Bhai Kanhaiya (1648 - 1718)

Bhai Kanhaiya (Ghanaya or Ghanaia) was born in 1648 to a wealthy family living in Sodhara nearby by Wazirabad in the Sialkot district of Punjab which is now part of Pakistan. His father, a trader, was of the Dhamman line of the Khatri clan. From an early age Kanhaiya sought the company of sadhus and spiritual ascetics. When he came of age, Kanhaiya declined to go into the trading business with his father and left home. He traveled from place to place in search of a ideal spiritual life.

Kanhaiya found the life he sought when he met Guru Teg Bahadur. Kanhaiya became the Guru's disciple and dedicated himself to the service of the Guru and his Sikhs. He tended livestock in the stables and took part in the Guru's communal langar kitchen.

Kanhaiya established a mission in the village of Kavha in what is now the Attock district of Pakistan. Known today as the Addenshahi sect of the Sikhs, his followers, the Seva (Sewa) Panthees, or Fellowship of Selfless Service, put into practice humanitarian principles founded on equality, recognizing all peoples as equal without regard to the origins of caste, creed, or color.

Kanhaiya made a visit to Anandpur in 1705 during the reign of Guru Gobind Singh. The occupation of the Mughal army resulted in clashes with imperial troupes, the chiefs and militia of neighboring hill clans, and the army of The Guru. When skirmishes ensued, Kenhaiya went out into the battle field and ministered to those who had fallen in combat. Friend and foe alike, he provided drinking water to the thirsty.

Sikhs complained to Guru Gobind Singh that Kanhaiya had been giving water to wounded enemy soldiers. The Guru questioned Kanhaiya about his actions asking why he gave water to the enemy. Kanhaiya replied that when he looked into the eyes of one in need he could not distinguish between them, that he saw only the light of the one creator which shined forth from every soul. Guru Gobind Singh gave an order that Kanhaiya should also have medical supplies at his disposal to treat the wounded, and gave the command that henceforth he be given the honorary title of "Bhai" and be known as the Guru's own brother, Bhai Kanhaiya.

Bhai Kanhaiya remained in Anandpur ministering to the wounded until after the evacuation of the Sikhs in December of 1705. He returned to his family home in Sodhara where he lived out the remainder of his days in retirement until his death in 1718.

Timeline of the life of Bhai Kanhaiya (other spellings - Kanaiya, Ghanaya or Ghanaia)

• Birth: Sodhara – 1648. Khanhaiya is born to the merchant Dhamman Khatri family.
• Youth: Engages in the Service of Guru Teg Bahadar.
• Founds Addenshahi Sect: Kavah - Kanhaiya establishes the Sewa Panthee mission.
• Non-partisan Medic: Anandpur – 1705. Bhai Kanhaiya tends to the fallen in battle of both sides.
• Death: Sodhara – September 19 1718 A.D. Bhai Kanhaiya returns home where he lives in retirement until his death.

Bhai Kanhaiya practiced the three principles of Sikhism and provided non-partisan aid without prejudice more than 300 years ago, some two hundred years before the American Red Cross was established. His example of seva inspired the founding of GHANAIA, (Giving Humanitarian Aid Necessities Assistance Impartially to All) a non-profit, humanitarian, international disaster relief agency, in 2003 which later became known as the UN affiliated UNITED SIKHS.