The Eighth in Line

The youngest and still the wisest, he began ruling the spiritual world when his father passed away. Yet, as small as he was, even smaller was his reign on the Sikh world. His small life was spent in the service of his people.

The Eighth Sikh Guru; Image Source: Public Domain

365 years ago today a child was born to Guru Har Rai in Kiratpur. Before his death, Guru Har Rai placed his son Har Kishan on the throne as the 8th Sikh Guru, when Har Kishan was only 5 years old. He became the youngest Sikh Guru in Sikhism, due to which he is known as Bal Guru.

With a young age, innocent face and a deep passion that reflected maturity far more than his age, he ascended the throne and became the leader of his people.

When his father left the mortal world, Har Kishan sent a message to the Satsang that there would be no mourning, but Gurbani was recited in the memory of his father to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Max Arthur Macauliffe writes about him in his book that, once on the way to Delhi from Punjab, Guru Har Kishan was staying at Panjokhara, near present-day Ambala. Gurudwara Panjokhra sahib is situated in this place now.

A very learned pundit by the name of Lal Chand, noting that the guru's name was similar to that of Lord Krishna, came visiting with the intent to test him on the knowledge of Bhagavad Gita by the meaning of a few shlokas.

The guru, with the intention to cure him of his pride, said that Lal Chand does not need the guru for this task and that anyone could do that. On hearing this, Lal Chand brought a mute and ignorant water carrier called Chhajju. The guru placed his stick on Chhajju's head.

Macauliffe writes "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." He accordingly begged Har Krishan's pardon for his mistake and became the Guru's disciple.

The reign of Guru Har Krishan was short-lived, i.e. only 2 and a half years but "Baba Bakale" was one of the famous incidents of his reign.

Before death, his followers asked him who would be his successor, he replied: "Baba Bakale" meaning the next Guru is in Bakale. The Sikhs interpret it to recognise his granduncle, Guru Tegh Bahadur, as the next successor. And thus, the title of the Guru was rolled over and the community found its new spiritual and political head.