Bhai Lal, a chaudhari or headman of the village of SurSingh in the parganah of Patti in the presentday Amritsar district of the Punjab, was led to Guru Arjan's presence by Bhai Langah, another chaudhari in the same parganah. Bhai Langah had already been initiated a Sikh. It was now Bhai Lal's turn. According to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, the Guru taught him how service by hands purified the mind and ended dubiety. Bhai Lal served diligently during the digging of the sacred pool, and the construction of the Harimandar at Amritsar. The Guru appointed him masand or local officiant in his district.