Dhan Guru Ram Das Ji

A matter written and shared by SIKHS HELPING SIKHS Group is a good discussion filled with information about our 4th Guru -Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji...

 

 

 

Is this not a miraculous that Bhai Jetha an ordinary poor young boy who used to sell boiled black chick-peas eventually became the 4th Sikh Guru who not only left behind spiritual wealth but also financial/economic wealth as well? How can we explain this fete? Is this not as a result of Gurmat(i)?

 

On the literary side, Guru Ram Das Ji's composition 'Lavaan' alone is par excellence - a story of his own Spiritual experience enumerated in four steps:- gathering of spiritual knowledge of Waheguru; seeing Him around; going into vairag (state of awe) on missing Him and finally staying in liv (Divine connectivity) with Waheguru. Lavaan reinforces the Spiritual Steps (Khands) prescribed by Guru Nanak Sahib in Jap Ji as well. Altogether  Guru Ram Das Ji has contributed in all 638 shbads, saloks and chandds in the Guru Granth Sahib.

 

It is wondrous how Guru Ji without any formal education became an extra ordinary visionary scholar and an administrator to do many things for the development of the Sikh Community and humanity. After all what training did he receive from Guru Amar Das Ji that finally transformed him in to a Gurmukh of extra ordinary qualities?

 

Today the hustling & bustling city of Amritsar is known for  'Ram Das Sarovar' and Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). Amritsar today houses Khalsa College, Guru Nanak Dev University and many other Colleges and Educational Institutions that have produced so many scholarly professors (created Chairs for study of Gurmat), lecturers and researchers and numerous literary works since hundreds of years after Guru Ram Das Ji's spiritual legacy.

 

 The apex body, SGPC, looking after the affairs of the Sikh Gurduaras in Punjab runs from the premises of Golden Temple complex with an exponentially growing annual budget rising to Rs. 665 crores in 2012-2013; a huge real estate and employing a large task force at different levels. What a remarkable vision for human resource management that Guru Ji left for us! 

 

The Gurmat transformation further extended and continued beyond Guru Ramdas Ji. Guru Arjan Dev Ji (a blessed son of Guru Ram Das Ji) has been a great gift to Sikhi who was instrumental in contributing the major portion of Gurbani and at the same time in compiling Adi Granth Sahib by incorporating spiritual writings of five Gurus and that of Bhagats and Mahapurakhs to create a interfaith stage for spiritual growth.

 

Bhatt Keerat acknowledges the Spiritual Wealth of Guru Ram Das Ji and pays a glowing tribute in the following pankti:-

 

ਇਕ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਭਾਟ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਕੀ ਗੁਰ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੪॥੫੮॥ (GGS. 1406-10)

Eik Aradhaas Bhaatt Keerath Kee Gur Raamadhaas Raakhahu Saranaaee ||4||58||

Keerat the poet offers this one prayer: O Guru Raam Daas, save me! Take me into Your Sanctuary! ||4||58||

 

Guru Ramdas Ji' s transformation is reflected in his Bani as give below:-

 

ਜਿਸ ਦੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਚੁ ਹੈ ਸੋ ਸਚਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਸਚੁ ਅਲਾਏ ॥ (Raag Maajh M. 4, GGS. 140-2).

Jis Dhai Andhar Sach Hai So Sachaa Naam Mukh Sach Alaaeae ||

Those, within whom the Truth dwells, obtain the True Name; they speak only the Truth.

 

ਓਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਆਪਿ ਚਲਦਾ ਹੋਰਨਾ ਨੋ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪਾਏ ॥

Ouhu Har Maarag Aap Chaladhaa Horanaa No Har Maarag Paaeae ||

They walk on the Lord's Path, and inspire others to walk on the Lord's Path as well.

 

ਜੇ ਅਗੈ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਹੋਇ ਤਾ ਮਲੁ ਲਹੈ ਛਪੜਿ ਨਾਤੈ ਸਗਵੀ ਮਲੁ ਲਾਏ ॥

Jae Agai Theerathh Hoe Thaa Mal Lehai Shhaparr Naathai Sagavee Mal Laaeae ||

Bathing in a pool of holy water, they are washed clean of filth. But, by bathing in a stagnant pond, they are contaminated with even more filth.

