Spirituo-Ethical Philosophy of Guru Angad Dev

Foreword

Sikh way of life is the grand fusion of spirituo temporal concerns in which multi-dimensional growth of personality of man is envisaged by the Great Gurus. Guru Nanak Dev flourished in the medieval period, which due to external invasions was full of turmoil for Indian masses and due to sectarian infighting full of confusion, superstition and orthodoxy. Guru Nanak Dev grappled directly and single-handed. He undertook long and arduous sojourns to different parts of Asia to propagate an altogether new philosophy of life of self-respect, effacement of ego and all loving doctrines of sangat, langar (pangat), kirat karana (work culture), nam japana (perpetual remembrance of God) and vand chhakna (sharing with the needy). People rallied around Guru Nanak and the great Guru himself practised his doctrines at Kartarpur where the legacy created by him was handed over to Guru Angad Dev, whose 500th birth anniversary on April 18, 2004 is being celebrated by the devout all over the world. Guru Angad Dev, earlier known as Bhai Lahina, remained in the company of Guru Nanak: for about seven-eight years and proved himself, the most obedient, humble and self-abnegating person who ultimately merged his total self in the self of Guru Nanak:. Seeing his devotion and rational approach towards the projects of the transformation of the society initiated by him, Guru Nanak: set a very healthy and altogether novel precedent by offering Guruship to Bhai Lahina, thus making him Guru Angad in preference to his own sons Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. This book written by Dr. Jodh Singh, a professor of Sikhism and the Editor-in-Chief of Encyclopaedia, of this University is a humble contribution towards the quincentenary birth day celebrations of Guru Angad Dev. I hope, the work in hand will throw light on some hitherto less-known aspects of the life, bani and teachings of Guru Angad Dev.

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