In this series we will listen to the history of the work done by Guru Harkrishan Ji in Delhi and the passing away of Guru Sahib.
Guru Harkrishan ji was guiding the sangat in Delhi. Guru Sahib was staying in Raja Jai Singh’s bungalow. At this time in 1664 AD a sudden outbreak of smallpox in Delhi, which we also call chickenpox. The disease spread from one another to the whole of Delhi. There is wailing all around. Deaths begin to occur in every home. King Aurangzeb of Delhi also turns away from this. Now who would listen to the sufferings of the people. The glory of the Guru’s house has been that the Gurus have spent their lives serving the humble world. Guru Nanak Sahib goes to a leper and explains:
“Jiu tapat hai baro bar,
Tap tap khapai bahut bekar,
Jai tan bani visar jai,
Jiu paka rogi vilalai “
Guru Amar Das ji treats leprosy with his own hands. When there was a famine in the time of Guru Arjan sahib, Guru Hargobind ji was about two and a half years old. Guru Sahib used to go to Lahore and treat people. Guru ji heard their sorrows. A leper’s house was also built by Guru Sahib at Tarn Taran. Guru Arjan dev ji used to treat leprosy with his own hands. A huge dispensary was also opened by the seventh Guru Har Rai ji. People were treated with herbs. Guru Harkrishan ji knew all these things. Guru Harkrishan ji had also learned all this while living with his father.
Now when smallpox spread in Delhi, Guru Harkrishan ji continued the tradition of Guru Nanak Sahib that even if one dies, one should not back down from serving the world. Guru Harkrishan ji visited the people in Delhi and consoled them. He gave his vision in Delhi.
“Shri Harkrishan Dheyaiye,
Jis Dithe Sabh Dukh Jaaey”
“Kripa katakhy avalokan kino,
Das ka Dukh bidario”The sorrows on which Guru Sahib cast his gaze were then cured. Guru Har Krishan Ji went to the streets of people’s houses where corpses were lying. Where people were dying of starvation, Guru Sahib went and treated the people. He calmed the burning hearts of those people by giving them Darshan. Today, where Gurdwara Bangla Sahib stands, water is now offered to the sangat. Here Guru Sahib had built a pool of clean water and water was given to the sick. Guru Sahib cast his gracious gaze on those people. What the King of India could not do, Guru Harkrishan ji did in Delhi. Guru Har Krishan Ji was being hailed everywhere. Engaged in this service, Guru Sahib opened the way for us that Sikhs would treat people without risking their lives and stand in the suffering of the people. This perfection Guru Harkrishan Ji showed us. Gradually Guru Harkrishan ji was also affected by smallpox. It became so severe that Guru Sahib cured smallpox in Delhi to a great extent without caring for his body. Guru Harkrishan ji had become very ill in Delhi. Guru Sahib decided to give up his Gurtagaddi as his last days approached. We will listen in series 19. So don’t forget to check it out ….