Many heartfelt congratulations to the entire Sikh community on the Prakash Purab of Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji. Let us briefly glance at the sacred life of Guru Sahib Ji. From the lineage of Sodhi Sultan Guru Ramdas Ji, great-grandson of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, son of Baba Gurditta Ji— a mighty warrior with a steel-like body and a heart as soft as flowers— Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji was born from the blessed womb of Mata Nihal Kaur Ji on 14 February 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji deeply loved his grandson from childhood and supervised all his education personally. 🌸 A heart full of compassion Since childhood Guru Har Rai Ji was extremely tender-hearted. Once, while walking in a garden at Kartarpur Sahib (Jalandhar), the wind blew suddenly. Guru Ji wore a loose robe that brushed against a flower, causing some petals to fall into the soil. Seeing this, Guru Ji felt sad and thought— “These beautiful flowers looked so lovely on their branches, but my robe caused them to fall into the dirt. Their beauty should not have been destroyed.” Just then, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji arrived and asked the reason for his sadness. Guru Har Rai Ji narrated the whole incident. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji said— “My child, when one wears garments that can spread wide and harm delicate things, one should gather them and walk carefully. Strength must be used with wisdom. The greater the power, the greater the responsibility.” Guru Har Rai Ji kept this teaching close to his heart for life and always appeared humble despite possessing great strength. 🐾 A unique approach to hunting Like Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Guru Har Rai Sahib also enjoyed hunting, but instead of killing animals, he preferred capturing them alive and taking them to his garden, where they were nursed and cared for. Thus his garden resembled a miniature zoo. 🌿 A great free dispensary Guru Har Rai Sahib healed distressed souls by giving them Naam and guiding them toward righteous living. He also established a large dispensary with rare herbal medicines. Anyone could come at any time— ✔ they received free medicine ✔ free food ✔ and loving care. The dispensary became famous, and people from faraway places came for treatment. 🌿 Helping Dara Shikoh Once, Shah Jahan’s son Dara Shikoh became severely ill. Physicians prescribed a special kind of harad and cloves which were unavailable everywhere. Ultimately, he learned about Guru Har Rai Ji’s dispensary. Though he feared rejection due to old enmity with the Guru’s house, he still sent a man with a letter. The Guru’s principle is— “Even an enemy must be helped.” Guru Har Rai Ji sent the medicine along with a precious Jagmoti stone, saying— “Grind this with the medicine; it will increase its healing power.” Dara Shikoh recovered, came to Kiratpur, thanked Guru Ji, and was deeply influenced by the Guru’s teachings and the lifestyle of the Sikhs. ⚔️ Support without bloodshed Guru Har Rai Ji maintained 2200 armed horsemen as instructed by Guru Hargobind Ji, not for conquest but to maintain peace if needed. During the war for the Delhi throne between Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb, Dara Shikoh, defeated, fled toward Punjab. He approached Guru Har Rai Ji and requested— “If you prevent the pursuing army from crossing the Beas river for one day, I can reach Lahore and save my life.” Protecting those who seek refuge is the first principle of the Guru’s house. Guru Har Rai Ji took his 2200 horsemen to the riverbank and took control of all boats, preventing the army from crossing for one full day. Thus— ✔ He kept his promise ✔ Peace was preserved ✔ No bloodshed occurred 🕊️ Final Teachings Guru Har Rai Sahib always taught to help the poor and weak and to chant the Name of Vaheguru. When his time to depart approached, he appointed his son Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji as the next Guru and instructed the sangat— “Do not be misled by Ram Rai or others. Accept Guru Har Krishan Ji alone as the Guru.” Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji merged with the Divine on 5 Kattak, Samvat 1718 (6 October 1661) at Kiratpur Sahib. His body was cremated at Patalpuri, near the Sutlej River.
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