Guru Harkrishan Ji

The pure belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'. The victory belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'.

After living in Kiratpur Sahib for 2 years (as the Guru), Guru Harkrishan Ji was invited to Delhi by a certain Rajput king called ‘Jai Singh’. On the way to Delhi thousands of Sikhs accompanied Guru Ji and upon reaching the 'Panjokhra' village (which is situated on the outskirts of Ambala city), a scholar named ‘Laal’ witnessed the whole scene. He was prideful of his acquired knowledge and would continuously recite the 'Bhagvat Geeta' to express his ego. Seeing Guru Ji's splendour, he questioned who this leader was (who had so many followers with him). He doubted how somebody could be called ‘Guru’ and named ‘Har Krishan’ even though he may not even know one meaning of the 'Bhagvat Geeta' (which was recited by the 'real' Krishna in the age of ‘Duapur’). Hearing Laal doubt Guru Ji, a Sikh had challenged him to take his question to Guru Ji himself.

Laal was taken to Guru Ji who asked him to bring any individual that had never heard of the 'Bhagvat Geeta' before and with the grace of God, such an individual would explain the meanings of the scripture. Laal was shocked but managed to find a water maid named ‘Chajoo’ within the area who was both deaf and unable to speak. Through sign language, Laal brought him into the presence of Guru Ji where Chajoo was blessed through the vision of Guru Ji (some historical sources mention a flower stick was raised over Chajoo’s head) to both speak and hear. Chajoo’s first words were a challenge to Laal as to which scripture he would like to debate. Being wonderstruck as to how this individual had transformed into a confident scholar, Laal barley managed to answer.

Following this, Chajoo went on to translate countless different deep meanings of the Geeta seven-fold. Laal then fell to the feet of Guru Ji and became a Sikh upon witnessing this miracle which was justified by Guru Ji based on the fact that Laal had doubted the capability of this Guruship that belonged to Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Thus, Guru Ji would never show a miracle out of ego or as a form of entertainment but rather a way in which to show those that were unconscious to the existence of god to realise that there is a supreme force that is the master of all and we need to connect with that source to find the real pleasure of life.

Continuing the journey, Guru Ji went to Kurukshetra which is now a city and administrative headquarters of Kurukshetra district in the Indian state of Haryana. Here Guru Ji engaged in discussions and debates with scholars about the 'Simriti' scriptures and the 'Surtis' of the Vedas. Furthermore, when about five miles had remained before reaching Delhi, the administrator of the Mughal court ‘Jai Singh’ welcomed Guru Ji barefooted with all his armies and a big procession was carried out as a warm welcome gesture. Guru Ji was given residence at the spot which is marked by the world famous ‘Bangla Sahib’ Gurdwara in Delhi today. Guru Ji lived here for the following seven months until he would eventually leave this world.

Whilst residing in Delhi, a plague or epidemic of small-pox broke out amongst the citizens where countless people started to fall extremely sick to their deaths. Seeing the state of the people, Guru Ji dipped his foot in a ‘Chaubacha’ (a pool of water) and announced that whoever drinks water from this pool will be cured of their disease. Where people were mourning at the deaths of their loved ones, they were given hope in their own life and the life of their remaining family members after hearing about Guru Ji’s announcement. People of all faiths came to obey this blessing and were all cured of their severe illnesses. This is the same pool of water that has now become a ‘Sarovar’ at ‘Charan Kamal Gurdwara Bangla Sahib’ today.

Guru Harkrishan Ji was conceived in a miraculous manner by his mother Krishan Kaur after she had expressed a desire for a child to her husband Guru Har Rai Ji. Upon learning of his wife’s desire, Guru Har Rai Ji sent a piece of paper with the 'Mool Mantar' written on it and had asked for her to recite this over the water before consuming it. Thus, the next year in the month of Savan, Guru Harkrishan Ji came into the world at around 2am. It is this joyful event for Sikhs that is a cause for celebration annually (in the form of a 'Gurpurab' - an auspicious day relating to the life of the Guru). In conclusion, this article is dedicated to the memory of such a Guru that inspires millions of people around the world even today.

The pure belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'. The victory belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'.

References: 1. Kavi Santokh Singh Ji - Sri Gur Partap Sooraj Parkash 2. Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji - Katha Guru Harkrishan Ji 3. Bhai Mani Singh Ji - Gur Bilas Patshahi 6 4. Saroop Das (Bhalla) - Mehima Parkash 5. Bhai Sukha Singh - Gur Bilas Patshahi 10 6. Giani Gian Singh Ji - Panth Parkash