| (91) Question:- |
What were the other efforts made by Guru Ram Dass Ji for the spread of Sikh Religion? |
| Answer:- |
Guru Ram Dass Ji not only founded the holy city and gave the Sikhs the pool of nectar, but also established a Dharamsaal at Chunna Mandi, Lahore, where congregations were held for the propagation of the teachings of the Great Masters. Guru Ram Dass Ji had also got built a well at Lahore for solving the water problem of the residents of that area. He had also started excavation of another Sarover, namely Santokhsar. He sent Bhai Gurdas and several other Sikhs to preach in different parts of the country. Bhai Gurdas is stated to have performed this act at Agra, where one of the Manjis established by the third Guru, existed. |
| (92) Question:- |
Give information regarding Masand-Daswand pratha started by Guru Ram Dass Ji. |
| Answer:- |
Guru Ram Dass Ji sent a good number of Sikhs to various places for preaching Guru Nanak's teachings. These Sikhs were called `Masands'.
When Guru Ram Dass Ji started excavation and construction work, he felt the need for the money. The work of collection of money was also entrusted to these Masands. They collected Daswand from the people at different places and deposited the same at Guru's headquarters. Thus, these Masands became not only good preachers, but also collectors of revenue for religious purposes. Daswand means one-tenth of income to be spent for religious purposes (Tithe). |
| (93) Question:- |
Guru Ram Dass Ji is also stated to be very humble and polite in nature. Give one illustration in support of the same. |
| Answer:- |
Guru Ram Dass Ji had a long beard. The tradition records that once Baba Shree Chand, the elder Son of Guru Nanak and the founder of Ascetic Udaasi Sect came to visit the Guru. When he pointed out to the Guru regarding his long beard, the Guru replied with utmost humility that he had it so that he could wipe with it the feet of saintly men like Baba ji. Baba Shree Chand on hearing this, is stated to have remarked that Guru Ram Dass Ji really deserved his father's place. |
| (94) Question:- |
Give information regarding the compositions of Guru Ram Dass Ji. |
| Answer:- |
There are 638 hymns composed by Guru Ram Dass Ji which are enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib. These hymns have been composed in 30 Raags. Guru Ram Dass Ji was so much conversant with Raags that he himself invented certain Raags. His composition "Laavaan" is recited at the time of Sikh marriage. The marriage performed with these "Laavaan" gives an everlasting pleasure termed in Punjabi as 'Anand'. That is why, the marriage in Sikh terminology is called 'Anand Kaaraj'. |
| (95) Question:- |
Write a short note on the structure & contents of 'Laavaan' as composed by Guru Ram Dass Ji. |
| Answer:- |
The composition 'Laavaan' is comprised of four-lines stanzas used as wedding hymn. This composition composed in Raag Suhi, appears on page 773 of Guru Granth Sahib. When the same are recited at the time of marriage among the Sikhs, the couple circumambulates the Guru Granth Sahib four times in respect of the four stanzas of the composition.
So far as the contents of Laavaan are concerned, the same revolve around the theme of the union of the human soul with that of the Divine Soul. Human soul is the bride whereas the Almighty Lord is the husband. In first stanza, there is an emphasis for becoming absorbed in Divine Name and for performing moral and social obligations. These things lead to a happy wedded life, the spiritual meaning of which is that these steps take one further to the holy union. In the second stanza the state of fearless mind is depicted, wherein the human heart becomes free of all fears and the filth of selfishness is washed off. Realising the presence of God in every one, the person sings the praise of the Lord. The third stanza indicates the strengthening of the love bond between man and God which is caused by the detachment from the mundane world. The last quartet shows
achievement of the mystical union with the absolute one. This union brings indescribable bliss for the bride and her spouse. Thus, whereas the four paras are recited for the fulfillment of the nuptial union, the deeper meaning relates to the Divine union of man's soul with the Divine soul. The man's quest for God realisation ultimately brings the attainment of the goal.
|
| (96) Question:- |
What is the daily practice of the Sikhs as mentioned by? Guru Ram Dass Ji in one of his hymns? |
| Answer:- |
There is a hymn of the fourth master as appearing on page 305 of Guru Granth Sahib, wherein the Guru has instructed the Sikhs
regarding their daily routine. The hymn reads as under:-
ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥
ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 305)
Gur satgur ka jo Sikh akhaae su bhalke uth Har Naam dhiaavai.
Udam kare bhalke parbhaati isnaan kare Amrit sar naavai.
Updes Guru Har Har jap jaape sabh kilvikh paap dokh leh jaavai.
