BY ASS. Gill

Bhai Lehna (The original name of Guru Angad Dev Ji) was born in a Khatri family at village Mate Di Saran in Ferozpur District on Vaisakhi 5,1561 (Lunar Calender). His parents Bhai Pehru Mal and Mata Sabhrai moved from their native village Sanghowal in Gujrat District (Pakistan). His father worked as chief accountant and administrator with Pathan officials and later with Takhatmal a renowned land lord of the area. His parents were known for their honesty and integrity.

Before coming in contact with Guru Nanak and becoming his Sikh. Bhai Lehna was a disciple of Vaishnu Devi and staunch believer of casteism (The division of the society into a historical caste order with the high castes discriminating against the low caste “untouchables.” He observed the rituals and paid visitation to places of pilgrimage. At night he used to sing “Bhetas” (devotional songs) of Vaishnu Devi.

Meeting Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak was living at Kartapur and looking after his farm. This was the time when he had completed his tours of preaching mission into far off places like Sri Lanka, Assam, Mecca (Arabian Countries) Russia etc. Here he did his own farming and produce was used to feed the visitors and others who had come to listen to his sermons. Guru Nanak practiced what he preached to Sikhs, honest earning and sharing with others. It may be mentioned here that Guru Nanak wore the ordinary Punjab Farmers dress unlike Sadh Sants of today. Guru Nanak used to go to preach in different parts of the area. During one such small tour, Guru Nanak was visiting Khadur Sahib where Bhai Lena accompanied by his aunt Virai, met Guru Nanak for a very short time.

Bhai Lehna’s Parents died when he was 22 years of age. He started looking after the shop at Khadur Sahib where they had moved earlier. One day Bhai Lehna listened to Guru Nanaks Bani (verses) from Bhai Jodh. He was very much moved and he made up his mind to meet Guru Nanak. He had already planned to go to Vaishnu Devi and this time he stopped at the outskirts of Kartarpur with his envoy. Next day morning he went on a horseback to the village of Kartarpur and met Guru Nanak standing in his fields by the side of the road. Bhai Lehna did not recognize him and asked the address of Guru Nanak from Nanak himself. The great Guru asked him to follow him. Guru Nanak was walking in front and Bhai Lehna was riding the horse behind him. On reaching the Dharmsala, Guru Nanak asked him to tie the horse at peg and follow him inside. On reaching inside and learning the identity of his guide, Bhai Lehna shivered because he felt that he had insulted Guru Nanak by riding on a horse while he was walking.

But Guru Nanak asked him his name, he replied, “Lehna”, Guru Nanak asked him not to get upset and said jokingly Lehna means “collecting” and Lehnadar (collector) always come on a horse back!

Bhai Lehna was so moved that he let the envoy go and himself stayed at Kartarpur serving the Master. There are many instances about the Lehna’s obedience of his master Nanak. For seven long years he stayed at Kartarpur serving the Sangat and Master. Because of this devotion piety and learning he was bestowed Guruship by Guru Nanak; so said Bhai Balwant.

Bhai Lehna cleaned the utensils at the free kitchen worked at the farms serving the Sikh Sangat (congregation), feeding the animals etc. The fact is Bhai Lehna did whatever his master asked him to do without any question. Bhai Lehna was Khatri and a staunch believer of casteism but Guru Nanak’s word changed him. He became a Sikh and not only gave up casteism but exposed it.

On second September 1539 Bhai Lehna became Guru Angad Dev a part of Nanak (Angad means part of the body). In Sikhism Guruship was neither heriditory nor elective. Only the most deserving person in the eyes of the Guru got it.

Gurmakhi script

Guru Nanak gave the message in people’s language and Guru Nanak used the people’s script to perpetuate the message. He got written the primers and the teaching of the script was taken up by the disciples in Dharamsalas. Guru Angad also collected Guru Nanak’s Gurbani and wrote it in Gurmakhi script. He also got written the various incidents in the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Guru Angad Dev also wrote some verses which are included in Guru Granth Sahib.

Langar

 Guru Angad Dev further developed the free kitchen langar. Mata Khiwi (wife of Guru Angad Dev Ji) looked after the cooking and service in the langar herself along with Bhai Jodh even after Guru Angad Dev Ji’s becoming Guru.

Physical fitness

Guru Angad Dev Ji was conscious of his Sikh’s Welfare Physical health with sound body and sound mind a good spirit is impossible. He used to arrange wrestling contests and other games amongst his deciples.

He founded and developed Govindwal Sahib and entrusted this work to Guru Amar Das Ji Goindwal is also known as axis of Sikhism.

Sharing The Honest Earning

He continued the practice of earnest living. His two sons Datu and Dasu looked after the retail shop. All the surplus income after meeting the expenses of the shop and their family, was used for the langar of the Guru.

Guru Anged Dev not only taught honest earning and sharing with others but also practiced the same. Thus he presented a living example of the same.

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Article extracted from this publication >>  May 12, 1989