Guru #4 of 10
Guru Ram Das Ji
Founder of Amritsar
Guru Ram Das Ji was the fourth Sikh Guru and the founder of the holy city of Amritsar — the spiritual heart of Sikhism. He was born into poverty but rose to Guruship through his extraordinary devotion and service.
The Story
Born on September 24, 1534, in Lahore, Guru Ram Das Ji was orphaned as a young child. He grew up in extreme poverty, selling boiled chickpeas in the streets to survive. His life changed when he met Guru Amar Das Ji and became one of his most devoted followers.
He served Guru Amar Das Ji with total humility. He was chosen as the fourth Guru not because he was the Guru's family member, but because of his selfless devotion and service to others.
Guru Ram Das Ji's greatest gift to Sikhism was founding the city of Amritsar. He purchased land and dug a large sacred pool — the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar). This pool would later become the most sacred site in Sikhism, home to the Golden Temple.
He also composed the Laavan — four hymns that form the basis of the Sikh wedding ceremony (Anand Karaj). To this day, every Sikh couple walks around the Guru Granth Sahib Ji while these four hymns are sung, taking four rounds of commitment to God and to each other.
Key Contributions
- Founded the holy city of Amritsar
- Dug the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar) — the sacred pool around the Golden Temple
- Composed the Laavan — the four hymns of the Sikh wedding ceremony
- Composed 638 hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji
- Invited artisans and traders to settle in Amritsar, building the city
Core Teachings
- True devotion is shown through humble service, not grand gestures
- A good Sikh serves others like a humble servant, not a proud master
- Marriage is a spiritual journey shared between two souls before God
Legacy
Amritsar — the city Guru Ram Das Ji founded — is today the spiritual capital of Sikhism, home to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib). The Sikh wedding ceremony he created through the Laavan is still performed at every Sikh wedding worldwide.