By Randeep Kaur Shergill
Guru Har Krishan Ji, was born on July 7, 1656, in the village of Kiratpur. He was born to Guru Har Rai, the seventh guru and Mata Kishan Kaur. Guru Har Krishan Ji had an older brother, Ram Rai. Ram Rai was sent to Delhi at the request of Aurangzeb, the Muslim emperor of that time. Aurangzeb was a clever, hard hearted and cruel man. He believed that his religion was the only true religion. Aurangzeb had decided to make Islam the religion of all his subjects. Meanwhile complaints were made to Aurangzeb against Guru Har Rai Ji was preaching a religion of his own, and mainly because his sacred book the Granish Sahib, contained many remarks against Muhammadans and their religion. Aurangzeb decided to learn more about Guru Har Rai Ji and his religion. He sent for Guru Har Rai but the Guru had vowed never to see Aurangzeb. Therefore the Guru sent his oldest son Ram Rai to meet with Aurangzeb. There in Delhi, Ram Rai made some changes in the Granth Sahib to please the emperor.
‘When Guru Har Rai Ji heard of what his son had done it disappointed him very much. Guru Har Rai disowned Ram Rai and stated that his son is not for Guruship. Therefore Guru Har Rai appointed his younger son, Har Krishan to be Guru after his death.
Har Krishan became the eighth Guru at the age of five in Kiratpur on October 6, 1661. Guru Har Krishan Ji was the youngest of the ten Gurus.
Ram Rai did not accept the decision his father had made about the Guruship. He claimed that the Guruship belonged to him, for he was the oldest son and more highly educated than Guru Har Kishan. Ram Rai had men go around to tell the people that he was Guru. But the Sikhs knew of Har Rai’s decision and refused to accept Ram Rai as Guru, Ram Rai seemed helpless, so he asked the help of Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb sent Raja Jai Singh to call Guru Har Krishan Ji to Delhi. The Raja sent a personal invitation to the Guru and made all the arrangements for his trip. The Guru, along with his mother, Mata Kishan Kaur and a large number of Sikh followers started there voyage to Delhi.
When Guru Har Krishan Ji reached near Ambala in a village named Panjokhra, he told some of his followers to go back from here. He then proceeded with only a handful of Sikhs. While visiting Panjokhra Guru Har Krishan Ji met a dignified Brahmin. The Brahmin asked the Guru to discuss Gita, the Hindu Holy book with him. Guru Har Krishan Ji asked the Brahmin to bring along with him any man he pleased. The Brahmin returned with an ignorant water carrier named Chhaj. The Guru touched Chhaju with a stick he carried with him, and with its divine powers turned ignorant Chhaju into a brilliant scholar who would discuss Gita with the Brahmin. The Brahmin became speechless and begged forgiveness for his rude behavior. The Guru suggested that from now on the Brahmin be sweet and humble in his dealings.
Guru Krishan Ji was received with honor in Delhi by the Raja Jai Singh. The Raja made arrangements for the Guru’s stay at his palace, where now stands the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib.
Emperor Aurangzeb wanted very much to see the Guru. But the Guru declined the visit because of his father’s last words, and he could not go against them. Finally the emperor sent his son to see Guru Har Krishan Ji. The prince came to the Guru and told him of Ram Rai’s complaint against him, of how he says the Guruship should be his. The prince asked this for the emperor who wanted to know how the Guru felt about this matter, before deciding the problem. The Guru replied, “The Guruship is not a jagir it is not a form of worldly property. No one can claim it as a matter of right. It goes to the fittest person. The departing Guru makes the selection. His selection is final. No one can question it. Guru Nanak, Guru Angad and Guru Amar Das rejected their own sons. They chose their best Sikhs to occupy the Gurv’s place after them. My father’s choice cannot be questioned. The Emperor should not interfere in this matter. It is a domestic matter of the Sikh Gurus.
After hearing this prince agreed with the Guruand told him he will not be bothered anymore.
While the Guru’s stay in Delhi Sikhs came every day to see him. Meantime an epidemic of small pox and cholera was spreading through Delhi. Soon after Guru Har Krishan became sick too, of small pox. He had a very severe case of small pox and died on March 30 1664 at the age of cight. On his death bed the Sikhs asked him, who will lead us after your death?” The Guru said “Baba Bakale,” which he pointed out Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (who was grand uncle in relation to Har Krishan.) He was founded by the efforts of a Sikh, Makhan Shah Lubana. Thus the torch of Sikhism, which was carried out by Guru Har Krishan Ji from 16611664, barely 3 years, was passed on to the 9th guru. The 8th Guru, left for heavenly abode. Guru Har Krishan Ji was a guru who lived a short but fulfilled life.
There are two Gurdwara in Delhi relative to Guru Harkishan ji. One is Bangla Sahib where he stayed and the other is Gurdwara Bala Sahib when he was are cremated, on the banks of the river Yamuna.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 28, 1989
