Before coming into the refuge of the Guru, Baba Amar Das Ji used to go on a pilgrimage to the Ganges every six months. He completed this journey nearly twenty times. Once, while returning from the Ganges, he met a sadhu on the way and brought him home. During their conversation, the sadhu asked him, “Who is your Guru?” Baba Amar Das Ji replied that he had not yet accepted a Guru. Hearing this, the sadhu taunted him, saying that he was “Nigura” (one without a Guru). The sadhu even said that by keeping company with someone without a Guru, his spiritual merit had been destroyed. These words deeply hurt Baba Amar Das Ji. He reflected that if his company could harm someone’s spiritual life, then he must find and accept a true Guru. From that moment, a strong desire to find a Guru arose in his heart. Bibi Amro Ji, the daughter of Guru Angad Dev Ji, was married into Baba Amar Das Ji’s family. During the early hours of the morning, she used to recite Gurbani composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. One day, Baba Amar Das Ji heard a hymn from Raag Maru: “Karni kaagad man masvaani, bura bhala dui lekh paye…” Listening to this divine hymn filled his heart with an even stronger longing to meet the Guru. Bibi Amro Ji then took Baba Amar Das Ji to Khadoor Sahib, where he bowed at the feet of Guru Angad Dev Ji and became his devoted disciple. For twelve years, Baba Amar Das Ji served the Guru day and night. One of his most remarkable services was bringing water daily from the Beas River in a pitcher for Guru Angad Dev Ji’s bath, regardless of weather conditions. Finally, pleased with his devotion and service, on Chet Sudi Ekam, Samvat 1609 (1552 CE), Guru Angad Dev Ji bestowed the GurGaddi upon Guru Amar Das Ji in the presence of the congregation. Guru Amar Das Ji established the town of Goindwal Sahib and remained on the GurGaddi for 22 years. He also constructed the famous Baoli Sahib with 84 steps and established 22 Manjis and 52 Pirs to spread Sikh teachings. He made Langar and Pangat mandatory for all visitors. Even when Emperor Akbar came for his visit, he was asked to sit in the Pangat and eat Langar before meeting the Guru. Guru Amar Das Ji also worked to abolish the practice of Sati and encouraged widow remarriage. He composed many hymns of Gurbani, among which Anand Sahib is widely known and is part of daily Sikh prayers. Heartfelt greetings to everyone on the GurGaddi Day of the Third Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji.
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