Guru Angad And The Yogis

Guru Angad was the embodiment of humility as Guru Nanak bad been before him. Many hindu yogis of different sub-sects visited Guru Angad and endeavoured to win him over to their own practices and beliefs. The yogis suggested that the Rikhis, Munis, and Penitents of former ages did not obtained happiness or mental purity without Jog with its eight accessorieso of forbearance, observance, posture, introspection, suspension of breath, contemplation, absorption, and trance. By the practice of Jog they said, "life is prolonged, wealth and supernatural power obtained. We practise Jog and if you learn from us, you shall by the favour of Gorakh obtain power twofold."

Guru Angad, understanding what the deceptive yogis were doing, replied, "By the favour of Guru Nanak I am not conscious of any deficiency in myself for the work in which I am engaged. In this Kaljug it is difficult to practise the Jog you mean, but by the Jog of real devotion it is easy to render the mind pure. Wise men say that Sehaj Jog consists in repeating the Name of God with fixed attention, and associating with the holy. By your Jog, wealth and supernatural power may be obtained, but, when people become attached to these things, they cannot obtain salvation. If peoples lives are prolonged, they are ruined by greed and pride. While delighting yourselves on your bodily austerities, you have not seen God who is in every heart. Guru Nanak showed us how to stay pure amid impurity and that is how to find God while leading a normal life."

Guru Angad quoted Guru Nanak's gurbani describing what religion consists of. On hearing it, the superior of the yogis was pleased but true to his hindu nature he tried one last trick. He invited Guru Angad to ask him a favour. Guru Angad replied that Baba Nanak had given him everything, and he required nothing.

The tricky superior again urged, "Ask for something. Don't let my words be uttered in vain." Upon this, Guru Angad asked for humility. The superior replied, "I don't have that, nor is it with the demigods wherever they are." The yogi fixing his thoughts on God prayed for humility for himself when a voice told him that humility had been granted with an unsparing hand to Guru Nanak and his successor Guru Angad. The yogis defeated, took their leave but some stayed behind and became Sikhs.

After them came another yogi of high spiritual rank called Hari Nath. He felt happy on seeing Guru Angad and asked him to tell him man's highest duty. Guru Angad replied with the twelfth slok of Asa Di Var. On hearing it Hari Nath's doubts were dispelled. Guru Angad's fame increased; there was ever a large crowd around him, and those for whom he interceded received wisdom.

Gurmat And Jogmat (Yoga) - Yoga is not the Sikh way.

The renowned yogi Daya Nath also visited Guru Angad to try to convert him. Daya Nath believed that mental purity could only be obtained through renunciation of the world, observance of rituals, introspection, and yoga. Guru Angad engaged him in discussion saying that only through living a simple truthful life as Guru Nanak had lived can God be realised, by remaining pure amidst impurity. The yogi was eventually won over by the purity and innocence of Guru Angad and asked the Guru for blessings.

Guru Angad followed lhe daily routine lhat Guru Nanak had. He would wake up early at dawn to recite Guru Nanak's Japji (morning prayer) as well as sing Asa Di Var with his congregation work during the daytime and then have evening prayers. Guru Angad also maintained langar where people of all religions and castes could ga1her for a free meal. Guru Angad also took a keen interest in physical fitness, and encouraged his Sikhs to be involved in sports after their morning prayers.

Back to Guru Angad Sakhis (Stories)

Guide To Discover Sikhism |   Guide To Becoming A Pure Sikh|   Guide To Carrying Out Nitnem