Guru Angad And Gurmukhi

Prior to Guru Angad's time, the compositions of the saints and reformers were for the most part written in Sanskrit letters. Guru Angad, deeming that the compositions of Guru Nanak were worthy of a special written character of their own, adopted and modified a Punjabi alphabet, called Gurmukhi, to give expression to what fell from the Guru's lips. This was furthermore a gain on the score of simplicity, for Gurmukhi contains but thirty-five letters, while the Sanskrit alphabet has fifty-two.

When Guru Nanak made Guru Angad his successor he also handed over a manuscript containing key teachings. This treasure of divine hymns was written by Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak also advised Guru Angad to prepare more copies of the manuscript in order to distribute to all Sikhs. In order to preach the philosophy and teachings of the manuscript, Guru Angad would hold a Darbar daily. In the Darbar, Sata and Balwand recited the hymns of Guru Nanak. Guru Angad also addressed the congregation and taught them about the principles of Sikhism. Guru Angad also wrote hymns and compiled those in the form of another Pothi.

In those days in Madrasas and Pathshalaas Persian and Sanskrit was taught. Punjabi was considered a language of common folk. But Guru Nanak decided to write in the language of common people and also adopted folk alphabet so that his message might reach to one and all. He proved that Punjabi language and alphabet was not inferior to other languages and alphabets and wrote such verses which are still considered to be cream of world poetry.

Punjabi and Gurmukhi - There appears to be a lot of confusion regarding Punjabi and Gurmukhi.

At that time Gurmukhi script was considered unfit for writing higher literature. But Guru Angad made Gurmukhi the script of Gurmukhs, so later on it came to be known as Gurmukhi. The name Gurmukhi is derived from the Old Punjabi term "gurumukhī", meaning "from the mouth of the Guru". Guru Angad developed this alphabet further and opened schools for the teachings of Punjabi language and Gurmukhi script. Guru Angad made it compulsory for all Sikhs to learn Gurmukhi. so that they could read Gurbani. So the Guru Ji adopted a unique method of planning for the expansion of Sikhism.

The life history of Guru Nanak was a great inheritance for Sikhs. So Guru Angad thought to write the complete life story of Guru Nanak. Guru Angad had stayed at Kartarpur for seven years and he was used to hearing the interesting journeys of Guru Nanak. Sikhs who had travelled with Guru Nanak would often speak of the journeys.

At Sultanpur Lodhi there lived a Bhai Paira Mokha. He was an old Sikh of Guru Nanak. He was well versed in writing Gurmukhi neatly. In his life he had written many copies of Guru's works. Whenever Guru Nanak visited Sultanpur Lodhi he used to meet Guru Nanak and heard interesting episodes of long journeys of the Guru. Bhai Mardana was also his great friend and he used to tell him in detail about the important events that took place. So Guru Angad invited Bhai Paira Mokha and other Sikhs in order to write the Janam Sakhis.

Every Sakhi was first discussed in detail with Bhai Paira Mokha, Baba Budha and other Sikhs and then they were dictated to Bhai Paira Mokha. The whole Janam Sakhi was completed within a year. Then Guru Ji prepared more copies of that manuscript. The language of these stories is so interesting that all enjoy it. Later on, writers added to the Janam Sakhis in order to provide more detail, the sakhis have an everlasting impact to all Sikhs.

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