Tuesday, June 01, 2021

History of Guru Teg Bahadur Jee - Part 7: Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji chooses the next Guru

Guru Hargobind Sahib chose his grandson (Guru) Har Rai jee to become the Seventh Guru.  Guru Har Rai jee was the youngest son of Baba Gurditta jee, the eldest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib jee. Baba Gurditta jee’s eldest son was called Dheer Mal. After Baba Gurditta Ji passed away in 1638, Dheer Mal became determined at whatever cost to become the Guru (similar to  the  behaviour Baba Prithee Chand jee, the elder brother of Guru Arjan Dev jee (the Fifth Guru), who was jealous that his younger was chosen to become the next Guru).  Dheer Mal took possession of the original holy scripture (Aad  Granth Sahib jee) compiled by the Fifth Guru, in the hope that  it would guarantee him to become the next successor to guruship.  However, Guru Hargobind Sahib chose to pass on his Divine-Light to Guru Har Rai Sahib jee, who at the time was 14 years old.  

ਪੁਨ ਸਭ ਕੋ ਗੁਰ ਕਹੀ ਸੁਨਾਏ ।
ਮਮ ਸਮ ਅਥ ਜਾਨੋ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ ।
"Then the Guru made everyone listen to what he was to say.
From now know Har Rai to be the same as me."


Bhai Bhana jee, the son of Baba Buddha jee, the wise-saint who had seen and served all the first six Gurus,  was the ceremony master of the Guruship ceremony.  Guru Hargobind jee informed all the Sangat (congregation): “Recognise Guru Har Rai to be  me. Wake up  in the last  phase of the night (3½ hours before sunrise). Getting up have a bath and recite the prayer of Japjee Sahib, for Japjee is the Guru’s teachings.”  Guru Har Rai jee asked his Guru-Father about how they should deal with the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahaan. Guru Hargobind Sahib jee replied, “The Guru’s House does not have vengeance or hatred for anyone. Anyone who has anger in their heart and comes to attack you will never be successful. Keep 22,00 cavaliers with you.”  (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee bowed down to the Guru Har Rai Sahib jee and remained obedient to him. From then till Guru Hargobind Sahib jee left his earthly body, he remained immersed in listening to Keertan, the singing of the Lord’s Praises.  

In days coming up to Guru Hargobind Sahib jee leaving his earthly body, he would preach to Sangat (congregation) coming every day that “No one should cry. Keep faith in Vaheguru alone. They alone are considered beloved to the Guru who follows the ‘Hukam’ (Order) of the Guru. Love with the Guru’s Shabad (Holy Word) is true love.”  On 3rd March 1644, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee’s left his body. Soon after, his wife Mata Nanak jee, along with (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee and his wife, Mata Gujri jee decided to move and live in the village of Baba Bakala. 



Source: Principal Satbir Singh's book, 'Et Jin Karee: Jeevani Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Jee' (pages 29-31)

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