On Sunday 26 March 2023, the Gurdwara Sahib will be commemorating the Joti Jot of Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji and Sri Guru Hargobind Ji.
Joti Jot (i.e. immersed in the Eternal Light), is a phrase used to describe the physical passing of the Sikh Gurus and other spiritually liberated (mukti) individuals.
About Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji:
Guru Angad Dev Ji was the second of the ten Sikh Gurus who succeeded Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He was born as Lehna in 1504 in a small village named Harike, Punjab. Before he met Guru Nanak Dev Ji, he was a successful trader and a devotee of the Hindu goddess Durga.
In 1532, Lehna met Guru Nanak Dev Ji and became his disciple. He dedicated himself to the service of the Guru. Due to his selfless service, devotion, and spirituality, Lehna was appointed as the second Sikh Guru and was given the name “Angad” by Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself.
As Guru, Angad Dev Ji continued the work started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He further strengthened the Sikh community by establishing the institution of Langar (community kitchen), which provided free food to people of all castes and religions. He also introduced the Gurmukhi script, a new writing system for the Punjabi language, which made it easier for people to read and write in their own language.
Guru Angad Dev Ji was a great scholar and a prolific writer. He wrote 63 hymns, which are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. He also established schools to promote education among the Sikh community and encouraged the learning of Punjabi and other languages.
Guru Angad Dev Ji served as the Sikh Guru for 13 years until his Joto Jot in 1552. His teachings and contributions continue to inspire millions of people around the world. He is remembered as a great teacher, a visionary leader, and a true embodiment of Sikh values.
About Sri Guru Hargobind Ji:
Sri Guru Hargobind Ji was the seventh Sikh Guru who succeeded Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He was born on June 19, 1595, in the village of Guru Ki Wadali, in modern-day Pakistan. Guru Hargobind Ji was a spiritual leader, a warrior, and a political strategist who transformed the Sikh community and its relationship with the Mughal Empire.
Guru Hargobind Ji’s leadership was marked by his emphasis on physical strength, military training, and the pursuit of justice. He became the first Guru to wear two swords, which symbolized his dual role as a spiritual leader and a temporal ruler. He also established the Akal Takht, the highest seat of temporal authority in Sikhism, which served as a center for political and military decision-making.
Under Guru Hargobind Ji’s leadership, the Sikh community became more organized and politically aware. He trained his followers in martial arts and established a well-armed and well-trained army that could defend the community against external threats. He also encouraged trade and commerce, which led to the growth of Sikh towns and the development of a prosperous Sikh economy.
Guru Hargobind Ji was a great teacher and a visionary leader. He emphasized the importance of spiritual and moral values and encouraged his followers to live a life of honesty, compassion, and service. He wrote several hymns and poems, which are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs.
Guru Hargobind Ji served as the Sikh Guru for 37 years until his Joto Jot in 1644. His teachings and contributions continue to inspire millions of people around the world. He is remembered as a great warrior, a spiritual leader, and a true embodiment of Sikh values.
