In this series, we will learn about the events that took place during Guru Tegh Bahadur’s stay at Kiratpur Sahib and the history of Guru Har Rai’s accession to the Guruship
Guru Hargobind sahib ji came to Kiratpur Sahib from Kartarpur in 1634 AD. By 1638, three of the Guru’s six sons had died. Guru Hargobind sahib ji now had only two sons – Baba Suraj Mall ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. Suraj Mall ji, the son of Guru Sahib, at the behest of the masands, also asked who will be given the responsibility of the Guruship. At that time Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji had clearly stated in very beautiful words that-
” Eh Sewak ki cheez hai, Koi na Eerakh paye.
Kar sewa soi lahai, Sri Guru harkh dhraye “
That means there is not much need to assert one’s rights. He, who has the grace of Akal Purakh, will receive the gift of the Guruship. It is a blessing from the very beginning. Baba Gurditta ji, the eldest son of Guru Hargobind sahib ji, died in 1638 AD. Baba Gurditta ji was preceded in death by two sons – Dheer Mall ji and Guru Har Rai ji. During this time Dheer Mall was living in Kartarpur. The Bir of Adi Granth Sahib Ji was also with Dheer Mall and Dheer Mall somewhere claimed that I got the Guruship but the circumstances of the time were different. Guru Sahib had something else in mind. During these times, Guru Hargobind sahib ji fell in love with Har Rai ji, the youngest son of Baba Gurditta ji. Guru Har Rai ji was also following in the Guru’s footsteps. There the Guru had planted gardens at Kiratpur Sahib. It was a beautiful garden. Guru Sahib, after attending his daily routine, after meeting the sangats, would go for a walk in the garden and with him the Guru’s younger grandson, Guru Har Rai ji, would also go for a walk in the garden. One day Guru Har Rai ji was walking in a big robe. Passing by – a flower broke with Guru Har Rai’s robe and Guru Ji went ahead carelessly. When Guru Hargobind sahib ji later came, he asked the Sikhs who plucked the flowers from this beautiful garden and who destroyed nature.
At that time Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji had come. A Sikh said that while Your grandson Guru Har Rai Sahib ji was walking, a branch fell from his robe and a flower fell from the branch and fell to the ground. At that time Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji lovingly explained to his grandson Har rai Ji, “Son, if we wear a big robe, let’s take care of it.” This meant was amazing, meaning that if you get a big responsibility in life, then you should walk with hesitation, that is, with care. Guru Har Rai ji carried out this word all his life. Guru Har Rai Ji, when he became Guru, after that whenever he went anywhere, he would take care of his clothes. Soon, Guru Hargobind ji issued an order to all the sangats living on the land of Kiratpur Sahib that all the sangats should gather tomorrow. Now Guru Sahib addressed the sangat in the full assembly-
” Sri Guru Hargobind Agya Keen, Puranmashi meh din teen.
Tis din hoye hai daras hmara, Itna kro manglkara “
That means there are three days left from the full moon day. Reach as many relatives and sangat as possible on that day. Now, 3 days later, when the full moon day came, a huge pandal was decorated by the Guru ji. The Guru summoned all the contents of the Guruship from Bhai Bhana ji, the son of Baba Budha ji, in the full Sangat, and seated Guru Har Rai ji on the Guruship.
“Pun sab ko gur kahi sunai, mam sat ab jon hari rai.”
Means ,from today onwards the light of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji has merged inside Guru Har Rai Ji. Congratulations to the sangat that from today onwards you will have Guru Har Rai Ji. At that time first of all Guru Hargobind Ji greeted Guru Har Rai Ji. On behalf of Bhai Bhana ji, Guru Har Rai Ji was anointed. Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was the first of the Guru’s sons to come forward and greet his 14-year-old nephew, who was 10 years younger than Guru Tegh Bahadur ji.
Guru Sahib was greeted by all the sangats. Listen to the words of Guru Sahib Ji. Now the responsibility of the Guruship had been handed over to Guru Har Rai Ji but Mata Nanaki Ji made a request to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji that, There are no children,It was handed over to Har Rai Ji but Mata Nanaki Ji made a request to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, “Patshah Ji, 24-25 years ago today you had promised that Teg Bahadur Ji is not an ordinary child, they will become the masters of the Guruship but now you have not understood these choices. Guru Hargobind Ji said to his wife Nanaki Ji –
“Sri Guru keh tum chit taj, smaa pai tum aaye.
Tum sut nandan amit bal, sabh jag kare sahai ” These words are written in Gurbilas Patshahi VI. So these words are uttered by Guru Hargobind sahib Ji about the future of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. So, in the next series No. 12 we will hear about the departure of Mata Nanaki Ji from Kiratpur Sahib to Baba Bakale and the passing away of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. So don’t forget to check out …