Guru Amar Dass Ji was the third Guru on Guru Nanak’s Gaddi. He Was born on Baisakh Sudi 14 Samat 1526 in the Village Basarke in the modern district of Amritsar. His father’s name was Tej Bhan and mother’s name was Lachhmi ji. Shri Tej Bhan Bhalla was a shopkeeper. The young Amar Dass following the same profession used to go from village to village on horse back and sell the necessities of life, such as wheat, gram, vegetables, etc. He was married to Bibi Ram Kaur ji of village Sankhatra now in district Amritsar. Two sons named Mohri and Mohan and two daughters named Bibi Dani ji and Bibi Bhani ji, were born to him. Once he met Pandit Durga in the village Mehra and seeing the lines on the feet he said,”You will be a great man some day and people will worship you.” He went on pilgrimage to the Ganga on foot twentyone times.
Once a Brahamchari Pandit met him. He offered food to that Pandit. Pandit ji did not take that food and said, “You have no Guru. Our religion forbids to take food from a person who is without a Guru.” Hearing this Amardass ji was impressed. There is a Gurdwara in Kankhal (Hardwar) in the memory of Guru ji. Bibi Amro, the daughter of Shri Guru Angad Dev ji, who was married to a nephew of Amar Dass ji was reciting Gurbani. Amar Dass ji heared it and asked her to take him to Shri Khadur Sahib to the presence of her father. Amar Dass ji did not care for the people and left his ego and served Guru Angad Dev ji selflessly for twelve years. Amar Dass ji fetched water from river Bias and bathed Shri Guru Angad Dev ji every morning.He used to sweep the floor clean,the utensils and prepared the food for the Sangat day and night.He accepted all those things which he found from Guru Darbar by the grace of Guru Ji.He was very old.
One day he was bringing water from the river Bias. He was tested by Almighty God.One winter night, when weather was very inclement due to rain and storm, Amar Dass ji was returning from the river with the water pot on his head. Due to darkness, he could not keep to the usual path and fell in the handloom pit of a weaver. Though himself hurt, he kept the pitcher intact. The thud of his fall was heared by the weaver couple, who were sleeping in their hut nearby and the weaver’s wife remarked, ”It must be that homeless Amroo who is doing odd jobs for the Guru just to fill his belly.” Amar Dass ji was late which was quite unusal for him. When the Guru politely asked the reason for this delay, Amar Dass ji related the whole incident. While crossing the loom Guru ji did not allow water in the pitcher to flow out of it. It had made place in Guru’s mind. After taking the bath the Omniscient Guru ji called in the weaver and his WIfe who had gone mad because Amar Dass had called her ‘mad’ just inadvertantly. The weaver and his wife were pardoned. Guru Angad Dev Ji’s joy knew no bounds and he praised the selfless service of Amar Dass Ji. Twenty one bIessings were given to Amar Dass. Amar Dass was installed on Guru Gaddi on Chait Sudi 1 Samat 1609. Guru Angad Dev Ji declared that there was no difference between him and Amar Dass, the light of Guru Nanak was passed on to Guru Amar Dass.
Guru ji accepted the request of Goinda Khatri and built Shri Goindwal Sahib. Shri Bauli Sahib, which has 84 stair steps was also dug up. Guru Amar Dass announced that any Sikh who recited Jap for 84 times, one on each step, can get release from the circle of birth and death. Guru Ji offered five paise and a coconut. The Ceremoney of Gurgaddi was performed by Baba Buddha Ji. Guru Ji started celebration of Baisaki festival, at the request of Bhai Parojulka. Guru Ji appointed 22 Manjis (Preachers) and 52 women for preaching, at different places in India.
