GURU RAM DAS JI

(1574-81)

Guru Ram Das Ji was a Sodhi Khatri. His father Hari Das and mother Anup Devi, also known as Daya Kaur, were pious and God-fearing couple and had been leading a modest and simple life in Lahore. After twelve long years of prayers, they were blessed with a son in the year 1534. They named him Ram Das, though he was customarily known as Jetha, the first born. Jetha was of fair complexion and extremely handsome. His parents were eager that Jetha should join some good and respectable vocation, but he was always fond of the company of pious and holy men. And as he grew older, his attachment with the holy and godly men also grew. To supplement their income, the parents gave a sack of roasted gram to Jetha to sell it. Jetha went to the bank of the river Ravi and fed the grams to almost starving and esurient holy men who had not eaten anything on that day. He then noticed that a band of Sikhs was going to Goindwal to pay homage to Guru Amar Das. Instead of coming back home, Jetha joined their company and reached Goindwal Sahib.

A large number of persons coming from far off places used to visit Guru Amar Das at Goindwal almost daily. This assemblage from Lahore also reached the place and visited the Guru. Guru Ji instantly spotted a handsome youth called Jetha. He was bubbling with zest and gusto and some curious sparkle and hypnotic glow was in his eyes. He was the personification of devotion and dedication. While giving him spiritual assurance, Guru Ji said to him, "If you have come seeking, then true sovereignty awaits you." He uncomplainingly and unfailingly gave a helping hand wherever and whenever required and looked after the personal comforts of the Guru. His unique and unsurpassed assiduousness and devotion earned him the hand of the Guru’s dearly loved younger daughter Bibi Bhani. Even after marriage he served his master with utmost dedication.

As per the tradition established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the best and the most deserving was ordained as the Guru. Accordingly, Guru Amar Das Ji chose Ram Das Ji, his son-in-law as his successor and was ordained the 4^th Guru in 1574. The spirit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji passing from Guru Angad  Dev Ji to Guru Amar Das Ji passed on to Guru Ram Das Ji, so that to not a few they appeared to be one another’s image. This Guru Ram Das Ji was a very humble and a good holy man and having obtained the greatness of Guruship did not become proud. His disposition was very gentle and he used always agreeably to the custom of Guru Nanak Dev Ji . Once Baba Sri Chand, one of the two sons of Guru Nanak Dev Ji who had turned an Udasi, a recluse and roamed all over the country came to see Guru Ram Das Ji. He was amazed by the Guru’s close resemblance to his own father. He looked at the saintly beard of Guru Ram Das Ji and with disdain enquired from the Guru, "Why do you have such a long flowing beard?" The Guru was aware that it was the old grouse and not curiosity that prompted Baba Sri Chand to ask this question. In all humility, the Guru replied, "I have let it grow to wipe off the dust of your feet with." Baba Sri Chand felt embarrassed. He said to Guru, "Brother! You people, having spoken such words of love and devotion, have obtained the badge of Guruship and we, who are sons, by reason of pride, have been deprived of it."

Consistent with the earlier practice, Guru Ram Das Ji shifted to a new place and started building a new township and also started digging a tank on the jagir gifted to Bibi Bhani by Emperor Akbar. This new township is what came to be known as Amritsar—the pool of immortality, or the tank of nectar. This has become the most sacred city of the Sikhs.

The Guru was barely 47 years old when he left this terrestrial world forever in the year 1581, having ordained the Guruship to his youngest son Arjun Dev. His dream to complete the holy tank and starting construction of the Golden Temple was fulfilled by his successor.