Sikhism: Its Origin and Fundamental Beliefs (Part Five)
The Ten Gurus of Sikhism
The word “guru” in Punjabi means instructor, teacher, and leader. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, as the first guru, gathered many followers around him and consistently emphasized the necessity of following the gurus.
Nanak believed that a man would not achieve salvation without a guide and teacher. In his view, the sacred soul of the guru encourages and motivates the seeker. He clarified that the guru is not God (Allah); rather, he is a servant of God and an agent for communication with Him. Nanak emphasized the essential role of the guru in one’s spiritual journey and contended that a devotee must respect the guru to achieve salvation.
After the death of Nanak, following his advice, the lineage of leadership in Sikhism continued with nine other gurus who took over the spiritual leadership of the followers of this religion one after another. Each of these gurus made significant contributions to the advancement of Sikhism during their leadership, and we will briefly discuss their lives and achievements below:
1. Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikhs, led this religion from around 1500 until 1539 (approximately 40 years). A complete description of his life is provided in the previous section.
He realized that neither of his two sons were worthy of succeeding him before his death in 1538; therefore, he chose one of his loyal disciples named “Lehna,” a rope maker, as his successor and gave him the name “Angad,” meaning “the giver of the body.”
2. Guru Angad
Guru Angad, the second Guru of the Sikhs, succeeded Nanak as Guru.
He was born on March 31, 1504, with the original name “Lehna” (or “Lehina”), in the village of Mat-di-Sarai (now Srinagar) in the Muktsar district of Punjab. His father, Fru Mal, was a small but successful merchant, and his mother was known by the names “Mata Ramu,” “Sabhrai,” “Mansa Devi,” and “Daya Kaur.” His grandfather was also named “Baba Narayan Das Turhan.” Lehna belonged to the Kshatriya caste and the Turhan Gotra, like all Sikh Gurus.
Guru Angad assumed the leadership of the Sikhs in 1539 and remained in this position for about 13 years. He was a humble, contemplative person and remained faithful to his religious teachings.
A: The Reason for His Preference Over Nanak’s Sons for Succession
There are stories about why Nanak chose Angad (Lehna) instead of his sons as his successor:
In one such story, it is said that Guru Nanak asked his sons to pick up a pot that had fallen into the mud, but they refused because the task was considered dirty or trivial. Then Nanak asked Lehna, who not only picked up the pot from the mud but also washed it and filled it with water before presenting it to the Guru.
On the other hand, Angad was fully aware of Nanak’s teachings, always attended his teaching sessions, and rendered valuable services. This loyalty and sincerity led Nanak to trust him and choose him as his successor to spread Sikhism.
B: The Works and Activities of Guru Angad
Guru Angad rendered remarkable services to the religion and its followers during his 13 years as the
spiritual leader of the Sikh community. Here are some of his most important actions:
1. Guru Angad made significant efforts for the cohesion and unity of the Sikh community, resulting in a strong solidarity among the followers of this religion.
2. He founded the “Gurumukhi” script, which is today recognized as the standard script of the Punjabi language in India. Guru Angad is renowned for this innovation and holds a special place in Sikh tradition.
3. He established the “Langar” system in Sikh temples, allowing visitors, both near and far, to enjoy a simple meal for free.
4. Guru Angad visited centers established for the propagation and preaching of Sikhism, established new centers, and developed and strengthened the foundations of this religion’s invitation.
5. Another innovation attributed to Guru Angad is that he was the first to regard Nanak as equal to God. From then on, Sikh followers began to worship and venerate the image of Nanak.
C: Death and Succession
Like Guru Nanak, Guru Angad selected Guru Amardas as his successor before his death. He recognized Amardas’s loyalty and spiritual capabilities and considered him worthy of leading the Sikh community. Guru Angad passed away on March 29, 1552.
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