Guru Ram Das's Birthday

Guru Ram Das, the Lord of Miracles and Spiritual Guide of Yogi Bhajan

Every fall, we have the blessing of celebrating Guru Ram Das Ji's birthday. Known as the Lord of Miracles, Guru Ram Das embodied humility, service, and deep devotion. Guru Ram Das held a special place in Yogi Bhajan's heart. Our community looks to Guru Ram Das for guidance, healing, and protection. Many of our ashrams were named in his honor. Yogi Bhajan gave us a special sadhana to do in celebration of Guru Ram Das's birthday. 

September 28 - October 8: For 11 days prior to his birthday we chant the shabd Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru for 31 minutes. This is the Shabd of Miracles.

October 9th: This is the day of Guru Ram Das Ji's birth, when we have a special sadhana of chanting this shabd for 2 ½ hours in the Amrit Vela.

Yogi Bhajan has described this occasion as a powerful time for the fulfillment of prayers and a time of great blessing. 

In many communities it is a tradition to have a Gurdwara service on Guru Ram Das's birthday and bring your “wish-and-a-dish” to share with the community. 

SHABD: DHAN DHAN RAM DAS GURU

Dhan dhan raam daas gur jin siri-aa tinai savaari-aa

Pooree hoee karaamaat aap sirajanhaarai dhaari-aa

Sikhee atai sangatee paarbrahm kar namasakaari-aa

Atal athaa-o atol too tayraa ant na paaraavaari-aa

Jinee too sayvi-aa bhaa-o kar say tudh paar utaari-aa

Lab lobh kaam krodh mo maar kadhay tudh saparvaari-aa

Dhan so tayraa thaan hai sach tayraa paisakaari-aa

Naanak too lehanaa toohai gur amar too veechaari-aa

Gur dithaa taa man saadhaari-aa

TRANSLATION:

Blessed, blessed is Guru Ram Das; the One who created You has also exalted You.
Perfect is Your miracle; the Creator has installed You on a throne.
Sikhs as well as all Conscious people recognize You because you manifest the Creator.
You are unchanging, unfathomable and immeasurable;
You have no end or limitation.
You are unchanging, unfathomable and immeasurable;
Those who serve You with love are carried across the sea of existence.
The five obstacles of lust, anger, greed, pride and attachment:
You have beaten them and driven them out.
Blessed is Your realm, and True is Your magnificent glory.
You are Nanak, You are Angad, and You are Amar Daas;
When I recognize You, my soul is comforted.

There are many recordings of Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru available online at Sikhnet and at Spirit Voyage.  

You can watch a video clip of Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru chanting led by Snatam Kaur in Espanola several years ago (video by Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa).