Bhai Kanhaiya — Serving the Wounded Without Distinction

During the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, there were several fierce battles against Mughal and hill-king forces. In one such battle, Bhai Kanhaiya — a devoted Sikh who had taken a vow of service — moved across the battlefield with a water-skin, offering water and first aid to the wounded.

Sikh soldiers watching him grew frustrated. They saw him offering water equally to their own wounded brothers and to the enemy soldiers who had just been fighting against them. Some soldiers complained to Guru Gobind Singh Ji: "Guru Ji, Bhai Kanhaiya is helping our enemies! He gives them water and relief — they may recover and fight us again!"

Guru Gobind Singh Ji summoned Bhai Kanhaiya. In front of all the soldiers, He asked: "Bhai Kanhaiya, the Singhs say you are giving water to our enemies. Is this true?"

Bhai Kanhaiya folded his hands and replied with complete calmness: "Yes, Guru Ji, it is true. But I did not see any enemies on the battlefield. I saw only the Guru's face in every wounded body. Where you are present, how can there be enemies? I saw only your form in everyone — friend and foe alike."

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was deeply moved. He embraced Bhai Kanhaiya and said to the watching Sikhs: "Bhai Kanhaiya has truly understood my teachings. He has truly understood the Gurbani." The Guru then gave Bhai Kanhaiya ointments and medications and asked him to extend his service to full medical care of all wounded.

Bhai Kanhaiya is considered the founder of the spirit of humanitarian aid in the Sikh tradition, and his service is seen as the precursor to the modern Red Cross philosophy — no distinction in the care of the wounded based on which side they fought on.