By Dr Naunihal Singh (Washington DC)

Bhai Kanhiya the founder of Red Cross of the Sikh Nation was born in a small town in the Dist. of Gujrat (Pakistan) | in the year 1684 His father was a rich military contractor. From the very beginning he was in search of some type of service to serve the humanity and attain the knowledge of the Creator the Lord of the Universe. He left the company of his father while on business mission towards Kabul but escaped from his company on the way. He met many saints and tried to learn the technique of service of humanity. In the year 1674 he came in contact with Guru Teg Bahadur the ninth Guru of the Sikhs and remained with him till Gurus Martyrdom. He went back and set one rest house for the travelers. Again in 1678 he came back to Guru Gobind Singh the last Sikh Guru in human shape and stayed and served him. Now came the time for the test of his attainment.

Mountain state chiefs after their defeats at the hands of the Guru asked for help from the Muslim emperor of India at that time to finish the Guru and his force of the Sikhs. The combined attack started on Anandpur the head quarter of the Guru. A fierce battle took place and dead bodies and wounded were lying in every direction. As per his habit and adopted profession of serving the humanity Bhai Kanhiya started distributing water to the thirsty and wounded on the battle field without any distinction of friend and a foe. Noticing this happen on the battle field Sikh soldiers were set up and reported this with their protest that Bhai Kanhiya was helping the enemy and making them again fit to fight against the Sikh forces. At this complaint Guru summoned Bhai Kanhiya to his court to investigate.

(Bhai Kanhiya had already attained the stage which is considered to be final in human life the stage of one being with God.) Guru Gobind Singh ordered his Sikhs to wear sword permanently Bhai Kanhiya did the same. One Sikh asked him Bhai ji in case someone attacks you to kill what will you do? Bhai Kanhiya replied please do not take the trouble to take out your sword I can give you mine and you can use it to behead me.

Bhai Kanhiya was produced in the Gurus court. Guru;:-Bhai Kanhiya do you serve water to enemy wounded too?

B.K.:-No Sir.  Guru:-That means only to the Sikhs

B.K.:-No Sir. I do not serve the Sikhs too.

Guru:-That means these Sikhs complaint is not true? B.K.:-No Sir Sikhs ever lie. I am serving water neither to the foe or to the friend. I only serve water to you Sir because you gave me that wisdom that I see everybody to be his creation.

Guru:-Bhai Kanhiya you have reached the stage of a Brahmgiani (perfection). You do not consider any body as an enemy but the creation of the same Creator. As the fifth Guru Arjan has said: Brahm Giani kai mitter satter smaan.

Brahm Giani kai nahi abhmaan

Guru gave him a healing ointment to apply it to the wounds of fighters along with serving water to all the ailing humanity. Thus started the Red Cross of the Sikhs in the year 1702.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 22, 1991