About Bhai Kanhaiya Ji
Bhai Kanhaiya Ji was a sikh of Guru Tegh Bhadur JI and was the founder of the Sevapanthi Samparda of the Sikhs. His special mission was selfless service of humanity with no distinction of nationality, caste or creed. While the world hails Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross, as the first humanitarian at the service for the care of war victims, Sikhism produced Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, more than 100 years before the inception of the Red Cross.
Bhai Kanhaiya was born in 1705 at village Sodhara near Wazirabad in Sialkot District( now in Pakistan). His parents were Nathu Ram ji and mata Sundri ji and his father was a wealthy trader. From a very young age Bhai Sahib used to keep coins in his pocket so he could give them to anyone he saw who was in an unfortunate position. The locals were astonished at the compassion and thoughtful nature of someone so young. As he grew a little older he began to help the poor in other ways. He would wait on the paths of the village and when seeing a poor person carrying a heavy load he would offer to carry the weight for them for a few miles. This shows that Bhai Kanhaiya ji had compassion and a desire to help others from a very young age.
After Bhai Sahib’s father passed away Bhai Kanhaiya ji took over the family business. While trading one day he came across a devotee of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji called Bhai Nanua ji. Bhai Nanua was a loving sikh who woke up early at Amritvela to recite Gurbani. One morning Bhai Kanhaiya ji sat with Nanua ji and was captivated with the shabads that he heard.
Bhai Kanhaiya ji met Guru Tegh Bahadur JI and accepted initiation as a Sikh at his hands and continued to serve the Sangat. Bhai Kanhaiya ji was the designated water carrier for Guru Ji and afterwards in Langar.
During Guru Gobind SinghJi’s time, many wars were being waged to protect the poor and the innocent. Amidst the horror of war, the compassion of Bhai Kanhaiya ji emerged. He would walk the battleground and give water to the wounded, not only to the Sikh’s however, but to everyone. The Sikh warriors reported these incidents to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They complained that while they were trying to defeat the enemy, Bhai Kanhaiya ji was nurturing them back to life. When confronted by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Bhai Kanhaiya ji simply replied, “ I only see you; in the Sikhs, I see you in the enemy, so then how can I not at least help other humans? ( Bhai Kanhaiya ji saw God manifested in the Guru, and saw the Guru’s reflection in every living being).
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was very pleased with the answer, and went on to give Bhai Kanhaiya ji ointment and bandages, so that he could complete his role in delivering medical aid to all the wounded, friends and foes alike. He also told Bhai Kanhaiya ji that there would be a mission by name which would be dedicated to Sewa and Simran. Long before the establishment of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
This Bhai Kanhaiya ji mission later became known as the Sewa Panthi Sampradaye, of which today there are many centres throughout India. These centres are located in Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh ( Una). These centres provide free dispensary, free education to children relating to Sikh religion, and also serve as a meditation centre, and a guesthouse.