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Guru Ram Das (Fourth Sikh Guru) | Early life, Facts, & Death

Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the ten Sikh Gurus and played a significant role in shaping Sikhism as we know it today. Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Guru Ram Das was not only a spiritual leader but also a social reformer and builder. His contributions to Sikhism are immense, and his legacy continues to inspire millions of people around the world.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Guru Ram Das’ life, teachings, and contributions to Sikhism. We will explore his early life, his journey to becoming the fourth Sikh Guru, and his significant reforms and contributions to Sikhism. We will also examine his beliefs, famous quotes, and his legacy in modern times. Finally, we will discuss the circumstances surrounding his death and the celebration of his life and contributions.

Guru Ram Das Born, Early Life, and Education

Guru Ram Das was born on September 24, 1534, in Lahore, Pakistan, to a Hindu family.  He was the son he his father Hari Das, and his mother Anup Devi. Guru Ram Das’ family belonged to the Sodhi clan, which claimed descent from the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev.

Guru Ram Das grew up in a devout Hindu family and received a traditional education. He was deeply influenced by the teachings of his family and spent much of his childhood studying Hindu scriptures and practicing meditation.

As Guru Ram Das grew older, he continued his spiritual journey and began studying under the guidance of various spiritual teachers. He learned about different religious traditions and spiritual practices, including Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism. Eventually, he became a disciple of Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru, and spent many years under his tutelage.

Under Guru Amar Das’ guidance, Guru Ram Das deepened his spiritual practice and began to gain a following of his own. He was known for his devotion and humility, and many people were drawn to his teachings. Eventually, Guru Amar Das appointed Guru Ram Das as his successor, making him the fourth Sikh Guru.

Guru Ram Das ji family, wife, and children

Guru Ram Das had a close-knit family that was deeply devoted to spiritual practice. Guru Ram Das was married to Bibi Bhani, also known as Mata Bhani. Bibi Bhani was the daughter of Guru Amar Das, and their marriage strengthened the ties between the two families. Guru Ram Das was a loving husband and father, and his family played an important role in his life and teachings.

Both couples had three sons: Prithi Chand, Mahadev, and Arjan Dev, who would later become the fifth Sikh Guru. Bibi Bhani was a devoted wife and played an essential role in supporting Guru Ram Das’ teachings and mission.

Family is an essential part of Sikhism, and Guru Ram Das emphasized the importance of strong family ties and relationships. He believed that families were the building blocks of society and that strong families were necessary for the well-being of the community. He also stressed the importance of treating women with respect and equality, and his marriage to Bibi Bhani was a testament to this belief.

What is Guru Ram Das famous for?

Guru Ram Das is famous for his contributions to Sikhism and for being the fourth Sikh Guru. He is also known for his spiritual teachings, which emphasized the importance of devotion, service, and humility.

Guru Ram Das is credited with establishing the city of Amritsar, which is considered the holiest city in Sikhism. He founded the Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, which is the most sacred shrine for Sikhs around the world. The Golden Temple serves as a symbol of Sikh unity and is visited by millions of people every year.

In addition to his spiritual contributions, Guru Ram Das also made significant social and political reforms. He worked to abolish the caste system and encouraged inter-caste marriages. He also established the institution of langar, a free community kitchen that serves vegetarian meals to all, regardless of caste, religion, or social status.

Journey to Becoming the Fourth Sikh Guru

Guru Ram Das had a deep connection with Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru, who was his spiritual mentor and guide. Guru Amar Das recognized Guru Ram Das’ spiritual potential and appointed him as the leader of the Sikh community in Goindval.

In 1574, Guru Amar Das appointed Guru Ram Das as his successor, making him the fourth Sikh Guru . The appointment was significant as it was the first time that a Guru had appointed his successor, and it marked a significant shift in the leadership structure of the Sikh community.

Guru Amar Das’ decision to appoint Guru Ram Das as his successor was not without controversy. Many members of the Sikh community felt that Guru Amar Das should have chosen one of his sons as the next Guru. However, Guru Amar Das recognized that Guru Ram Das was the most spiritually qualified and capable person to lead the community.

Guru Ram Das’ selection as the fourth Sikh Guru marked a significant turning point in Sikh history. He continued the work of his predecessors, building on the foundations they had established and expanding the Sikh community’s reach and influence. Guru Ram Das’ teachings emphasized the importance of service, devotion, and humility, and he worked tirelessly to promote these values among his followers. His legacy continues to inspire and guide Sikhs around the world to this day.

Contributions and Reforms by Guru Ram Das

Guru Ram Das made significant contributions to Sikhism and introduced many reforms that continue to shape the religion to this day.

Guru Ram Das is credited with founding the city of Amritsar, which he established in 1577. He chose the location for the city based on the peaceful and serene surroundings, as well as the availability of a freshwater source. The city quickly became an important hub for Sikhism, and Guru Ram Das encouraged his followers to settle there.

Guru Ram Das commissioned the construction of the Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, which is considered the most sacred shrine in Sikhism. The temple was built in the center of a man-made lake, and its stunning architecture and gold-plated dome attract visitors from all over the world. The temple serves as a symbol of Sikh unity and is a testament to Guru Ram Das’ vision and dedication.

Guru Ram Das introduced the Anand Karaj ceremony, which is a Sikh marriage ceremony that emphasizes the importance of equality, mutual respect, and love between partners. The ceremony involves the couple taking four vows, known as the laavan, and concludes with the couple being declared as one in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism. The Anand Karaj ceremony remains an important part of Sikh wedding traditions and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.

What did Guru Ram Das believe?

Guru Ram Das believed in the power of devotion, compassion, and service to others. He emphasized the importance of meditation, selfless service, and living a virtuous life. He also taught the concept of Hukam, which is the divine will of God, and encouraged his followers to submit to it with humility and grace.

Guru Ram Das Ji Famous Quotes?

Guru Ram Das left behind many inspirational quotes that continue to inspire and guide Sikhs to this day. Some of his famous quotes include:

• “Let no man in the world live in delusion. Without a Guru, none can cross over to the other shore.”
• “Serve the True Guru and find peace within; your destiny will be written with your hand.”
• “O mind, keep the Lord always in your heart. Through the Guru’s teachings, let your doubts be dispelled.”

Legacy of Guru Ram Das

Guru Ram Das’ legacy continues to inspire and guide the Sikh community today. His contributions to Sikhism, including the building of the city of Amritsar and the construction of the Harmandir Sahib, are celebrated and revered by Sikhs around the world. His emphasis on the importance of selfless service, devotion, and humility continues to be a guiding force for Sikhs as they seek to live virtuous life and serve others.

The final years of his life and his teachings

In the later years of his life, Guru Ram Das continued to emphasize the importance of service and devotion to God. He also emphasized the importance of living a virtuous life and treating all people with love and respect. One of his famous teachings was the concept of “Sewa,” or selfless service, which has become a core principle in Sikhism.

During his final years, Guru Ram Das appointed his youngest son, Guru Arjan Dev, as his successor, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership within the Sikh community. He passed away in 1581 at the age of 47, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, compassion, and selfless service that continues to inspire and guide Sikhs to this day.

Guru Ram Das passed away on September 1, 1581, at the age of 47 in Amritsar, Punjab. His death was a great loss to the Sikh community, but his teachings and legacy continue to inspire and guide Sikhs around the world.

Conclusion.

Guru Ram Das was a pivotal figure in the development of Sikhism, and his contributions and reforms continue to be celebrated and revered by Sikhs around the world. He emphasized the importance of selfless service, devotion, and humility, and his teachings continue to inspire and guide Sikhs in their daily lives.

His legacy, including the building of the city of Amritsar and the construction of the Harmandir Sahib, has left an indelible mark on the Sikh community and the world at large.

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Guru Ramdas Ji | 4th Sikh Guru | Life Journey | Biography

Guru ramdas ji's biography, from birth to ascension, his life, works and philosophy, gurbani creation, and gurpurab images.

