Six weeks ago we celebrated the Prakash of Guru Har Rai Sahib. Today is the celebration of the Prakash Divas of Guru Har Rai Sahib. It is worth noting that 'Sikh Vatavaran Divas' (Environment Day) has been ratified to coincide with this day. So this has been a special period of time to remember our 7th Guru.
Yet who is Guru Har Rai Sahib?
Growing up as a Sikh I always heard a lot more about Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh and notable events from the lives of all the other Gurus... yet my memory produces very little on this form of Nanak.
That is why SikhNet produced audio stories around Guru Har Rai Sahib, in order to give the benefit to later generations of being more exposed. Here are the four stories made which have collectively been listened to more than 50,000 times:
'Har Rai The Gentle'
This story begins with this:
Har Rai ji was a gentle soul. Little of his life history has been recorded, but he has recorded many pages on the hearts of the saints. Though he kept the outside look of a warrior, it’s his inside spirit that makes him a True Warrior. Many can have victory physically but few achieve spiritual victory.
The story is an episode in the young Baba's life where he accidentally harmed some flowers. This injury on nature caused the gentle prince to cry. When his grandfather, Guru Hargobind, consoled him he was instructed to, as a warrior, look after God's creation, "And from now on lift your chola when needed. It is good for God's servants to be gentle with all beings." Gentle Sri Har Rai took this message to heart for the rest of his life and is known to have taught, "Everyone’s heart is a jewel, it’s not good to break it. If you long to see the Beloved Lord, never hurt anyone’s heart.”
'Court of Guru Har Rai Ji'
This story was intended to give a feeling of the atmosphere during the unique presence of the gentle Guru, paradise on earth. Besides the details of how Guru opened a free hospital with volunteer healers, had fruit trees planted, created an animal sanctuary and grew a medicine garden the story features sections of Gurbani that Guru Sahib would often repeat. It is from the Vaars of Bhai Gurdas and in a simple and direct way instruct us on the daily life of a Sikh, to wake up early, shower, meditate, engage in service, seek the company of saints and always remain care free. This story is a solicitation for our generations to recreate the heaven on earth that is Guru Sahib's darbar.
'God Provides To All'
This is an engaging story where Guru Har Rai enacted a worldly drama in order to teach a Sikh how to be care free. The Sikh always professed that he wished he could serve and bein the Guru's court.... BUT he couldn't because he was busy providing and taking care of his wife and children. The Sikh visits Guru Har Rai Sahib in what was meant to quickly return to his obligations back home... however Guru Sahib instructed another Sikh to confine him for 6 months without being able to return. He spent those months worrying about how his wife and children would be able to have money to buy food but when he returned home he was amazed to find that they had not only found jobs, but they had learned life skills and were themselves more happy and productive. The lesson was that sometimes we create self imposed responsibilities stop us from following our heart... and this doesn't help anyone. The Sikh returned to serve in the court of the Guru.
'Guru Har Rai and the Pot'
In this story Sikhs represent to Guru Sahib that sometimes they recite Bani and they don't understand it. Guru has them fetch a piece from a broken pot that used to have ghee in it. When they brought it over Guru ji pointed out that the ghee had melted and now was infused on the outside of the pot. Guru ji further taught that this is how Gurbani works: 'Reciting Gurbani with devotion is like ghee sticking to the clay. Eventually light will come to our mind, just as the sun came to heat the ghee. Then the Gurbani with dawn understanding in us and wisdom will come to our hearts, just as the ghee eventually gets infused with the clay.' A great way to finish this story is to conclude by singing Gurbani with your children.
The above stories can be listened to.
~The following is another important story 'Healing the Enemy - A Story About Guru Har Rai' from the book 'Heroes, Saints and Yogis: Tales of Self Discovery and the Path of Sikh Dharma'
In this story the son of the emperor Jahangir had gotten very ill. This is the same emperor who fought wars with Guru Hargobind. Without hesitation Guru ji sent the rare crucial remedies and the ill prince, Dara Shikoh, was healed. When asked why he would heal the son of such enemies Guru ji taught, "“Behold, with one hand man breaks flowers and with one hand offers them, but the flowers perfume both hands alike. The axe cuts the sandal tree, yet the sandal perfumes the axe. We ought, therefore to return good when we are treated badly.”
Emperor Jahangir vowed to never hassle the Guru again.
~I would also like to highlight the excellent work of Basics of Sikhi in telling the life of Guru Har Rai, all in one video, a needed format and delivery for the benefit of everyone. Bhai Baljit Singh brings to life many stories and teachings from Guru Har Rai Sahib: