Second Guru

Guru Angad Dev Ji

The Scribe of the Divine Word

1504 – 1552

Early Life

From Devotee of Durga to Limb of the Guru

Born as Bhai Lehna on 31 March 1504 in Harike, Punjab. He was a devoted worshipper of the Hindu goddess Durga before meeting Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Upon hearing the Japji Sahib recited by a Sikh named Bhai Jodha, Lehna was so moved that he immediately sought out Guru Nanak.

Through years of selfless service and unwavering devotion, Guru Nanak chose Lehna over his own sons to be his successor, renaming him “Angad” meaning “my own limb.”

Teachings & Contributions

Giving the Faith Its Own Script

Standardized and popularized the Gurmukhi script — the script in which the Guru Granth Sahib is written, making spiritual knowledge accessible to common people rather than being locked in Sanskrit which only Brahmins could read
Collected and preserved the hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, ensuring the first Guru’s divine words were not lost
Strengthened the institution of Langar, making it a mandatory practice before anyone could meet the Guru — even Emperor Humayun had to sit on the floor and eat with commoners
Promoted physical fitness and wrestling (Mal Akhara) among Sikhs, establishing that a healthy body is essential for spiritual growth
Established a system of Sikh schools for children to learn Gurmukhi

Key Events

Devotion Tested and Proven

Meeting Guru Nanak (1532)

Bhai Lehna’s transformative meeting with Guru Nanak changed the course of Sikh history. He performed the most humble seva with such devotion that Guru Nanak’s own sons refused to do.

The Test of the Muddy Grass

When Guru Nanak asked his sons and Lehna to carry bundles of muddy grass, his sons refused, but Lehna carried them joyfully, his clothes soaked in mud. Guru Nanak declared, “He is Angad, a part of me.”

Succession (1539)

Despite opposition from Guru Nanak’s sons, particularly Sri Chand, Guru Angad Dev Ji humbly led the Sikh community from Khadur Sahib, not from Kartarpur, to avoid conflict.

Legacy

The Gift of a Written Language

By codifying the Gurmukhi script, Guru Angad Dev Ji gave the Sikh faith its own written language and ensured the Guru’s teachings could be preserved for all generations. The script became a powerful tool of empowerment, breaking the Brahmanical monopoly on literacy.

A Notable Verse

Words of the Second Guru

One who recognizes the One Lord among all beings does not talk of ego. Such is the person of true learning.

— Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 146