Sri Satguru ji constructed the great Teerath for the good of the Sikhs. The ones that did Seva at Baoli Sahib, they were deeply blessed. The Satguru is the door to Mukti. Those who serve with faith and devotion, the door to mukti is wide open for them. As the Sikhs did Seva, Guru ji gave out blessings. Guru ji was like the Kalapbrish (the tree of wishes). Guru ji’s glory was spread out wide like the branches. Whoever comes to Guru ji comes under the protection of this great tree. The moat around the tree is the Sangat. The virtues (Sat- truth, Santokh-contentment, Daya- pity, Dharam- duty, Dheeraj- patience) are the branches of this tree. The shade is the renunciation of the pleasures and vices of the world. Brahmgyaan, which is desired by the Devatas, are given to the Sikhs that perform the Seva of the Guru’s lotus feet. This is the seed of this tree. Seva makes many other saints and then the saints make more saints. Bhagti is the bark which keeps the tree solid and firm. The branches that flow far are how Sikhi spreads. The flower of this tree is the wisdom to determine truth from false. The Maya is the false illusion of this world and the Aatma is real. The Bhagats wish to smell these flowers. They wish to receive this wisdom. The Sikhs that come to Guru ji, the Kalapbrish, their wishes are all fulfilled. Those who are fortunate, they fall in love with this “tree of wishes.” There is no shortage in the treasuries of Guru Sahib. Guru ji freely gives these gifts with both hands. He gives mukti and bhugti. He is the giver of power. Those who have faith in the Guru, they receive mukti and bhugti. Guru ji is generous and cannot see his Sikhs in pain. He destroys their doubts and worries. How many virtues of Guru Amardas ji can be written? Countless lives will end but the list of Guru ji’s virtues and praises will not be complete. Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “my wisdom is small; I cannot speak of the Guru’s praises. All I can do is fall to the feet of Guru Amardas ji and place my head.” Guru Amardas ji’s Bhalla family was growing like the moon headed towards the full moon. The ones who did Seva with faith, they were blessed with mukti and bhugti. They received salvation and the pleasures of the world (food, clothing and shelter). They also received “jugti” (the technique by which to live a good life). The ones that did not do Seva, their lives were useless. It was useless to come to this earth for them who did not know Guru Amardas ji or did not serve Guru ji. Within the blink of an eye, Guru ji could bless someone and finish the karma of countless births. He was impressed by little Seva. The Seva that destroyed the ego. The Guru doesn’t need Seva but the Guru is impressed when a Sikh destroys his/her ego. No Devata can match Guru ji’s power. Guru ji can make anyone into a Devata, and in fact, make the Sevadaars higher than Devatas.
Guru ji thought to himself: “Sikhs who come after me, their love and devotion should remain. They should be doing Simran and Seva. They should be able to be blessed with mukti and bhugti.” For this reason, Guru ji constructed the Baoli Sahib. In all four Yugas, there was no one more generous than Guru Amardas ji. Kavi ji has not heard of one, more generous than Guru ji. Those who do not meditate on and remember Guru Amardas ji, they are in loss. Many great Sikhs did Seva at Baoli Sahib. Sikhs like Bhai Paro ji, Bhai Bhalloo ji, Bhai Lalo ji, Baba Bhudda ji, Bhai Gurdas ji, Baba Mori ji; they had done Seva at Baoli Sahib along with Guru ji. There was a great crowd everyday for the Seva. Langar was made for all. Many Sikhs would do Seva to make Langar. Many types of foods were made. Delicious kheer and dhaal was made. Guru ji did not worry about the next day. All of the food was distributed and not kept overnight. People would take as much as they needed. Thousands would come to eat.
Guru ji would have his first meal of the day in the Pangat. He would eat Ogra without any salt. The Sangat was served delicious rice and lentils. Other types of vegetable curries would be prepared with roti. Everyone would love the tasty Langar. The Langar would start in the morning and continue on till night time. Nobody was stopped from going into the Langar place to eat. Everyone ate till they were full. The people that did Seva at the Baoli, all ate there as well.
Guru Amardas ji had two daughters who were very wise and fortunate. Their Bhagti was great. Bibi Bhani ji was married to Sri Ramdas ji and Bibi Dhani ji was married to Bhai Rama ji. Both sons-in-law had great love for Guru ji. They did many types of Sevas including the Seva for the Baoli. They would do Seva and give instructions as well. Sri Ramdas ji would collect all of the baskets and the shovels in the evening and place them neatly in one place. He would distribute them again in the morning to all the workers and Sevadaars. He would gather all of the tools of the craftsmen in the same way. He had immense faith and love for Sri Satguru ji and would do his Seva. Bhai Rama ji would do Seva for the Baoli in the same way. They would do the Seva and supervise the workers as well. There was no laziness in both of them. Satguru ji loved both of them. They were known as his Bhagats and lived in Guru ji’s hearts. The Sikhs would see both of them doing Seva and talked amongst themselves. One Sikh said: “Guru ji loves Bhai Rama more. He will surely be seated on the Guru’s throne. Bhai Rama will be the Guru of the world. He obeys Guru ji’s command, day and night. He is never lazy while doing Seva.”
Other Sikhs would say: “Sri Ramdas ji will be the next Guru. Guru ji is extremely happy with him. He has “Gareebi” (humility) in his heart. He never looks for any acknowledgement of accomplished work. He does Seva, day and night. Guru ji is impressed with his Seva. He has made Seva his Dharma.” In this way, the Sikhs would talk about either son-in-law, but the senior great Sikhs knew what Guru ji’s wish was. The senior Sikhs would say: “he has Gareebi, humility. His personality is such that, he loves everyone. He has complete faith in Guru ji. Patience, forgiveness and other traits that are loved by Guru ji, he has them all. All of these traits reside in Ramdas ji. He will be the next Guru. Guru ji is impressed by him and loves him more.” In this way, the Sikhs would guess.
One day, the Sikhs gathered and wanted their curiosity satisfied. They went to Guru ji. The leader, senior Sikhs folded their hands and said to Guru ji: “you are omniscient and complete. You are the treasure of virtues. Who is it that you do not love? You love all. You are enslaved by the love and devotion of your servants. Guru Nanak Dev ji did not give his throne to his sons. Instead, he gave it to his servant. His servant sat on the Guru’s throne. In the same way, Guru Angad Dev ji was attracted to the Seva of his servant and so, you became the Guru of the world. His sons did not have the ability to harness the great power of the throne and therefore were not deemed fit for it. You have that same personality as Guru ji did and so, you are enslaved by the Seva of your servants as well. Your sons-in-law are your great servants as well. Both of them do a lot of Seva and they are earning it well with great determination. They serve the Sangat of the Guru. They also do Seva for the Baoli with faith and love. We know that they are both equally loved by you, but we have a question. The Satguru is fair to all and loves everyone the same, but we are all confused as we see both of them as equals. You have casted your divine vision on both and love them the same. Sometimes it seems as though you love Sri Ramdas ji more. He does Seva, day and night, with determination and love. Who will be the better of the two that will make their family name proud? Whom do you love more? How will all of the Sikhs know? If you tell us, the Sikhs will stop arguing amongst themselves. Please bless everyone and fulfill their wish to know who will be the better of the two. Please speak your holy words.” The omniscient Satguru ji, that knows the wishes of all the hearts, heard the Sikhs words and got ready to give them their answers.