Guru Har Rai Ji – A Symbol of Compassion

The seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai Sahib was the son of Baba Gurditta Ji, who
was in turn the son of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib. The Guru was tender hearted
and helpful to one and all. In addition to preaching the message of earlier Gurus,
the Guru expanded medical facilities for the people by opening hospital. Although
he kept an army of 2200 persons, no battle was fought during his period. When
Aurangzeb, the ruling Emperor at that time invited the Guru to his court, he sent
his son along with certain other Sikhs to satisfy the queries of the ruthless ruler.
He had instructed his son to answer all the questions fairly, without any fear, and
in conformity with the teachings contained in the ‘Adi Granth’. However, when
his son, Ram Rai misread one of the lines from the scriptures with a view to keep
the emperor happy, the Guru broke his relations with him and boldly debarred
him from ascending the spiritual throne. The spiritual throne then passed on to
the younger son of the Guru, namely Harkrishan, who succeeded his father on 6th
October, 1661.