Gold Beneath the Arrows

It was said that Guru Gobind Singh would sometimes fix a small piece of gold beneath the tip of his arrows before he shot them in defence.

People wondered why. He explained gently: if an arrow should reach someone, the gold would help that person's family — to pay for their care, or for the rites of the fallen.

Even in the hardest of times, the Guru's heart held care for everyone, friend and foe alike. Compassion, he showed, need never be set aside.