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Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, the third Guru of the Sikhs, dedicated his life to the Guru, selfless service, equality and the remembrance of Waheguru. Guru Sahib strengthened important Sikh institutions, developed Goindwal Sahib as a major centre of Sikhi, challenged social discrimination and blessed humanity with Gurbani including the deeply cherished Anand Sahib. [1][2]
The life of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji carries a particularly powerful message: the spiritual journey has no age limit. Guru Sahib came to the path of the Guru later in life, yet through extraordinary devotion and seva became the third embodiment of Guru Nanak’s spiritual light.
Early Life of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji
Sri Guru Amar Das Ji was born in 1479 at Basarke Gillan, near present-day Amritsar. SGPC records his birth as 5 May 1479, while noting that some historical chronicles give a date in April. His father was Tej Bhan Bhalla Ji and his mother is recorded by SGPC as Bakht Kaur Ji, also referred to in historical sources by other names. [1]
Guru Sahib married Mata Mansa Devi Ji. They had four children: two sons, Mohan Ji and Mohri Ji, and two daughters, Bibi Dani Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji. Bibi Bhani Ji would later marry Bhai Jetha Ji, who became Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, the fourth Sikh Guru. [1]
Before meeting Guru Angad Dev Ji, Amar Das Ji followed the religious traditions in which he had been raised and made pilgrimages to Haridwar. [1][3]
His life, however, was about to change completely through Gurbani.
Hearing Gurbani from Bibi Amro Ji
A defining moment came when Amar Das Ji heard Bibi Amro Ji, daughter of Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, singing the hymns of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. [1]
The Gurbani deeply affected him.
Wanting to understand its source and meet the Guru, he went to Khadur Sahib, where he met Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji.
Despite being older than Guru Angad Dev Ji, Amar Das Ji accepted him wholeheartedly as his Guru and began living a life dedicated to the Guru’s teachings. [1]
This moment demonstrates an important lesson within Sikhi: spiritual learning requires humility.
Age, social standing and previous experience did not prevent Amar Das Ji from becoming a disciple.
Years of Selfless Seva
After becoming a Sikh of Guru Angad Dev Ji, Amar Das Ji devoted himself completely to seva.
According to SGPC records, he would rise early in the morning and bring water from the Beas River for Guru Angad Dev Ji’s bath. He also collected wood for Guru Ka Langar and performed other forms of service. [1]
Sikh historical accounts remember these years as a remarkable example of dedication.
The seva was not performed for recognition or position. It arose from devotion to the Guru.
For years, Amar Das Ji placed the Guru’s service before his personal comfort.
This period of his life remains one of the clearest examples of the Sikh understanding of seva performed without ego.
Sri Guru Amar Das Ji Becomes the Third Guru
In 1552, Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji bestowed the responsibility of Guruship upon Amar Das Ji.
Guru Amar Das Ji was approximately 73 years old when he became the third Guru of the Sikhs. [1][2]
His age makes his journey especially inspiring.
At a stage of life when many people might expect their greatest work to be behind them, Guru Amar Das Ji began more than two decades of extraordinary service to the Sikh Panth.
Guru Sahib established his headquarters at Goindwal Sahib, which developed into an important spiritual and organisational centre for Sikhs. [1]
Goindwal Sahib and the Baoli
Goindwal Sahib became closely associated with Guru Amar Das Ji.
Guru Sahib had a Baoli, or stepped well, constructed there with 84 steps. SGPC records describe it as an important Sikh centre associated with the growing community. [1]
Goindwal Sahib attracted Sikhs from different areas who came for Sangat, Gurbani and the Guru’s teachings.
Rather than directing people towards ritual distinctions based upon caste, background or social position, Guru Sahib encouraged a community based upon equality, Naam and service.
Goindwal Sahib therefore became much more than a settlement.
It became an important centre in the development of the Sikh Panth.
“Pehle Pangat, Phir Sangat”
One of the principles most strongly associated with Guru Amar Das Ji is:
Pehle Pangat, Phir Sangat
Before meeting the Guru, visitors would first sit together in Pangat and partake in Guru Ka Langar. [1]
The importance of this practice goes far beyond food.
People considered rich or poor, high or low according to the social divisions of the time, sat together as equals.
No special dining arrangement was created for someone’s social position.
SGPC records the tradition that when Emperor Akbar came to meet Guru Amar Das Ji, he too first participated in Langar. [1]
The institution of Langar therefore gave visible expression to a fundamental Sikh principle:
Human beings are equal before Waheguru.
Standing Against Caste Discrimination
Guru Amar Das Ji worked to strengthen a Sikh community in which caste distinctions had no spiritual authority.
Langar and Pangat challenged social divisions directly by bringing people together in a shared space.
The Guru did not simply speak about equality.
He established practices through which equality had to be lived.
This remains one of the most important aspects of Guru Sahib’s legacy.
Sikh institutions were designed so that dignity and participation did not depend upon a person’s caste, wealth, family or social status. [1][2]
Dignity and Equality of Women
Sri Guru Amar Das Ji also spoke against practices that diminished the dignity of women.
SGPC’s historical account states that Guru Sahib preached against Sati, supported widow remarriage and encouraged women to abandon the practice of Purdah, or covering the face with a veil as a requirement of social custom. [1]
These positions were significant in the social environment of the period.
Guru Sahib’s teachings placed spiritual dignity above restrictive customs and reinforced the Sikh principle that one’s relationship with Waheguru is not determined by gender.
Women participated in the growing Sikh community and its spiritual life.
Organisation of the Sikh Panth
As the Sikh community expanded geographically, Guru Amar Das Ji developed a more organised structure for maintaining contact with Sangats.
