Posted by
Jugraj Singh Randhawa
When he was young, Ghaneya was very spiritual. He searched around and learned everything he could from different holy men. His spiritual journey reached it's highest when he met Guru Teg Bahadur. All his search had added up this. The Guru's presence and words completed all teaching and knowing. It was then he committed himself to being a Sikh and embracing the mission of the Guru. From then, he dedicated his life to langar, to serve anyone and everyone. He opened a spiritual center for this service to all humankind. He believed that God is in everyone, so he served that God.
Later, after Bhai Ghaneya had dedicated many years of his life service, Guru Gobind Singh was Guru. Some people went to war with the Guru. They attacked Anandpur Sahib and cut off the cities supplies and soon water and food became very scarce. During these battles many men dropped their bodies and went to another realm. Many lay on the battle field wounded in different ways. Bhai Ghaneya would go in the battle field with a water container and give water to all those who needed it. He gave to soldiers from both armies.
When some of the Khalsa saw what he was doing they thought, "We don't have enough water for ourselves and he is giving some to the enemy. He's healing them so they can go back and fight us. We must tell the Guru about this." When they expressed this to the Guru he said, "Bring him to my presence." So Bhai Ghaneya was brought to the presence of the Guru.
Guru ji seeing the purity and devotion of this beloved Sikh of both himself and his father, posed a question almost already smiling, "Is it true what I have heard? Are you giving water to the enemy?" Bhai Ghaneya ji replied, "Yes my Guru, it is true. When I look in the faces of others, all I see is you. Beloved Guru, I serve all because I see they are God. I only serve you, only you."
Guru ji was very happy hearing him and smiled. "You are right and you have understood the meaning of the Guru's word." Guru ji then let everyone around know for certain that Bhai Ghaneya had reached understanding, "He has understood the teachings correctly. Try all you can to learn like this. The lessons that Gurbani teaches are priceless." Guru ji then gave some medicine made of herbs to him, "From now on, put this on the wounds of all those who need it."
Guru ji spoke to the whole community, "Sadh Sangat ji, Bhai Ghaneya is a saintly soul, beloved by God. He has served all without caring about who they are or where they come from. He has attained a state of spiritual ease and divine grace. He shall carry on with his mission of service. Many more will follow his example in the years to come and keep the tradition of service to humanity alive."
Different people had different understandings of the teachings of the Gurus. The beloved souls in the Sangat felt that Bhai Ghaneya lived the truth that many of them had only known in meditation. He saw the Divinity in others at the most challenging time, during war. God bless the soul of Bhai Ghaneya. May we all attain a state of seeing God in others. May we all live this truth with all our actions. Wherever we go and whatever we do, may we see only our Guru.
source: http://www.sikhnet.com/audio/bhai-ghaneya-singh
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