Shri Guru Ramdas Ji

The real name of Guru Ramdas Ji was Bhai Jetha Ji who became an orphan at the age of 7. Later he became the servant of 3rd Guru Amar Dass Ji and also his son-in-law. Guru Ka Chak or Ram Dass Pura which later became the focal point for the Sikh Tradition with the name Amritsar Sahib was founded by the Fourth Master Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji. He started Masand System in Guru Ghar to collect revenue from Sangat for Building Sikh Temples and other activities.

Guru Ramdas Ji Biography

Born in a humble family, Ram Das (called Jetha) used to devote his spare time to the service of the Guru, after his daily vocation of selling sweetened wheat to the pilgrims at Goindwal. Guru Amardas selected him as his son-in-law and got his daughter Bibi Bhani married to him, finding him handsome young, and obedient.

He has contributed 679 hymns to the Guru Granth Sahib. His poetry is full of Vairagya (detachment), sincerity, and devotion to the Lord, He founded the city of Amritsar (Ramdaspur). He encouraged his followers to join in trade and business including horses. Thus Amritsar grew up in a prosperous city of the North. The Sikhs became good traders in jewelry, embroidery works, and horses, going up to Kabul for business, apart from farming and petty shop-keeping.

Birth of Guru Ramdas

Shri Guru Ramdas Ji was born in the market Chuna Mandi of Lahore city, Pakistan, on 24 September 1534. Being the eldest son, neighbors, and relatives used to call you firstborn. In this way, the name you became ‘Jetha’ in place of Ram Das. You were still very young when your mother passed away.

Death of Father Haridas

Haridas Ji used to do petty shops only, from which he would have earned a simple income. He was not Haridas in name but a devotee of Hari in true meaning. He was a formless worshiper and had no belief in corporeal deities and idol worship at all. He was the owner of a charming and contented nature. At a very young age, he used to experience satisfaction, and most of the time by serving the needy he kept trying to attain spiritual bliss. A tragedy had befallen the child Ramdas Ji when his father renounced the mortal body, Jetha Ji just 7 years old. Haridas Ji’s mother-in-law and father-in-law came to Lahore to mourn and took their grandson Jetha Ji to Basarke village while rolling.

Residing at Basarke and Company of Guru Amardas Ji

Residents of the local village came to your maternal grandmother and maternal grandmother to mourn the death of their son-in-law, among whom were Shri Amar Das Ji and his wife Mansa Devi Ji. Shri Amar Das Ji consoled Ramdas (Jetha) Ji with great affection and said Son, be patient, God will do all the good to you.

Now the upbringing of child Ramdas (Jetha) Ji started in Basarke village itself. On these days Shri Amardas Ji went to Haridwar for the twentieth time to bathe in the Ganges, but on his return, a Vaishno sage made fun of him for being without a guru and went away without eating in disgust. Because of this, there was a deep blow in his heart. In search of the ‘True Guru’, you reached Khadoor Nagar under the shelter of Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji and devoted yourself to Guru’s service there, but once or twice a year you reached home to meet your loved ones to discuss spiritual wisdom. In these meetings, the child Ramdas (Jetha) Ji would also reach and listen very carefully to the discussion of such high thoughts.

Seeing the curiosity of child Ram Das, Shri Amar Das would have been very impressed. In this way, he liked him and he had a great deal of affection for this orphan child in his heart because of his discreet intellect.

Time passed. He received his early education in the school of the village of Basarke. He was a master of sharp intellect, so he would always be a leader among other students. Teachers would always be happy with you, but your maternal grandfather died suddenly. Therefore, you had to work hard only at the age of twelve to earn a living by leaving your education midway. First of all, your maternal grandmother sent you Ghungnia (boiled chana) to her village Basarke to sell, but the sales here would have been negligible. Even after hard work, one does not get enough money to survive.

Guru Ramdas Ji Moves to Goindwal

In those days you came to know that according to the orders of Shri Guru Angad Dev Ji, Shri Amardas Ji is setting up a new town named ‘Goindwal’ on the banks of the Beas River, on the banks of the Shahi Marg (Jarnaili Road). After a few days, when the villagers came to know that Shri Guru Amardas Ji along with his family was going for rehabilitation in the new city of ‘Goindwal’, all the Satsangis of the village looked disappointed and sad, but Kishore Ramdas (Jetha) Ji Planned very patiently and made a proposal to his maternal grandmother that the new city is full of workers and artisans.

Apart from this, due to the royal route, the traffic also remains in large numbers, so you thought to your maternal grandmother that if I try to run my small business in such places, then there are more chances of walking there because hungry laborers like to consume boiled gram as a short-food form and the travelers also prefer the use of gram.

In this way, I will make a profit in business. And we will be able to earn our livelihood easily. Nani Maa liked this suggestion very much and she was permitted to rehabilitate Jetha Ji in the new city of Goindwal. In this way, Ramdas (Jetha) Ji reached Goindwal under the protection of Shri Amardas Ji along with his maternal grandmother to earn his livelihood.

Ramdas Jetha Ji came to Goindwal and built a small house of his own and started living in it. He would get up early in the morning after toilet-bath get lost in contemplating the Lord, go to Dharamsala when the sun rises, and do Satsang. When he got time, he used to fan the Sangat or get him to drink water. In this way, his mind was always engrossed in trying to serve the Sangat.

After that, by the time they returned home, Nani Maa would prepare a Chhabri of boiled chickpeas for them. After breakfast, he would often go to the Ghat of Beas river. There would have been an influx of passengers crossing the bridges of the boats in the fall. Here he could sell Chanas a lot to the travelers, and easily got a living, but if some gram had been saved, he would reach those places during the intermission where the workers and artisans were engaged in the construction work.

Those people would buy their Chanas with great pleasure, in this way, they would finish their work of livelihood by evening. Then he would deliver the material for the next day to her grandmother and help her with the household chores. After dinner, you would remain engaged in bhajan contemplation for a long time in asana.

Sometimes you even cross the Beas river and reach Shri Guru Angad Dev Ji’s Darshan in his court. Sitting at the feet of the Guru, after receiving an education, he would come back and lead a life according to the words of the Guru.

Guruship to Guru Amardas Ji

After about five years, when Shri Guru Angad Dev Ji appointed Shri Amardas Ji as his successor by giving him the Guru Gaddi, you felt very happy. As per Gurudev Ji’s orders, when Shri Guru Amar Das Ji made Goindwal his permanent preaching center, Sikh-devout Sangat from far and wide started coming to Goindwal in a big way.

Shri Guru Amardas Ji always arranged langar for the devotees. Now whenever he got the opportunity, Jetha Ji started giving time in the service of langar, his faith in Sikhism had already matured. The dedication of the service of the Sadh Sangat turned into a passion, due to which he started getting some unattainable pleasure from the service. But he did not give up earning from his hard work, he continued the work of selling chickpeas by putting a Chhabri.

He knew the importance of self-reliance and did not consider the hard-earned livelihood to be less than Guru Bhakti. So you were living a life according to the great Guru’s Updesh of “ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ”.

Service of Guru Ramdas Ji

After attaining the throne of Shri Guru Amardas Ji, when the work of the court increased, Bhai Jetha Ji started spending more time at Guru’s court doing seva all day. He would leave other work and welcome the Sangat. If the accomplice had been satisfied after receiving the hospitality, then he would give them cold water and keep blowing the air with the fan. When everyone was resting, you would clean the utensils and clean the floor for langar. His only goal was to serve. He probably got a great sense of service from his father, Haridas, who had no aspirations for service. To serve selflessly was the only vow of his life. He was satisfied by being ready to serve.

Marriage of Guru Ramdas Ji

Bhai Jetha Ji’s devotion and devotion to religion were not hidden from Shri Guru Amardas. He also started loving Jetha Ji very much and wanted this love to last forever. Meanwhile, Mata Mansa Devi – wife of Guru Amardas Ji, one day suggested the marriage of her younger daughter, Kumari Bhani, and insisted on finding a suitable groom. Gurudev Ji spontaneously asked her what kind of groom she wanted for their daughter. In reply, Mansa Devi Ji pointed a finger toward Bhai Jetha Ji and said – A young man just like him, the one who is always ready in service.

