Dhan Guru HarKrishan Sahib jee!!

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਕਿ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਜਿਸ ਡਿਠੈ ਸਭਿ ਦੁਖ ਜਾਇ ॥
sree harkrishan Dhiaaee-ai jis dithai sabh dukh jaae.
Think of the holy Harkrishan, whose sight dispels all sorrows.
(Ardaas/ Guru Gobind Singh jee)

Sariaa Nu Lakh Lakh Vadhaaee Hove on today's Gurpurb. Today is the 350th Parkaash Diwas (Birth Day) of GURU HARKRISHAN SAHIB JI, the 8th Jyot (Light) of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji.
 

A GILMPSE AT THE LIFE OF GURU HARKRISHAN SAHIB JEE


Very Young Age
Guru HarKrishan Sahib jee was born on July 23rd in 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib, Panjab. He was the second son of the Seventh Nanak, Guru Har Rai Sahib jee, and Mata Krishan Kaur jee. Guru Sahib was fondly called "Baal Guru" as Guru jee became Guru at a young age of just over 5 years old. This showed the world that age does not determine wisdom and power to bring age to the world.


Small Pox Clinics
When Guru HarKrishan Sahib jee came to Delhi the city was then in the grip of an epidemic of smallpox. Guru Sahib went all over the the city even in narrow lanes. He gave succour to all in anguish without any discrimination whatsoever. His very presence and the Divine Look would rid the patients of their sufferings. He also opened clinics across Delhi offering medical treatment to the citizens of city.


Aurangzeb's Call to Delhi
Guru Sahib refused the invitation of Aurangzeb. The issue of smallpox was more important for Guru jee as Aurangzeb had not specified why he had invited Guru Sahib.


Breaking the Brahmans Pride
On the way to Delhi Guru Sahib stopped off at the village of Panjokhara near Ambala. But before leaving this place Guru Harkrishan Sahib jee showed the great powers which were bestowed upon him by the Almighty Waheguru. 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. Guru Sahib showed that even the Shudra (those considered 'low-caste') know everything and that the Guru can shower his Grace upon anyone.


Baba Bakala - Sikh Nation is Built
Guru Arjan Dev Sahib jee manifested the virtue of making consultative decisions with the Sikhs. However, during the physical passing away of Guru HarKrishan Sahib jee, it was the first time the Sikhs got to find the Guru. The eight generation Sikhs were put to the challenge whether or not they could recognise their Guru. Before breathing the last breaths, Guru HarKrishan Sahib jee said that the next Guru is "Baba Bakala", meaning the Ninth Nanak is residing in the village Bakala (in Amritsar). Opportunist parasites took advantage of this.

ਗਜ ਸਾਢੇ ਤੈ ਤੈ ਧੋਤੀਆ ਤਿਹਰੇ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਤਗ ॥
gaj saadhe tai tai Dhotee-aa tihre paa-in tag.
They wear loin cloths, three and a half yards long, and triple-wound sacred threads.

ਗਲੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਜਪਮਾਲੀਆ ਲੋਟੇ ਹਥਿ ਨਿਬਗ ॥
galee jinHaa japmaalee-aa lotte hath nibag.
They have rosaries around their necks, and they carry glittering jugs in their hands.

ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ ॥੧॥
o-e har ke sant na aakhee-ahi baanaaras ke thag. ||1||
They are not called Saints of the Lord - they are thugs of Banaras. ||1||
(Ang 476)

22 imposters posed as the successors of Guru Sahib. However, Makhan Shah Labhana recognised the True Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib jee. As Sikhs we learn from this that can we recongise who our Guru is in today's world?

Summary
Bhai Nand Lal Singh Ji writes in his poetry that if one word could describe and summarise Guru HarKrishan Sahib jee's life, that word be "CLARITY." Guru Sahib jee was clear in his response to the egotistical Brahman and to the Emperor. He also showed leadership skills a such a young age, providing clarity for the followers.