ਸੋਈ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਅਮਰ ਗੁਰ ਤੁਸਿ ਦੀਓ ਕਰਤਾਰਿ
Soee Naam Padhaarathh Amar Gur Thus Dheeou Kartar.
Guru Amar Das was blessed with the treasure of the Naam, by the Creator Lord, in His Pleasure.
Guru Amardas ji was born on 5th May 1479 in a village called Basarke, district Amritsar. Guru Amardas ji lived longest among all our Gurus and he was only 10 years younger to our most revered Guru Nanak Dev ji. In his blessed home were born 2 sons Mohan and Mohri ji and 2 daughters Bibi Dani ji and Bibi Bhani ji.
Guru Amardas ji was a devout follower of Vaishnu Mat and he used to go for a holy dip in Ganges every year. At the age of 61 he was blessed by Almighty Waheguru ji and he heard the blissful divine bani of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji Maharaj from Bibi Amro ji and the bani left a deep and an indellible impact on him. After meeting Guru Angad Dev ji, the second Nanak, he became his devout disciple. He started living in Khadoor Sahib and served Guru Angad Dev ji and the Sikh community there with his full heart and soul for next 11 years. Guru Angad Dev ji recognized his dedicated service, commitment to Sikhi principles, his humbleness and devotion to the Sikh cause and declared him as his successor in March 1552 at the age of 73.
Guru Amardas ji accomplished great tasks for the upliftment of the Sikh Nation in the 22 years of his Guruship. He abolished the caste system and the practice of untouchability which was prevalent at that time. He established the administrative system for the management of the increasing population of Sikh congregations, called Manjis. He also established the city of Goindval on the banks of river Bias in 1552 A.D. Guru Sahib got Baoli constructed at Goindval Sahib which has 84 stairs.
The practice of Langar and Pangat is also a benefaction of Guru Maharaj. Emperor Akbar who wanted to visit Guru Sahib also had to sit in Pangat to eat Langar and only then he could get the blessed vision of Guru Sahib. Emperor Akbar was very impressed with the system and expressed his desire to grant some royal treasure for Guru ka Langar but Guru Sahib refused gracefully. Guru Amardas ji maintained cordial relationship with Emperor Akbar and persuaded Akbar to waive off the toll tax (pilgrim's tax) for non-muslims crossing Ganga and Yamuna river. Akbar agreed to Guru Sahib and waived off the toll tax.
Guru Amardas ji had utmost respect for women and he worked for the upliftment and equal rights of women. He prohibited the practice of Sati and Pardah system. He was a great advocate of remarriage of widows and he also protected the rights of female infants who were killed without any reason.
Guru Amardas ji has blessed us with the bani of Anand Sahib which brings anand (bliss) to the hearts of millions of Sikhs everyday. Anand Sahib is a precious and serene bani which Sikhs recite after every prayer service. Other than the bani of Anand Sahib Guru Sahib has contributed more than 700 shabads in Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
Few of his Shabads are as follows:
Anand Bhaya Meri Maye Satguru Mein Paya
O my mother, I am in joy because I have met the True Master.
Satgur ki Sewa Safal Hai Je Ko Kare Chit Laye
Service to the Guru is fruitful and rewarding if one performs it with his heart and soul.
sateeaa ayhi na aakheean jo marhiaa lag jalan.
Do not call them 'satee', who burn themselves along with their husbands' corpses.
nanak sateeaa jaaneean je birhay chot maran.
O Nanak, they alone are known as 'satee', who die from the shock of separation.
Dhan pir ayhi na aakheean bahan ikthay hoay.
They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together.
ayk jot duay moortee Dhan pir kaheeai soay.
They alone are called husband and wife, who have one light in two bodies.
Bhai Jetha ji, whom we all know by the name of Guru Ramdas ji, was a pious and diligent follower from Lahore and had a deep impact by the messages of Guru Amardas ji. He was very hard working, humble, polite and ardent devotee of Waheguru. Looking at all these qualities in Bhai Jetha ji, Guru Amardas ji got his beloved daughter Bibi Bhani ji married to him. At the age of 95 he passed Guruship to the fourth Nanak, Bhai Jetha ji, Guru Ramdas Patshah and left for the heavenly abode.
There is a great lesson to learn from the life of Guru Amardas ji that there is no age for any task. Any task when done with full heart and full commitment can make you reach the pinnacle. It is the devotion and dedication which matters and not the age.
Bhale Amardas Gun Tere Teri Upma Tohey Ban Aave.
O Guru Amardas ji, your glorious virtues are so sublime; your praises belong only to you.
