Bhai Lehna's Becomes Guru Angad

On 7th September 1539, Guru Nanak assembled the Sikhs and then ordered his people to obey, and serve Guru Angad (previously known as Bhai Lehna) with the same devotion with which they had served him, since he was a living image of the Guru himself. Note: There was no special ceremony when Bhai Lehna became Guru Angad. Guru Nanak's whole life was against rituals, superstitions and meaningless acts.

Guru Angad had displayed the three cardinal principles; 1) complete obedience and unshakable devotion to the Guru; 2) honest hard labour; 3) snd love for humanity. Guru Nanak said, "Guruship is a position which depends on self-sacrifice, and Angad has exhibited this virtue to the highest degree. His sincere devotion, and extreme humility have won him this honour."

Despite hearing the Guru's reasons, his sons were displeased at being superseded by Guru Angad. However, after appointing him his successor, Guru Nanak directed Guru Angad to return to Khadoor. A short time after this, Guru Nanak departed from this life and rejoined with God.

Guru Angad Returns To Khadoor

Guru Angad's pangs of separation from Guru Nanak left him in a state of grief and lamentation. After Guru Angad arrived at Khadoor he decided to go into undisturbed prayers and rememberance of God for some time. Guru Angad did not go to his own house and shut himself for a few days in a small room at Mai Bharai's house and reflected on Guru Nanak's teachings. Guru Nanak had visited Mai Bharai several times.

Meanwhile, the Sikh community was really worried and restless. At first they thought that Guru Angad must have gone somewhere on some urgent work, but as time passed without any news of him or from him, they feared that something was wrong. They looked everywhere for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. The Sangat decided to approach Bhai Budha and seek his help in finding the whereabouts of Guru Angad. A group of Sikhs left Khadoor immediately for Bhai Budha's house.

Bhai Budha who had been gifted with the power of insight, immediately saw where the Guru was. He led the Sikhs to Mai Bharai's house in Khadoor where they found Guru Angad deep in mediation. All the Sikhs were amazed when they saw that Guru Angad who stood before them was the mirror image of Guru Nanak. When the Sikhs fell on his feet and begged him to come back with him, Guru Angad was hesitant. He turned to Bhai Budha who had also been very close to Guru Nanak, and told him that be could not bear the separation from his Guru whom he loved so much.

Guru Angad also said that he would rather be burnt alive than be separated from Guru Nanak. But Bhai Budha explained that Guru Nanak had never really left them. In fact, he reminded Guru Angad that he was a part of Guru Nanak, as said by the Guru himself. He then told Guru Angad that the Sikhs needed him and it would not be proper to leave them uncared for since Guru Nanak had entrusted them all to his care. Hearing all this, Guru Angad realised his reponsibility and agreed to lead the Sikhs.

Sikhs Re-establish In Khadoor

Guru Angad was aware that Guru Nanak had asked him to move to Khadoor because he wanted to spread the message of Sikhism. After Guru Nanak had appointed Angad as his successor, there had been some dissent in the Guru's family. Although he moved to Khadoor as per Guru Nanak's instructions, Guru Angad still felt lost without him and missed him a lot. But he knew that he had a huge responsibility and so he immersed himself in the service of the Sikhs.

Within no time, Guru Angad had established a daily routine for himself and made all the Sikhs follow the same. Guru Angad would wake up at dawn everyday and meditate for sometime. Guru Angad would then recite the Japji with all his Sikhs gathered together. These were followed by devotional hymns in which every Sikh participated.

The Guru ka Langar was soon started, and his wife helped him in cooking food for the people. Gradually, the small group of Sikhs in Khadoor began helping in the langar and so it was well-maintained. Guru Angad also helped the poor and the needy in every way he could.

In no time, the Sikh community began to grow under the spiritual guidance of Guru Angad. The people lived in harmony and brotherhood. Guru Angad religiously passed on the teachings of Guru Nanak and spread his light far and wide. More and more people came to hear him and to become his Sikhs. However involved he was in his work, Guru Angad always found time for his prayers.

A Soldier

People would also come to Guru Angad for personal and professional guidance, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. One such person was Malu Shah, who was an orderly in the mughal army. He was a religious and moral man. He found it very difficult to work with other soldiers in the mughal army as they were amoral. Malu Shah wanted Guru Angad's advice on whether he should stay on with them despite their bad habits, or quit the army on moral grounds.

Guru Angad realised the predicament of Malu Shah. He told him that as long as he remained faithful to his values and morals, he need not worry about others. Guru Angad also advised him to stay on since he believed that one should always serve the master faithfully, irrespective of all other considerations, especially in adversity. Malu Shah's moral conflict was resolved and his mind was put to rest, thanks to Guru Angad.

A Blacksmith

A blacksmith called Gujjar went to Guru Angad and asked for divine instruction so that he might obtain salvation. Guru Angad instructed him to recite the Japji with attention every morning, and work gratuitously for the poor.

A Barber

A barber named Dhinga remained with Guru Angad and performed ordinary menial tasks for his Sikhs. One day he asked Guru Angad for spiritual consolation. Guru Angad replied, "The Guru is as it were a grave, and the Sikhs are as it were corpses. These are laid in the grave when life is extinct, and they cease to move. So when the Sikhs divest themselves of pride, they are fit to rest with the Guru. His Sikhs should therefore be humble and serve others."

A Sinner

Kidaru asked Guru Angad how he should escape from the fire of the deadly sins which was consuming the world. Guru Angad replied, "As when a forest is burning, the deer flee and cool themselves in the nearest lake, so should man flee the deadly sins and take refuge in the cooling water of the Guru's instruction."

Gurdwara Sri Mai Bharai Sahib

Khadoor Sahib, Tarn Taran, Punjab, India.

Associated with Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji.
This marks another Gurdwara consecrated by Sri Guru Angad Sahib Ji. Mai Bharai was the Guru's bhua, which means paternal aunt.

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