Guru Amardas Maharaj Ji, the third Guru of the Sikhs, was married to Bibi Ram Kaur Ji, the daughter of Sri Devi Chand, on January 24, 1502. From Bibi Ram Kaur Ji’s womb, two sons, Mohan Ji and Mohri Ji, and two daughters, Bibi Daani Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji, were born. Guru Amardas Ji frequently undertook pilgrimages to the banks of the Ganga. One day, while returning from a pilgrimage, a Vaishnav Sadhu became his companion and brought him back to his dwelling, where he served him with great dedication.
One day, the Sadhu asked Guru Amardas Ji who his Guru was, to which he replied that he had not yet taken a Guru. Upon hearing this, the Sadhu said, “I have been eating and drinking at the hands of someone without a Guru. All my vows, pilgrimages, and religious duties have been nullified. It is even bad to see such a person without a Guru.” After saying this, the Vaishnav Sadhu left. This incident deeply affected Guru Amardas Ji, and he decided to find a Guru. He visited many saints and sadhus but did not find peace anywhere.
Guru Angad Dev Ji’s daughter, Bibi Amro, had been married to Guru Amardas Ji’s nephew. One day, during the Amrit Vela, Bibi Amro was churning milk and reciting Gurbani in a sweet melody. Baba Amardas Ji began listening attentively, and the Gurbani resonated with his heart. He felt a deep desire to know which great soul had composed such divine words and decided to seek their darshan. He took Bibi Amro along and went to Kandhura Sahib to meet Guru Angad Dev Ji. After darshan and bowing at Guru Angad Dev Ji’s feet, he found peace in his heart and was blessed with the gift of Sikhism. At that time, Baba Amardas Ji was about 62 years old, while Guru Angad Dev Ji was about 36 years old. After receiving the gift of Sikhism, Baba Amardas Ji did not return home but stayed at Kandhura Sahib to serve the Guru and the Sangat with body and mind.
He would first bathe himself, then fetch water and bring it to Guru Angad Dev Ji for his morning bath. Despite being an elderly man, Baba Amardas Ji often faced difficulties, even stumbling in the dark, which led some people to mock him. However, the mockery and laughter of others could not deter him from serving his Guru.
One day, dark clouds gathered, and the entire area was covered in darkness, with light rain falling, causing mud to form everywhere. In his old age, Guru Amardas Ji, following his routine, set out to fill a water jug from the Beas River. The rain intensified, and while walking, he stumbled on a stone in a weaver’s ditch and fell. Hearing the noise, the weaver called out from inside, asking who it was. The weaver then said, “Who else could it be at this time? It’s Amru, the homeless one, who has no rest during the day or night, sitting at the door of his house, filling water to feed himself.” Guru Amardas Ji replied, “Fool, I am one whom the Lord of the world has taken under His feet. How could I be homeless?” He picked up the jug and continued on his way.
Meanwhile, the weaver, who had mocked him, went to Guru Angad Dev Ji with his wife. When they bowed before Guru Angad Dev Ji and received His darshan, they were instantly healed. The weaver, now in his senses, apologized for his mistake. He recounted the entire incident to Guru Angad Dev Ji. Guru Angad Dev Ji responded, “Amardas Ji is the place of the homeless, the refuge of the humble, the support of the weak, the honor of the meek, and the Master of all.”
Thus, Guru Angad Dev Ji opened the doors of blessings. Before merging with the Divine Light, Guru Angad Dev Ji entrusted the Guruship to Guru Amardas Ji, recognizing him as the third Guru of the Sikhs. Guru Amardas Ji expanded the mission of Sikhism by establishing the center of Sikhi at Goindwal, a town Guru Angad Dev Ji had ordered to be established near the Beas River.
