Early life and succession
The verses from Lahore
Left in Lahore to care for the Sikhs, the young man writes verses of longing to his father and is chosen as successor.
The Encyclopaedia gives this story in two versions. In its life of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, a cousin named Sahari Mal asks Guru Ji to a wedding in Lahore. The two elder sons make excuses, and the youngest goes and stays on, with orders to serve the Sikhs until recalled.
Separated from his father, he sends letters in verse. Prithi Chand hides the first two. The third reaches Sri Guru Ram Das Ji and, being marked number three, reveals what has happened. On his return the young man adds a fourth stanza of joy, and his father names him successor.
How do we know?
Several traditional accounts tell this story, without close independent support.
- ScholarshipTells of the invitation, the three letters and how Prithi Chand was found out.[EoS]
- ScholarshipTells of the Lahore mission and the verse letters, with the sangat he founded there.[EoS]
- Later traditionGives Sahari Mal's visit and the reasons Guru Ji could not go.[Macauliffe]