 

ਤੀਰਥੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੋ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਏ ॥

Theerathh Pooraa Sathiguroo Jo Anadhin Har Har Naam Dhhiaaeae ||

The True Guru is the Perfect Pool of Holy Water. Night and day, He meditates on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.

 

ਓਹੁ ਆਪਿ ਛੁਟਾ ਕੁਟੰਬ ਸਿਉ ਦੇ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਭ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਛਡਾਏ ॥

Ouhu Aap Shhuttaa Kuttanb Sio Dhae Har Har Naam Sabh Srisatt Shhaddaaeae ||

He is saved, along with his family; bestowing the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, He saves the whole world.

 

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਲਿਹਾਰਣੈ ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਏ ॥੨॥

Jan Naanak This Balihaaranai Jo Aap Japai Avaraa Naam Japaaeae ||2||

Servant Nanak is a sacrifice to one who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it as well. ||2||

 

Guru Ji's exposure was restricted to Gurmat and he did not gained any professional or higher educational qualification (such as doctorate or MBA etc) from a modern day educational university/institution of the like of Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford.......

 

So it is evidently indicated that Gurmat - leads to Naam - leads to Budh-bebik. 

 

It will be befitting if the sponsors of Sikh Chairs in various universities in USA, Canada, UK and India embark on research studies to explore the role of Gurmat in transforming human-beings as is demonstrated in the case of Bhai Jetha Ji who as a result moved from 'Rags to Riches'.

 

Finally, it emerges that the Sikh Ardas for Naam Daan is fulfilling and includes all the necessary needs in life (including groceries).

 

 

- ਵਿਣੁ ਤੁਧੁ ਹੋਰੁ ਜਿ ਮੰਗਣਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਦੁਖਾ ਕੈ ਦੁਖ ॥ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਆ ਉਤਰੈ ਮਨ ਕੀ ਭੁਖ ॥(Raag Raamkali M. 5, GGS. 958-1).

Vin Thudhh Hor J Manganaa Sir Dhukhaa Kai Dhukh ||Dhaehi Naam Santhokheeaa Outharai Man Kee Bhukh ||

To ask for any other than You, Lord, is the most miserable of miseries.

 Please bless me with Your Name, and make me content; may the hunger of my mind be satisfied.

 

Personally, I find the following message of Guru Ram Dass Ji a torch bearing and very assuring in life:-

ਜਿਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਜਨ ਸੁਘੜ ਸਿਆਣੇ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਜੇ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 4, GGS. 450-15).

Jin Anthar Har Har Preeth Hai Thae Jan Sugharr Siaanae Raam Raajae ||

Those whose hearts are filled with the love of the Lord, Har, Har, are the wisest and most clever people, O Lord King.

ਜੇ ਬਾਹਰਹੁ ਭੁਲਿ ਚੁਕਿ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਭੀ ਖਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਣੇ ॥

Jae Baaharahu Bhul Chuk Boladhae Bhee Kharae Har Bhaanae ||

Even if they misspeak outwardly, they are still very pleasing to the Lord.

ਹਰਿ ਸੰਤਾ ਨੋ ਹੋਰੁ ਥਾਉ ਨਾਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਣੁ ਨਿਮਾਣੇ ॥

Har Santhaa No Hor Thhaao Naahee Har Maan Nimaanae ||

The Lord's Saints have no other place. The Lord is the honor of the dishonored.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੀਬਾਣੁ ਹੈ ਹਰਿ ਤਾਣੁ ਸਤਾਣੇ ॥੧॥

Jan Naanak Naam Dheebaan Hai Har Thaan Sathaanae ||1||

The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is the Royal Court for servant Nanak; the Lord's power is his only power. ||1||

With Waheguru's blessings.

 

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh !!