Guru Har Krishan - As The Guru

As The Guru

Ram Rai complained to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi that he had been passed over because of his loyalty to the emperor. He also claimed that he had not received his due share of his father's property. Ram Rai knew that before his death, Guru Har Rai had publicly instructed Guru Har Krishan never to meet Aurengzeb. Ram Rai hoped if Guru Har Krishan met the emperor, it would be against his father's wishes and the Sikhs would be displeased with their Guru. On the other hand, if Aurangzeb summoned Guru Har Krishan to Delhi, and he refused to go, then Aurangzeb would send troops to compel him. Aurangzeb favored Ram Rai, and summoned Guru Har Krishan to Delhi. The Sikhs were very apprehensive about young Guru Har Krishan travelling to Delhi and appearing at court. To calm these worries, Aurangzeb sent Mirza Raja Jai Singh I to escort the Guru to Delhi. Mirza Raja Jai Singh I was a high court official and a Rajput ruler known for his devotion to the Sikh Gurus .

Raja Jai Singh assured Guru Har Krishan that he would not have to meet the emperor personally while in Delhi. He also said there were many devout Sikhs in Delhi who were anxious to see and hear their Guru. Guru Har Krishan convinced the Sikhs at Kiratpur Sahib that he should go to Delhi. Guru Har Krishan, his mother, and a group of devotees set out for the long journey to Delhi. On the journey, Guru Har Krishan was met by large crowds of devotees.

As the legend goes, at Panjokhara Sahib(Punjabi: ਪੰਜੋਖਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ), a jealous Brahmin taunted the Guru, mangling his name, which was close to that of the Hindu god Krishna. The Brahmin said “Your Guru is called Har Krishan, a mere child of eight years! Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu, uttered the Gita, which is the repository of all the eternal truths. If your Guru also calls himself Krishna, let him expound the truths of Gita to us.” Hearing this, a poor water-carrier named Chhajju(Punjabi: ਛੱਜੂ) stood up, and proclaimed that anyone could expound on the Gita if he were so blessed by the Guru. Guru Har Krishan touched Chhajju with his walking stick, and Chhajju immediately began to expound the philosophy of the Gita. The Brahmin was so humbled by the spectacle that he fell to Guru Har Krishan's feet and asked forgiveness for his arrogance.