Travelling in total darkness,
Hari's name will light the way.
- Guru Arjun Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 264)
Who is Bhai Kanhaiya ji?
Spiritual Mission
Bhai Kanhaiya ji's father was a wealthy trader, however Bhai Sahib was looking for something other than material wealth. He left home and sought after the company of Sadhus (Saints), those who possessed spiritual wealth. Eventually he met Guru Tegh Bahadur ji and stuck with him. Selfless service became Bhai Kanhaiya ji's main mission. He opened a centre in current-day Pakistan for helping people regardless of their background.
Battle of Anandpur
In 1705, he was visiting Anandpur in Punjab, when Anandpur was under attack by the Mughals and Hill Chiefs. During the Battles of Anandpur, Bhai Kanhaiya ji would go around and serve water to all fallen soldiers, to the wounded and dying men in the battlefield, regardless of who they were.
Guru's Approval
Guru Gobind Singh ji's sikhs did not like this and they complained to the Guru that Bhai Kanhaiya was reviving the enemy soldiers. Guru Sahib called Bhai Sahib and asked him to explain himself. Bhai Kanhaiya ji responded that he saw no friends or foes, he only saw the Divine shining through and decided to serve everyone. Guru ji approved of his actions and gave him bandages to further his mission.
This becomes the basis for my painting of Bhai Kanhaiya ji.
There is a gruesome battle going on around Bhai Kanhaiya ji and amidst the chaos, he is feeding water to an injured Mughal soldier. The ground is covered in his blood.
However my painting departs from the realism of a battlefield and instead depicts the spiritual experience of Bhai Kanhaiya ji, his internal state, where he is witnessing Waheguru alone, even inside the Mughal soldier. The soldier appears to him as Guru Gobind Singh ji, who is a physical representation of Waheguru.
To take a closer at the painting visit:
http://sikhiart.com/for-sale/bhai-kanhaiya/
About the Artist
Bhagat Singh Bedi has been painting Sikh History since the young age of 11. He continues to use his gift to create works of Sikh Art that inspire and uplift the soul. His Sikh Paintings connect us to our ancient heritage by telling stories of our ancestors in vivid colours. Each painting is carefully hand-painted, researched and detailed by Bhagat, over years of meditation.
Bhagat's fine art prints can be purchased for your home, and can be easily ordered online at SikhiArt.com
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