Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Birth Anniversary Shri Guru Ram Das Ji.
Shri Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru & father of Sri Guru Arjan Devji, was born Bhai Jetha Mal Sodhi to parents Hari Das Ji and Mata Daya Ji. His Predecessor was Shri Guru Amar Das.
He followed Guru Amar Das since childhood, who later married him with his daughter Bibi Bhani. Guru Sahib Chose Bhai Jetha as his successor & renamed him as Ram Das meaning ‘servant of god’ to become the fourth Guru in 1574.
Guru Ram Das was also founder of the holy city of Amritsar. His successor Guru Arjan Dev Ji carried his traditions and completed the ‘Sarovar’ also called ‘pond of nector’. It is believed that water from the river Ganges was added to the Sarovar.
On the eve of his Birth Anniversary ( yesterday 21 Otober,2021), Sikh devotees carried his golden ‘palanquin’ in a procession ,amidst traditional fanfare , which was largely attended by his devotees.
‘Pawan Guru ,pani pita, mata dharti mahat’ (air is teacher, water is father and earth our mother) – thus goes the closing line of the Japji Sahib as mentioned by Shri Guru Nanak Dev,founder of Sikhism. It holds special significance for Amritsar, the holy city, which boasts of Shri Harmandar Sahib (also known as the Golden Temple). The city has been named after ‘sarovar’,surrounding the temple. ‘Amrit’ means the nectar of immortality and ‘sar’ or ‘sarovar’ means pond – hence the name-Amritsar. Interestingly ,the City attracts visitors more than the famous Eiffel Tower ,Louvre Museum in Paris or any other tourist place in the world.
It may be news to many that Guru Ram Das made his son as his successor, unlike the first four Gurus who were not related to each other.The fifth through tenth Sikh Gurus were the direct descendants of Ram Das.Guru Ram Das was a known poet, scholar & spiritual wizard who composed hymns which form part of the holy Guru Granth Sahib.
The four entrances of Golden Temple symbolize the Sikh belief in equality and that people from all walks and religions are welcome into their holy place. .
Born this Day in 1534.