To this, Gurudev said that there cannot be any other youth like Jetha Ji, if you want a son-in-law like him, then you’ll have to accept nobody else but him only. On this Mansa Devi Ji said – You are right, but in this matter, the discussion should be done with daughter Bhani. Then Gurudev Ji called Bhani Ji and wanted to know her will. She replied whatever you think is appropriate, I accept everything.

Sending a message, Gurudev called the servant Jetha Ji and offered him to be their son-in-law. Jetha Ji was stunned to hear this and could not believe his ears. Then Gurudev said to him with great affection – yes it is true, we give you the hand of our daughter Bhani as your life partner. On this Jetha Ji started bowing down at Guru’s feet and with tears in his eyes, said, O Gurudev! I am an orphan stumbling in the streets of Lahore, earning a living by doing a minor scuffle, like the dust of your feet, why are you giving me so much respect.

Gurbani By Guru Ramdas

Mere Saha Main Har Darshan Sukh Hoye

Har Har Boond Bhaye Har Swami

Main Man Vaddi Aas Hare

Mere hiarey ratan naam har basia.

Kaljug Ka Dharm Kaho Tum Bhai

Dhoop Deep Sewa Gopal

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Guru Ramdas Ji

Guru Ramdas Sahib (Jetha ji) was born at Chuna Mandi, Lahore (in Pakistan), on Kartik Vadi 2nd, (25th Assu) Samvat 1591 (September 24, 1534). Son of Mata Daya Kaur ji (Anup Kaur ji) and Baba Hari Das ji Sodhi Khatri was very handsome and promising child. His parents were too poor to meet even the daily needs and he had to earn his bread by selling boiled grams. His parents died when he was just 7 year old. His grandmother (mother’s, mother) took him to her native village Basarke. He spent five years at village Basarke earning his bread by selling boiled grams. According to some chronicles, once Guru Amardas Sahib came village Basarke to condole with the grandmother of (Guru) Ramdas Sahib at the death of her son-in-law and developed deep affection for (Guru) Ramdas Sahib. Along with grandmother he left for Goidwal Sahib to settle there. There he resumed his profession of selling boiled grams and also began to take part in the religious congregation held by Guru Amardas Sahib. He also made active participation in the development of Goindwal Sahib.

(Guru) Ramdas Sahib was married to Bibi Bhani Ji (daughter of Guru Amardas Sahib). She bore him three sons: Prithi Chand Ji, Mahadev Ji and Arjan Sahib (Guru) Ji. After the marriage he stayed with his father-in-law and deeply associated himself with the Guru Ghar activities (Sikhism). He commanded full confidence of Guru Amardas Sahib and often accompanied him when the latter went on long missionary tours to different parts of India.

(Guru) Ramdas Sahib was a man of considerable merit. He became famous for his piety, devotion, energy and eloquence. Guru Amardas Sahib found him capable in every respect and worthy of the office of Guruship and installed him as Fourth Nanak on september 1, 1574. Guru Ramdas Sahib laid the foundation stone of Chak Ramdas or Ramdas Pur, which is now called Amritsar. For this purpose he purchased land from the zamindars of the villages: Tung, Gilwali and Gumtala, and began digging of Santokhsar Sarover. Later on he suspended the work on Santokhsar and concentrated his attention on digging Amritsar Sarovar. Bhai Sahlo Ji and Baba Budha Ji, the two devoted Sikhs were assigned the supervising work.

These two herbal pills strengthen nerves in the genitals and prevent early discharge cialis without prescription uk and semen leakage. Flagyl may be taken orally with or without food with full glass of water as per prescribed on line cialis molineanimalaid.org by the doctor. They will not only provide you with a good treatment but also tell you discount generic viagra how prevent such neck pains. It levitra sale also company with increased temperature, urine retention, etc. The new city (Chak Ramdas Pur) flourished soon as it was situated at the centre of international trade routes. It grew into an important center of trade in Punjab after Lahore. Guru Ramdas Sahib himself invited many merchants and artisans from the different walks of life and trades. Later on, it proved to be step of far-reaching importance. It provided a common place of worship to the Sikhs and paved the way for the future guidelines for the Sikhism as a different religion. Guru Ramdas Sahib introduced Masand system in place of Manji system and this step played a great role in the consolidation of Sikhism.

Guru Ramdas Sahib strengthened the Sikhism a step further by composing Four Lawans and advised the Sikhs to recite them in order to solemnize the marriages of their children. Thus he introduced a new matrimonial system based upon Sikhism instead of Hindu’s Vedi system. Thus this distinct marriage code for the Sikhs separated them from the orthodox and traditional Hindu system. also made rapprochement with different sects of Udasis through Baba Shri Chand Ji. He, like his predecessors carried forward the tradition of Guru ka Langer. Superstitions, caste system and pilgrimages were strongly decried.

• The Life and Legacy of Guru Ram Das Ji

Guru Ram Das Ji, the fourth Sikh Guru, was known for his deep spirituality, selfless service, and devotion to Sikhism. His influence on Sikh culture and spirituality remains significant.

Early Life & Spiritual Awakening 

Guru Ram Das Ji was born on September 24, 1534 in Lahore (present-day Pakistan) into a devoted Sikh family. From an early age he showed a great interest towards spirituality and a deep connection with God.

His spiritual side led him to the silent presence of the third Guru of Sikhism, Guru Amar Das Ji.

In 1574, Guru Amar Das Ji chose Guru Ram Das Ji as his successor, passing on Guruship to him . 

The elevation of Guru Ram Das Ji to the position of the fourth Guru was a significant moment in Sikh history and marked the continuation of the spiritual heritage of the Gurus. 

Contributions 

Amritsar City: Guru Ram Das Ji is celebrated for founding the city of Amritsar, which means "pool of nectar". Under his leadership, the construction of the famous Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, began. This iconic shrine has evolved into a center of Sikh spirituality, receiving pilgrims from all over the world.

Promotion of Selfless Service (Seva): 

A devoted advocate of selfless service (seva), Guru Ram Das Ji stressed on the importance of serving humanity with kindness and compassion. His teachings inspired Sikhs to engage incharity , helping those in need, and supporting charity that continues in Sikh culture even today.

Spiritual Verses and Hymns: 

Guru Ram Das Ji composed several hymns and shabads (spiritual verses) that were included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism.

These compositions provide spiritual guidance and continue to inspire devotees.

Family and balanced life:

Guru Ram Das Ji's life showed a balance between spiritual devotion and family responsibilities. 

He was married to Bibi Bhani Ji, daughter of Guru Amar Das Ji, and together they had three sons: Prithi Chand, Mahadev and Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who succeeded him as the fifth guru. 

Devotion and Meditation: 

Guru Ram Das Ji stressed on the importance of devotion (bhakti) and meditation (simran) as essential practices for spiritual growth.

 He encouraged Sikhs to develop a deep connection with God through these spiritual disciplines for a deeper sense of spirituality.

Legacy & Passing

Guru Ram Das Ji served as the fourth guru for seven years during which he left a permanent mark on Sikhism. 

He died on 1 September 1581 at Amritsar. 

His teachings, hymns and the city he founded continue to inspire and guide Sikhs and seekers of truth around the world. 

Amrit Sarovar

Guru Ram Das Ji's connection with Amritsar is deep. 

A holy tank (sarovar) was dug near Harmandir Sahib under his direction. This tank was later known as Amrit Sarovar, meaning "Pool of Nectar". This sarovar is believed to have healing properties and pilgrims from all over the world come to bathe in the holy water . 

The Harmandir Sahib

The construction of Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, was started by Guru Ram Das Ji and completed by his successor, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. 

This magnificent structure stands in the middle of the sarovar and symbolizes equality, humility and spiritual devotion.

Its gilded dome, which reflects the sun's rays, gives it the name "Golden Temple".

