07/11/2023
Today marks the Prakash Purab of Sri HarKrishan Sahib Jee Maharaj.
Sri Guru HarKrishan Sahib Jee was born at Kiratpur Sahib. Guru Jee was the second son of Guru Har Rai Sahib Jee and Mata Krishan Kaur Jee (Sulakhni Jee).
Sri Guru HarKrishan Sahib Jee at the age of about five years was declared as Eighth Nanak Guru by his father Sri Guru Har Rai Jee before his death in 1661. This act inflamed Ram Rai Jee with jealousy and he complained to the emperor Aurangzeb against his father’s decision. The emperor replied in flavor issuing orders through Raja Jai Singh to the young Guru to appear before him. Raja Jai Singh sent his emissary to Kiratpur Sahib to bring the Guru to Delhi.
Within a short period, Sri Guru HarKrishan Sahib Jee through his fraternization with the common masses gained more and more adherents in the capital. At the time, a swear epidemic of cholera and smallpox broke out in Delhi. The young Guru began to attend the sufferers irrespective of cast and creed. Particularly, the local Muslim population was much impressed with the purely humanitarian deeds of the Guru Sahib and nicknamed him Bala Pir (child prophet). Even Aurangzeb did not try to disturb Sri Guru HarKrishan Sahib Jee sensing the tone of the situation but on the other hand, never dismissed the claim of Ram Rai also. While serving the suffering people from the epidemic day and night, Guru Sahib himself was seized with a high fever.
The swear attack of smallpox confined him to bed for several days. When his condition became serious, he called his mother and told her that his end was drawing near. When asked to name his successor, he merely exclaimed ‘Baba Bakala’. These words were only meant for the future (Guru) Teg Bahadur Sahib Jee, who was residing at village Bakala near river Beas in Punjab province.
