Soon after, a day was fixed finally to announce Har Rai as the new Guru, and install him formally on the throneof the Gurus. Guru Hargobind sent an invitation to all the people of the Sikh community to come to Kiratpur. There, before a big gathering of Sikhs, he recited verses from the Holy Granth, and offered prayers to Guru Nanak. Then, holding Har Rai by the hand seated him on the guru's throne, and declared him the new Guru of the Sikhs. He then asked Bhai Buddha's son, Bhai Bhana, to apply the customary sacred tilak to Har Rai. After this, Guru Hargobind made a ritual offering of five paise, a coconut and flowers, and bowed before the seventh Guru of the Sikhs.

It was year 1644. Guru Hargobind felt that he had now done his duty, having appointed a new Guru who would lead the Sikhs Forward and guide them spiritually. Now that Har Rai was the Guru, there were a few things Guru Hargobind wanted to pass on to him. He told Har Rai to continue living in the Kiratpur, and keep away from the Mughals as much as possible. Moreover, he did not want Har Rai to maintain a large army of soldiers, which would make the Mughal rulers feel threatened in any way. He told Har Rai to keep a force of two thousand two hundreds mounted soldiers which would be just enough to defend himself against the Mughals, if the need be, but nothing more. Furthermore, he did not want Har Rai to direct his time and energy on futile and endless battles against the Mughals. He had realized in his life time that continuous warfare not only meant loss of his men and their resources, it even distracted them from teir religious duties. He was aware, however, that troubled times lay ahead for the Sikh Gurus, and he wanted the Sikh community to be strong and ready for it mentally. This is what he asked Har Rai to keep in mind and hence stay out of the Mughal ruler's way.

Though Guru Har Rai was in no way averse to fighting, for the sake of his faith, he realized the wisdom of Guru Hargobind's words. He assured Guru Hargobind that they would never initiate war against the Mughals, and added that he would concentrate more on serving their community, their people and their faith to the best of his abilities. The guru blessed his grandson and laid back in peace. With every passing day, he knew that his end was near.

One day, he called his son Tegh Bahadur to his bedside. Blessing him heartly, he told him to go to the village of Bakala in Amritsar district along with his mother. He was to stay there till the time came from him to commence his holy work. Tegh Bahadur touched his fathers feet and prepared to leave. The Guru then called his whole family and all the Sikhs to his bedside, and asked him not to mourn his death. He told them that only his body was dying; but his spirit would still be alive and shining in Guru Har Rai. Then placing his hand on Guru Har Rai's head, he passed away in peace.

The Whole Sikh community felt aggrieved at guru hargobind's passing away. But since they were promise bound not to mourn they turned to their seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai, who was now their spiritual leader, at the tender age of fourteen.

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