Legacy of Compassion & Service

Guru Ram Das Ji's emphasis on selfless service and divine devotion left a lasting mark on Sikh culture. 

A Sikh is encouraged to practice seva, or selfless service, as a means of serving humanity and connecting with the divine. 

Langar, a community kitchen that provides free meals to all regardless of background, is a great example to this legacy of compassion and equality. 

The life and work of Guru Ram Das Ji reflect the core values ​​of Sikhism, including selfless service, devotion and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge. 

His contributions to Sikhism, especially the establishment of Amritsar and Harmandir Sahib, are permanent symbols of Sikh spirituality and hospitality. 

Guru Ram Das Ji's legacy lives on through his teachings, hymns and profound influence on Sikh culture and history. 

His divine journey continues to inspire countless people on their own spiritual efforts, stressing the timeless values ​​of Sikhism and the importance of a balanced and meaningful life.

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Guru Ram Das

The fourth of Sikhism’s ten Gurus, Guru Ram Das was born on September 24, 1534, and passed away on September 1, 1581. He was born on September 24, 1534, to a Lahore-based family. He was given the name Jetha at birth, and after becoming an orphan at seven, he lived in a village with his maternal grandmother. When Bhai Jetha was twelve, his grandmother and he relocated to Goindval, where they ran into Guru Amar Das. After that, the young man embraced Guru Amar Das as his mentor and began to assist him. Guru Amar Das’s daughter wed Bhai Jetha, who thus became a family member. Similar to the first two Sikhism gurus, Guru Amar Das chose Bhai Jetha as his successor rather than one of his own sons and gave him the new name Ram Das, which means “servant of god”.

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About Guru Ram Das

In 1574, Guru Ram Das assumed the role of Sikhism’s fourth guru and held it until 1581, when he passed away physically. He moved his formal base to the region known as Guru-ka-Chak as a result of enmity from Amar Das’s sons. The name of this newly established town, Ramdaspur, later changed to Amritsar, the holiest city in the Sikh religion. In the Sikh tradition, he is also known for enlarging the manji organisation to accommodate administrative positions and donation collecting to theologically and financially support the Sikh movement. The fifth through tenth Sikh Gurus were the direct descendants of Ram Das, unlike the first four Gurus who were not connected by descent. He appointed his own son as his successor.

Early Life of Guru Ram Das

In Chuna Mandi, Lahore, on September 24, 1534, Guru Ram Das was born into a Sodhi Khatri family. His mother Daya Kaur and father Hari Das both passed away when he was seven years old. His granny was his primary caregiver. He wed Bibi Bhani, Amar Das’s younger daughter. Prithi Chand, Mahadev, and Guru Arjan were their three sons. Ram Das represented Guru Amar Das in the Mughal court before he became the Guru.

Death and Succession

On September 1st, 1581, Guru Ram Das passed away in the Punjabi town of Goindval. Ram Das picked Arjan, the youngest of his three sons, to succeed him as the fifth Sikh Guru. The selection of the successor resulted in disagreements and internal strife among the Sikhs. In the Sikh narrative, Prithi Chand, the oldest son of Ram Das, is remembered as strongly opposing Arjan, founding a sect of the Sikh society known as Minas (literally, “scoundrels”), and allegedly attempting to assassinate young Hargobind. The Sikh group, however, offered a rival account that contradicted this account of Hargobind’s life and depicted the elder son of Ram Das as being dedicated to his younger brother Arjan in alternative competing scriptures authored by the Prithi Chand. The conflicting writings do admit differences of opinion and mention Prithi Chand as the Sahib Guru following Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom while denying Guru Hargobind’s succession as the grandson of Ram Das.

Influence of Guru Ramdas

According to Sikh tradition, Guru Ram Das is credited with creating the sacred city of Amritsar. Regarding the territory where Ram Das settled, there are two different stories. According to one based on a Gazetteer entry, the land was bought from the owners of the village of Tung for 700 rupees with donations from Sikhs. The location, known as Guru Da Chakk, was reportedly chosen by Guru Amar Das after he had ordered Ram Das to find a property to create a new town with a man-made pool as its focal point. Following his coronation in 1574 and despite the harsh opposition he encountered from Amar Das’s sons, Ram Das constructed the town that bears his name, “Ramdaspur”.

He began by finishing the pool and constructing his brand-new official Guru centre and residence adjacent to it. He extended an invitation to traders and craftspeople from different regions of India to relocate to the new town with him. During Arjan’s reign, the town grew as a result of gifts and volunteer labour. After his son constructed the gurdwara Harmandir Sahib and installed the Sikhism scripture within the new temple in 1604, the settlement expanded to become the city of Amritsar, and the pool area expanded to become a temple complex. Mahima Prakash Vartak, a semi-historical Sikh hagiography tract most likely written in 1741, is the earliest known source discussing the lives of all ten Gurus. It describes the construction activity between 1574 and 1604.

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Scripture Hymns

Ten percent of the hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib, or 638 hymns, were written by Ram Das. He was a well-known poet who wrote his works in 30 old Indian ragas from long ago. These address a variety of subjects:

“One who calls himself to be a disciple of the Guru should rise before dawn and meditate on the Lord’s Name. During the early hours, he should rise and bathe, cleansing his soul in a tank of nectar [water], while he repeats the Name the Guru has spoken to him. By this procedure, he truly washes away the sins of his soul.” – Guru Granth Sahib 305, by G. S. Mansukhani

“The Name of God fills my heart with joy. My great fortune is to meditate on God’s name. The miracle of God’s name is attained through the perfect Guru, but only a rare soul walks in the light of the Guru’s wisdom.” – Guru Granth Sahib 94, by G. S. Mansukhani

“O man! The poison of pride is killing you, blinding you to God. Your body, the colour of gold, has been scarred and discoloured by selfishness. Illusions of grandeur turn black, but the ego-maniac is attached to them.” – Guru Granth Sahib 776, by G. S. Mansukhani

His songs are still sung every day in Sikhism’s Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple).

Wedding Hymn

The composition for Anand and Laavan in Suhi mode is credited to Ram Das and Amar Das in various ways. The bride and groom perform a four-clockwise circumambulation of the Sikh text as part of the process of formally wed in Sikh culture. This was only sometimes employed, and by the late 18th century, it had stopped. However, according to contradictory stories, somewhere in the 19th or 20th century, the Ram Das composition and the Anand Karaj ceremony were revived and took the place of the Hindu custom of circumambulating the fire. The Ram Das composition became one of the pillars of the Anand Marriage Act of 1909, which was passed during the British colonial era. Ram Das wrote the wedding hymn for his own daughter’s nuptials. The first line of Ram Das’ Laavan hymn speaks about the responsibilities of the householder’s life, including remembering the Divine Name and accepting the Guru’s message as a guide. The second stanza and circle serve as a reminder that the solitary One is present everywhere and inside oneself. The Divine Love is discussed in the third. The fourth informs us that joining the two results in joining the person with the Infinite.

Masand System

Ram Das added the Masand institution to the manji system of a religious organisation, which Guru Amar Das had already established. The Masand were members of the Sikh community who lived far from the Guru but served to direct the relationships between those congregations and to raise money for gurdwara construction and Sikh activities. In the decades that followed, this institutional group is renowned for having aided in the expansion of Sikhism, but in the era of the later Gurus, it gained a bad reputation for corruption and for having improperly funded competing Sikh movements during periods of succession conflict.

Guru Granth Sahib

The Guru Granth Sahib, the main holy text of Sikhism, is regarded by Sikhs as the ultimate, supreme, and everlasting guru in the tradition of the ten human gurus of the faith. The first iteration of it, the Adi Granth, was put together by Guru Arjan, the fifth guru (1564 –1606). Its compilation was finished on August 29 and was first set up on September 1 within the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Baba Buddha was chosen to serve as the Golden Temple’s first Granthi. Soon after, Ramkali Ki Vaar was introduced by Guru Hargobind. Later, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru, recognised the Adi Granth as his successor and added hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur. This second version, also known as the Guru Granth Sahib or the Adi Granth, came to be known.