Phir Charai divis gurbaani gavai behdiaa uthdian Har Naam dhiaavai.
Jo saas graas dhiaave mera Har Har so Gursikh Guru man bhavai.
He who calls himself the true Sikh of the Guru.
He should rise up early and meditate on Him.
He must be active early in the morning.
And should take a dip in the tank of Nectar.
He must act to the Guru's advice and remember God.
Thus all his sins and misdeeds are washed away.
As day dawns, he should read the scriptures.
And utter His Name every moment of the day.
The Guru adores those Sikhs who remember
God with every breath of their lives
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| (97) Question:- |
(a) Describe, Guru Ram Dass Ji as a Poet?
(b) What do the eulogists say about Guru Ram Dass Ji? |
| Answer:- |
(a) Guru Ram Dass Ji was a poet of high merit. His poetry divinely inspires anyone who goes through it. It expresses both the profound humility and joyful exaltation of a person meeting God. There is a feeling of longing for the Divine union in Guru's compositions which ultimately elevates human soul to be united with the eternal soul. Further, Guru's poetry is full of praise for the saints who remember God's Name in their hearts, but at the same time, the Guru criticizes the persons who have forgotten God and gone astray in illusions and pride. Vaars composed by Guru are also of a very high literary standard dealing with the metaphysical subjects. However, even for deeper ideas the language used by the Guru is very simple. His images drawn even from mythology are simple and make the point very clear. For example, in the following verses
ਇਛਾ ਪੂਰਕੁ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਵਸਿ ਹੈ ਕਾਮਧੇਨਾ।।
ਸੋ ਐਸਾ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੀਅੜੇ ਤਾ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨਾ।। (ਅੰਗ 669-70)
Ichha poorak sarab sukhdaata
Har ja kai vas hai kaamdhena.
So aisa Har dhiaaeeai mere jeeare
Ta sarab sukh paaveh mere mana.
The God is accomplisher of all desires,
And he provides all the comforts to the man.
The Elysian cow is under His command,
So my soul, you should meditate on such a Master.
Then you shall obtain all the enjoyment.
(b) The eulogists popularly known as Bhatts were the poets who composed their verses as songs of praise for the Gurus. Their verses as called Sawayyas, appear towards the end of the holy book. the Bhatts portray the fourth Master as attainee of Raj Jog. Bhatt Nal, Bhatt Daas and Bhatt Kirat have described the guru as blessed with enduring treasure of God's Name. He has been justified as the deserving successor on the spiritual throne of Guru Nanak. Similar views have been expressed by Satta and Balwand, whose composition 'Tikke di Var' is also a panegyric on the first five Gurus. |
| (98) Question:- |
When did Guru Ram Dass Ji breathe his last? |
| Answer:- |
After Guru Ram Dass Ji decided to make his son Arjun Dev as his successor, he retired to Goindwal, where he passed away on 2 Assu 1638 Bikrami/ 1st September 1581 AD. |
| (99) Question:- |
Which are the prominent Gurudwaras associated with Guru Ram Dass Ji? |
| Answer:- |
There is a Gurdwara at Goindwal to commemorate the installation of Guru Ram Dass Ji as a successor to the third Master. This is known as 'Guriai Asthan'. There is another Gurdwara at the birth place of Guru in Chuna Mandi, Lahore, known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan. The City of Amritsar was founded by Guru and as such the same remains a living monument in his memory. |
| (100) Question:- |
(a) When and where was guru Arjan Dev Ji born? Give information regarding his marriage and issues also.
(b) Give some information regarding the childhood of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. |
| Answer:- |
(a) Guru Arjan Dev Ji was born on Baisakh Vadi 7,1620 BK/15th April 1563 AD at Goindwal Sahib. Shri Guru Ram Dass Ji and Mata Bhani ji were his parents. He was married in Samat 1636 to Shri Krishan Chand's daughter Bibi Ganga Dai. Guru Hargobind Sahib was their only issue.
(b) From his very childhood. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was a peaceful and spiritual person. He respected his father Guru Ram Dass Ji very much. He stayed during his childhood at Goindwal Sahib and later on at Amritsar. He got his education in religion, history, music, and languages. When, once there was a marriage in the family of a relation, Shri Sihari Mal, at Lahore, and his elder two brothers had declined to go there, his father ordered him to go to Lahore and attend the marriage. He was also directed not to come back until somebody was sent to bring him. It was, in view of this command of his father, that he had to stay for a long time at Lahore. |
