Teacher at Kiratpur

Herbs for the prince

Sikh tradition remembers that Dara Shukoh recovered from a grave illness with herbs sent by Guru Ji.

Agreed in traditionBefore 16581 min read

Painting of Sri Guru Har Rai Ji, the seventh Guru — A later artist's imagining of Sri Guru Har Rai Ji, from a set of the first nine Gurus painted about 1800-1840. No portrait from Guru Ji's lifetime is established.Unknown, c. 1800-1840, Royal Collection Trust, RCIN 925208 (as credited on Commons). Public domain. Source

As Sikh tradition tells it, Prince Dara Shukoh once fell seriously ill and did not recover until herbs reached him from Sri Guru Har Rai Ji. The prince remembered the kindness. When his fortunes collapsed years later, this old favour is given as one reason he looked for Guru Ji on his flight through the Punjab.

How do we know?

Several traditional accounts tell this story, without close independent support.

No date or early text was found for this. It explains why a fleeing prince might turn to Guru Ji, which may be part of why it was remembered.

Later traditionRecords it as something Sikh tradition recalls, without naming a text or date.[EoS]
Later traditionRepeats the tradition that rare herbs from Guru Ji had once cured the prince.[EoS]

Read the full life and times of Sri Guru Har Rai Ji

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