Introductory - Global Sikh Studies

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Bhai Mathura, one of the commaners of the Guru’s forces in a battle,
addressed his troops thus: ‘….. If you die, your death will be profitable,
since you have give up your lives as an offering to the Guru, and will join
the court of heaven; but if, on the other hand, you vanquish your enemies,
the empire will be yours.’ 56 Therefore, from the time of Guru Hargobind,
there should equally be no doubt that in offering military help to Dara,
Guru Har Rai was clear, firm and open about the political objectives of
the Sikh movement. All this gives us a clear perspective for appreciating
why Guru Arjan blessed Khussrau.
There is another significant episode of this period. Augangzeb
summoned Guru Har Rai to his court at Delhi in order to explain his
dealings with Dara Shikoh. Instead of going himself, the Guru sent
his 11 year old son, Ram Rai. Ram Rai was asked in the court why the
following vese of Guru Nanak spoke lightly of the Mussalmans : “The
ashes of the Mussalman fall into the potter’s clod; vessels and bricks
are fashioned from them; they cry out as they burn.” This hymn was
in no way a reflection on Mussalmans. The part of the hymn that
God alone knows whether it is better to be burnt or buried. But
instead of explaining this, Ram Rai altered the original hymn. He
substituted the word ‘Beiman’ (faithless) for ‘Mussalman’. The Sikhs
of Delhi lost no time in reporting Ram Rai’s weakness to Guru Har
Rai. The Guru decided atonce that Ram Rai was not a fit person
to succeed him as a Guru. ‘The Guruship’, said the Guru, is like a
tigress’s milk which can be contained in a golden cut. Only he
who is ready to devote his life thereto is worthy of it. Let Ram Rai
not look at my face again. Let him abide with Aurangzeb and
amass money at his court.’ 57
Guru Arjan had refused to alter or erase even an iota of the
hymns in the Guru Granth when asked by Jahangir to do so. The
reaction of Guru Har Rai was no different. He never saw the face of
Ram Rai again. There could be no compromise, not even a hint of
compromise, on ideological issues. This episode reveals how firm and