Life and Teaching of  SRI GURU RAM Ji DAS JI ON HIS 490th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

(was on OCTOBER 19, 2024)

 Sri Guru Ram Das Ji was born in Chuna Mandi Bazaar, Lahore (now in

Pakistan) on September 24, 1534. The existing Gurdwara called Gurdwara Janam

Asthan Sri Guru Ram Das Ji has been built at the place of the earlier Gurdwara in

Multan Mohalla Kucha Jamadaran, walled city of Lahore (Pakistan). His early name

was Jetha Ji. He was born and spent his early childhood at this place. He lost both of

his parents when he was seven years old and went to stay with his maternal

grandmother at Basarke, the birth place of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji. He sold boiled corn

to earn his livelihood. At the age of 12 years he moved to Khadur Sahib with some

Sikhs and then onwards to Goindwal Sahib. At Goindwal Sahib he served Sri Guru

Amar Das Ji and the sangat with so much dedication that Sri Guru Amar Das Ji,

ignoring his sons Mohan and Mohari declared him as the fourth Guru of the Sikhs.

He got married to Bibi Bhani Ji on February 18, 1554, the daughter of Sri Guru

Amardas Ji. The couple decided to stay in Goindwal Sahib. As per the instructions of

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji to establish a new habitation he established a village where

now stands Sri Darbar Sahib. He started digging of the Sarovar which was further

expanded by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He was a poet of high merit. Sri Guru Granth

Sahib includes his 638 hymns in 30 different musical measures. His hymns are

divinely inspired. The most common hymns relate to the desired daily routine of a  

Sikh and lavaan, which are recited to solemnize a wedding. He says my mind is

pierced by His arrows. I cut off my head and put it at the feet of those who have met

God and can make me meet Him. He left for his heavenly abode on November 1,

1581 after declaring Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji as the next Guru.

INTRODUCTION

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji the fourth spiritual mentor of the Sikh 's was born in

Lahore (Pakistan) on September 24, 1534 (1, 2, 5, 6)

At his birth place now exists Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sri Guru Ram Das

Ji, Chuna Mandi, Lahore (Pakistan). This Gurdwara exists at the place of the earlier

Gurdwara, Gurdwara Janam Asthan of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji in Multan Mohalla

Kucha Jamandaran, walled city of Lahore (Pakistan). According to Encyclopaedia of

Sikhism, Part III, (1997) this is where Sri Guru Ram Das Ji was born and spent his

childhood. (1, 2, 9) This Gurdwara was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh on the request

of the Sangat in 1801 at the birth anniversary of their son Kanwar Kharak Singh. The

sangat requested Maharaja Ranjit Singh to build this Gurdwara and he acceded to

their request. Until 1801 the earlier Gurdwara existed. Maharaja Ranjit Singh bought

the land surrounding the previous Gurdwara and built the new Gurdwara. [1] But

according to Shah and Kazi [8] the new Gurdwara was built by Maharani Nakain,

wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to celebrate the birth of their son Kanwar Kharak

Singh'.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The name "Ram Das" translates as the servant or slave of God (Ram = God,

Das = slave). During his childhood Ram Das Ji was called Jetha Ji which means the

first born. His father Hari Das Ji was a shopkeeper and his mother was Bibi Anup

Devi Ji also known as Bibi Daya Kaur Ji. He was the only child of his parents who

belonged to Sodhi family of the Khatri caste.

When he was seven years old, he lost both of his parents. He went to live with

his maternal grandmother who lived in her village Basarke, the ancestral village of

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji [6, 10]. To earn his livelihood he sold boiled corn and sold it in

the market place. It is believed that very often he gave away this food to hungry

persons free of cost.

In 1746, when he was 12 years of age he travelled to Khadur Sahib with some

Sikhs and thereafter he went to Goindwal Sahib, which was a new habitation

founded by Sri Guru Amar Das Ji the same year as per the instructions of Sri Guru

Angad Dev Ji (1504-1552). Sri Guru Amar Das Ji recognised his talent, selfless

service and gave away their daughter Bibi Bhani Ji (Born 1533) in marriage to him

on 18 February, 1554 [6,]. Sri Guru Amar Das Ji had four children two sons Mohri

and Mohan and two daughters Bibi Dani Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji. Ram Das Ji and his

wife Bibi Bhani Ji decided to settle in Goindwal Sahib instead of returning to Lahore

so that they could live near Sri Guru Amar Das Ji. They gave birth to three sons

Prithi Chand (1558), Mahadev (1560) and (Guru) Arjan Dev Ji (1563) [1]. By this

time, he was called Ram Das Ji and not Jetha Ji. 

SERVICE OF SRI GURU AMAR DAS JI

At the age of 12 he travelled to Khadur Sahib with some Sikhs and then to

Goindwal Sahib. By the time, he reached Goindwal Sahib he understood the tenants

of Sikhism and was a staunch follower of Sikhism. Along with serving Sri Guru Amar

Das Ji he served the sangat with dedication and catered to the needs of the sangat.

