Gurpurab Congratulations!
Our seventh Guru born to Mata Nihal Kaur Ji and Baba Gurdiita Ji. As a child Guru Ji loved and enjoyed the basic tenets of nature. One day as a child, while passing through a garden, his loose flowing robes damaged some flowers and scattered their petals on the ground. This sight effected his tender heart and brought tears in his eyes. After that he always walked with his skirts tucked up, and resolved never to harm anything in the world. When he grew up, he carried the same spirit with him. He used Baba Farid's quotation frequently:
"All men's hearts are jewels; to distress them is not at all good;
If thou desire the Beloved, distress no one's heart."
Guru Ji instructed that the hungry and the needy wherever they are found, should be immediately approached and helped.
Guru Ji initiated the convention of ‘beating drum’ before langar, so that everyone may be able to come and partake of the meals without hesitation.
Guru Ji set up clinics and dispensaries for those who were in need of medical treatment.
“…man breaks flowers with one hand and offers them with the other, but the flowers perfume both hands alike. The axe cuts the sandal tree, yet the sandal perfumes the axe…
-Guru Har Rai Ji’s response to his Sikhs who questioned why he was helping the son of Shah Jahan, who quarreled with his grandfather and father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru HarGobind Singh Ji.
A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF GURU HAR RAI SAHIB JEE
Story of Kurta stuck on thorn flower
As a young child Guru Sahib was running in the flower garden at Kiratpur Sahib. He was wearing a baggy cloak (Chola). While running the cloak he brushed passed some flowers, thus the flowers were damaged. With love and compassion, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee, the seventh Guru's grandfather, explained: "Always walk and move with care. Look after and manage your cloak and ensure that it doesn't hurt or damage anything in its path." Guru Hargobind Sahib jee taught his grandson that "one should watch how one walks" and work on oneself. Guru Sahib promised his grandfather, that he would in the future be careful in his responsibilities towards man, animals and plants. Boundless compassion and charity were reflected in all his actions and dealings with others throught Guru Sahib's life.
Protection of Animals & Environment
Guru Sahib founded free hospitals, herbal medical clinics, animal sanctuaries and beautiful gardens. Guru Har Rai Sahib jee developed Kiratpur sahib as a town of parks and gardens. Located on the banks of tributary of the Sutlej, he planted flowers and fruit bearing trees all over the area. This created a salubrious environment, attracting beautiful birds to the town and turning it into an idyllic place to live in. The Guru would go hunting; capturing animals he would care for them and give them treatment. When the animals were healthy and fit they would be released into the animal sanctuary or wild.
