Guru Gobind Singh Jee Kaa Sewak

Short Story: The Injured Soldier  

During Mughal rule, Guru Gobind Singh’s Khalsa army fought many battles with Aurangzeb’s army gallantly. On one occasion, the fierce battle was fought between the Mughal army of five lakhs and only ten thousand soldiers of Guru Gobind Singh’s army. There were casualties on both sides. Therefore, Guru Gobind Singh assigned one soldier the task of treating injured soldiers. The name of soldier was Gursewak Singh. He was doing his work as per the instructions of Guru Gobind Singh. However, one day he saw wounded soldier of Aurangzeb army who was lying on the field in critical condition. He gave him water to drink and cleaned his wounds. His name was Wasim Khan. Gursewak stitched the cut on his waist which was caused by sharp sword. Wasim Khan looked confused but was very obliged. This was watched by another soldier who did not like it. He complained this to Guru Gobind Singh. 

He believed that the soldier of Aurangzeb army does not deserve any kind of mercy. Guru Gobind Singh asked Gursewak to come to his camp and meet him. Gursewak arrived in a hurry. He stood there folding his hands as a respect to his commander Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Gobind Singh asked,”Gursewak! It has been observed that you were cleaning wounds of a soldier from Aurangzeb army.”

He replied, “Sir, I was given the task of cleaning wounds of soldiers who were badly hurt in battle. I was doing my task according to the orders. As the doctor looks concerned about the wound and not the patient, similarly I was concerned about the ailing soldier and not his identity.”

He continued,” See, we have common Kitchen called Langars which do not differentiate between rich or poor, Brahmin or Shudra, Sikh or Muslim. We have been taught to serve all. So, it hardly makes a difference if the soldier is a Hindu or a Muslim or from Aurangzeb’s army.”

The answer made Guru Gobind Singh happy and proud of Gursewak. 

Guru Gobind Singh ordered, “From now on, each injured soldier will be given medical treatment irrespective of his religion or side. I also announce Gursewak as a head of medical team who will especially take care of badly hurt soldiers of Aurangzeb army.”

Such were the teachings of our Guru’s from Khalsa Panth whose followers still serve humanity irrespective of their religion or caste or social status.