Sikhism: Guru Amar Das Ji – The Third Sikh Guru – 03/10
💧 Champion of Equality, Compassion, and Seva in Action
Guru Amar Das Ji (1479–1574 CE), the third Guru of Sikhism, was a beacon of humility and reform. Appointed Guru at the age of 73, after a life of deep devotion and service to Guru Angad Dev Ji, he radically expanded the Sikh community, social equality, and spiritual practices.
Guru Amar Das Ji institutionalized Langar, strengthened the Sangat system, and boldly challenged caste, gender, and ritual inequality—laying the structural and spiritual framework for a progressive, service-centered Dharma.
“ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਤ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਹਕਾਮੀ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਹੋਤ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥”
Serve selflessly without desire—such a one realizes the Divine.
👶 Early Life
- Birth Name: Amar Das
- Born: 5 May 1479 CE, in Basarke village, Punjab
- Parents: Tej Bhan Bhalla and Mata Lakhmi
- Spiritual Journey: Initially a Vaishnava devotee of the Hindu path, Amar Das later came under the influence of Guru Angad Dev Ji.
At age 61, he met Guru Angad Dev Ji and surrendered completely to seva (selfless service), carrying water from the river for his Guru’s bath every day before sunrise.
🧎♂️ From Sevadar to Guru
Despite being old, Amar Das served silently and joyfully for over 12 years. When Guru Angad Dev Ji saw his unwavering humility and complete surrender, he passed the light of Guruship to him in 1552 CE.
Guru Amar Das Ji became the third Sikh Guru at the age of 73, showing that true leadership is earned through humility and devotion—not inheritance or youth.
🏛️ Major Contributions of Guru Amar Das Ji
1. Institutionalization of Langar
Though Guru Nanak initiated Langar and Guru Angad continued it, Guru Amar Das Ji made it a rule:
No one could meet the Guru unless they first sat in Langar with others.
This enforced equality among kings, beggars, Hindus, Muslims, Brahmins, and Shudras.
“ਪਹਿਲੇ ਪੰਗਤਿ ਸਚਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੁ ॥”
First in the Langar line sits the True King.
The Guru is accessible to those who shed ego and sit in humility.
2. Women Empowerment
Guru Amar Das Ji fiercely challenged the patriarchal norms of society by:
- Appointing women as Sikh preachers (Piris)
- Banning the practice of Sati (widow burning)
- Condemning purdah (veil)
- Promoting equal spiritual rights for women
“ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮੰਦਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਰਾਜਾਨ ॥”
Why call her bad, who gives birth to kings?
3. Creation of 22 Manjis (Administrative Zones)
To expand the Sikh mission, Guru Amar Das Ji established 22 spiritual seats (manjis) led by devout men and women, spreading Sikh teachings across India and ensuring organizational stability.
4. Composition of Gurbani
Guru Amar Das Ji composed over 900 hymns, preserved in Raags, which make up a large portion of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His Bani includes:
- Anand Sahib – A deep meditation on divine bliss
- Vaaran – Spiritual ballads of wisdom
- Bani on Seva, Naam, Grace, and Maya
“ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ॥”
I have found the True Guru, O my mother; I am in bliss!
5. Establishment of Goindwal Sahib
Guru Amar Das Ji established Goindwal Sahib on the banks of the Beas River as a spiritual center. He also created:
- Baoli Sahib – A stepwell with 84 steps, symbolizing 84 lakh birth cycles
- Reciting Japji Sahib on each step was believed to elevate consciousness
🌿 Spiritual Teachings of Guru Amar Das Ji
🔹 Naam as the Essence
“ਨਾਮੈ ਹੀ ਤੇ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਕਿਛੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥”
Everything comes from Naam. Without it, nothing exists.
🔹 Seva with Simran
“ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਮੀਤ ॥”
Serve the Lord, O my friend. That service alone is fruitful.
🔹 Rejecting Caste and Ritualism
“ਜੈਸੀ ਆਵੈ ਖਸਮ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਤੈਸੜਾ ਕਰੀ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਵੇ ਲਾਲੋ ॥”
As the Lord’s Bani comes to me, I share it in wisdom, O Lalo.
🔹 Divine Grace and Humility
“ਕਰਮੀ ਕਰਮੁ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਤ ਪਾਈਐ ॥”
By divine grace alone is one blessed again and again.
🕊️ Leadership Style: Quiet Power and Radical Equality
| Quality | Expression in Life |
|---|---|
| Humility | Never claimed superiority; walked among the people |
| Organization | Set up preaching centers and leadership training |
| Inclusivity | Integrated women, lower castes, travelers into the fold |
| Spiritual discipline | Maintained strict routine of Simran and Seva |
Guru Amar Das Ji showed that leadership means lifting others, not lording over them.
💡 Life Lessons from Guru Amar Das Ji
| Modern Problem | Teaching from Guru Ji |
|---|---|
| Gender bias | Empower women as spiritual equals |
| Caste or class prejudice | Sit together in the Langar of life |
| Depression or meaninglessness | Anand Sahib – true bliss lies in divine connection |
| Religious exclusivism | Truth is beyond rituals—Naam is the path |
| Aging & purpose | It’s never too late—he became Guru at 73! |
🔚 Conclusion
Guru Amar Das Ji transformed Sikhism from a small movement into an organized, socially revolutionary faith. His emphasis on equality, service, discipline, and spiritual joy laid the path for the Sikh Gurus who followed.
He was a fountain of compassion, yet unshakeable in principles. He proved that the old can lead the new, that service is the highest form of wisdom, and that every soul—man or woman—deserves equal access to the Divine.
“ਹਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਆ ॥”
I am a sacrifice to the True Guru, who gave me the joy of the Divine.