Guru Ram Das Ji founded the holy city of Amritsar and composed the Lavan — the Sikh wedding hymns. His devotional poetry expressing the soul's longing for God is among the most beautiful in Gurbani.
ਹਰਿ ਪਹਿਲੜੀ ਲਾਵ ਪਰਵਿਰਤੀ ਕਰਮ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥
Har pahilrhi laav parvirtee karam drirhaaia bal raam jio.
"In the first round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord sets out His instructions for performing the daily duties of married life."
Lavan, Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 773
Guru Ram Das Ji was born Bhai Jetha on September 24, 1534, in Lahore (now Pakistan). Orphaned at a young age, he came to Goindwal Sahib where he encountered Guru Amar Das Ji. His devotion and selfless service led to his marriage to the Guru's daughter, Bibi Bhani, and eventually his appointment as the fourth Guru.
His most enduring physical legacy is the founding of Ramdaspur, which would become Amritsar — the holiest city in Sikhism. He began excavating the sacred pool (sarovar) that would later house the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib). He invited traders and artisans of all castes and religions to settle in the new city, creating a diverse, thriving community.
Guru Ram Das Ji composed 679 hymns for the Guru Granth Sahib, including the Lavan — four wedding hymns that describe the soul's journey toward union with God. These hymns replaced the Hindu wedding ceremony (Saptapadi) with the Anand Karaj, the Sikh wedding ceremony that continues to this day.
His poetry is characterized by intense longing and devotion — the soul crying out for the Beloved. He used the metaphor of the bride longing for her husband to describe the soul's yearning for God, creating some of the most emotionally powerful verses in Gurbani.
He also established the tradition of the Masand system — appointed representatives who would collect offerings and spread Gurbani in distant regions.
Like a bride longing for her beloved, the soul yearns for union with the Divine. This longing itself is a form of worship.
The Lavan describe marriage as a spiritual journey, with each circumambulation representing a deeper commitment to God and Guru.
Guru Ram Das Ji's poetry is marked by profound humility — the devotee acknowledging their unworthiness while trusting in God's grace.
The founding of Amritsar shows that spiritual life must be grounded in community, commerce, and shared purpose.
Guru Ram Das Ji's gift of Amritsar to the Sikh world is immeasurable. The Golden Temple, which stands at the center of the sacred pool he began, remains the spiritual heart of Sikhism. His Lavan continue to unite Sikh couples in sacred marriage.