Bhai Akul, a resident of Sultanpur Lodhi in presentday Kapurthala district of the Punjab, embraced the Sikh faith in the time of Guru Amar Das. Bhai Gurdas in his Varan praises his sincerity and devotion to the Guru. Once Bhai Akul, along with several others from his village, waited on Guru Arjan Dev and begged to be instructed in how sattvika gunas, or qualities of purity and goodness, might be cultivated. The Guru explained that virtuous living was essential to spiritual wellbeing. He further said that simplicity, cleanliness, readiness to serve others, association with the virtuous and concentration on the Divine Name aided in moral refinement. Akul and his companions returned to their village enlightened. The Guru, according to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, ramarked, "Sultanp