Joti Jot Divas of Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji commemorates the passing of the fourth Sikh Guru, who dedicated his life to service, love, and divine devotion.
Joti Jot Divas of Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji
Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, was born in 1534 at Chuna Mandi, Lahore, to Mata Daya Kaur Ji and Baba Hari Das Ji. From a young age, he displayed deep spiritual inclination and a spirit of selfless service. He spent his early years selling boiled grams in the market, but his heart was always absorbed in remembrance of the Divine. His life took a transformative turn when he came into the company of Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji, the third Sikh Guru, at Goindwal Sahib.
Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji served Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji with unwavering dedication for many years. He would rise before dawn to fetch water from the Beas River, clean the utensils, and perform other menial tasks with profound love and humility. Impressed by his devotion and service, Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji installed him as the fourth Guru in 1574, passing on the spiritual mantle in the presence of Baba Buddha Ji. This event marked the continuation of the divine light of Guruship.
Establishment of Amritsar and Harmandir Sahib
After assuming the Guruship, Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji focused on consolidating the Sikh community and establishing a central place of worship. He founded the city of Ramdaspur, which later became known as Amritsar. He purchased the land from the local zamindars and began the construction of the sacred sarovar (holy tank) and the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). The Guru himself supervised the excavation of the tank and encouraged his followers to participate in the voluntary service (kar seva). The sarovar was completed in 1577, and the foundation of Harmandir Sahib was laid by Hazrat Mian Mir Ji, a Muslim saint, symbolizing the universal and inclusive nature of Sikhism.
Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji composed 638 hymns in 30 ragas, which are included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His compositions, particularly the Lavan (wedding hymns), are central to Sikh ceremonies. He emphasized the importance of the householder's life, honest labor, and remembrance of God's name. He also institutionalized the Masand system to collect offerings and propagate the Guru's message.
Joti Jot Divas
Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji left his earthly abode on September 1, 1581, in Goindwal Sahib. This day is observed as Joti Jot Divas, meaning the merging of the divine light into the eternal light. Sikhs commemorate this day with deep reverence, reflecting on the Guru's teachings and his legacy of service, humility, and devotion. The day is marked by Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), kirtan (devotional singing), and langar (community kitchen) in gurdwaras worldwide. It is a time for Sikhs to renew their commitment to the Guru's path and to imbibe the virtues of selfless service and love for all humanity.
The Joti Jot Divas of Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji reminds Sikhs of the eternal nature of the Guru's wisdom and the importance of living a life dedicated to the Divine. It is a solemn occasion to remember the Guru's profound contributions to Sikhism and to seek his blessings for spiritual growth and community welfare.