As an extension of the body

Guru Angad Dev, known for his contribution to Gurumukhi, the akhara and langar practices in the Sikh community, passed away today in 1552.

The Second Sikh Guru- Guru Angad Dev; Source: Public Domain

The second Guru of Sikhism, Sri Angad Dev Ji would be a close disciple of Guru Nanak in his formative years. He would be born to a Khatri household and given the birthname Lehna. After marrying early he would become well settled by the 1520s, even though in that time of constant flux and invasion, resettling from time to time.

He was himself a religious teacher and performed services in the name of Durga, but in his late 20s, he would seek out the guidance of Guru Nanak and became his disciple at Kartarpur. Bhai Lehna, as he was then known, would soon go on to become the successor to Guru Nanak, even surpassing his sons to the duty.

There have been interesting stories about how he got his name - it is said that when a jug fell into the mud, Guru Nanak would ask his sons and Lehna to pick it up. As his sons refused, Lehna went forward and cleaned the jug. Then he was touched, and Nanak gave him the name Angad i.e part of the body, as he would be henceforth known.

As Nanak departed the world in 1539, Angad Dev would be shocked by his death - and would take some long convincing to come back to Guruship. He would build the Sikh community forward, focusing on charitable works.

Guru Angad Dev's life was an interesting one, as he would also meet a runaway Humayun in his time - or atleast that is what the accounts say. Blessing the Emperor that he shall regain his throne one day, the Guru went back to his prayers.

He is also credited with pioneering the Gurumukhi script and consolidated Guru Nanak’s sayings into writing. The Mall Akharas for wrestling and martial arts were set up on a large scale, and the practice of langar was institutionalized in his time. As he is said to pass away on the 27th of March, 1552, (some dates dispute it to the 29th and later) and his community would continue following his path.