There was a cook named Bhai Jodh who made food for Guru Amardas ji. He was a Brahman but did not let his mind be filled with ego. He did the seva of the Guru. The money and food that the Sangat brought, was picked up by Bhai Jodh and used to buy grains and vegetables for the Langar. He used to take as much Langar and money required for a whole day’s worth of Langar, and cooked accordingly. He would make sure nothing was left for the next day. The left-over Langar was given to the animals. If there was food left over after feeding the animals, then the left-over food was put into the river. The pots of water were turned over to empty out the water. There was no counting of the Langar. This was commanded by Satguru ji, which Bhai Jodh obeyed with faith and devotion. He was very smart and made Langar accordingly. Bhai Jodh would eat the left-over Langar that wasn’t distributed. He would never care for taste and eat as much as he needed to. He would serve the Sikh Sangat very well. He would prepare Langar for anyone who came to the Guru’s home. The Brahman, Bhai Jodh, was never lazy. He would make sure nobody left hungry. Guru ji was very impressed with his seva and gave him the wisdom of Satnam. Guru ji released him from the pain of birth and death and gave him the state of bliss of the highest level.
One day, Guru ji made a casual trip to the Dhulla village. Prithimal and Tulsa were two people who lived there, who were born in the Bhalla clan. They heard about Guru ji and came to see him. They bowed and sat down beside him. Both of them had pride in their hearts about their caste and said to Guru ji: “we are both from the same caste as you.” Guru ji heard them and responded: “the Guru does not have any caste or creed. The bodies, that are born in this world, caste is an illusion and is not real. These bodies grow old and die. The caste does not go along with your soul to the next world.
Sri Mukhvaak Mahalla 1
In the next world, caste and strength do not exist. There are new beings there. Those few, that are honored, only they will be considered good.3.
(SGGS 469)
This is the wisdom of Guru Nanak Dev ji: caste and strength do not carry on with the soul. The body that is born, dies in this world and does not go along in the next world. Those who do Simran of Satnam, consistently and constantly; serve the Sikhs with a humble mind, their honor is acknowledged. Caste, high or low, is not considered.”
A Sikh named Bhai Mullan came to Guru Amardas ji and bowed to his feet. He then asked Guru ji: “please grant me wisdom by which my inner conflict is resolved.” Satguru ji said to him: “let go of your ego and serve the saints. This will bring you happiness. Have faith and devotion and feed the saints. Wash their feet and feed them well. For the love of the Guru, make the saints clothes; you will be blessed by the hungry and the ones who don’t have clothes. Do the Simran of Satnam and let go of your stubbornness. You will reach salvation.” He heard the words of Guru ji and started to follow Guru ji’s teachings. He began to serve the saints with love and devotion.
Ugarsen, Ramoo and Deepa, came to Guru ji. They bowed to Guru ji and came seeking wisdom. Guru ji gave them wisdom and blessed them: “when a Sikh comes to meet you, give them food to eat. Wake up during the Amrit Vela (the last watch of the night or 3 hours before sunrise) recite the word of the Guru with focus. Ponder on the meanings of Gurbani or learn them from a learned person, the wisdom of Gurbani. In a day, for an hour and a half, forget all of your other tasks and listen to the wisdom of Gurbani (Katha) or say the translations yourself. A boat may be filled with a lot of people but it should stay at least four fingers above the water. By staying as little as four fingers above the water, it still crosses the people across. What you need to consider is that you should not load too much, so that the water level goes above the four fingers. The ways of the world grab the person’s attention; do the “dharam di kirat” (the honest labour or business) day and night, but take out an hour and a half a day, and devote it to pondering the Guru’s wisdom. All of your matters will be resolved and you will reach salvation. The Prabhoo will see your love and will be impressed with you. The Guru will fulfil all your matters to completion and will not let you lose anything in any dimension. Ponder on the words of the Guru. Focus your attention and do the Simran of Akaal Purakh.” All three listened to Guru ji’s wisdom and engraved it into their hearts. They succeeded in their life by becoming Gursikhs.
Gopi, Ramoo Mehta, Mohan Mal, and Amaroo; all four came to the Guru’s feet. They folded their hands and said to Guru ji: “please keep us with you. Please bless us, as you are the most powerful. You bless the poor and fulfill your greatness. Please give us wisdom by which we may be saved.” Sri Guru Amardas ji then said: “you have been caught in bondage due to your ego. This happened without you wanting it. Everyone has taken this menace and attached themselves to it. They have forgotten the Parmeshwar, which resulted in their pain being present. For this reason, renounce your ego, only then will you be in love with Prabhoo Akaal Purakh.” The four heard Guru ji’s words and then further inquired: “how do we renounce our ego?” Guru ji responded: “accept your body as false. When your time is up, your body will finish. On a daily and constant way, slowly take your attention away from your body and direct it towards your Aatma. It won’t happen right away. Do it slowly so it sets in to your mind, that you are the Aatma and not the body. Build tolerance, stamina, forgiveness and patience. Do not hate others. If someone says bad words to you or disrespects you, don’t be angry with them.” They heard Guru ji’s wisdom and made changes in their life. They became fortunate and turned towards their Aatma.
