Bhai Lahina

Bhai Lahina (1504–1552) was the name of Guru Angad Dev before he became the second Sikh Guru.

Background

Born in Matte di Sarai in the Punjab region, Bhai Lahina was a devoted worshipper of the Hindu goddess Durga before encountering Guru Nanak. He became one of Guru Nanak’s most devoted disciples and was chosen by the Guru as his successor, receiving the name Angad (“limb of the Guru”).

Spiritual Contribution

As the second Guru, Guru Angad (Bhai Lahina) standardized the Gurmukhi script, which became the vehicle for writing the Sikh scriptures. He continued Guru Nanak’s mission of establishing the Sikh community and composed hymns included in the Guru Granth Sahib. He established the institution of langar (community kitchen) on a larger scale.

Legacy and Impact

His standardization of the Gurmukhi script was crucial for the development of Sikh literature and identity. He established the pattern of Guru-to-Guru succession that maintained the continuity of the Sikh faith. His contributions to the Adi Granth are among the earliest in the Sikh canon.

Verification Notes

• 1504–1552
• Second Sikh Guru (1539–1552)