Guru Ram Das Ji (1534-1581)
Guru Ram Das Ji was born Friday, October 9, 1534, in Chuna Mandi, Lahore. His father was Haridas Ji and his mother was Mata Daya Ji. He lived in Lahore for the first seven years of his life and was given the name Jetha. When growing up he spent lots of time with religious men. At the age of 7, his father died and his mother took him to live in Basakre. One day Jetha met a group of Sikhs who were going to Goindwal to meet Guru Amar Das Ji. Jetha joined them to their journey to Goindwal. When the guru saw Jetha he was pleased with his manners and respect towards other people. Jetha decided to stay and become a Sikh. Jetha worked hard on the different tasks he was assigned. Guru Amar Das Ji was pleased with Jetha’s services and soon he was married to Guru Amar Das Ji’s daughter, Bibi Bhani. They got married on 18 February 1554 and remained in Goindwal.
They had no daughter and three sons: Baba Prithi Chand ji, Baba Mahadev Ji, and Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Jetha was a very trusted follower of the Sikhs. He did a lot of sewas and sometimes represented Guru Amar Das Ji in the Mughal court. Guru Amar Das Ji chose Jetha as his successor and he was given the guruship on 16 September 1574 at the age of 40. He was now called Guru Ram Das meaning servant of god. he continued to build the city of Ramdaspur meaning the abode of Ram Das. He helped dig the foundation of the Sarovar (sacred pool) in Amritsar. People came in large groups to hear the guru and help dig the sacred pool called Amritsar meaning pool of nectar. Ramdaspur which is now called Amritsar is one of the holiest places in the Sikh religion. Bhai Gurdas was sent by Guru Ram Das Ji to spread the religion of Sikhism. There are 688 hymns written by Guru Ram Das Ji in Guru Granth Sahib. He also contributed the 4 laavaas of marriage. Guru Ram Das Ji met Sri Chand the son of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. When he gave the guruship to Arjan Dev Ji Prithi Chand didn’t accept his brother and misbehaved. Because of that Guru Ram Das Ji publicly criticized his son for his actions. Shortly after that Guru Ram Das Ji died on September 16, 1581, at the age of 47.
