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Angad Dev, the second Guru of the Sikhs, was born on 31 March 1504. On this day grand programs and recitation of Gurugranth Sahib are done in Gurudwaras. On this day a collective banquet (langar) is organized. On this day special programs are organized in Khadur Sahib. The birth anniversary of Guru Angad Dev Ji is celebrated as ‘Angaddev Jayanti’. On the 28th of March, he left his body in 1552 AD.
His real name was Lehna. Guru Nanak ji, impressed by his devotion and spiritual ability, considered him his organ and named him Angad. Guru Angaddev ji invented 'Gurmukhi' (Punjabi script). Also preserved the speech of Guru Nanak Dev in the form of articles. Moving beyond caste, Guru Angad ji started the practice of langar.
Angad had to undergo seven difficult exams to become a Sikh Guru.
When Nanak Dev ji thought of appointing his successor, he took tough examinations of Lehna i.e. Angad Dev ji along with his sons. Guru Nanak Dev's sons failed in the exam, only Angad Dev ji was successful in the spirit of Guru Bhakti.
In the first examination, Nanak Dev asked Angad Dev Ji to lift his head covered with mud piles.
In the second examination, Nanak Dev asked to pick up the dead Rat in Dharamshala and throw it out. In those days only Shudras -lower cast used to do this work.Angad Dev took Rat out of Dharamshala and threw him out, regardless of caste.
In the third examination, Guru Nanak Dev asked to remove the bowl from the pile of sewage . Both the sons of Nanak Dev refused to do this while Angad Dev ji agreed to the Guru and was gladly ready for this task.
For the fourth examination, Nanak Dev ji ordered the construction of the broken wall of Dharamshala at midnight in the winter season, Angad Dev ji immediately got ready for this.
In the fifth examination, Guru Nanak Dev ordered the washing of clothes on a cold winter night. During the winter season, they started washing clothes by midnight on the banks of Ravi river.
In the sixth examination, Nanak Dev examined Angad Dev's intelligence and spiritual merit. One night Nanak Dev asked Angad Dev how many nights had passed.
Angad Dev replied that the night God had passed. The rest is left as much as it should be.
Hearing this answer, Guru Nanak Dev understood that his spiritual state has reached the climax. Nanak Dev took Angad Dev to the crematorium to take the seventh exam.
Seeing a dead in the crematorium, Nanak Dev said that you have to eat it, Angad Dev also got ready for this.
Then Nanak Dev hooked Angad to his chest and made Angad Dev his successor.
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