BEGGING BOWL
Guru Angad Dev Ji (2nd Guru) was sitting on his thakt (holy throne) and saw an old man approach him. It was his daughters uncle (through marriage).
Guru sahib recognized him and respectfully greeted him as a member of his son-in-laws house. The old man instead bowed his head and said 'I've not come as a relative, I've come as a beggar, please bless me with Sikhi'
Guru Angad Dev ji said if your a beggar where is your begging bowl to receive Sikhi'
The old man said, shall I bring one made of Gold or Silver? Guru ji said no, those begging bowls can not receive Sikhi. If you want Sikhi, then your begging bowl must be made of Seva (selfless service). The old baba (old man) said 'I've never done seva before'. Guru sahib said you will learn how to do seva in the Gurus house. Every morning while it is still dark you will take this metal pot and travel 3 miles to a flowing river and collect water for my amritvela ishnaan (2am bathing) . The journey is 6 miles in total. The baba ji said 'sat bachan (will do) guru ji'. The baba Ji did this seva for 12 years and was now 73 years old. One day the baba ji was walking back from the river with the water when he collapsed and the water spilt. The Baba ji was very determined to do seva and very upset that he will get late. He went back to Guru ji all muddy and dirty with an empty pot and his head down. Guru ji saw him and said where have you been I've already done my ishnaan now. Baba ji said 'please forgive me, I collapsed doing your seva. Guru ji said really? u collapsed doing seva? Baba ji asked for maafi (forgiveness) and said my pot is empty. Guru sahib smiled and said.. Those that collapse before the Guru (submission) with an empty pot (no cleverness - manmat) will receive everything. So Guru Angad Dev ji aged 47 came off his thakt and said to the Baba ji 'Baba Amar Das ji you will now lead the panth (Gurus path) of Guru Nanak Dev ji' (1st Guru).
Guru Amar Das Ji aged 73, who had no desire in his heart other than to please Guru Ji was then given gurgaddi (Guru-ship 3rd Guru)
DHAN GURU AMAR DAS JI, DHAN TERE SEVA (blessed is your Seva Guru Amardas Ji).
Guru Ji Says, "I carry water for the Guru's household; from the Guru, I have learned the Way of the One Lord."
Vaheguroo!
