Guru Amar Das' elder daughter, Dani, was married to a pious Sikh named Rama. His younger daughter, Bibi Bhani, was married to Jetha who was also most devoted to serving the Guru and his Sikhs. A gathering of followers came to the Guru and said, " Both Raina and Jetha are equally related to you and both perform works with great devotion. Although Rama is older, you seem to favor Jetha. Would you please tell us why?" The Guru said, "I am looking for the one who serves with greater faith, devotion, humility, and obedience. I am going to make a trial of Jetha and Rama; whoever fulfills my wishes the best will be the worthier of the two."

The Guru sat next to the sacred tank and called the two men. He ordered each of them to make a platform for him to sit on, one for the morning and the other for the evening. He said that whoever did the better work would receive the greater honor. They began working and after a time finished the platforms. Rama bowed to the Guru and showed him his platform; he thought he had done a very good job. The Guru looked at the platform and said," It's crooked. Tear it down and build another." Rama said that he had tried very hard to make a beautiful platform to please the Guru. The Guru said he was sure this was so; still, he was not satisfied. Rama built a second platform, yet this one also failed to please the Guru. Rama tore it down, but refused to build a third one. He mumbled, "The Guru has grown old, he must be senile." The Guru replied, "Rama does not know how to obey, how can he lead others as the Guru?"

The Guru then went over to Jetha's platform and, treating him in the same manner, said, "Your platform does not please me; tear it down and build another." At once, Jetha tore the platform down and built it again. When he had finished, the Guru said he was still dissatisfied and asked him to do it again. Over and over he ordered Jetha to rebuild the platform, so that he had to work all day and all night. Finally, after Jetha had rebuilt the platform for the seventh time, the Guru looked at him and said, "As this platform pleases me, so do you. As you have obeyed my order seven times, so shall seven generations of yours sit on the Guru's throne."

Turning to his Sikhs, the Guru said, "I have tested both of my sons-in-law. You have seen why Jetha is my most beloved. He is a perfect being who has come to save mankind." Soon after, the Guru bestowed the spiritual crown on Jetha. Thereafter, he was called by his given name, Ram Das, and became the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das.

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
GOOD LUCK ON UR EXAMS =) RAAB RAAKHA.

Three Days in the River

Each day before sunrise, Guru Nanak would go to the river to bathe in the cold water and sing God's praises. But one day he disappeared and could not be found. His clothes were still lying next to the riverbank, but there was no sign of Nanak. His friends walked up and down calling , "Nanak, Nanak," hoping against hope that they would find him. They grew afraid that he had drowned.

But Nanak was far from the reach of any of them. He was in a divine trance in which he was sitting in God's own presence. God gave him a cup of nectar and said, "I am with you. Go and repeat My Name, and teach others to do the same." Nanak was so filled with love for God that he sang the first part of the Japji: "Ek On Kaar, Sat Naam, Kartaa Purakh, Nirbhao, Nirvair, Akaal Moorat, Ajoonee, Saibhang, Gurprasaad, Jap. Aad Sach, Jugaad Sach, Haibee Sach, Naanak Hosee Bhee Sach!" God looked upon him with infinite kindness and said, "My Name is God, and you are the divine Guru."

After three days, Nanak came out of the river. The villagers gasped in disbelief. They had given up any hope of ever seeing him again. For a long time, he said nothing. Finally, when he did speak, he said, "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim." From that day on, he spread the message to everyone that all are equal, and equally loved by God, no matter how they worship him. He also taught that the best way to show their love for God is by praising His Name.

[As you go about your affairs using your hands and feet, let your consciousness remain with the Immaculate Lord]