Guru Hari Krishan ji – Dispeller of Suffering

Artist's Notes

“All spiritual knowledge and virtues are within, there is nothing outside. By the Guru’s grace, these are obtained, the inner gates are opened.”

– Guru Amar Das ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 425)

Guru Hari Krishan ji, also known as Guru Harkrishan or Guru Har Krishan, is the eighth Guru in the lineage of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Guru Hari Krishan ji was born in the home of Mata Krishan Devi ji and Pita Guru Hari Rai ji.

Guru Hari Rai ji, also known as Guru Har Rai, became the seventh Guru in the lineage of Guru Nanak Dev ji Maharaj. During the time of Guru Hari Rai ji, the Mughal ruler Aurangezeb had his brother Dara Shikoh assassinated to cement himself on the throne. Guru ji was called to Aurangzeb’s court to explain his support for Aurangzeb’s brother and political opposition Dara Shikoh, to whom Guru ji had provided medical care.

Guru Hari Rai ji sent his older son, Ram Rai, to provide an explanation, and there in the court, Ram Rai was questioned. He was asked a question about a verse in Adi Granth that mentioned Muslims. They claimed it was disparaging to Muslims and Ram Rai was asked to explain it. In order to appease them, Ram Rai changed the wording of the verse.

Guru Hari Rai ji was testing Ram Rai to see if he would be fit to lead the Sikhs. However, upon this action, Guru ji gave the Gurgaddi to his youngest Guru Hari Krishan ji.

Guru ji was granted Gurugaddi at the tender age of 5, and he held it until he passed away at the age of 8, due to contracting smallpox. Before passing away, he indicated the next Guru was in Bakala and thus started the chapter of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji.

There is the allegory of Guru Hari Krishan ji, who with a mere tap of his stick, empowered a mute person to recite and explain the Gita, who previously had no knowledge of Gita. The Bhagwad Gita, the Song of God, is within us all. The knowledge of Gita is easily accessible to anyone, who through a Guru and/or a spiritual process, studies the mind and consciousness.