Guru Ramdas Ji (1534-1581)

Sri Guru Ramdas Ji known to be Chauthi Patshahi or the Fourth Guru as well as Guru who established the city of Amritsar. Sri Guru Ramdas Ji kept alive the tradition of first three Gurus. Guru Ramdas Ji was not merely a constructive genius who planned and founded a new city and instituted an original missionary order but also a poet of great sensitivity and tremendous effect. He composed 679 hymns in varying musical measures which were incorporated into Adi Granth by his son and successor, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. His whole life was embodiment of love, devotion, dedication and service. All these noble sentiments are abundantly reflected in his writing is true and simple message goes straight to the heart and evokes the most sensitive chords of one's consciousness.

Guru Ramdas Ji composed a hymn known as Lawaan in Suhi Mohalla 4, page 773 of Guru Granth Sahib, and asked his sikhs to recite them to solemnize the marriages. The Shabad & Lawaan' embodies in itself a lesson for the couple to develop true love for each other. In reality this Shabad is for human being to develop love for the divine bridegroom.

The Guru composed the following shabad to instruct his Sikhs in the practice of their religion:

"He, who called himself a Sikh of the true Guru, should rise early and meditate on God; He should make an effort early in the morning, bathe in the inner tank of nectar; Repeat God's name under Guru's instruction, and all his sins and transgressions shall be erased ;

A sunrise he should sing the Guru's hymns, and whether sitting or standing meditate on God's name The Disciple, who at every breath meditated on God, will be dear to the Guru;

The Guru imparted instruction to that disciple to whom my Lord bestows His grace; the servant Nanak prayed for the dust of the feet of such a disciple of the Guru who himself repeated.

God's name and caused others to do so.

(Guru ki var-Mohalla4, p-305-306)

The momentous career of the Guru came to its end on September 1, 1581 (Bhadon Sudi 3, 1638 BK) after a pontification of 6 years, 11 months and 18 days. He was succeeded by his youngest son, Arjan Dev. The eldest son Prihi Chand created many obstacles and tried his level best to influence the decision in his own favour, but the Guru was as firm in regard to the issue of succession, as he had been all through his life in dealing with the detractors of Sikhism.