Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji and Smallpox

At that time, the epidemic, smallpox spread out in Delhi. It caused manu deaths. Guru Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji dig the lake at Bangla Sahib containing God's nectar, 'Amrit' which provided a cure for thousands. Guru Ji attended the sufferers irrespective of cast and creed, and was known as 'Bala Pir' (child prophet) and took over the disease upon his own body to ward off the epidemic. The swear attack of smallpox confined him to bed for several days. Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji called his mother and told her that his end was near. When asked to name his successor, he merely exclaimed 'Baba Bakala', thereby referring to Guru Tegh Bahadur, who had settled there at village Bakala near river Beas in Punjab.

Thus the 'Bala Pir' passed away on Chet Sudi 14,(3rd Vaisakh), Bikrami Samvat 1721, (30th March, 1664) slowly reciting the word "Waheguru". Guru Gobind Singh Sahib paying tribute to Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji stated in "Var Sri Bhagoti Ji Ki"... "Let us think of the holy Harkrishan, Whose sight dispels all sorrows..."

"Sri Har Krishan ji dhiayee… Jis dhithe sab dukh jaye."




Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was constructed in Guruji's memory. This is where he stayed during his visit to Delhi. This was originally the palace of Raja Jai Singh, who was a strong Sikh and a devotee of the Guru.

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Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji

Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji, the eighth Guru Nanak, was born on July 7, 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib. He was the second son of Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji and Mata Krishan Kaur Ji. Ram Rai, the elder brother of Guru Harkrishan Sahib was terminated, due to his anti-Guru ghar activities. At the age of five, Sri Harkrishan Sahib Ji was declared as the eighth Guru Nanak by his father Guru Har Rai Sahib before his death in 1661. Ram Rai Ji was filled with jealousy and thus complained the emperor Aurangzeb, against it. Aurangzeb gave orders to bring the Guru in front of him. At first the Guru was not willing, but at the repeated requests of and Raja Jai Singh, he agreed.

Devotees of Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji from every walk of life camen to do the darshan of their eighth Guru. They followed the Guru Sahib up to village Panjokhara near Ambala. From this place the Guru advised his followers to return to their respective homes. Then Guru Sahib went to Delhi. Here Pandit Lal Chand, questioned Guru Sahib about the meanings of Gita. Then Guru Sahib called a water-carrier, Chhaju Ram to expound the philosophy of the Gita. When Pandit Lal Chand listened, he asked Guruji for forgiveness and became Guruji's sikh.

In Delhi, Guru Ji stayed at Raja Jai Singh's place. The people from all walks of life flocked the palace to have a glimpse (Darshan) of Guru Harkrishan Sahib. To test Guru's intelligence, Raja Jai Singh requested the Guru Sahib to identify the real queen out of the equally dressed ladies. The Guru at once went to a lady dressed as a maidservant and sat in her lap. This lady was the real queen. Within short time, Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji through his friendly and caring behaviour with the common people gained many followers.

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