GURU HARKISHAN SAHIB
Guru Har Rai Sahib and Mata Krishan Kaur Ji (Sulakhni Ji). Ram Rai, the elder brother of Guru Harkrishan Sahib was ex-communicated and
disinherited due to his anti-Guru Ghar activities, as stated earlier and Sri Harkrishan Sahib Ji at the age of about five years, was declared
as Eighth Nanak Guru by his father Guru Har Rai Sahib before his death in 1661. This act inflamed Ram Rai Ji with jealousy and he complained
to the emperor Aurangzeb against his father’s decision. The emperor replied in flavor issuing orders through Raja Jai Singh to the young Guru
to appear before him. Raja Jai Singh sent his emissary to Kiratpur Sahib to bring the Guru to Delhi. At first the Guru was not willing, but
at the repeated requests of his followers and Raja Jai Singh, he agreed to go to Delhi.
At this occasion, a large number of devotees from every walk of life came to bid him farewell. They followed the Guru Sahib up to village
Panjokhara near Ambala. From this place the Guru advised his followers to return to their respective homes. Then Guru Sahib, along with a few
of his family members proceeded towards Delhi. But before leaving this place Guru Harkrishan Sahib showed the great powers which were
bestowed upon him by the Almighty God. Pandit Lal Chand, a learned scholar of Hindu literature questioned Guru Sahib about the meanings of
Gita. Then Guru Sahib called a water-carrier named Chhaju Ram, and with the Guru’s grace, this unlettered man was able to expound the
philosophy of the Gita. When Pandit Lal Chand listened the scholarly answer from Chhaju, he bent his head in shame and besought the
forgiveness of Guru Sahib. Pandit Lal Chand became the Sikh and escorted the Guru Sahib up to Kurukashatra.
When Guru Sahib reached Delhi, he was greeted with great fervor and full honors by Raja Jai Singh and the Sikhs of Delhi. Guru Sahib was
lodged in the palace of Raja Jai Singh. The people from all walks of life flocked the palace to have a glimpse (Darshan) of Guru Harkrishan
Sahib. Some chronicles mention that prince Muzzam also paid a visit.
In order to test the Guru’s intelligence, of which everyone spoke very highly, Raja Jai Singh requested the Guru Sahib to identify the real
queen out of the equally and well dressed ladies surrounding Guru Sahib. The Guru at once went to a lady dressed as a maidservant and sat in
her lap. This lady was the real queen. There are also many different stories we find in some other Sikh accounts relating to Guru Sahib’s
mental ability.
Within a short span of
time Guru Harkrishan Sahib through his fraternization with the common
masses gained more and more adherents in the
capital. At the time, a swear epidemic of cholera and smallpox broke out in Delhi. The young Guru began to attend the sufferers irrespective
of cast and creed. Particularly, the local Muslim population was much impressed with the purely humanitarian deeds of the Guru Sahib and
nicknamed him Bala Pir (child prophet). Even Aurangzeb did not tried to disturb Guru Harkrishan Sahib sensing the tone of the situation but
on the other hand never dismissed the claim of Ram Rai also.
In the last moment Guru Harkrishan Sahib wished that nobody should
mourn him after his death and instructed to sing the hyms of Gurbani.
Thuscapital. At the time, a swear epidemic of cholera and smallpox broke out in Delhi. The young Guru began to attend the sufferers irrespective
of cast and creed. Particularly, the local Muslim population was much impressed with the purely humanitarian deeds of the Guru Sahib and
nicknamed him Bala Pir (child prophet). Even Aurangzeb did not tried to disturb Guru Harkrishan Sahib sensing the tone of the situation but
on the other hand never dismissed the claim of Ram Rai also.
the ‘Bala Pir’ passed away on Chet Sudi 14,(3rd Vaisakh), Bikrami Samvat 1721, (30th March, 1664) slowly reciting the word “Waheguru” till
the end. Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib paying tribute to Guru Harkrishan Sahib stated in “Var Sri Bhagoti Ji Ki”… “Let us think of
the holy Harkrishan, Whose sight dispels all sorrows…”
While serving the suffering people from the epidemic day and night,
Guru Sahib himself was seized with high fever. The swear attack of
smallpox confined him to bed for several days. When his condition became serious, he called his mother and told her that his end was drawing
near. When asked to name his successor, he merely exclaimed ‘Baba Bakala’. These words were only meant for the future (Guru) Teg Bahadur
Sahib, who was residing at village Bakala near river Beas in Punjab province.
smallpox confined him to bed for several days. When his condition became serious, he called his mother and told her that his end was drawing
near. When asked to name his successor, he merely exclaimed ‘Baba Bakala’. These words were only meant for the future (Guru) Teg Bahadur
Sahib, who was residing at village Bakala near river Beas in Punjab province.
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