Guru Amar Das Ji came to Guru Angad Dev Ji in later life and became the third Guru at about seventy-three. From Goindwal he organised the growing community through the manji system, made langar a condition of meeting him, spoke against sati and purdah, and composed the Anand Sahib.
- Born
- 1479, Basarke, near Amritsar, Punjab
- Parents
- Bhai Tej Bhan Ji and Mata Lachhmi Ji (names vary slightly in sources)
- Guruship
- 1552–1574 (became Guru at about 73)
- Joti jot
- 1574, Goindwal
- Family
- Wife Mata Mansa Devi Ji; daughters Bibi Dani Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji; sons Mohan and Mohri
Life
Guru Amar Das Ji was born in 1479 at Basarke, near present-day Amritsar. For much of his life he was a devout Vaishnav Hindu who made many pilgrimages. Tradition tells that in his sixties he heard Bibi Amro Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji's daughter, singing the hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and asked to be taken to the Guru at Khadur.
He dedicated himself to service. Sikh tradition lovingly remembers him fetching water from the river Beas every day before dawn for the Guru, in all weather, despite his age. In 1552 Guru Angad Dev Ji chose him as the third Guru.
Guru Amar Das Ji made Goindwal, on the Beas, his centre. There he had a baoli (step-well) built, which became a place of pilgrimage for Sikhs. He insisted that everyone who came to see him first eat in the langar, sitting together regardless of caste or rank.
As the community spread, he organised it into regions called manjis, each looked after by a devoted Sikh, and appointed women as well as men to preach. He spoke against sati — the burning of widows — and against the practice of purdah, and his hymns describe true union between husband and wife as one light in two bodies.
His compositions, including the Anand Sahib, are in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He chose his devoted son-in-law, Bhai Jetha, as the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das Ji, and passed away at Goindwal in 1574.
Historical context
Guru Amar Das Ji's Guruship coincided with the early reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar, a relatively tolerant period. The Sikh community was growing beyond a single town, and needed structure, gathering places and customs of its own — especially for life events such as marriage and death.
Major contributions
Langar before audience
He made eating together in the langar the first step for anyone who wished to see the Guru, turning equality into a daily practice. Tradition holds that even the emperor Akbar sat and ate in the langar.
The manji system
He divided the growing community into regional manjis, each served by a trusted Sikh, including women, so that teaching and sangat could flourish far from Goindwal.
Goindwal Baoli
The step-well at Goindwal gave the community both a practical water source and a place of pilgrimage of its own.
Opposition to sati and purdah
He spoke against the burning of widows and the veiling of women, affirming women's dignity within the sangat.
Anand Sahib
His Anand Sahib — a hymn of spiritual bliss — is part of daily Sikh prayer and is recited at the close of many ceremonies.
Important events
- 1479
Birth at Basarke Historical record
Born at Basarke, near present-day Amritsar.
- c. 1540
Comes to Guru Angad Dev Ji Traditional account
Tradition tells that hearing Bibi Amro Ji sing Gurbani led him to Khadur, where he devoted himself to service.
- 1552
Becomes the third Guru Historical record
Chosen by Guru Angad Dev Ji as his successor.
- 1550s
Goindwal and its baoli Historical record
Goindwal becomes the Sikh centre and the baoli is built there.
- 1560s
Akbar eats in the langar Traditional account
Tradition tells that Akbar visited Goindwal and sat in the langar before meeting the Guru.
- 1574
Guruship to Guru Ram Das Historical record
He names Bhai Jetha as the fourth Guru and passes away at Goindwal.
Teachings & Gurbani
Bliss through the Guru
The Anand Sahib opens with joy at finding the True Guru: lasting happiness comes not from possessions but from the Guru's Word dwelling in the heart.
ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Anand bhaiaa meree maae satiguroo mai paaiaa.
O my mother, I am in bliss, for I have found the True Guru.
ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਅਨੰਦ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਾਂ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
One light in two bodies
He taught that a true marriage is not merely living side by side but being one light in two bodies — a partnership of equals on a shared spiritual path.
ਧਨ ਪਿਰੁ ਏਹਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਨਿ ਬਹਨਿ ਇਕਠੇ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਏਕ ਜੋਤਿ ਦੁਇ ਮੂਰਤੀ ਧਨ ਪਿਰੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਇ ॥੩॥
Dhan pir ehi na aakheeani behan ikathe hoe. Ek jot due moortee dhan pir kaheeai soe.
They are not called husband and wife who merely sit together. Only those who are one light in two bodies are truly called husband and wife.
ਉਹ ਪਤੀ-ਪਤਨੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਹੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਜੋ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਬੈਠਦੇ ਹਨ। ਅਸਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਤੀ-ਪਤਨੀ ਉਹੀ ਹਨ ਜੋ ਦੋ ਸਰੀਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਜੋਤ ਹਨ।
Know your origin
He reminded the mind that it is an embodiment of Divine Light, and urged each person to recognise that origin within themselves.
ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥
Man toon jot saroop hai aapanaa mool pachhaan.
O my mind, you are an embodiment of the Divine Light — recognise your own origin.
ਹੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ, ਤੂੰ ਰੱਬੀ ਜੋਤ ਦਾ ਰੂਪ ਹੈਂ — ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂਲ ਨੂੰ ਪਛਾਣ।
Lessons for modern life
It is never too late
Guru Amar Das Ji began his great work in his seventies. Age is no barrier to service, learning or change.
Equality needs structure
Ideals last when built into daily practice — like a shared meal before any meeting.
Stand up for women's dignity
He challenged harmful customs of his time. Questioning practices that harm women remains part of Sikh responsibility.
Relevant places
- Gurdwara Baoli Sahib
The step-well built under Guru Amar Das Ji. - Goindwal Sahib
His centre during his Guruship, where he passed away. - Basarke Gillan
His birthplace village.
Further reading & sources
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
- Vaaran Bhai Gurdas
- The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Punjabi University Patiala (ed. Harbans Singh)
- J.S. Grewal, The Sikhs of the Punjab (Cambridge University Press)