Gangoo and Sahaaroo Bhaaroo came to Guru ji and bowed. They sat down beside Guru ji. Guru ji gave them wisdom as well: “accept the highest form of love and share your earnings. Speak nicely to everyone. If someone speaks harsh words to you, do not be angry. First feed Gursikhs and then eat food that was not distributed, after the Gursikhs have eaten. That person is pure that eats after the Gursikhs have eaten. Do the Simran of Vahiguru, everyday. When your mind will be focused onto the Simran, you will achieve a high level of peace. Do not worship graves, ancestors, snakes, plants, ghosts, demons or idols.”
Khan Chura, Begha Paasi and Nand Soodana were impressed with Guru ji. Ughroo, Taaroo, Jhunda and Pooro heard the glories of the Guru and came to him. They bowed to Guru ji and began to ask him questions about the ultimate salvation. Sri Guru Amardas ji said to them: “Kaliyuga has a strong hold on the world right now. In the previous Yugas, people did Yagnas by placing home (offerings) into the Yagna. The Devatas were happy by this as they received energy from this attention. Attention is energy. This is equal to giving food to Sikhs. Make love your Bhagti for the Prabhoo as your main support. You will receive all of the happiness in life. Make Vahiguru reside in your heart and achieve the pleasures of life while living as a householder. This will be equal to doing tapp in the forest.”
Two Chimbas (tailors): Malyaar and Sahaaroo came to Guru ji. They bowed to Guru ji’s feet, the giver of peace. Guru ji gave them wisdom: “do seva of Sikhs. Get clothes made for them and become pure. The Guru will be happy with you then. The Satsangat washes your filth from your heart. Serve the Guru with faith and devotion. Do the Simran of the one who is the master of the Devatas (the elements, senses and powers of the universe).”
A Pandha (a Brahman priest) named Boola came to Guru ji and bowed. He said to Guru ji: “I cannot serve anybody because nobody would let me serve them, seeing that I am a Brahman. Please bless me with wisdom so that I may reach salvation.” Guru ji said: “read the Gurbani of the Satguru and do Katha with love. Recite Gurbani in Satsangat and teach Gursikhs, Gurmat. Write pothis (collection of Gurbani scriptures) for Gursikhs. If somebody gives you money, be content with it and use it for yourself. Don’t beg for the money. Your seva will bring you the fruits and rewards you need.”
One day, all of the Sikhs from Dhulla came to see Guru ji. Guru ji gave them all wisdom at once: “on Gurpurabs (special days of the Gurus), new moon, full moon and Shangrand (new month of the Vikram Calendar); a Deepmaalaa with divas (ghee lamps) happens here. Everyone should come here on those days and have a jor mela (gathering of Sikhs). Make Karah Prashaad on those days and celebrate. Distribute the Karah Prashaad on the name of the Guru and sing Shabad Kirtan with love. Make new clothes for people who don’t have clothes. Give food to the hungry and poor. Help them in life with other necessities, so they can become self-sufficient. Otherwise, help them for the rest of their lives if they can’t do it on their own. If someone’s tasks are stuck, everyone should get together and do Ardaas for their success. Everyone should contribute what they can and give that person money to help them out. Make this the tradition in your villages and regions. Do jor melas and make sure your kids and grandkids inherit these traditions. This tradition is the most ancient. One receives many rewards and is at peace when one becomes a Sikh. Sing Gurbani with faith and love. This will make your destiny a great one.” In this way, Guru ji gave wisdom to the Sikhs and came back to Goindwal. The Sikhs and servants were with Guru ji as well. In Goindwal, bhajan, Simran and Kirtan were spreading bliss amongst all of the Sikhs. The Langar was prepared all the time. The Langar was like the ambrosial nectar. People would come to see Guru ji and their sins were washed away. Whoever came to Guru ji for their salvations, they were given the wisdom of Satnam Simran. This would give them peace. This message was spread by the Sikhs who reached Brahmgyaan by doing the Simran of Satnam. They themselves gave the same wisdom to others and helped them achieve salvation. Some acquired the wisdom through Gurmukhs and were released from their bonds and troubles. Just as the Bhavan Chandan (dwarf sandalwood) gives off its smell to other plants, so did the Gurmukhs pass on their levels to others by singing the Gurbani. The fortunate ones stayed with Guru ji by which the Simran of Satnam helped gather their focus. They would recite: “great is Guru Amar,” and became one with themselves.