Guru
Har Krishan Sahib
Guru Harkrishan Sahib was born on Sawan Vadi 10, (8 Sawan), Bikrami
Samvat 1713, (July 7, 1656) at Kiratpur Sahib. He was the second son
of 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.
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.
In the last moment Guru Harkrishan Sahib wished that nobody should
mourn him after his death and instructed to sing the hyms of Gurbani.
Thus 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..."
