Guru Harkrishan Ji – Bala Pritam

Guru Harkrishan, the 8th in line of Guru Nanak, was only five years old when he assumed the spiritual office. However, he possessed the rare ability of explaining and propagating the teachings of his predecessors. When Aurangzeb issued him summons for his presence in the court, the Guru was bold enough to visit Delhi to meet the king. On his way to Delhi, he carried on his duty of attending Sangats (congregations) and explaining to them, the spiritual percepts. While in Delhi, He preferred to serve the people of Delhi who were suffering from small pox and plague than to meet the emperor. The epidemics had taken so severe a shape that the patients were deserted even by nearest and dearest relations. The Guru blessed the people and a large number of them got cured with his blessings. That is why, the 10th Guru has said about him that with his very sight, one can get rid of all sorrows and sufferings. However, the selfless dedicated service of the Guru involved him so much that he himself fell ill and became afflicted with the disease. Considering this as the will of God, he performed his last duty by directing his followers to his successor, Tegh Bahadur, who was living in meditation at Baba Bakala, during those days.