Legacy of Light: Spiritual Journey of Venerated Guru Angad Dev Ji (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

One day, Guru Nanak received a visitor. To show the guest how many of His followers were truly devoted, Guru Nanak announced a holy walk for His Sikhs. Many Sikhs gathered to see Guru Nanak, including Guru Angad, who was then still known by His birthname, Bhai Lehna. The weather shifted, and Guru Nanak arrived in an alarming state, with tattered clothes and brandishing a large knife. Only a courageous few decided to follow the Master.

As they walked behind their Master, people noticed bronze coins appearing on the path. Some Sikhs stopped, filling their pockets and hands with the treasures. Satisfied and elated, they left and returned home. Guru Nanak’s party encountered what appeared to be a lifeless body near a funeral pyre, shrouded in a cloth emitting a putrid odor. In the stillness of the eerie atmosphere, with an unwavering gaze, Guru Nanak turned to Baba Buddha and Bhai Lehna and said, “Whoever wishes to accompany me further must eat this.” Baba Buddha paused, deep in thought, while Bhai Lehna obeyed. Holding His breath, Bhai Lehna lifted the sheet. To His surprise, the repulsive stench transformed into the fragrance of incense and flowers. Beneath the sheet lay a mound of sacred Prashad, the sweet food blessed by the Guru.

Following innumerable tests by Guru Nanak, Bhai Lehna became an embodiment of humility as well as obedience and service to the Guru. Before He passed away, Guru Nanak renamed Bhai Lehna as Angad, meaning “my own limb,” and appointed Him as His successor, the second Guru of Sikhs, on September 7, 1539.

As the new Sikh Guru, Guru Angad adopted the daily routine of Guru Nanak (vegetarian). He rose early at dawn, meditated, worked throughout the day, and concluded with evening prayers, setting an example that all Sikhs followed. Guru Angad Dev Ji made tremendous efforts to spread His Master’s teachings and wrote the first biography of Guru Nanak. He also emphasized the oneness of God. The purpose of life was to seek God and be united with Hirm. The path that Guru Angad Dev Ji illuminated for the Sikhs to achieve enlightenment was through service, good deeds, devotion, and worship of one God.