Guru Har Rai ji’s sakhis. (Dara Shakoh and Guruji) The Emperor Shah Jahan had four sons, Dara Shikoh, Shuja Mohammad, Aurangzeb, and Murad Bakhsh. Dara Shikoh who was the heir-apparent, was very dear to his father. Aurangzeb was very clever, cunning and ambitious, and aimed at succeeding to the throne. It is said that Aurangzeb administered tiger's moustaches in a elegant dish to Dara Shikoh who became dangerously ill as a consequence. The best physicians were consulted but were hopeless. The Emperor, filled with anxiety, sent for astrologers and diviners from every country but of no benefit. The wise men arrived at a conclusion that until tiger's whiskers were removed from Dara's bowls, there was no hope of recovery. They were of the opinion that if a innocent myrobalan weighing fourteen chitanks (14/16th of a pound) and a clove weighing one masha could be administered to the patient, he would be restored to health. The Emperor searched for these articles everywhere in his empire but was unsuccessful. At last someone told him that the required items were available in the Guru's storehouse. On the advice of his courtiers the Page 1 of 2 Guru Har Rai ji’s sakhis. (Dara Shakoh and Guruji) Emperor found it necessary to humble himself before the Guru, and accordingly addressed him the following letter: "Your predecessor, the holy Baba Nanak granted sovereignty to Emperor Babar, the founder of my dynasty; Guru Angad was exceedingly well disposed to his son, Emperor Humayun; and Guru Amar Das removed many difficulties from my grandfather Akbar's path. I regret that the same friendly relations did not subsist between Guru Har Gobind and me, and that misunderstandings were caused by the interference of strangers. For this I was not to blame. My son Dara Shikoh is now very ill. His remedy is in your hands. If you give the myrobalan and the clove which are available in your store, and add to them your prayers, you will confer an abiding favour on me." A noble carried the letter to the Guru at Kiratpur, who commented, “Behold, with one hand man breaks flowers, and with the other he offers them, but flowers perfume both hands alike. Although the axe cuts the sandal-tree, yet the sandal perfumes the axe. The Guru is, therefore, to return good for evil." He sent the necessary medicine which was administered to Dara Shikoh. The medicine affected a speedy and complete cure. The Emperor was naturally very pleased, forgot all enmity against the Guru, and vowed that he would never again cause any annoyance to him. Page 2 of 2 .