Guru Ram Das Ji, born Bhai Jetha, rose from a humble, orphaned childhood to become the fourth Guru. He founded the town of Ramdaspur — today Amritsar — and began its sacred pool, and composed the Laavan, the four hymns at the heart of the Sikh wedding.
- Born
- 1534, Chuna Mandi, Lahore (today in Pakistan)
- Birth name
- Bhai Jetha
- Parents
- Bhai Hari Das Ji and Mata Daya Kaur Ji (also remembered as Mata Anup Devi)
- Guruship
- 1574–1581
- Joti jot
- 1581, Goindwal
- Family
- Wife Bibi Bhani Ji; sons Prithi Chand, Mahadev and Arjan
Life
Guru Ram Das Ji was born Bhai Jetha in 1534 in the Chuna Mandi area of Lahore. He lost his parents at a young age and, according to tradition, supported himself by selling boiled grams. As a young man he came to Goindwal and began serving Guru Amar Das Ji and the sangat.
His humility and devotion stood out. Guru Amar Das Ji gave him his younger daughter, Bibi Bhani Ji, in marriage, and Bhai Jetha continued to serve the Guru closely, including in building work at Goindwal.
In 1574 Guru Amar Das Ji chose him as the fourth Guru. Guru Ram Das Ji founded a new settlement, known as Ramdaspur or Guru ka Chak, and began the excavation of a sacred pool there. He invited traders and craftspeople to settle, and the town grew into Amritsar, later the spiritual heart of the Sikhs.
His hymns in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji are known for their tenderness and longing for the Divine. He composed the four Laavan, sung during Anand Karaj, and described the daily life of a Gursikh — rising early and remembering the Divine Name. He also developed the network of masands to look after distant sangats.
Choosing once more by fitness rather than seniority, he named his youngest son, Arjan, as the fifth Guru, which his eldest son Prithi Chand resented. Guru Ram Das Ji passed away at Goindwal in 1581.
Historical context
Under Akbar, Punjab enjoyed relative peace and growing trade. A new town with its own sacred pool gave the Sikhs a centre independent of older pilgrimage places, and the developing masand network connected the community across the region.
Major contributions
Founding Ramdaspur (Amritsar)
He founded the settlement that became Amritsar, inviting merchants and artisans so it could flourish as a living town, not only a shrine.
The sacred sarovar
He began the excavation of the pool around which Sri Harmandir Sahib would later be built by his son, Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
The Laavan
His four Laavan describe marriage as a spiritual journey of two souls towards the Divine and form the centre of the Sikh wedding ceremony.
Organising the sangat
He developed the masand system to care for distant congregations and gather their offerings for the community's work.
Important events
- 1534
Birth in Lahore Historical record
Born Bhai Jetha in Chuna Mandi, Lahore.
- Youth
Selling boiled grams Traditional account
Tradition remembers the orphaned boy earning his living selling boiled grams.
- c. 1550s
Marriage to Bibi Bhani Ji Historical record
Serving at Goindwal, he marries Guru Amar Das Ji's daughter, Bibi Bhani Ji.
- 1574
Becomes the fourth Guru Historical record
Guru Amar Das Ji names him as successor.
- 1570s
Ramdaspur and the sarovar Historical record
He founds Ramdaspur and begins the sacred pool, the origin of Amritsar.
- 1581
Guruship to Guru Arjan Dev Ji Historical record
He names his youngest son as fifth Guru and passes away at Goindwal.
Teachings & Gurbani
Marriage as a spiritual path
The first Laav asks the couple to take up the duties of family life guided by the Divine — marriage is part of the spiritual journey, not a step away from it.
ਹਰਿ ਪਹਿਲੜੀ ਲਾਵ ਪਰਵਿਰਤੀ ਕਰਮ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥
Har pahilarree laav paravirtee karam drirraaiaa bal raam jeeo.
In the first round of the wedding, the Divine instructs you to take up the duties of family life.
ਵਿਆਹ ਦੀ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਲਾਂਵ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਬ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਸਤ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀਆਂ ਸੰਭਾਲਣ ਦਾ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
The daily life of a Gursikh
He described a Sikh of the Guru rising early, bathing and meditating on the Name — a practical rhythm that still shapes Sikh mornings.
ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
Gur satigur kaa jo sikh akhaae su bhalake uth har naam dhiaavai.
One who calls themself a Sikh of the True Guru rises early and meditates on the Divine Name.
ਜੋ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਸਿੱਖ ਅਖਵਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਜਲਦੀ ਉੱਠਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਰੱਬ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
The Word is the Guru
He taught that the Bani is the Guru and the Guru is the Bani — an idea that points ahead to Guruship resting in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਾਰੇ ॥
Baanee guroo guroo hai baanee vich baanee amrit saare.
The Bani is the Guru, and the Guru is the Bani; within the Bani are all life-giving treasures.
ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਬਾਣੀ ਹੈ; ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨੇ ਹਨ।
Lessons for modern life
Humble beginnings are no limit
An orphan selling grams became the Guru who founded a city. Circumstances do not define spiritual worth.
Build places where people can thrive
He founded a town with trades and homes, not only a shrine. Faith communities can also support livelihoods.
Start the day with remembrance
A few quiet minutes of Naam each morning is a simple way to follow his guidance.
Relevant places
- Sri Harmandir Sahib
Stands in the sarovar begun by Guru Ram Das Ji. - Gurdwara Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das Ji
Marks his birthplace. - Goindwal Sahib
Where he served Guru Amar Das Ji and later passed away.
Further reading & sources
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
- The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Punjabi University Patiala (ed. Harbans Singh)
- J.S. Grewal, The Sikhs of the Punjab (Cambridge University Press)