Ten Gurus

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GURU AMAR DAS JI

(1552-1574)

Being true to the principle of his great Master, Guru Angad Dev Ji, in preference to his own sons, bestowed his apostolic blessings upon aged Amar Das Ji, an ardent and devoted follower to be the 3^rd Guru in succession. Amar Das Ji was 73 when he was ordained as Guru. He was of so good a disposition that whenever a religious assembly was collected, invariably he was there, and to the best of his ability and capacity performed the service of God with deep affection. Under the sheltering guidance and love of Guru Amar Das Ji, the new resurgent community grew from strength to strength. The Sikhs started flocking to the Guru from near and far flung areas.

Guru Angad Dev Ji’s son Datu, however, protested the decision of his father. He set himself up as Guru at Khadur, as successor to Guru Angad Dev Ji . But nobody cared to visit him. Infuriated, he went to Goindwal along with a few followers and assaulted and kicked Guru Amar Das Ji. Instead of feeling annoyed, Guru Ji caressed the feet of Datu as it might have been hurt while hitting the stiff bones of an old man. But this had no effect on cold and callous Datu. He desperately tried to establish himself as the Guru, but was met only with disdain and contempt.

As per the wishes of Guru Angad Dev Ji , Guru Amar Das Ji shifted to Goindwal and set up traditional free kitchen (Langar) where everyone irrespective of caste and creed was welcom. Rather it was made obligatory on all those seeking the Guru’s guidance to first eat in the Langar and then go to see him. This helped a lot in eradicating the caste system and fostered communal harmony. In tune with the spirit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, he likewise pronounced that ‘the true Sati was she whom grief and not flame consumed and that the affected should seek consolation with the God'. Thus discountenancing a perverse custom, the Guru led the way to amendment by persuasion rather than by enactment. The Guru also laid emphasis on physical fitness, for he said that human body was the temple of God. It was a valuable gift of God and must not be spoilt by bad habits.

The Guru was an embodiment of peace, conciliation and harmony. "Even if somebody harms you, saints won’t take revenge", he stressed. According to Guru Amar Das Ji , "there is no greater penance than patience, no greater happiness than contentment, no greater evil than greed, no greater virtue than mercy, and no more potent weapon than forgiveness." With unflinching resolve, he tried to eliminate caste distinction among his Sikhs. Guru Ji told them: "This body is composed of five elements. It is subject to hunger, thirst, joy, sorrow, birth and death. It perishes and no caste goes with the soul to the next world. They who are honoured and exalted in God’s court are those whose minds are humble, who have renounced falsehood, fraud, slander, deceit, hypocrisy and ingratitude."

So much revered and respected was the Guru that even Emperor Akbar once visited Goindwal to pay homage to Guru Amar Das Ji. As per the tradition even the Emperor had to partake food in the Langar. Akbar sat with the lowliest of the low and ate with them to meet the Guru. So much impressed and moved Akbar was that he offered to grant a jagir to the Guru for the maintenance of langar. But the Guru would not agree. Akbar then found a way out and said to the Guru: "I can, at least, present a few villages to your daughter, Bhani, who is as much my daughter, as a wedding gift." Guru Ji could not refuse. Later the Guru handed over the formal papers of the Jagir to Bhai Jetha, his son-in-law.

Guru Amar Das Ji built the very large baoli (a very large well with steps leading down to it), which is in Goindwal. It is said that whoever sits on every one of its eighty-four steps and bathes at them and shall, at each step, repeat in full the Japji Sahib, will be freed from passing through the births and deaths of the eighty-four lakhs of living things and will go to heaven.

At that baoli, every year, a large fair takes place, and many people recite the Japji Sahib in full in that way at each of the eighty-four steps. Guru Ji having bestowed salvation on many people, at last in the year 1574 reached his full age. He consolidated the Sikh community to new heights. He inculcated in his followers the virtues of simple living and the service of the people in a spirit of humility and devotion to God.