humayun, after being defeated by Sher Shah Suri, came to seek Guru Angad Dev Ji's blessings to regain the throne of Delhi.