Guru Amar Das Ji — The Third Guru

Early Life

A Seeker Who Found the Path at Sixty-Two

Born on 5 May 1479 in Basarke Gillan, Amritsar. Guru Amar Das Ji spent the first 61 years of his life as a devout Hindu, making 20 pilgrimages to Haridwar. One day, he heard the hymns of Guru Nanak being recited by Bibi Amro (daughter of Guru Angad Dev Ji and his daughter-in-law). The divine words touched his soul so deeply that at the age of 62, he walked to Khadur Sahib and devoted himself entirely to Guru Angad Dev Ji.

For 11 years, he performed the most humble seva, carrying water every day for the Guru’s bath, rain or shine.

Teachings & Contributions

Centuries Ahead of His Time

Fought against the practice of Sati (the burning of widows on their husband’s funeral pyre) — centuries before the British officially banned it in 1829
Opposed the practice of Purdah (veiling of women), declaring women equal to men in all spiritual and social matters
Established the Manji system — 22 dioceses across India, each led by a devoted Sikh, creating the first organized administrative structure for the Sikh faith
Institutionalized Langar further, famously declaring “Pehle Pangat, Phir Sangat” (first eat together, then meet together) — even Emperor Akbar had to sit on the ground and eat Langar before meeting the Guru
Introduced the Anand Karaj marriage ceremony and composed the Anand Sahib, a prayer of spiritual bliss still recited at Sikh weddings
Established the city of Goindwal as the center of Sikh faith and had the Baoli Sahib (sacred stepwell) built with 84 steps

Key Events

Service, Humility, and Reform

The Midnight Water Carrier

For 11 years, Amar Das would wake before dawn and walk several miles to fetch water from the River Beas for Guru Angad Dev Ji’s bath. One stormy night, he stumbled into a weaver’s peg and fell. The weaver’s wife called him “homeless.” Guru Angad heard of this and declared, “He is not homeless — he is the home of the homeless.”

Emperor Akbar’s Visit

When the great Mughal Emperor Akbar came to meet Guru Amar Das, he was told he must first sit on the ground and eat Langar with everyone else. Akbar humbly complied and was so impressed that he offered to grant the Guru a revenue-free estate. The Guru declined.

Reform Proclamations

Guru Amar Das Ji issued formal hukamnamas (orders) prohibiting Sati and Purdah within the Sikh community, making Sikhism one of the first faiths to formally legislate gender equality.

Legacy

From Movement to Organized Faith

Guru Amar Das Ji transformed Sikhism from a spiritual movement into an organized religion with its own ceremonies, administrative structure, and social reform agenda. His championing of women’s rights and rejection of caste discrimination were centuries ahead of his time.

A Notable Verse

Words of the Third Guru

Within the home of your own self, is the treasure of all things. There is nothing outside. One who searches outside is lost in delusion.

— Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 754