According to SGPC, Guru Sahib divided areas of the Sikh community into 22 preaching centres known as Manjis, each placed under the responsibility of a devoted Sikh. [1]
These centres helped communicate Sikh teachings and connect distant Sangats with the Guru.
Guru Sahib also travelled and sent Sikh preachers to different regions. [1]
This organisational development helped transform an expanding network of followers into a stronger and more connected Panth.
Gurbani of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji
Sri Guru Amar Das Ji blessed the Sikh tradition with a large body of Gurbani that was later included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. [1]
SGPC notes that historical chronicles differ regarding the exact number of verses attributed to Guru Sahib, so it is better to recognise the substantial contribution without relying upon one disputed total. [1]
Guru Amar Das Ji’s Gurbani repeatedly guides the mind toward:
- Naam and remembrance of Waheguru
- Love for the Guru
- Freedom from ego
- Truthful living
- Detachment from empty ritual
- Sangat
- Inner spiritual transformation
- Acceptance of Hukam
Guru Sahib’s Bani teaches that peace is not found merely through outward journeys or rituals.
True transformation takes place within the mind through the Guru’s Shabad.
Anand Sahib
Among Guru Amar Das Ji’s most beloved compositions is Anand Sahib.
The word Anand means spiritual bliss.
Anand Sahib describes the joy that arises when the mind becomes connected with the Guru and lives according to the Divine Word. [1][2]
It remains an important part of Sikh spiritual life and is recited on numerous occasions.
Its message points toward a form of happiness deeper than temporary worldly pleasure.
The Anand described by the Guru comes through spiritual awakening and connection with Waheguru.
For Sikh Samridhi, this section provides an excellent opportunity to internally link directly to Anand Sahib so readers can move immediately from learning about Guru Amar Das Ji to reading Guru Sahib’s Gurbani.
The Importance of the Guru
Guru Amar Das Ji’s own life demonstrates the importance of having complete faith in the Guru.
Before meeting Guru Angad Dev Ji, Amar Das Ji had already spent many years searching spiritually.
Yet his life changed after encountering Gurbani and surrendering himself to the Guru’s teachings.
His journey reminds us that knowledge alone is not the destination.
The Guru transforms knowledge into lived experience.
Guru Sahib’s years of seva demonstrate that the spiritual path requires humility, patience and willingness to change oneself.
Choosing Guru Ram Das Ji as Successor
Before leaving his physical form, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji selected Bhai Jetha Ji — Sri Guru Ram Das Ji — as his successor. [1]
Bhai Jetha Ji was married to Guru Sahib’s daughter Bibi Bhani Ji, but SGPC’s account emphasises his spirit of service and understanding of Sikh principles in connection with his selection. [1]
Guru Ram Das Ji became the fourth Sikh Guru and continued the development of the Panth.
This transition reinforces an important feature of the Sikh Guru tradition: the responsibility of Guruship was connected with spiritual fitness and devotion rather than simply biological inheritance.
Joti Jot of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji
Sri Guru Amar Das Ji completed his earthly journey at Goindwal Sahib in 1574, after entrusting the Guruship to Sri Guru Ram Das Ji. SGPC records the historical date as 1 September 1574. [1]
Different Sikh calendars may place annual commemorations on different Gregorian dates because Gurpurbs are often observed according to traditional calendar calculations.
The occasion of Guru Sahib’s Joti Jot is not simply a remembrance of a historical event.
It is an opportunity to reflect upon the principles that Guru Amar Das Ji embodied throughout his life.
What Can We Learn from Guru Amar Das Ji Today?
The life of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji remains deeply relevant.
His journey teaches us that it is never too late to change our direction in life.
Guru Sahib did not begin his path of dedicated Sikh seva as a young man. Yet through humility and devotion he became one of the Gurus who profoundly shaped Sikh institutions and spiritual practice.
His life asks us to consider whether we merely speak about equality or practise it.
Whether we seek recognition for seva or perform it quietly.
Whether we judge others by social status or see the same Divine light within humanity.
And whether Gurbani is simply something we read or something that transforms how we live.
Guru Amar Das Ji showed through his own life that true spiritual authority emerges from humility, seva and surrender to the Guru.
The Lasting Legacy of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji
Sri Guru Amar Das Ji’s legacy can still be seen throughout Sikh life.
It lives in Guru Ka Langar, where people sit together without social distinction.
It lives in Goindwal Sahib and its historic Baoli.
It lives in the principles of equality and human dignity.
It lives in the organisation of Sangat.
And above all, it lives through Guru Sahib’s Gurbani, including Anand Sahib, preserved forever within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Guru Sahib’s life reminds every seeker that spiritual growth is possible whenever the heart becomes humble enough to follow the Guru.
Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Amar Das Ji.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
References
[1] Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — Sri Guru Amardas Ji
Official SGPC biography covering Guru Sahib’s early life, meeting Guru Angad Dev Ji, seva, Guruship, Goindwal Sahib, Langar, Manji system, social teachings, Baoli, Gurbani and succession by Guru Ram Das Ji.
SGPC – Sri Guru Amardas Ji
[2] SikhNet — Guru Amar Das Ji: Revolutionary Change
Overview of Guru Sahib’s journey from seeker to Guru, years of seva, Langar and Pangat, equality, Manji system, Goindwal Sahib and Anand Sahib.
SikhNet – Guru Amar Das Ji
[3] SikhNet — Guru Amar Das
Detailed historical discussion of Guru Amar Das Ji’s spiritual journey, early religious life, meeting Guru Angad Dev Ji and years of seva.
SikhNet – Guru Amar Das