The text is composed of 5,894 line compositions (shabads) and 1,430 angs (pages), and it is set to an antiquated rhythmic north Indian classical music. The scripture is broken down into 31 primary ragas, with each Granth raga being further divided into sections based on length and author. The ragas in which the hymns are read determine how they are grouped most prominently in the scripture. The Guru Granth Sahib was translated into other languages, including Lahnda (Western Punjabi), Braj Bhasha, Kauravi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Marathi, and Persian, and it was written in the Gurmukhi script. The generic title Sant Bhasha is frequently used for copies in various languages.

Six Sikh gurus, Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, and Guru Tegh Bahadur, are primarily credited with writing the Guru Granth Sahib. It also includes the customs and wisdom of fourteen saints (sants) associated with the Bhakti movement, including Sheikh Farid, Ramananda, Kabir, and Namdev. The Guru Granth Sahib describes a society without any form of oppression, based on divine freedom, mercy, love, and justice. The Granth respects and accepts the texts of Islam and Hinduism, but it makes no moral concessions to either of these faiths. It is situated in a Sikh temple (temple). A Sikh usually bows before one when they enter one of these temples. In Sikhism, the Granth is considered as the supreme spiritual authority and an eternal Gurbani.

Meaning and Role in Sikhism

The Adi Granth was given the honorary title of “Guru of the Sikhs” by Guru Gobind Singh in 1708. An eyewitness to the occurrence, Narbud Singh, a bard at the court of the Rajput kings who were connected to gurus, wrote it in a Bhatt Vahi (a bard’s scroll). Since that time, Sikhs have recognised the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book, as their ever-living guru, the incarnation of the ten Sikh Gurus, and the highest authority on religion and spirituality. It is crucial in directing the Sikh way of life. The writings of the Sikh gurus contained in the Guru Granth Sahib cannot be changed or altered by anyone. Included are phrases, vocabulary, sentence construction, grammar, and meanings. This custom was established by Guru Har Rai. As an embassy to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi, he dispatched his eldest son Ram Rai. The Sikh text Asa ki Var contains a line that reads, “the clay from a Musalman’s burial gets kneaded into potter’s lump,” which Aurangzeb, a pious Muslim king, considered to be an insult to Islam. Ram Rai made an effort to win the emperor’s favour by claiming that the text had been incorrectly copied. Ram Rai then rewrote it, replacing “Musalman” with “Beiman” (faithless, evil), which was accepted by Aurangzeb. Guru Har Rai expelled his son from his presence and appointed his younger son as his successor due to his willingness to change a single word.

Sikhism, sometimes called Sikhi or Sikh Dharma, is an Indian religion that first appeared in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent towards the end of the 15th century CE. Sikhi is derived from the word Sikh, which means “disciple,” “seeker,” or “learner.” With roughly 25 – 30 million devotees (also known as Sikhs) as of the early 21st century, it is the largest major organised religion that has only recently been established and ranks fifth in the world. The religious teachings of Guru Nanak (1469 – 1539), the faith’s founding guru, and the nine Sikh gurus who followed him led to the development of Sikhism. The Sikh text Guru Granth Sahib was designated as the tenth guru by Gobind Singh (1666 – 1708), ending the line of human gurus and designating it as the last eternally living guru and a source of religious inspiration for Sikhs. According to Guru Nanak, the ideal man “establishes unity with God, learns His Will, and acts out His Will,” and that living an “active, creative, and practical life” of “truthfulness, faithfulness, self-control, and purity” is more important than metaphysical truth. The sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind (1606 – 1644), created the idea of the Miri (‘political’/’temporal’) and Piri (‘spiritual’) realms existing side by side.

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Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji

Guru ram das.

(1534-1581, Guruship, 1574-1581)

• GURU RAM DAS AND SRICHAND
• FREE KITCHEN (GURU KA LANGAR)
• NEW CUSTOMS
• SELECTION OF GURUSHIP

FATHER: Har Das ji

MOTHER: Daya Kaur ji

DATE OF BIRTH : 09/24/1534

PLACE OF BIRTH : Chuna Mandi, Pakistan

WIFE : Bhani ji

CHILDREN : Prithi Chand, Maha Dev & Arjan Dev ji

AGE, YEAR & TIME AT GUR GADHI : 08/30/1574, 7 Year

JYOTI-JOT DAY: >09/01/1581

JOYTI JOT PLACE :Govindwal

The early history of Guru Ram Das is referred to in the previous chapter. Many writers have expressed their opinion that Akbar granted the land only to Guru Ram Das on which he founded the city of Ramdaspur (later known as Amritsar), and so they contend that the city of Amritsar was not founded during the time of Guru Amar Das. It is also a well-known fact of Sikh history that Emperor Akbar came to Goindwal and he dined with the common people in the Guru’s langar before he could see the Guru. It seems that the Emperor granted the estate in the name of Bibi Bhani at that time, and Jethaji being her husband, was made incharge of the estate by Guru Amar Das. Guru Nanak awarded the Guruship to Bhai Lehna and not to his sons, and it is quite obvious that in order to avoid hostility of his sons towards his successor, he asked Guru Angad to move to Khadur instead of continuing to live in Kartarpur. The same circumstances prevailed during the reign of second and third Gurus. It is, therefore, quite likely that the planning of a new city was called for during the reign of Guru Amar Das as mentioned in the previous part.

Guru Ram Das left Goindwal for his new colony. Many Sikhs followed the Guru and settled there. At first this city was called Ramdaspur, which is now called Amritsar. A revenue collector of Patti in district of Lahore had five daughters, the fifth daughter was very religious. One day the father asked who gave them to eat and drink. The first four daughters said that it were their parents who had provided them with food and other necessities of life, but the fifth daughter told her parents that God was the only Cherisher of His creation. On hearing this reply her father got very angry and remarked,I shall see if God will protect you.

One day a crippled leper came to the town and the father married his fifth daughter to him to teach her a lesson. She willfully accepted him as her true husband. She put him in a basket and carried him on her head, and begged from door to door to maintain their livelihood. One day she left him under a tree near a pool of water and went to the nearby colony to beg for food. The leper saw some crows (black in color) dipping in the water and they turned white when came out of the water. The leper thought that the water had some miraculous healing property. So he left his basket and crawled into the water, and lo, the leprosy at once disappeared from the body except one finger which was left out of water. When the lady came back, she did not believe the story of the healed leper. Ultimately they went to Guru Ram Das, who confirmed saying that the pool possesseth such extraordinary efficacy which the man alleged. Upon this the couple became Guru’s followers and they worked in the excavation of the tank later on.

The tree under the shade of which she left her husband, is still standing there and is called ‘Dukhbhanjni Beri’. The pool was known as Amritsar- tank of nectar, the place itself came to be known as the city of Amritsar. The work was not finished by Guru Ram Das but it was completed by his successor, Guru Arjan Dev.

GURU RAM DAS AND SRICHAND:

Baba Srichand, the eldest son of Guru Nanak, had founded a religious sect of his own known as Udasis. He visited Amritsar and came to see Guru Ram Das. On seeing Guru’s long flowing beard, Baba Srichand asked him jocularly why he grew it that long. The Guru replied,To wipe the dust from the holy feet of the saints like you. ‘Your this sweet humility is the magic that makes you so great and makes me feel so small,’ replied Srichand. Baba Srichand promised the Guru his co-operation. After that the Udasis spared no pains to serve Sikh eligion. It is said that after the death of Banda Bahadur, when the Mughal rulers decided to root out Sikh religion, it was the Udasis who kept the Divine spark of the Sikh faith alight.

FREE KITCHEN (GURU KA LANGAR):

Like his predecessors, Guru Ram Das carried on the work of Langar in a more elaborate and methodical way. As in the past strict adherence was made to the term ‘Pangat’ in Langar. Anybody irrespective of race, caste, creed, religion or sex, could partake of food without any hesitation. The caste system and pilgrimages were decried and superstitions were denounced.

NEW CUSTOMS:

Guru Ram Das composed a hymn known as ‘Lawan’ in Suhi Mohalla 4, page 773 of Guru Granth Sahib, and asked his Sikhs to recite them to solemnize marriages. The Sabad ‘Lawan’ embodies in itself a lesson for the couple to develop true love for each other. In reality this Sabad is for a human being to develop love for the divine ridegroom.

The Guru composed the following Sabad to instruct his Sikhs in the practice of their religion:

He who calleth himself a Sikh of the true Guru, should rise early and meditate on God;

He should make an effort early in the morning, bathe in the inner tank of nectar;

Repeat God’s Name under Guru’s instruction, and all his sins and transgressions shall be erased;

At sunrise he should sing the Guru’s hymns, and whether sitting or standing meditate on God’s Name;

The disciple who at every breath meditateth on God, will be dear to the Guru; The Guru imparteth

instruction to that disciple to whom my Lord bestows His grace;

The servant Nanak prayeth for the dust of the feet of such a disciple of the Guru who himself repeateth

God’s Name and causeth others to do so.

(Gauri Ki Var- Mohalla 4, p-305-6)

SELECTION OF GURUSHIP:

Sahari Mal, Guru’s cousin from Lahore, invited the Guru to grace his son’s marriage. For some reason the Guru could not go, but he asked his eldest son, Prithi Chand to attend the marriage. Prithi Chand refused to go. His refusal is attributed to possibly two motives. It is said that he was incharge of the offerings that were made to the Guru and was able to furtively set aside much wealth for himself. If he had gone to Lahore, this illicit gain might have fallen in somebody else’s hands. Secondly he thought that the time was fast approaching for the selection of a person to succeed his father as Guru and so he should remain in Amritsar. Mahadev, the Guru’s second son, did not want to go because of his indifference to worldly affairs. The third son, Arjan Dev agreed to attend the marriage. He was instructed to stay on in Lahore after the marriage to look after the affairs of the Sikh Sangat of that place.

After some time he started feeling the pangs of separation for his father and the Guru, and wrote three letters, two of which were intercepted by his elder brother, Prithi Chand. A letter marked ‘3’, reached the Guru and Arjan Dev was immediately recalled from Lahore. On his return he told his father that he had sent three letters. The truth came to light and Prithi Chand was forced to produce the other two letters. Thus Prithi Chand’s actions were exposed.

Guru Ram Das embraced Arjan Dev, sent for five paise and a coco-nut, and placed them before him. He descending from his throne, seated him there before the whole assembly of the Sikhs. Bhai Buddha affixed the tilak of spiritual sovereignty to Arjan Dev’s forehead, and thus he was proclaimed as Guru Arjan Dev. This appened in August, 1581.

Prithi Chand became so mad that he addressed his father in abusive language. He told Bhai Buddha that his father acted improperly in giving Guruship to his younger brother. He vowed that he would remove Guru Arjan and would seat himself on the Guru Gaddi (throne). The Guru counselled him not to quarrel about it, but Prithi Chand refused to submit and adopted an attitude of open defiance.

Having nominated Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Ram Das left for his old headquarters at Goindwal. After a few days He left eft this world on the first of September, 1581.

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World Gurudwaras will strive to be most comprehensive directory of Historical Gurudwaras and Non Historical Gurudwaras around the world.The etymology of the term ‘gurdwara’ is from the words ‘Gur (ਗੁਰ)’ (a reference to the Sikh Gurus) and ‘Dwara (ਦੁਆਰਾ)’ (gateway in Gurmukhi), together meaning ‘the gateway through which the Guru could be reached’. Thereafter, all Sikh places of worship came to be known as gurdwaras.

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🙏Guru Ram Das Ji: Fourth Sikh Guru, His Life & Teachings

• Updated on  
• Oct 25, 2023

Guru Ram Das Ji was the fourth Sikh Guru during the mid-16th century in India. Guru Ram Das Ji had no blood relation with the former Sikh Gurus but was chosen as the Nanak because of his service and devotion towards others. He laid the foundation of Amritsar, the centre of Sikhism and the Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple, which became the site of the Sikhs’ principal place of worship.

The real name of Ram Das Ji was Bhai Jetha and he served in the Mughal Court as the representative of Guru Amar Das. Guru Amar Das prepared a task for choosing his next heir among his two sons-in-law; Jetha and Ramo. The previous Sikh Gurus were; Guru Nanak , Guru Angad and Guru Amar Das Ji. Read this article to learn more about Guru Ram Das Ji and his teachings.

Also Read: List of Festivals in November 2023 in India

Guru Ram Das Ji (4th Sikh Guru)

Guru Ram Das Ji was the fourth Sikh Guru from 1574 to 1581. Before he became the Sikh Guru, he was the representative of the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji at the Mughal Court. When he became the Sikh Guru, he had to face hostilities for the sons of Guru Amar Das because of which he was forced to shift his base to Guru-ka-Chak , which was a newly established town, later named Ramdaspur. 

In the Sikh tradition, he is remembered for expanding the Manji organisation for donation collections and clerical applications. Later on, these became important features of the Sikh religion for theological and economic support for various Sikh movements. Before his death, he appointed both his sons as the next heirs.

Guru Ram Das Ji Teachings

The Spiritual revelations and writings of Guru Ram Das Ji are known as Bani, which consists of a total of 638 holy hymns composed by Ram Das Ji in 30 different Indian classical music ragas . The sacred scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, highlights all these holy hymns, where a common message for all humankind is served; to live a life full of discipline and be thankful to the True Guru (God). 

Here is one of the hymns of Guru Ram Das from the Guru Granth Sahib written on page 305:

‘One who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru shall get up early morning and meditate on God’s Name. Bathe daily in the ambrosial pool and following the Guru’s instructions, chant Har, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.’

5 Kakaaras (Principles) of Sikhism

The five Kakaaras or Principles of Sikkhism were given by Guru Gobind Sikh in 1699. Here are all of the:

• Kes (long hair):
• Kaccha (a pair of shorts)
• Kangha (comb)
• Karha (a steel bracelet)
• Kirpan (a sword)

Related Articles

Guru Nanak Ji was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus who established the religion of Sikkism in the late 15th century.

Guru Ram Das was the fourth Sikh Guru, who founded the city of Amritsar and laid the foundation of the Golden Temple.

Sikhism is listed among the most young religions with a history of just 500 years. The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak Ji in the late 15th century.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our trending events page and follow Leverage Edu .

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Sikh Missionary Society : Publications : The Teachings of Guru Amardas Ji :

Sri Guru Amardas

• Apprenticeship
• Guru Amardas (1552-74)
• Bhani's Marriage
• Missionary Tour
• Baoli Sahib
• Meeting with the Yogis
• Preservation of Life
• Langar Institutionalised
• Cordial Relations with Akbar
• Consolidation of the Sikh Church
• Some Devotees
• Training and Succession of Bhai Jetha

Sri Guru Amardas: His Life

Sri guru amardas: apprenticeship, sri guru amardas: guru amardas (1552-74), sri guru amardas: bhani's marriage, sri guru amardas: missionary tour.

"A sight of the true Guru (Amardas) is the real bathing of the Abhaijit festival" (p.1116).

"The true pilgrimage is meditation on the Holy Name and a dip in the divine nectar" (p.687).

Sri Guru Amardas: Baoli Sahib

Sri guru amardas: meeting with the yogis, sri guru amardas: preservation of life, sri guru amardas: langar institutionalised, sri guru amardas: cordial relations with akbar, sri guru amardas: consolidation of the sikh church, sri guru amardas: some devotees, sri guru amardas: training and succession of bhai jetha.

