Lehal Library

The Call to Arms 67 when it is emptied, so does the Guru's word stick to the heart .... Whether you comprehend it or not, the word bears the seed of salvation. Perfitme persists in the broken pieces even after the vase that contained it has been shattered.' Hari Krishen (165(H)4) The investiture of Hari Krishen did not suit Aurangzeb, who wanted to play a decisive role in the affairs of the Sikhs. He summoned the infant Guru to Delhi with the intention of arbitrating between his claims and those of his elder brother, Ram Rai. Ct is not very likely that Ram Rai. who was little more than a boy himself, could have pursued the matter of succession on his own initiative. At his back were some masands, who, like the Emperor, wished to have the Guru as a puppet in their hands. After some hesitation Hari Krishen arrived in Delhi and was put up at the house of Mirza Raja Jai Singh in the suburb of Raisina. 19 Aurangzeb was in no hurry to announce his arbitration (nor indeed would the Sikhs have paid any heed to it). He was content to have both the claimants under his surveillance. Harii<rishen was, however, stricken with smallpox. Before he died, he indicated to the people about him that the next guru was not to be either Ram Rai or Dbirmal, both of whom had been eagerly pressing their claims, but an older man living in the village of Bakala. Tegh Bahadur (1621-75) It was quite clear that by his dying words •Baba Bakiik,' Hari Krishen had meant his granduncle, Tegh Bahadur, who had been living in the village ever since the death of his father Hargobind in 1644. Nevertheless, a whole army of claimants set themselves up at Bakala and sent out masands announcing 19 The temple which stands on the site is consequently named bangla sahib (the place of the residence). The village of Raisina was demolished in the building of New Delhi.