Sri Guru Ramdas Ji

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Sri Guru Ram Das Ji
Sri Guru Ram Das ji was born on Friday, October 9th
1534, at Chuna Mandi, Lahore, Punjab
(Present day in Pakistan). Guruji's original name was Bhai Jetha. He lost his mother Mata Daya
ji at a very early age of 7 years and after some time sadly his father Haridas Ji also passed
away.
He was brought up by his great maternal mother (Nani Ji) in the village Baserke (Dist. Amritsar)
He used to earn his lively hood by selling soaked beans (Ghungarnia). Village Baserke was the
birthplace of 3rd
Sikh Guru Amardas Ji, therefore a lot of people from his ancestral village use to

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visit him at Govindwal. Bhai Jetha Ji at the age of 18 years in 1552 AD moved to Govindwal in
the service of Guru Amardas Ji.
One day when Mata Ram Kaur Ji, wife of Guru Ramdas Ji was discussing about marrying her
daughter Bibi Bhani Ji with the Guru Ji, Bhai Jetha happen to come to seek blessing of Guru
Ramdas Ji. Seeing him she expressed her feeling to the Guru “how lovely it would be if my son-
in law is as handsome and strong like Bhai Jeta Ji”. Guru Ji immediately said why do we have to
look elsewhere, why not him. On the apprehension of Mata Ji about his poverty and one who
does not have any immediate family, Guru Ji said the day is not far when his name and fame
will be known all over and he alone will feed the entire humanity.
They married their daughter Bibi Bhani Ji with him in March 1553. Jetha Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji had
three sons Prithi Chand, Mahadev and (Guru) Arjan Dev Ji. Bibi Bhani Ji along with Bhai Jeta Ji
devoted a lot of her time in Sewa of Guru Amardas ji and Sikh Sangat. Guru Amardas Ji was
loved them as well, he transferred 500 Bigha of land given by Badshah Akabar on their names.
Baba Buda Ji looked after this piece of land and its produce was used for langer. Bhai Jetha ji
remained in the service (Sewa) of Guru Ji for over 22 years before he was chosen to be next
guru.
He represented Guru Amar Das ji before the Mughal’s royal court to defend charges made by
some persons saying some of the wording in the Sikh teachings maligne both the Hindu and the
Muslim religions. He explained that "Birth and caste are of no avail before God. It is one’s deeds
which make or unmake a man. To exploit ignorant people with superstitions and to call it religion
is a sacrilege against God and man. Impressed by the tenets of Sikhism Emperor Akbar
dismissed all of the charges.
Bhai Jetha ji became the 4th
guru of Sikhs at the age of 36 years 10 month on Monday 16th
September 1574. During this short span of time Guru Ramdas Ji's gave a distinct value to
Sikhism. Some of his important contributions are as follows:
• Building City of Amritsar: Guru Amardas Ji about 4 years before leaving this world
(Jyoti Jot) asked Bhai Jetha Ji to plan and built a new township of Ramdaspur at the
designated site. in 1570 AD. Guru Ramdas Ji with the help of Baba Budha Ji and Bhai
Behlo Ji started work on a sarowar (pool) known as Santhoksar. In early1574 a few
months before death of Guru Amardas ji, he bought 500 bighas of land for the new
township from the Landlords of the Village Tung for Akbari – Rs 700. and started work

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for building a new township which was known as Ramdas Chak or Guru Ka Chak. It was
in 1575 after becoming Guru, he moved with his family to this new town. It took a few
years to complete major work of construction which included place of residence, market
and other amenities to sustain a town. Later this city became famous as Sri Amritsar
Sahib. He had invited people of 52 different types of skills like Iron Smith, Carpenters,
Gold Smiths, Weavers, Tailors, Leather, Potters, Masons, Brick kilns workers etc. to
settle down at Ramdaspur. They were provided all the necessary help and finances as
well. Soon it became a self-sustained nucleus township. The town buzzed with activity
due to it developed and business activities. The city now was in the route of business
people form far off places like Tibet, Afghanistan, Iran and central India.
Construction of the new city was a message to masses that one can remain a religious
person while involving himself in daily routine of life and living with family. Sikhs were
now being good tradesman as well, this helped improve their financial independence.
• Started construction of Sarowasr (pond) at the present site of Sri Harmandir
Sahib: Guru Ram Das ji, while continuing the building of the city of Ramdaspur (the
abode of Ram Das), started digging the second sacred pool in 1577 at the site. This holy
tank was completed by Guru Arjun Dev Ji and he constructed Harimandar Sahib in the
center of Sarowar also known as Golden Temple.

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• Gurbani: There are 688 Hymns of Guru Ramdas ji in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Guru
Granth Sahib (Page 305) described the morning activity of one who calls himself a Sikh
of the true Guru (God) as under:
“One who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru shall get up early morning and
meditate on the Lord'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.”
• He continued the 22 Manjis established to Guru Amardas Ji. However, to make them
more accountable he appointed Masand’s (person of respect from the society) to
coordinate their activity and establish direct communication with the Sangat. It was their
duty to collect Daswand (10th
part of offering of devotees) and ensure depositing it with
Guru. The money thus collected was used for various welfare works for the society.
These works were done without any financial help from the rulers a perfect example of
state with in state which find no parallel in the history of India and the world.
• Guru Ramdas ji focused on having a strong control on all the activities such as religious,
society development projects, accountability of appointed personnels and
communication with all. He like many philosophers of the world was a strong believer of
a strong center to ensure development od society.
• He was a strong advocate of establishing a common religious ceremony for all. He
formally established marriage “Anaand Karaj” ceremony for Sikhs. During Anand Karaj
the couple circumscribe the Guru Granth Sahib ji as each four stanzas in rag Suhi are
read and sung in the form of Keertan. Each shlokas of Lawan contain message to the
couple as under:
1 The first is about the Divine consent for commencing the house holder’s life
through marriage.
2 The second is that the union of the couple has been brought about by God.
3 In the third the couple is described as the most fortunate as they have sung the
praises of the Lord in the company of saints.
4 The fourth is about the feeling of the couple that they have obtained their hearts'
desire and are being congratulated.