Guru Ji sent Ram Dass Ji to Shri Amritsar Sahib. Fifty two workers were settled there at ‘Guru Ki Nagri’. Amritsar is a very famous city in the history of Punjab. All kinds of dishes were distributed in Guru Ka Langer (kitchen) daily. The storage of food was prohibited by Guru Ji. All pots of foods and vegetables, etc. were emptied daily in the evening. Akbar was much pleased to see such indifference towards worldly things and allotted 84 villages to Bibi Bhani Ji. The emperor had come for “Darshan” of the Guru Ji. He was informed that any body who came to see Guru, mus: take meals in “Guru Ka Langar.”
It was the order of Guru Ji. Akbar had to obey this order. Goinda’s son was a mischievous person.He illtreated the Guru with the help of some Pandits and Muslims. He considered himself the owner of Shri Goindwal Sahib. He appealed against Guru Ji before the the Emperor. He was disgraced there and returned home shamefully. Guru Angad Dev Ji’s son Datu kicked Guru ji due to jealousy. Guru ji held his feet in humility.He felt ashamed and went back repenting. Guru Ji went to Gurdwara “Sanh Sahib” and stayed there for sometime.Baba Buddha Ji and other followers brought him back.“Sanh” is an important place forgetting rid of worldly temptations.
Mohri, the son of Guru ji was a money-minded man. By the order of Guru Ji, a sikh offered one lakh pennies to Mohri. He counted the money and his hands became black. In the evening Guru Ji asked him why his hands were black. He told that he was counting the money Guru Ji advised him to cultivate love for God instead of greed for money. Guru Ji arranged the marriages of Malho, Morri and Sachan Sach ignoring caste restrictions. Guru Ji selected a simple man Rama for Bibi Dani Ji and orphan Ram Das for Bibi Bhani Ji. Guru Ji preached against the system of Satti and Pardah. Once Raja of Haripur and his Rani came to see Guru Ji. Guru Ji advised Rani not to cover her face in Sangat. Guru Ji advised people to recite Gurbani at the time of death. Guru Ji said to Prithi Mall and Tulsa not to feel proud of their caste, all men are equal. Guru Ji was the preacher of equality.
A greedy Tappa did not go himself at the time of the ceremony of Bauli Sahib but he sent his son to get the amount of one rupee. Unfortunately he fell down from the wall and his leg was broken.Guru Ji built a platform, with a peg in the wall adjoining to it, and he used to worship God by holding the peg every night. Gurdwara Havailisahib exists there in memory of this worship. Guru Ji impressed upon the people not to feel shaken and confused in old age. His own selfless service was an example of this.
Once the Sikhs complained to Guru Ji that Muslims often teased them. They broke their pitchers filled with water with their arrows. Guru Ji advised them to remain patient and that God would take the revenge for wrongs done to them.
Bhai Lalo of village Dalla was deputed for the cure of Taiea fever. One day while Guru Ji was in meditation, in a trance Guru Ji heared the cries of a woman. Balu sevadar was ordered to enquire about the matter. He informed that the only son of the woman had died. Guru Ji was very kind hearted. He prayed, “As long as I live in Shri Goindwal Sahib” no mother should face the death of her son. Guru Ji was against ‘Manmat’ and emphaized on the worship of God. At the time of baptism Guru Sahib’s. Gurbani ‘Anand Sahib’ is also read among five Banies. Some Muslim Faqirs appeared before Guru Sahib. They requested, “you have become too old and achieved your purpose. It is, therefore, requested not to exert your-self in devotion,” Guru Sahib quoted example of a poor man, who was digging a hillock to have some money.“Bhalle Amar Das Gun tere, teri Upma Tohi ban avai” Savaia Mohalla Teeja Ka” (Adi Shri Guru Granth Sahib).
While digging he got a jewel. But after getting this precious stone he continued its digging. That example gives us a lesson that as long as we are in this world we should continue the good deeds and these can only be done if we are devotees. There is a proverb, ‘as you sow so shall you reap’. This is exactly what Guru sahib emphasized. Guru Ji left for his heavenly abode on Bhadon Sudi 15, Samat 1631 in Shri Goindwal Sahib and Installed Ram Dass Ji as the fourth Guru.