Guru Ram Das's Early Life

Thakar Das was a khatri of the sodhi family who lived in the Chuna (or Chuni) Mandi part of Lahore city. He was married to a lady called Jaswanti, a word which means praiseworthy. A son called Hari Das (Servant of God) was born to them. Hari Das afterwards married Anup Devi (known to all as Daya Kaur).

The associations and acts of both Hari Das and Daya Kaur were always good and praiseworthy. Contrary to the polytheistic spirit of their time, they worshipped only one God, served saints, and made the repetition of God's name the main object of their devotion. They worked diligently for their livelihood, and were content with their lives. They rose early to perform their adoration and meditation to God. The couple wanted to start their own family.

The result of their prayer and devotion was that after twelve years of married life, in the early morning of Thursday, the second day of the dark half of the month Katak, 26th September in 1534 AD, a son was born to them. He was called Ram Das, but was generally known as Jetha, a name which means first-born. He is described as of fair complexion, handsome figure, pleasing and smiling face, and not disposed to weep or cry in the manner of ordinary children.

As a child, Jetha was playful but never naughty. He never fought with anyone, and had lots of friends. His friends liked him for his easy going and friendly nature, while the elders adored him for being quiet and humble. He also liked to spend a lot of time in the house with his parents, helping his mother with the household chores and running errands for his father. He often sat by his parents when they said their daily prayers, and never missed them. Even when he was playing outdoors, he would run home if it was time for prayers.

Noble Intentions

As Bhai Jetha grew up he frequented the society of holy men, and gave them whatever he received from his parents. The latter desired that he should turn to some occupation for his livelihood, but that was not his own intention. There lived near his parents a poor man who made his living by selling boiled grams. At his suggestion Bhai Jetha's mother boiled some, put them into a basket, and gave it to him to sell, so that he might begin to do something profitable.

An ordinary person would have taken the grams to the bazaars and streets for sale, but Bhai Jetha went off with his basket to the river Ravi and there sat down. He soon saw a company of holy men coming towards him from the opposite side, and waited until they had bathed and emerged from the river. They were very hungry, and on seeing him with his basket, asked him to supply their necessities.

The holy men represented that what was given in the name of the Lord would fructify a thousandfold, and that God would bless his earnings. Bhai Jetha gave them the whole contents of his basket and went home. The holy men were very pleased, and prayed that God would reward the boy for his compassionate and timely gift. Some accounts mention that Bhai Jetha's parents died when he was approx. aged 7. Bhai Jetha continued to become a handsome young man.

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  Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das

  Chuna Mandi Bazar, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

  Associated with Sri Guru Ram Das Ji.

  Sri Guru Ram Das Ji was born at Chuna Mandi Bazaar at the site of Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das on 24th Sept 1534 AD.

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