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Lesson 3: Shaheedan Dey Sirtaj Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. Son of the
fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das Ji, he was born on April 15, 1563 to Mata

Bhani Ji, daughter of Guru Amardas Ji. Arjan Dev Ji was the

favorite son of Guru Ram Das Ji. He had two elder brothers, Prithi
Chand and Maha Dev. Prithi Chand would prove to be hostile and

selfish later, but Maha Dev Ji was a quiet and peaceful person.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji received education in Gurmukhi script and
Gurbani from Baba Budha Ji at Goindval Sahib. He also learned

Persian, Hindi and Sanskrit. He was barely eighteen years old when
he was installed as the fifth Guru of the Sikhs on September 1,

1581.

Baba Budha Ji blessed Mata Ganga Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji and

they had a son Hargobind, who became our sixth guru.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji accomplished remarkable outcomes that changed
the future of Sikhs. Sikh religion became firmly established under

his guidance. He encouraged dasvandh contributions for community
service. Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the Bani of all the previous

Gurus as well as saints of different religions and castes into the Adi
Granth. Included in the Adi Granth is the Bani of Muslim Sufi Baba

Farid, Bhagat Ravidas- a shoemaker, Bhagat Sain- a barber, Bhagat

Kabir- a weaver and many more. Guru Arjan was a prolific writer
himself. About half of the Adi Granth is the Bani written by the

fifth Guru himself.

Guru Ji also completed the construction of Amritsar Sarovar and

built Harimandar Sahib in Amritsar. His divine nature was evident
when he invited the Muslim Pir Saeen Mian Mir to lay the foundation

of Harimandar. He also designed the Harimandar to have the four
doors. It symbolized that people of all castes were welcome there.

Sikh History and Gurmat Sikhia Book 6 2020 Edition Page 5