Once Sri Guru Amar Das Ji sent him to Lahore to meet the Mughal Emperor

Akbar to clarify the doubts and objections of Brahmans. Brahmans were objecting

that people from all castes were allowed to sit together to partake off food in the

langar ignoring the traditional religious and caste differences. Ram Das Ji told Akbar

that all people are equal in the eyes of God. Akbar was pleased with this answer and

dismissed the complaint of the Brahmans [1]

ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW TOWN

Before Ram Das Ji became the Guru, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji instructed him to

establish a new town and construct a pool at the central place. A site was selected.

40 kms north-west of Goindwal. One author says that the land was bought from the

farmers of Tung village [1] but another author says the land was taken from the

village of Gumtala and Sultanwind [6] and established a village in 1631.

About the procurement of land there are two versions. One version reported in

the Amritsar District Gazetteer is that 500 bighas were purchased from the land

owners of village Tung for 700 Akbari rupees. The other version is that Emperor

Akbar offered the land to Sri Guru Amar Das Ji but he refused. Therefore, Akbar

gave this land as a gift to Bibi Bhani Ji who in turn donated this land to the growing

Sikh community.

PROCLAIMED AS THE NEXT GURU

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji was very much impressed by his humility, dedicated

service and steadfastness and therefore he decided to establish him as the next

Guru before leaving for his heavenly abode. On September 1, 1574 he called all his

relatives and followers at the place now called Guriai Asthan in Gurdwara Sri

Chaubara Sahib, Goindwal Sahib and announced that Ram Das Ji will be the next

Guru. Ignoring his sons Baba Mohan and Baba Mohri he proclaimed that Ram Dass

Ji will be the next spiritual mentor of the Sikhs. His younger son Baba Mohri Ji

bowed and touched the feet of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji. After this everyone bowed and

touched the feet of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, into whom.  

(SGGS, P923-924)

It was on September 1, 1574 that Sri Guru Ram Das ji was proclaimed

Guru. This year i.e. 2024 falls his 450th Gurgaddi Anniversary. Sri Guru Amar

Das Ji infused his essence in Him. From then onwards Sri Guru Ram Das Ji carried

the spiritual authority of the Sikhs for seven years until he left for his heavenly abode

on November 1, 1581. 

CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAROVAR OF SRI DARBAR SAHIB

Under the instructions of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, Ram Das Ji, founded the new

habitation in the form of a villages which is now called Amritsar.

It is believed that when Ram Das Ji was digging the Sarovar at Amritsar some

Sikhs approached him to visit his birth place in Lahore. He went to Lahore and

converted his ancestral house into a Dharamshala [6].

The town was first called Guru Ka Chak (the Guru's village) then Ramdaspur

(the city of Ram Das) and finally Amritsar (the pool of Nectar), The merchants of

different trades were invited from distant places to come here and gradually the town

grew into a centre of commerce and more significantly a place of pilgrimage

attraction.

In order to finance the construction of the tank and to provide langar i.e.

community kitchen Sri Guru Ram Das Ji organised a network of Sikhs to collect

offerings. [1]

GURIAI ASTHAN SRI GURU RAM DAS JI, GURDWARA CHAUBARA SAHIB JI

Guriai Asthan Sri Guru Ram Das Ji marks the spot where Sri Guru Ram Das

Ji was anointed Guru. A brass plate donated by the descendants of Sri Guru Amar

Das Ji in 1920 has etched on it the scene of the ceremony in which Bhai Gurdas Ji is

holding a whisk over the head of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, Baba Buddha Ji is putting the

saffron mark on his head and Sri Guru Amar Das Ji is standing behind Baba Buddha

Ji, Baba Mohri Ji is touching the feet of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji. Baba Mohan is sitting

in meditation on a deer – skin, next to them are figures of 22 prominent Sikhs on

whom Sri Guru Amar Das Ji had bestowed manjis, the insignia of appointment as

preachers in their respective districts.

According to Sarna (2024) also the picture installed at the Guriai Asthan

shows Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, Baba Buddha Ji, Baba Mohri and 22 Sikh's who were

allotted by Sri Guru Amar Das Ji Manjees close to the west of Guriai Asthan there is

a small place of marble where Sri Guru Amar Das Ji left for his heavenly abode on

September 1, 1574.

At the same place after seven years on Nov 1, 1581 Sri Guru Ram Das Ji left

for his heavenly abode.

LITERARY PURSUITS

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji was a poet of high merit. In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, his

638 hymns in 30 different rages (musical measures) are included. He praises God.

His poetry is divinely inspired.

His most often quoted composition is the instructions about daily practice of a

Sikh-rising early in the morning before dawn, bathing and meditating on God with the

coming of the light. He says that one who recites the Nam in his heart all through the

day with each breath is the most deer disciple of the Guru. Such a person wins the

favour of the Supreme Lord. He further adds that I seek the very dust of the feet of

such a person, who himself recites Nam and inspires others to do so. Sri Guru Ram  

Das Ji defines a Sikh by what he does and not what he is by birth (SGGS, P365).