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Effectively, the Guru defines a Sikh marriage in these two lines: "They are not said to be
husband and wife who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and
wife, who have one soul in two bodies."
• Continuing work on common religious practices Guru Ram Das ji asked the Sikhs to
start all their new works by reciting the Gurbani and performing Ardas.
“Whatever work thou desirest to do, tell that to the Lord.
He shall accomplish thy affair. The True Guru bears true testimony to it.
By the company of saints, thou shall taste the treasure of Name Nectar.”
Pauri : Sri Rag Ki war (91)
• Guru Ramdas ji said that one could fulfill one's life not merely by quiet meditation, but by
actively participating in public life, building vibrant society where people share joys and
sorrows of others. He preached that social awakening alone could also get rid of the
Anger (malady), Ego, and end their Spiritual loneliness.
The other important events form his lifetime are as enumerated under:
• Visit of Akbar to meet Guru Ramdas Ji: During the year 1579 Akbar Badshah while
returning from Kabul came to meet Guru Ramdas Ji. He offered 101 Mohr as Najrana to
the Guru. His youngest son (Guru) Arjan Dev ji distributed them to the poor and needy
immediately. When Akbar wanted to offer more help, Guru Ji politely declined and said
this place will flourish with the Daswand of Sikhs and there service, there will be no
shortage ever. Badsha was pleased to have met Guru Ramdas Ji.
• Meeting with Sri Chand: Guru Ramdas ji was very humble man his love for humanity
was known world over. Once Baba Sri Chand Ji son of Guru Nanak Dev ji came to visit
Guru Ramdas ji he asked him why he has kept such a long beard ? Guru Ram Das ji
replied; "To wipe the dust off the feet of holy men like yourself" and then he proceeded
to perform this supreme act of humility. Baba Sri Chand held his hand and embraced
Guru Ram Das ji saying; "It's enough. He smiled and said “this kindness in your
character has deprived me of my ancestral heritage.”
• Prithi Chand's deception: Guru Ramdas Ji’s first cousin Sahari Mal came to invite the
Guru to visit Lahore in connection with the marriage of his son. The Guru being much
too busy with his work promised to send one of his sons instead. Guru’s Eldest son Prithi
Chand who had interest in worldly things refused saying he is involved in many others
activity. Baba Mahadev Ji also declined was not interested as he always remained away

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from worldly affairs. Then Guru Ji asked his youngest son Arjan Dev to attend, which he
did with grace and humility. (Guru) Arjun Dev ji remained in Lahore for over two years
where he preached about Sikhism.
• (Guru) Arjun Dev Ji’s Letters: (Guru) Arjan Dev remained at Lahore as his father had
asked him to remain there and to take charge of the needs and education of the Sikhs in
Lahore, his father's ancestral home. Two years later, feeling intensely homesick, (Guru)
Arjan Dev composed a poem of love and devotion and sent it to Guru Ramdas ji. This
poem along with another one, sent a few months later were intercepted by his elder
brother Prithi Chand who made sure his father never received them. Finally, Arjan wrote
a third poem marking it with the number 3 and gave strict instructions to the messenger
to give it to the Guru personally.
“My mind longs for the Blessed Vision of the Guru's Darshan.
It cries out like the thirsty song-bird.
My thirst is not quenched, and I can find no peace, without the
Blessed Vision of the Beloved Saint. ||1||
I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice,
To the Blessed Vision of the Beloved Saint Guru.”
(SGGS, Raag Maajh, Pannaa 96)
Receiving this poem, Guru Ramdas ji seeing the number 3 (three) sensed that there
must have been two earlier letters. Aware of the jealousy of his eldest son, he
confronted Prithi Chand asking him if he knew anything about the previous letters. At
first, Prithi Chand denied but seeing the insistence of the Guru and the consequences of
his refusal to obey him, he finally confessed his treachery and produced the two earlier
letters. When Guru Ram Das ji read them, he was moved to tears by the humility and
sincerity of his son Arjan's compositions. (Note: Some Historians write that this Shabad
was recited after Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s Guruship and earlier he has send a birds
(Chatrik’s) sketch to draw Guru Ramdas Ji’s attention to his feelings.)
• Gurta Gaddi to Guru Arjun Dev Ji: Guru Ramdas ji asked Baba Buddha to go to
Lahore and come back along with his son Arjan Dev with full honors. On his return the
Guru Ramdas declared him as his successor. Prithi Chand's did not accept his father's
choice and continued to misbehave and abuse Guru Arjan Dev ji. Eventually Guru Ram

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Das ji had to publicly condemn his son Prithi Chand for his actions. He left Amritsar for
Goindwal sahib where he left for heavenly abode on September 16th
, 1581 ( He lived
for 47 years 10 months 16 days).
==========
Written By:
Commander Balvir Singh
balvir57@gmail.com
Date: 26/05/2023
Bibliography:
1. Sikh History – Prof Kartar Singh, MA. Edition Jan 1992.
2. Sada Itihas : Principal Satbir Singh. 10th
Edition – 2004
3. Twarik Klhalsa- Giani Gian Singh edition-1993
4. http://www.sikhismguide.org
5. https://www.sikhnet.com
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