Biography of Guru Ramdas Sahib ji in Punjabi Language – Fourth Guru of Sikhism

ਜਨਮ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤੀ ਜੀਵਨ (Birth and Early Life of Guru Ramdas Sahib ji in Punjabi)

Table of Contents

Biography of Guru Ramdas Sahib ji in Punjabi Language – ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਦਸ ਗੁਰੂਆਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਚੌਥੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਨ। ਨਾਨਕਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਕੈਲੰਡਰ ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ, ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮ ਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਜਨਮ 1534 ਵਿੱਚ ਲਾਹੌਰ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਭਾਈ ਹਰੀ ਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਮਾਤਾ ਅਨੂਪ ਦੇਵੀ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਜਨਮ ਨਾਮ ਜੇਠਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਸੀ। ਉਹ ਹਰੀਦਾਸ ਅਤੇ ਅਨੂਪ ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਛੋਟੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਸੀ। ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਸੱਤ ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਸੀ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਾਤਾ-ਪਿਤਾ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਹੋ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਾਲਣ ਪੋਸ਼ਣ ਉਹ ਉੱਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੀ ਨਾਨੀ ਕੋਲ ਹੋਇਆ।

ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਰਧਾਲੂ (Devotee of Guru Amar Das Ji  Punjabi )

12 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਵਿੱਚ, ਭਾਈ ਜੇਠਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਸਦੀ ਨਾਨੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਤਰਨਤਾਰਨ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੋਇੰਦਵਾਲ ਚਲੇ ਗਏ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਉਹ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਤੀਜੇ ਗੁਰੂ, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲੇ। ਉਦੋਂ ਤੋਂ ਭਾਈ ਜੇਠਾ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਮੰਨ ਲਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ।

ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਵਿਆਹ ( Marriage of Guru Ramdas Ji in Punjabi)

ਭਾਈ ਜੇਠਾ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਤੇ ਸੰਗਤ ਦੀ ਨਿਰਸਵਾਰਥ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਅਤੇ ਸੰਤੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਮਿਲਦੀ ਸੀ । ਸਾਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਨਿਰਸਵਾਰਥ ਸੇਵਾ ਦੇਖ ਕੇ , ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ, ਭਾਈ ਜੇਠਾ ਤੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ ਹੋਏ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਪੁੱਤਰੀ ਬੀਬੀ ਭਾਨੀ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਵਿਆਹ ਭਾਈ ਜੇਠਾ ਜੀ ਨਾਲ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਹੋਏ: ਪ੍ਰਿਥੀ ਚੰਦ, ਮਹਾਦੇਵ ਅਤੇ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ।

ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰਗੱਦੀ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਮਿਲੀ ? (How did Guru Ram Das get Guruship in Punjabi?)

ਭਾਈ ਜੇਠਾ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀ ਦੇ ਜਜ਼ਬੇ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਖਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਲਾਂ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਅਤੇ ਪਰਖ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ, ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਨੇ 1574 ਵਿੱਚ ਭਾਈ ਜੇਠਾ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਬਦਲ ਕੇ ਰਾਮ ਦਾਸ (“ਰੱਬ ਦਾ ਸੇਵਕ”) ਰੱਖ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਚੌਥੇ ਗੁਰੂ, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਵਜੋਂ  ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਕੀਤਾ।

ਸਿੱਖ ਧਰਮ ਦਾ ਪਸਾਰ (Expansion of Sikhism in Punjabi)

ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਨਿਰਸਵਾਰਥ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੀ ਵਚਨਬੱਧਤਾ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਰੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿੱਖ ਧਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਫੈਲਾਉਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਭੂਮਿਕਾ ਨਿਭਾਈ। ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਸ਼ਾਸਤਰੀ ਸੰਗੀਤ ਦੇ 30 ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਰਾਗਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਚੇ ਗਏ 638 ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਭਜਨ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਬਾਣੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਰਜ ਹੈ।

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਦੀ ਨੀਂਹ (The foundation of Golden Temple, Amritsar in Punjabi)

ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਹੇਠ, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ (ਗੋਲਡਨ ਟੈਂਪਲ) ਦੀ ਉਸਾਰੀ ਦਾ ਨੀਂਹ ਪੱਥਰ 16 ਅਗਸਤ, 1577 ਨੂੰ ਹਜ਼ਰਤ ਮੀਆਂ ਮੀਰ ਜੀ (ਇੱਕ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਸੰਤ) ਦੁਆਰਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਉਸਾਰੀ ਦਾ ਕੰਮ 1604 ਤੱਕ ਜਾਰੀ ਰਿਹਾ ਜਦੋਂ ਅੰਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ (ਪੰਜਵੇਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ) ਦੁਆਰਾ ਪੂਰਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ।

ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਦੀ ਸਥਾਪਨਾ ਦਾ ਸਿਹਰਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਹੁਣ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਲਈ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਹੈ। ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਸਮਾਗਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਗਾਏ ਗਏ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਸਿੱਧ ਭਜਨ ਵੀ ਲਿਖੇ।

ਲਾਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਚਨਾ (Composition of Lavaan or the Wedding hymns in Punjabi)

ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ ਵਿਚ ਵਰਤੀ ਜਾਨ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਲਾਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ, ਜੋ ਹਰ ਸਿੱਖ ਵਿਆਹ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਪੂਰਨ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਸਿੱਖ ਧਰਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਦੀ ਪਰਿਕਰਮਾ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਰਸਮ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਲਾਵਾਂ ਵਿਆਹੁਤਾ ਜੋੜੇ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਲਈਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ ਸੁੱਖਣਾ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਵਿਆਹ ਨੂੰ ਰਸਮੀ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ।

ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਜੋਤੀ – ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਉਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਉੱਤਰਾਧਿਕਾਰੀ ( Death of Guru Ramdas Ji and his succession in Punjabi)

ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਾਹਿਬ 1 ਸਤੰਬਰ 1581 ਨੂੰ 62 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤ ਸਮਾ ਗਏ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਤਮ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਸਨ: “ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਲਈ ਕੋਈ ਮੌਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਸੱਚੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਟੱਲ ਅਤੇ ਅਮਰ ਹਨ। ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਸੀਸ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਹੋਵੇ।”

ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤ ਸਮਾਉਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ, ਆਪਣੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਛੋਟੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਗਲੇ ਗੁਰੂ – ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਵਜੋਂ ਨਾਮਜ਼ਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ। ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਕੇਵਲ 18 ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਸਨ ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਪੰਜਵੇਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਬਣੇ।

Read more ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਅੰਗਦ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਜੀਵਨੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੀਵਨੀ

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Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Guru Arjan was born in Goindwal, a small town in Amritsar district, on April 15, 1563. He was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Bibi Bhani. As a child, one day he found his way to the bed of Guru Amar Das who was then resting. His mother ran to fetch the child before he could disturb the Guru, but he had already awakened the Guru, who revealed,"Let him come to me; 'yeh mera dohita bani ka bohita howega'- this grandson of mine shall be a ship to take mankind across the ocean of the world." Guru Arjan was married to Ganga, daughter of Krishen Chand, a resident of Meo village near Phillor in Jullundhur district. The marriage took place in 1589 when he was about 26 years old. Guru Ram Das began excavation of two tanks named Santokhsar and Amritsar and started the foundation of the city of Ramdaspur. After his father, Guru Arjan applied himself to the task of completing the tanks and extending the city. It was his practice to go every day and superintend the work.

MASAND SYSTEM:

Guru Nanak during his missionary tours had established Sangats at the various places throughout the country. The connection with the center was kept up by the constant visits of the Sikhs to the Guru. During Guru Amar Das's time the missionary work became more regular and methodical. He divided the Sikh spiritual kingdom into twenty-two Manjis. Guru Ram Das established the nucleus of a new order of missionaries called Masands. The word Masand seems to have come from 'Mas Nad' which is shorter form of 'Masnedi-Ali' or His Excellency, the title which the Mughal Governors often held. The purpose of this organization was to spread the Sikh faith at a rapid pace and also to collect money for the construction of tanks and the city of Ramdaspur. Guru Arjan organized Masand system afresh. He appointed new Masands of integrity and sincerity to look after the secular as well as spiritual affairs of the Sikhs. Masands were required to collect Daswandh (one-tenth of income) from the Sikhs which was then contributed towards the Guru's treasury (Golak) for the maintenance of the Sikh temples. Some writers are of the opinion that Daswandh was raised under compulsion. Daswandh was never raised under any pressure nor it was considered 'a tax'. Whatever the Sikhs contributed or are contributing even today, is totally out of free will, love and devotion.