The best known of his compositions comprising four stanzas is Lavaan which is a

wedding hymn and is sung to solemnize the marriage of a couple. [773-774]

He retired to Goindwal Sahib and left for his heavenly abode there on

November 1, 1581 after appointing Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji as the next Guru. His

poetry expresses profound humility and joyful exaltation of a person meeting God.

(SGGS, P835).

He says inside I am thirsty for God. The God has welled up deep within me.

Hearing the words of the Guru's Teachings my mind is pierced by his arrows. I cut off

my head and put it at the feet of that one who has met God and can make me meet

Him too. (SGGS, 836).

His poetry expresses humility and the joyful exaltation of a person meeting

God. who is longing to meet the Almighty.

(SGGS 835-36)

KHUH SRI GURU RAM DAS JI:

Akala Chalana Sahib Bhai Gurdas Ji is the sign for a separate Gurdwara, to

the west of Sri Chaubara Sahib commemorating Bhai Gurdas Ji who died here and

Guru Ram Das Ji da Khuh or well sunk by him which is still preserved in the

compound in front of the Gurdwara Shree Akal Chalana Asthaan of Bhai Gurdas Ji.

PRAISE OF SRI GURU RAM DAS JI BY THE BHATTS

Balvand and Satta who composed an ode of praise of singing say Blessed,

blessed is Guru Ram Das Ji. You are name of Lahina you are Amar Das now, the

miracle is complete, the Creator adores you.

(SGGS P967-968)

The Bhatts have praised Sri Guru Ram Das Ji. Bhat Kall says (SGGS, 1398)

You are invested with the regal dignity and divinity.

Kall (SGGS 1397) says Guru Ram Das, the son of Har Das, fills the empty

pools to overflowing.

(SGGS, P1397)

Bhatt Kall says O Guru Ram Das. You abide in the sacred pool of intuitive

peace and poise. He also says you have attained the status of eternal and

imperishable dignity.

(SGGS, P1397-1398)

O Guru Ram Das you have attained the Lord, the saving grace of the world.

(SGGS, P1397)

He also says you have attained the state of fearless immortality.

(SGGS, P1397)

O! Guru Ram Das you alone is enlightened and know the taste of Raja and

Yoga (P1398).

Bhat Kall (SGGS, 1398) says I run to the sanctuary of the Great Guru,

attached to the Guru they are blessed with wordly enjoyments, liberation and

everything.

6

(SGGS, 1398)

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji says the name of the Lord, Har, Har is pleasing to my

mind.

(SGGS, P94)

Sri Guru Das Ji praises the saints who remember God in their hearts and has

criticised others who have forgotten God (SGGS, P 776). He says O Powerful Guru

please place your hand upon my Head.

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji praises Sri Guru Ram Das Ji

ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਰੋਵਰਿ ਨਾਤੇ।।

ਸਭ ਉਤਰੇ ਪਾਪ ਕਮਾਤੇ।।

(SGGS, P 625)

Guru Ram Das of the Sodhi dynasty has now become blessed with Glorious

Greatness, to carry the whole world across. Bhatt Kirat says O Guru Ram Das save

me. Take me to your sanctuary.

ਇਕ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਭਾਟ ਕੀਰਤ ਕੀ

ਗੁਰ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਧਰਣਾਈ

(SGGS, P 1406)

Bhatt Kall says that a person who remembers the Guru in his heart does not

enter the cycle of birth and death.

(SGGS, 1390)

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1565-1606) has described Ramdaspur as a city par

excellence. I have seen all places, but I have seen none other like this.

(SGGS, P1362)

In 1880 Sri Guru Ram Das Ji's first cousin Sahari Mal came from Lahore to

invite Guru Sahib to attend the marriage of his son. Sri Guru Ram Das Ji was busy in

the construction of Sarovar. So he asked his three sons Prithi Chand, Mahadev and

Arjan Dev Ji to attend the marriage on his behalf - Prithi Chand and Mahadev both

refused to go to Lahore. Arjan Dev Ji was very obedient and agreed to go to Lahore.

He asked him to stay in Lahore for some time to consolidate the Sikh religion. After

some time Arjan Dev Ji missed his father Guru and wrote a letter in verse expressing

his longing to return to Amritsar. Prithi Chand intercepted this letter as well as the

second letter and concealed them. The third letter which was marked No.3 however

was received by Sri Guru Ram Das Ji himself and thus the deception of Prithi Chand

was discovered. Arjan Dev Ji was called back to Amritsar where he composed the

fourth stanza of the previous letters in spiritual idiom in which he had praised his

father and expressed his longing to meet him. These poems are present in SGGS on

pages [96-97].

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji decided to pass on the light of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on

Arjan Dev Ji and bestowed Guruship on him. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji was thus

proclaimed as the fifth spiritual mentor of the Sikhs. Shortly thereafter he retired to

Goindwal Sahib where he left for his heavenly abode on November 1, 1581.

The name of Amritsar in pure terminology will remain a living monument in the

sacred memory of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji.

This year i.e., in 2024 490 th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji was

celebrated on October 19 by Sikh Sangat all over the world.

DHAN DHAN SRI GURU RAM DAS JI!