Special on Parkash Purab of Guru Ram Das: A Tribute

By Sukhpal Kaur-
AMRITSAR:  Born on September 24, 1534 at Chuna Mandi, Lahore in Pakistan, in the family of Baba Hari Das ji Sodhi Khatri and Mata Daya ji, with the name of Jetha, Guru Ram Dass went on to become the fourth Sikh guru. He was orphaned at a tender age of 7 years following which he was taken by his maternal grandmother to her native village in Basarke near Amritsar.

Born in a poor family, Jetha had to sell boiled grams for earning a living. Later when he settled in Goindwal Sahib, he continued his profession along with actively participating in the development of Goindwal Sahib especially in the contruction of ‘baoli’ (sacred well). 

Guru Amar Das was impressed with the sewa performed by Jetha susebquently leading to the latter’s marriage with Bibi Bhani (Guru Amardas ji’s daughter). They had three sons, Prithi Chand, Mahadev and Guru Arjan Dev.When Jetha was nominated as fourth Sikh guru on September 1, 1574, he was renamed Guru Ram Das, meaning God’s servant. He laid the foundation of Chak Ramdas Pur and continued digging of Amritsar (pool of nectar) which soon flourished into a centre of not spiritualism but trade as well.

Amritsar is the hub of Sikhism today and harmandir sahib (Golden Temple) is equally revered by all the communities, be it Sikhs or Hindus. He introduced masand system for the spreading the eternal message of Sikhism in various parts of India.Guru Ram Das further strengthened the langar system started by the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji. 

He composed the laavan which explain the true meaning of marriage : “They are not said t be husband and wife who merely sit together. Rather they are called husband and wife, who have two bodies but one soul.” Ever since, the Sikh marriages are solemnized through the Anand Karaj system.

First Laav

soohee mehlaa 4. Soohee, Fourth Mehl:
(har pahilarhee laav parvirtee karam drirh-aa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.)
In the first round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord sets out His Instructions for performing the daily duties of married life. 

(banee barahmaa vayd Dharam darirhHu paap tajaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.)
Instead of the hymns of the Vedas to Brahma, embrace the righteous conduct of Dharma, and renounce sinful actions. 

(Dharam darirhhu har naam Dhi-aavahu simrit naam drirh-aa-i-aa. )
Meditate on the Lord's Name; embrace and enshrine the contemplative remembrance of the Naam. 

(satgur gur pooraa aaraadhahu sabh kilvikh paap gavaa-i-aa.) 
Worship and adore the Guru, the Perfect True Guru, and all your sins shall be dispelled. 

(sahj anand ho-aa vadbhaagee man har har meethaa laa-i-aa. )
By great good fortune, celestial bliss is attained, and the Lord, Har, Har, seems sweet to the mind. 

(jan kahai naanak laav pahilee aarambh kaaj rachaa-i-aa. ((1))
Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the first round of the marriage ceremony, the marriage ceremony has begun. ((1))

Second Laav

(har doojrhee laav satgur purakh milaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.) 
In the second round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord leads you to meet the True Guru, the Primal Being. 

(nirbha-o bhai man ho-ay ha-umai mail gavaa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.)
With the Fear of God, the Fearless Lord in the mind, the filth of egotism is eradicated. 

(nirmal bha-o paa-i-aa har gun gaa-i-aa har vaykhai raam hadooray.) 
In the Fear of God, the Immaculate Lord, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and behold the Lord's Presence before you. 

(har aatam raam pasaari-aa su-aamee sarab rahi-aa bharpooray. )
The Lord, the Supreme Soul, is the Lord and Master of the Universe; He is pervading and permeating everywhere, fully filling all spaces. 

(antar baahar har parabh ayko mil har jan mangal gaa-ay.) 
Deep within, and outside as well, there is only the One Lord God. Meeting together, the humble servants of the Lord sing the songs of joy. 

(jan naanak doojee laav chalaa-ee anhad sabad vajaa-ay. ((2)) 
Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the second round of the marriage ceremony, the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ((2)) 

Third Laav

(har teejrhee laav man chaa-o bha-i-aa bairaagee-aa bal raam jee-o.)
In the third round of the marriage ceremony, the mind is filled with Divine Love. 

(sant janaa har mayl har paa-i-aa vadbhaagee-aa bal raam jee-o.) 
Meeting with the humble Saints of the Lord, I have found the Lord, by great good fortune. 

(nirmal har paa-i-aa har gun gaa-i-aa mukh bolee har banee.)
I have found the Immaculate Lord, and I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. I speak the Word of the Lord's Bani. 

(sant janaa vadbhaagee paa-i-aa har kathee-ai akath kahaanee.) 
By great good fortune, I have found the humble Saints, and I speak the Unspoken Speech of the Lord. 

(hirdai har har har Dhun upjee har japee-ai mastak bhaag jee-o.) 
The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, vibrates and resounds within my heart; meditating on the Lord, I have realized the destiny inscribed upon my forehead. 

(jan naanak bolay teejee laavai har upjai man bairaag jee-o. ((3))
Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the third round of the marriage ceremony, the mind is filled with Divine Love for the Lord. ((3)) 


Fourth and last Laav

(har cha-utharhee laav man sahj bha-i-aa har paa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.)
In the fourth round of the marriage ceremony, my mind has become peaceful; I have found the Lord. 

(gurmukh mili-aa subhaa-ay har man tan meethaa laa-i-aa bal raam jee-o.)
As Gurmukh, I have met Him, with intuitive ease; the Lord seems so sweet to my mind and body. 

(har meethaa laa-i-aa mayray parabh bhaa-i-aa an-din har liv laa-ee. )
The Lord seems so sweet; I am pleasing to my God. Night and day, I lovingly focus my consciousness on the Lord. 

(man chindi-aa fal paa-i-aa su-aamee har naam vajee vaaDhaa-ee. )
I have obtained my Lord and Master, the fruit of my mind's desires. The Lord's Name resounds and resonates. 

(har parabh thaakur kaaj rachaa-i-aa Dhan hirdai naam vigaasee.) 
The Lord God, my Lord and Master, blends with His bride, and her heart blossoms forth in the Naam. 

(jan naanak bolay cha-uthee laavai har paa-i-aa parabh avinaasee. ((4)(2)) 
Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the fourth round of the marriage ceremony, we have found the Eternal Lord God. ((4)(2))

Guru Ram Das’s bani comprises of 638 hymns in 30 ragas in Guru Granth Sahib. After nominating his youngest son Guru Arjan Dev as the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das left Amritsar and started living in Goindwal Sahib where he passed away for his eternal journey on September 1, 1581.

(With inputs from Sikhiwiki