Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji was the eighth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism. He became Guru on Sunday, 20 October 1661 following in the footsteps of his father, Guru Har Rai Ji.
When someone inquired as to which of his two sons, Ram Rai, and Harkrishan, would succeed him as the Guru, Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji instructed the inquirer to place a needle in the bed leg where his two boys were seated and recite bani. When the needle entered the bed leg where Guru Harkrishan Sahib was reciting bani, it did not enter the leg where Ram Rai was performing the same. The guy questioned Guru Har Rai why, clearly puzzled. Although they were both repeating the same baani, Guru Ji stated that the needle's entry into the bed's leg represented Harkrishan's vulnerability. But Ram Rai had a more difficult life.
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Softness was crucial since the young Guru Harkrishan would inflict himself with so many ailments. Thus, at the age of five, Guru Harkrishan became the next guru. This was the first instance in recorded history of a tiny child receiving the Guru's light.
Guru Harkrishan Sahib was born on Sawan Vadi 10, (8 Sawan), Bikrami Samvat 1713, (Wednesday, 23 July 1656) at Kiratpur Sahib. He was the second son of Guru Har Rai Sahib and Mata Krishan Kaur Ji (Sulakhni Ji). Ram Rai, the elder brother of Guru Harkrishan Sahib was ex-communicated and disinherited due to his anti-Guru Ghar activities, as stated earlier and Sri Harkrishan Sahib Ji at the age of about five years, was declared as Eighth Nanak Guru by his father Guru Har Rai Sahib before he died in 1661.
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Ram Rai Ji was enraged by his father's decision and reported to Emperor Aurangzeb about it. The young Guru was ordered to appear before the Emperor by Raja Jai Singh after the Emperor's favorable response. To bring the Guru to Delhi, Raja Jai Singh dispatched his messenger to Kiratpur Sahib. The Guru initially refused to go to Delhi, but after Raja Jai Singh and his disciples begged him to, he finally accepted
On October 20, 1661, Guru Har Rai passed away, and Guru Harkrishan comforted the followers. He urged them to resist despair and follow the Almighty's Will instead. Instead of crying or mourning, everyone should sing God's praises. As the days passed, the disciples started to arrive from near and far. They were overjoyed to finally see the Guru. He was a little man, young in years but wise beyond his years, and he sat on the throne.
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Says Bhai Santokh Singh, "The early morning sun looks small in size, but its light is everywhere. So was Guru Harkrishan s fame, without limit." Those who came to see him were instructed in true knowledge. They had their heart's desires fulfilled and their sins erased. The Sikhs recognized him as the picture of Guru Nanak. They saw on Guru Harkrishan's handsome face the same light as must have been on Guru Nanak's.
Guru Harkrishan was able to explain verses from the Holy Granth with a remarkable gift. With his commentary, he made his disciples happy. He urged them to learn the virtues of charity, patience, and love and to cherish the One God alone. He also encouraged them to put aside their passions. Guru Harkrishan retained the tradition he had inherited from the Gurus and continued their teaching in this way.
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