GRD

Guru Ramdas Sahib (1534 - 1581)

Sri Guru Ram Das ji is known to be the Chauthi Patshahi or the Fourth Guru as well as the Guru who established the city of Amritsar. Guru Ramdas was born in Lahore into a Sodhi Khatri family residing in Mohalla Chuna Mandi on 24 September 1534 to Har Das ji and Daya Vati who were known for their honest and pious living. Ram Das was popularly addressed as Jetha, being the first-born of his parents (sanskrit word 'Jayeshth' means the first). From the beginning his outlook was other worldly and he felt the happiest when he happened to be in the company of holy people.

He was a frequent visitor to the village Basarke (now in the district of Amritsar) which was the native place of the third Guru, Guru Amardas and also the place to which Jetha's mother Daya Vati belonged. He was noticed by Guru Amardas ji there who got so much impressed with him that he decided to marry his second daughter Bibi Bhani, to him in 1545.

Jetha was a paragon of love, devotion, service and resignation. He looked upon Guru Amar Das not merely as his father-in-law but also as his most revered beau ideal i.e. The Guru and served him in a spirit of complete self-surrender. The more he served the Guru the more his love for him and for all mankind increased. In 1574 A.D. Bhai Jetha succeeded Guru Amar Das as the fourth Sikh Guru under the name Ram Das. He went ahead with the work begun by his master Guru Amar Das who had devoted much of his time to the problems of definition and organization confronting the young emerging Sikh panth. Through his words as well as deeds he underscored the essential features of the Sikh teachings. He laid the foundation stone of Chak Ramdas or Ramdas Pur (which is now called Amritsar) which continues to be the centre of Sikhism till today. He excavated a tank about 1 km down from the old one which is the current Sarovar of the Golden Temple. A phrase came to be associated with it that "Ramdas Sarovar Nahate, Sab uttre paap kamate".

He composed 679 hymns in varying musical measures, which were incorporated into Adi Granth by his son and successor, Guru Arjan Dev. His whole life was embodiment of love, devotion, dedication and service. All these noble sentiments are abundantly reflected in his writings. His straight and simple message went straight to the heart and evoked the most sensitive chords of one's consciousness. The momentous career of the Guru came to its end on September 1, 1581 (Bhadon Sudi 3rd (2nd Assu) Samvat 1638).

The Guru Ram Das Education Trust was formed in 1982 dedicated to the sacred memory of Guru Ram Das ji with a vision to promote education through schools & higher education institutes.