Masands were required to pay annual visits to Amritsar at the Baisakhi fair to receive instructions from the Guru and to hand over the amount of Daswandh collected. Regular accounts of these offerings were kept and receipts were issued. Apart from financial duties, Masands were vigorous preachers. For the ceremony of initiation the ideal Charanamrit was the one administered by the Guru himself. Since it was not possible for the Guru to be present physically everywhere, the authority was delegated to the local missionaries to enrol new members of the Sikh Sangat by administering Charanamrit prepared by themselves in the prescribed manner. It attracted a large number of converts. During the time of Guru Arjan, there was hardly any place in India where the Sikhs were not found. Masands worked very hard to propagate Sikhism in every corner of the country.

COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION WORK:

Guru Arjan completed the unfinished work of excavation of tanks- Santokhsar and Amritsar. Bhai Buddha being the most trustworthy disciple, was appointed to supervise the work of construction. Santokhsar was completed in 1587-89. Having completed the tank of nectar, the Guru laid down the foundation of Hari Mandar which is now called Golden Temple, in the center of the tank. It is said that the Sikhs represented to the Guru that Hari Mandar should be the tallest building in the neighborhood. The Guru explained,"Hari Mandar should be the lowest because what is humble, shall be exalted. The more a tree is covered with fruit, the more its branches descend to the earth."

Mian Mir, a famous Muslim saint, was a friend and a devotee of the Guru. The Guru asked Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone of Hari Mandar. Thus, Mian Mir laid the brick in January, 1589. The head mason moved the brick to place it in order. Whereupon the Guru prophesied that since the brick was moved by the mason, the foundation of the temple would be laid again in the coming times. His words were subsequently fulfilled as Ahmad Shah Abdali destroyed the temple and desecrated the tank in 1763. However two years later, the great army of the Khalsa recovered possession of the temple, relaid its foundation and reconstructed it.

Hindu temples were closed on three sides and their entrances were generally towards the east while Muslim mosques had entrances towards the west. Hari Mandar, the holy Sikh temple had entrance on all four sides. This denotes that God was in all the directions; and secondly four doors in the four directions (east, west, north and south) meant that all the four castes would have equal access to the temple. Whereas the Hindu temples were only open to the chosen classes, the Golden temple was open to all who would seek God. Muslim mosques were open only to Muslim men, the Golden temple was open equally to all men, women and children, irrespective of caste, creed, race, color, sex, religion or nationality. The Adi Granth, Sikh holy Scripture, was placed in the center of the temple.

When the construction of the tank and the temple was completed, Guru Arjan uttered the following Sabad in joy and gratitude:

"The Creator stood in the midst of the work,

And not a hair of any man's head was touched.

The Guru maketh my ablution successful.

And by repeating God's Name, sins shall depart.

saints, Ramdas tank is beautiful,

He who batheth in it shall save himself and the souls of his family.

The whole world shall congratulate him,

And he shall obtain the reward his heart desireth.

He who while meditating on his God

Cometh to bathe here shall be made safe and whole.

He who batheth in the saints' tank

Shall obtain final salvation. Meditating on God's Name,

He shall not suffer transmigration.

He to whom God is merciful Knoweth divine knowledge.

His cares and anxieties shall depart

Who seeketh the protection of Baba Nanak and God."

(Sorath Mohalla 5, p-623)

Golden Temple, Amritsar

NOTE: It should be pointed out here that bathing alone in the tank of Golden Temple cannot give the desired salvation. The above Sabad should not be taken for any pilgrimage of rituals. It does not mean a mere journey to holy place. Sikh faith rejects all ceremonial acts. In fact there are two tanks in Amritsar- outer tank and inner tank. First one is the outer tank full of water. It is customary for a Sikh to take bath every morning- to clean and purify his body before going in the 'presence of God', that is meditation. Thus outer tank in Amritsar serves that purpose. A Sikh's mission does not complete here. Guru Amar Das confirms this:

'If mind is sinful, everything is sinful,

By washing the body, mind will not become pure.'

(Wadhans Mohalla 3, p-558)

Then there is the inner tank called Hari Mandar. That tank is 'Gurbani'- Guru Granth Sahib which is full of 'Praise and Prayer'- NAM. After washing outerself in the outer tank, a Sikh goes to the inner tank to cleanse his sinful mind in the tank of Nam. That is what Guru Nanak calls pilgrimage:

"Pilgrimage is Nam.."

(Dhanasri Mohalla 1 Chhant, p-687)

Without Nam immersing in water countless times, will not deliver salvation. This process of cleansing sinful mind in the inner tank of Nam is the pre-requisite for spiritual growth. It leads to graduation to spiritual consciousness- a breakthrough to Eternal illumination. After cleaning his inner and outer-self, a Sikh realizes the glory of Nam and enters a stage of eternal bliss, and thereby merges with the Eternal Being. A body is dead without life, and life itself is dead without Nam.

What is then Amritsar?

Then there was no sign of the city of Amritsar, Guru Nanak asked his disciples to bathe in 'Amritsar':

"Bikhia mal jai amritsar navo Gur santokh paya."

(Maru Mohalla 1, p-1043)

'All sins are washed away by bathing in Amritsar And by Guru's grace, contentment is obtained.'

(Translation of the above)

"Gur sagar amritsar, jo echhai so phal pai."

(Maru Mohalla 1, p-1011-12) 'Divine Word (Gurbani) is Amritsar Whosoever batheth in it, will get his

desire fulfilled.'

"Untar nirmal amritsar nai." (Asa Mohalla 3, p-363)

'Impurities of mind are washed away by bathing in Amritsar.'

"Undro trisna agan bujhi Har amritsar nata."

(Mohalla 3-pauri, p-510)

'The inner fire of desires gone When bathed in Amritsar.'

"Meil gaee man nirmal hoa Amritsar tirath nai."

(Mohalla 3, p-587)

'Impurities gone and mind becometh pure When batheth in the pilgrimage of Amritsar.'

All the above verses of Guru Nanak and Guru Amar Das give reference of 'Amritsar' when there was no trace of the city or the tank of Amritsar. That means that Amritsar actually and literally means Tank of Nectar which is Gurbani, the Divine Word. Thus pilgrimage of Amritsar means the pilgrimage of one's mind in the Divine Word, the NAM. Without Nam, bathing hundreds of times cannot purge mind of its impurities and therefore salvation cannot be achieved:

"Mal haumai dhoti kivai na uterai je sau tirath nai."

(Sri Rag Mohalla 3, p-39)

The Guru says that without Nam, all other acts to attain salvation, are futile:

"Nam bina phokat sabh karma jiun bajigar bharm bhulai."

(Parbhati Mohalla 1, p-1343)

'Without Nam, all acts are futile As an actor's role in drama, maketh him not real.'

When the tank and the temple were completed, there were great rejoicing. The enormous exertions and sacrifices were made by the Sikhs. The Guru honored all those Sikhs who had put in dedicated service to ensure the completion of the projects. Eminent among those people were: Bhai Buddha, Bhai Bhagtu, Bhai Bahla, Bhai Kalyana, Bhai Ajab, Bhai Ajaib, Bhai Umar Shah, Bhai Sangho, Bhai Salho and Bhai Jetha. Bhai Buddha was made incharge of the Hari Mandar. Bhai Bhagtu was instructed to preach Sikh doctrine in the Malwa region and Bhai Salho was made the superintendent of the city to look after its development. City of Ramdaspur was, in the course of time, called Amritsar. Because of Guru's residence and the central place of worship, Amritsar became the center of the Sikh activities.