Sevā

Sevā (also transcribed as sewa, Sanskrit: सेवा) is the concept of selfless service performed without expecting any reward. It is prevalent in Hinduism and Sikhism. Such services can be performed to benefit other human beings or society. Sevā means "selfless service". A more recent interpretation of the word is "dedication to others".^[1] Langar and Bhandara are some of the most celebrated seva in Sikhism and Hinduism respectively.^[2]^[3]^[4]

In Hinduism, it is also called

Bhagavata Gita.^[5] In Sikhism seva is an act of service to Waheguru (Supreme God), and it is a way to become closer to Waheguru. The principles of seva underpin many Sikh values. The Guru emphasizes this concept numerous times in the Guru Granth Sahib

. The text focuses on the state of mind when practicing seva, the spiritual benefits of doing seva, and how one should perform it.

Etymology and religious significance

Seva comes from the Sanskrit root sev-, "to serve", and is a central concept in both contemporary Hinduism and Sikhism.

In Hinduism, seva means selfless service and is often associated with karma yoga (disciplined action) and bhakti yoga (disciplined devotion). Seva is also connected to other Sanskrit concepts, such as dāna (gift giving), karunā (compassion), and prema (deep love or kindness).^[6] Seva is also performed as a form of ego-transcending spiritual practice known as sādhanā, and plays a large role in modern Hinduism.^[7]^: 42 A key concept in Hinduism is liberation (moksha) from the cycle of births and deaths (saṃsāra), and sādhanā is the effort one makes to strive for liberation, which highlights the importance of service to others.^[7]^: 43

In Sikhism, the word seva also means "to worship, to adore, to pay homage through the act of love." In the writings of Sikh gurus, these two meanings of seva (service and worship) have been merged. Seva is expected to be a labour of love performed with humility and without desire and intention.^[8]

Kar seva (Gurmukhi: ਕਰ ਸੇਵਾ), from the Sanskrit words kar, meaning hands or work, and seva, meaning service,^[9]^[10] another concept of Sikhism, is often translated as "voluntary labor". A volunteer for kar seva is called a kar sevak (voluntary laborer)—someone who freely offers their services to a religious cause.^[11] Sikhs use the term kar sevak to refer to people who engage in ministrations, altruistic philanthropy, and humanitarian endeavors in service to religion and society. Sevadar (Punjabi: ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ; also transcribed as sewadar), literally "seva-supporter", is another Punjabi word for a volunteer who performs seva.^[12]

The idea of selfless service (seva) is an important concept in several religions because God is perceived as having an interest in the well-being of others; serving other people is considered an essential devotional practice of indirectly serving God and living a religious life that is a benefit to others. People of every religion are included in this service.^{[verification needed]}

Seva in Hinduism

BAPS Hindu volunteers performing seva in the form of humanitarian aid in Ukraine

In Hinduism, seva is the concept of service to God and/or humanity, performed without any expectation of personal gain. According to Hindu scriptures, seva is seen as the highest form of dharma (righteousness). Seva has been said to provide good karma, which facilitates the atma (soul) to obtain moksha (emancipation from the cycle of death and rebirth).^[13]

Before the early nineteenth century, the meaning of seva (serving or honoring) had been virtually synonymous with that of

prasad (sacrificial offerings), such as food, fruits, and sweets to all gathered.^[14] Thus, seva typically involved the offering of food to a deity and its murti (idol), followed by the distribution of that food as prasad.^[15]

The concept of seva and karma yoga is explained in the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna expounds on the subject. In modern times, the concept has been expanded to volunteering for the greater good, such as in disaster relief and other major incidents.^[16]

Seva in Sikhism

Seva in Sikhism takes three forms: tan (Gurmukhi: ਤਨ), meaning physical service, i.e. manual labour, man (Gurmukhi: ਮਨ), meaning mental service, such as studying to help others, and dhan (Gurmukhi: ਧਨ), meaning material service, including financial support.

community center, senior living center, care center, a disaster site, etc.^[19] Seva can also be performed by offering service for a religious cause, such as constructing a gurdwara, a place of worship that performs community services, such as providing volunteer-run food kitchens.^[20]

Kar seva is one of the main teachings of

inner vices and is a key process in becoming closer to God.^[22]

Criticism

Some Kar Seva groups and organizations have been criticized for their lack of care for and apathy towards preserving Sikh historical sites,

artwork, and architecture during renovation and construction projects.^[23] Numerous historical Sikh scriptural manuscripts have been systematically "cremated" (burnt to destruction)^[24] over the years at secretive ‘Angitha Sahib’ gurdwaras^[25] in Dehradun and around India as part of kar seva.^[26] The logic behind these crematoriums is the Sikh philosophy handed down by the tenth Guru Gobind Singh that Guru Granth Sahib is the living embodiment of a Guru, and so Sikh funeral rites

are carried out. This practice is heavily criticized for systematically destroying historical manuscripts.

References

ISBN 978-1-137-33096-3
.

^ Dagdhi, Ujjawal (1 October 2018). "भंडारे का इतिहास और महत्व | History of Bhandara and Importance in Hindi". Dil Se Deshi. Retrieved 9 March 2025.

^ "Langar - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia". www.sikhiwiki.org. Retrieved 9 March 2025.

^ Nadananda, Avadhoota (14 January 2017). Autobiography of an Avadhoota - Part II. Gurulight.

ISBN 9780231144841
. Thus outlined, yoga can be done in the world, in all kinds of action done for the sake of sacrifice. Yoga becomes seva, service.

^ Jacobsen, Knut A. (29 May 2018), "Sevā", Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online, Brill, retrieved 16 April 2022

^
ISBN 9786612874345
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S2CID 144267107
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ISBN 8170103010
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ISBN 978-0-7619-9325-4
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ISBN 9780812217438
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ISBN 9780810863446
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ISBN 9780435336196
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ISBN 9780520249141
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ISBN 9781135189792
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^ "Engagement Guidelines: Hindu Leaders" (PDF). FEMA. Tip Sheets: Engaging Faith Communities. Retrieved 3 January 2022.

ISBN 978-0-17-437067-3
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ISBN 978-1-135-79760-7
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ISBN 9781456606916
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ISBN 9788170103011
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ISBN 9781550598759
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[1] ISBN 978-1-137-33096-3
.

[2] Dagdhi, Ujjawal (1 October 2018). "भंडारे का इतिहास और महत्व | History of Bhandara and Importance in Hindi". Dil Se Deshi. Retrieved 9 March 2025.

[3] "Langar - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia". www.sikhiwiki.org. Retrieved 9 March 2025.

[4] Nadananda, Avadhoota (14 January 2017). Autobiography of an Avadhoota - Part II. Gurulight.

[5] ISBN 9780231144841
. Thus outlined, yoga can be done in the world, in all kinds of action done for the sake of sacrifice. Yoga becomes seva, service.

[6] Jacobsen, Knut A. (29 May 2018), "Sevā", Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online, Brill, retrieved 16 April 2022

[Jacobs2010-7] 
ISBN 9786612874345
.

[8] S2CID 144267107
.

[Encyclopedia-9] ISBN 8170103010
.

[Christiane_Brosius,_Melissa_Butcher_1999_134-10] ISBN 978-0-7619-9325-4
.

[alter-11] ISBN 9780812217438
.

[12] ISBN 9780810863446
.

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Etymology and religious significance

Seva in Hinduism

Seva in Sikhism

Criticism

See also

References