The Source Book On Sikhism

Guru Hari Rai Ji (1630 - 1661)

Guru Hari Rai kept a cavalry of 2,200 Sikhs ready to defend the faith. Once, lost in his thoughts, he was passing through a garden and a flower fell from the stem struck by the flaps of his loose coat. He was so filled with remorse that he pledged that thereafter he would always keep the loose folds assembled in his arms, and to this he struck throughout his life.

And yet, when Dara Shikoh, a Sufi brother of Aurangzeb, losing the battle of succession, was fleeing towards the west, and came to Goindwal to ask for the Guru’s help, he arrayed his men along the river Beas and held the pursuing forces ‘til Dara had fled to security. Aurangzeb did not forgive this, and as soon as he came to the throne, he asked the Guru to present himself at his court. The Guru did not go himself, but sent his son, Ram Rai, to see the Emperor. Aurangzeb received him well and said he only wanted to be assured that there was nothing derogatory to the Muslims in the Sikh Scripture, nor were the Sikhs poised against the imperial rule. Ram Rai, with his vast spiritual background and cultured manners, pleased the Emperor, but misinterpreted the Word of Guru Nanak, carried off by his desire to give not the slightest offence to his host. The Sikhs of Delhi reported the matter to the Guru and the latter was so anguished that he called upon Ram Rai to leave the Emperor’s court at once and go to wherever he wanted but never to see him again.

During his whole period, the Guru pursued missionary activities with great zeal and never once gave an opportunity to clash with the Moghul rule. He died in 1661 handing over his charge to his tender son, Hari Krishan. Some historians claim that he was poisoned to death under the order of Aurangzeb.