Guru Har Krishan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guru Har Krishan |
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| ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ | |
Painting of the eighth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Har Krishan, seated on a platform and leaning against a bolster with a red-coloured backdrop
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| Religion | Sikhism |
| Other names | Bal Guru ("Child Guru") Eighth Master Eighth Nanak Guru Hari Krishan |
| Personal | |
| Born | Kishan Das Sodhi 7 July 1656 Kiratpur Sahib, Lahore Subah, Mughal Empire (present-day Rupnagar district, Punjab, India) |
| Died | 30 March 1664 (aged 7) Delhi, Mughal Empire (present-day India) |
| Cause of death | Smallpox |
| Spouse | none |
| Children | none |
| Parents | Guru Har Rai Mata Sulakhani |
| Religious career | |
| Period in office | 1661–1664 |
| Predecessor | Guru Har Rai |
| Successor | Guru Tegh Bahadur |
| Signature |  |
Guru Har Krishan (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ, pronunciation: [ɡʊruː həɾ kɾɪʃən]) was the eighth of the ten Sikh Gurus. He was born on July 7, 1656, and became Guru at just five years old on October 7, 1661. This made him the youngest Guru in Sikhism. He followed his father, Guru Har Rai.
Guru Har Krishan is also known as Bal Guru, which means "Child Guru." He is remembered for his short time as Guru, lasting only two years, five months, and 24 days. Sadly, he died from smallpox in 1664, just before his eighth birthday. It is said that he caught the disease while helping to cure his followers. Before he passed away, he said "Baba Bakale." Sikhs understood this to mean that his granduncle, Guru Tegh Bahadur, would be the next Guru.
Contents
The Young Guru's Life Story
Guru Har Krishan was born in a place called Kiratpur, located in the Shivalik Hills of the Indian subcontinent. His parents were Guru Har Rai and Mata Sulakhani. His father, Guru Har Rai, had supported Dara Shikoh, who was a prince, in a fight for the Mughal Empire's throne. Dara Shikoh was more open-minded, while his brother Aurangzeb was very strict.
Becoming the Eighth Guru
Aurangzeb won the fight and became the emperor. He then called Guru Har Rai to explain why he had supported Dara Shikoh. Instead of going himself, Guru Har Rai sent his older son, Baba Ram Rai, who was 13 years old. Aurangzeb kept Ram Rai as a hostage. He asked Ram Rai about a verse in the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the holy book of Sikhs. Aurangzeb thought the verse was disrespectful to Muslims.
To please Aurangzeb, Ram Rai changed the verse. Because he changed the holy scripture, Guru Har Rai decided that Ram Rai could not be the next Guru. Instead, he chose his younger son, Har Krishan, to become the eighth Guru of Sikhism.
A Challenge from the Emperor
Aurangzeb gave land to Ram Rai in the Dehradun area. A few years later, Aurangzeb called the young Guru Har Krishan to his court in Delhi. It seemed like Aurangzeb wanted to replace Guru Har Krishan with his older brother, Ram Rai.
However, when Guru Har Krishan arrived in Delhi, he became very ill with smallpox. Because of his illness, he could not meet with Aurangzeb. On his deathbed, Guru Har Krishan said, "Baba Bakale." This meant that the next Guru would be found in the village of Bakala. Sikhs later found Guru Tegh Bahadur there, who became the ninth Guru.
Not many detailed records exist about Guru Har Krishan's life. Some stories were written much later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, and they sometimes have different details.
A Lesson in Humility
Sikh Gurus often taught important lessons through their actions. One famous story about Guru Har Krishan shows his humility. This story is told by Macauliffe in his book Sikh Religion - Vol 4.
The Pandit and the Water Carrier
Once, while traveling to Delhi, Guru Har Krishan stayed in a place called Panjokhara, near Ambala. Today, there is a special Sikh temple called Gurudwara Panjokhra Sahib there. A very smart scholar named Lal Chand came to meet the Guru. Lal Chand wanted to test Guru Har Krishan's knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu holy book. He planned to ask about some shalokas (verses).
Guru Har Krishan wanted to teach Lal Chand about humility. He told Lal Chand that he didn't need the Guru for this task, and that anyone could explain the verses. Lal Chand then brought a water carrier named Chhajju, who was mute and not educated. The Guru placed his stick on Chhajju's head. Macauliffe wrote that "The Brahman and the water carrier accordingly began to discuss, and the water carrier gave such learned replies, that the Brahman stood in astonished silence before the Guru." Lal Chand was amazed. He apologized to Guru Har Krishan for his pride and became the Guru's follower.
Visiting Delhi and His Passing
One of the most famous Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in North India is Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. This place was once the home of Raja Jai Singh of Delhi. Raja Jai Singh respectfully invited the young Guru to Delhi so that he and other Sikhs could see him.
Testing the Guru's Powers
Because Guru Har Krishan was so young, Raja Jai Singh's wife wanted to test his spiritual powers. She dressed up as a maid and sat among the other lady attendants. But Guru Har Krishan immediately knew who she was. He went and sat on her lap, saying, "This is the Rani!" This convinced her of his special abilities.
Helping the Sick in Delhi
During his stay in Delhi, a terrible disease, a mix of smallpox and cholera, spread through the city. When people heard that Guru Har Krishan was there, they came to him for help. Guru Har Krishan told them to bathe in the well at the Bungalow. It is said that anyone who bathed there recovered from the illness.
Sadly, it was during this time that Guru Har Krishan himself caught smallpox. He passed away in Delhi in 1664, at a very young age.
Gallery
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Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, where Guru Har Krishan passed away.
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Gurudwara Panjokhra Sahib in Ambala, Haryana, where Guru Har Krishan taught a lesson in humility.
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A historical view of Gurudwara Panjokhra Sahib.
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Raja Jai Singh showing respect to Guru Har Krishan in a painting from the late 17th century.
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A fresco (wall painting) of Guru Har Krishan from around 1745.
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A painting from 1700–1750 showing Guru Harkrishan (left) with an attendant.
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A small, detailed painting of Guru Har Krishan.
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Guru Har Krishan being honored by his followers.
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The original structure of Gurdwara Sri Sheesh Mahal Sahib in Kiratpur Sahib, where the Guru was born.
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See also
In Spanish: Gurú Har Krishan Ji para niños
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
