Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji

Guru Har Rai was born on 16 February, 1630 at Sheesh Mahal in Kiratpur, Hoshiapur. Guru Har Rai ji was the son of Baba Gurdita Ji and Mata Nihal Kaur Ji (also known as Mata Ananti Ji). Baba Gurdita was son of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji.

Guru Har Rai ji had two sons: Baba Ram Rai Ji and Sri Har Krishan Ji.

At the age of 14 after suitable training Guru Har Rai attained the 'Divine Light' from Guru Har Gobind, his grandfather, and was made the seventh Guru of the Sikhs.

From a very young age he exhibited sensitivity to all living things and endeared himself to his grandfather, Guru Har Gobind. Like Guru Har Gobind, Guru Har Rai kept a contingent of 2,200 cavalry as his personal guard.

After the many battles of Guru Har Gobind, the times of Guru Har Rai were times of consolidation for the Sikh community without any major battles in the Gurus lifetime. Guru Har Rai spent his life at his birthplace of Kiratpur.

He spent most of his life in devotional meditation and preaching the gospel of Guru Nanak. Guru Har Rai would spend the mornings and evenings listening to devotional music and giving lectures on the writings of the Gurus. The Guru continued to spread the message of Sikhism. He sent Bhagwan Gir to eastern India to preach Sikhism. Another disciple Bhai Pheru was sent to Rajasthan and Suthre Shah was appointed to Delhi. He also continued the grand task of nation-building initiated by Guru Har Gobind Ji.

Guru Har Rai also set up a small hospital for relieving the distress of the sick. Medicines were given free to those who came for treatment. It is said that Guru Har Rai also helped in curing the Emperor Shah Jahan's eldest son, Dara Shikoh. This improved the relations with the Mughal king but only for a short time, till Aurangzeb became the ruler.

Since Guru Har Rai was not quite happy with his elder son's behaviour and devotion, he decided to appoint his younger son, Har Krishan as the next Guru.

Ram Rai was the eldest son of Guru Har Rai Ji. The Guruji had sent him to the Mughal court in his stead when he was summoned by Aurangzeb.

There the Emperor started questioning Ram Rai on various subjects in the effort to disprove Guru Har Rai and the Sikh faith.

In an effort to please Aurangzeb, Ram Rai answered all his questions wisely and even altered the meaning of one paragraph of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book). Aurangzeb was very happy with Ram Rai's answers and let him go.

When the Guruji heard that Ram Rai distorted the meaning of the Guru Granth Sahib, he was very distressed and immediately ordered Ram Rai not to come back to him. He vowed never to see Ram Rai ever again.