Guru Ram Das Ji || The Fourth Guru of Sikhism

 Guru Ram Das Ji 

The Fourth Guru of Sikhism

Biography:

1. **Early Life** Guru Ram Das Ji was born on September 24, 1534, in Lahore, present-day Pakistan.

2. **Marriage to Bibi Bhani** He married Bibi Bhani, the daughter of Guru Amar Das Ji, which strengthened his ties to the Sikh Guru lineage.

3. **Guruship** Guru Ram Das Ji became the fourth Guru of Sikhism in 1574 after the passing of Guru Amar Das Ji. He served as Guru until his passing in 1581.

4. **Contribution:** He played a crucial role in expanding Sikhism, establishing the city of Amritsar, and completing the construction of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).

5. **Amritsa:** Guru Ram Das Ji founded the city of Amritsar in 1577 and started the construction of the Harmandir Sahib, which later became the spiritual and cultural center of Sikhism.

6. **Community Development** He established the institution of masands (community leaders) to facilitate the spread of Sikhism and organized the Sikh community into manjis (administrative units).

7. **Compilation of Gurbani** Guru Ram Das Ji composed many hymns, which were later included in the Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib.

Teachings:

1. **Seva (Selfless Service)** Guru Ram Das Ji emphasized the importance of selfless service (seva) as a means of spiritual growth and community development. He encouraged Sikhs to serve humanity without any expectation of reward.

2. **Devotion to Waheguru** He stressed the importance of devotion (bhakti) to Waheguru (God) as the central tenet of Sikhism. He promoted regular meditation, chanting of hymns, and prayer as ways to connect with the divine.

3. **Equality and Social Justice** Guru Ram Das Ji continued the tradition of promoting equality among all human beings regardless of caste, creed, or gender. He advocated for the upliftment of the downtrodden and marginalized sections of society.

4. **Family Values** He emphasized the importance of family life and moral values. He encouraged Sikhs to lead a balanced life by fulfilling their familial duties while remaining devoted to Waheguru.

5. **Humility** Guru Ram Das Ji exemplified humility in his personal conduct and interactions with others. He taught that humility is a virtue that leads to spiritual growth and harmony in society.

6. **Guru Granth Sahib** He contributed hymns to the Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, which contain spiritual wisdom and guidance for Sikhs.

Guru Ram Das Ji's teachings continue to inspire millions of Sikhs around the world, guiding them on the path of spirituality, service, and social justice.