The Beloved or the Guru-Pritam, the Akal-Purakh, is regarded as the ultimate pleasure, joy and bliss of life by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru. Guru Ram Das was a great poet who not only composed 638 hymns but also used 30 different ragas in the banis. His poetry, using the symbols and activities of mundane life, reflects upon spiritual themes. Guru Ram Das was born in September 1534 at Lahore. He was the first born of his parents, hence given the name Jetha. He lost both his parents at the age of seven. In order to earn his livelihood, Bhai Jetha used to sell boiled grains and wheat. One day, he appeared at the door of Guru Amar Das who happened to be in conversation with his wife regarding the prospective husband of their daughter.
As soon as Guru Amar Das' wife saw Bhai Jetha at the door,she suggested that the boy should be as good as Jetha. Guru Amar Das remarked that Jetha alone could be like himself. Highly pleased with Bhai Jetha's conduct, humility and service, Guru Amar Das married his daughter, Bibi Bhani to Bhai Jetha(Guru Ram Das). Guru Ram Das was a simple man, full of devotion and humility. He used to serve the sangat in the community kitchen,langar. Once a number of high caste people complained to Akbar that in the tradition of langar the distinctions of caste were not observed leading to the pollution of the society. Guru Ram Das simply replied to the Mughal Emperor that all are equal in the eyes of the Creator so question of impurity or inequality does not arise. Guru Ram Das was an extremely humble man. Once Baba Srichand, the son of Guru Nanak, visited him and asked the Guru why he had grown a long beard.
With utmost humility, the Guru replied, 'I have grown a long beard so that I may wipe with it the feet of saintly men like you'. The same humility is shown in his poetry. Guru Ram Das writes, 'I would offer my body and soul, everything, and fix my mind on His feet. May I meet the saint of the Lord, the Beloved, I will cut my heart to give to him'. The city of Amritsar was founded by Guru Ram Das. It was called Guru ka Chakk(village of the guru) and then came to be known as Ramdaspur and finally as Amritsar, the pool of nectar. Ramdaspur was described by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, as the city none like other, a city par excellence. Guru Ram Das is also credited with providing instructions for the daily practice of a Sikh, as well as for composing 'Lavan', used as wedding hymn at the marriage ceremony. Guru Ram Das' contributions to Sikhism are immense. The bards, Balwant and Satta, in praise of Guru Ram Das, sing, "You are Nanak and Lahina(Angad), you are Amar Das too. The miracle is complete, the Creator adores you. Blessed, blessed is Guru Ram Das".
