Sevā
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Sevā (also transcribed as sewa), in
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 preman (kindness).[3] Seva is also performed as a form of ego-transcending spiritual practise known as Sādhanā, and plays a large role in modern Hinduism.[4]: 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; this highlights the importance of service to others.[4]: 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 without desire and intention, and with humility.[5]
Kar seva (Gurmukhi: ਕਰ ਸੇਵਾ), from the Sanskrit words kar, meaning hands or work, and seva, meaning service,[6][7] another concept of Sikhism, is often translated as "voluntary labour". A volunteer for kar seva is called a kar sevak (voluntary labourer)—someone who freely offers their services to a religious cause.[8] Sikhs use the term kar sevak to represent people who engage in ministrations, altruistic philanthropy, and humanitarian endeavours 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.[9]
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 practise of indirectly serving God and living a religious life that is a benefit to others. People of every religion are included in this service.[10][verification needed]
Seva in Hinduism
In Hinduism, seva is the concept of service to God and/or humanity, without the expectation of return. According to Hindu scriptures, seva is seen as the highest form of
Seva in Sikhism
Kar seva is one of the main teachings of
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.
Criticism
Some Kar Seva groups and organizations have been criticized for their lack of care for and apathy towards preserving historical Sikh heritage sites,
See also
- Sewapanthi
- Community Servicegeneral concepts:
References
- ISBN 978-1-137-33096-3.
- 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.
- S2CID 144267107.
- ISBN 8170103010.
- ISBN 978-0-7619-9325-4.
- ISBN 9780812217438.
- ISBN 9780810863446.
- Singh, Gurnam (21 April 2021). "Who's really destroying Sikh heritage?". Asia Samachar. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- Singh, I. P.; Rana, Yudhvir (23 August 2021). "Sikhs wake up late to the loss of religious heritage". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- Yudhvir Rana (31 March 2019). "Karsewa group demolish historical darshani deori". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- "Beleaguered over Destruction of Heritage, SGPC Plans to Initiate Sikh Archives Project". Sikh24.com. Sikh24 Punjab Bureau. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: others (link) - "Stop 'kar seva': SAD-A to SGPC". The Times of India. TNN. 15 April 2003. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- "Sikhs aghast with tearing down of historic Sikh site in name of 'kar seva'". asiasamachar.com. Asia Samachar Team. April 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: others (link) - "UPDATE: Kar Seva's Baba Jagtar Singh Evicted from Sri Tarn Taran Sahib". Sikh24.com. Sikh24 Editors. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: others (link) - Singh, I.P. (7 October 2018). "Heritage under the hammer". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- "Frescos of Hindu gods whitewashed". The Tribune, Chandigarh, India. Tribune News Service. 26 July 2003. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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