Seva is selfless service. The dictionary defines seva as willingness to perform any task for a greater cause without prospect of recognition or reward.

Right from the time we are born we start receiving seva from our parents. Our parents feed us, clothe us, bathe us, wake us in the morning and lull us to sleep at night. This is true seva, without expecting anything in return.. Good qualities are nurtured in children by their parents. This is done for a greater cause that the child may turn out to be a person with good values. Basic activities are performed for the child till he or she is old enough to perform them on his own.

The teacher at school gives us knowledge for a certain amount of payment. But, at the same time, a good teacher does not limit himself to his salary. He takes genuine interest in the physical, mental and spiritual growth of the child.

How much more important the Guru’s contribution is in our lives! If an ordinary teacher is a vital factor in shaping our lives, the Guru’s role in our lives builds, transforms and uplifts us spiritually. The Guru forgives all our sins and welcomes us like a prodigal son with open arms and imparts the true knowledge.

Society at large also plays an important role in our development. When people come together to do good for mankind in general, it can be said that the society is protecting or looking after the people. When there is flood, famine or earthquake, groups join together to send money, food and clothing to the distressed. Routinely, groups of people in societies and voluntary groups work for the betterment of the downtrodden. Social organizations work for education, upliftment and empowerment of women and health in the urban and rural areas. Organisations have a social responsibility program known as Corporate Social Responsibility where they work for the betterment of the underprivileged.

All this can be termed as seva.

Now I as an individual, have to think that I am the recipient of seva from my parents, teachers, society and most importantly from my Guru. Today, I am grown up, I do not need help from my parents in performing my daily chores, my teachers at school and college have done their bit in making me a ethical and law-abiding citizen, they have enabled me to gain knowledge. My Guru is constantly educating me regarding the ‘dharma’ or way of life through various scriptures. She is nurturing me like a plant to stand up to the storms of the world and mature spiritually.

What can I give back to all these variables in my life who have contributed to make my life what it is now? This giving back to the source is what I define as seva. When I do seva of my parents or grandparents, my teachers, the poor, the society at large and my Guru, I am giving back to the source which is God. I am showing my gratitude for big and small favours done to me, so that I grew up the right way, with the right education and the right attitude to go ahead in the world. Isn’t it time I started giving back to God?Though whatever I may do, it can never measure up to what they have done for me, ‘Suraj ko roshni dikhana’; I can still do something in whatever small way I can.

In their old age, it is my duty to hold the hand of my parents and grandparents in the same way as they did when I was a baby. I should be their support and their ‘Budhape ki laathi’. I should look around my neighbourhood and I will definitely find children, women and senior citizens who need my help. This help can be through money or through physical actions such as teaching poor children without expecting any monetary gain. Helping older people to carry out their daily activities such as going to the market, bank or taking them to the doctor. Keeping the environment clean and free from pollution is also one of our duties or seva.

How do I show my gratitude to my Guru? First of all, contributing monetarily to whatever social cause the Guru supports. Param PujyaGurumaa is uplifting the women of our country through her Shakti project, where she is educating girls. We can send regular contributions to this project. The Ashram also requires money for its upkeep. We can send money to the Ashram for running its routine activities. Traditionally, it has been ordained that Gurudakshina be paid to the Guru in whatever way we may deem fit.

Secondly, I can offer my seva at the feet of my Guru when I visit the Ashram for shivirs or if shivirs are being held in my city. I can help in cooking the food which will be consumed by my Guru’s shishyas. I can be part of a group which cleans the gardens or rooms at the Ashram. I can serve the food to the devotees thinking that I am serving God because God is in each one of us.

I can work in the Ashram stores and outlets. I can give my seva in the Ashram Office. I can help the gurumaa.com online team by writing articles and spreading awareness about Gurumaa and her mission including Shakti and the mission of granting spiritual awareness to today’s disturbed mankind. We can encourage people to meditate in groups and do satsang. This is the work of the Lord, which should penetrate every nook and corner of the world.

We spend most of our time in the world trying to earn more and more money. At the same time, we must take time out to pause and contemplate what kind of seva or selfless service we can do for the society and people in general (whoever I may offer my gratitude to, whether it be my parents, teacher or the Guru, I am actually doing it for mankind) and put it it into action. Jesus has said,”Whatsoever you do to the best of my brothers (meaning mankind), that you do unto me”. While looking after mankind, we should not forget other living beings such as animals, birds and plants who also need help from us to live better lives in this world. If we refrain from participating in killing of animals for sport or food and try to persuade others to give this up, if we allow plants to breathe and grow freely, if we allow birds to fly and live freely and not in cages, we will be doing seva.

However, seva will also not go unrewarded. It will accelerate our spiritual development and bring us closer to our Guru and God. It is a process of purification. As we keep doing seva, our attitude to others will change for the better and we will have more empathy for all living beings. We will become better persons and will be able to develop others and improve their lives. So, let us make seva a part of our lives and be in the service of the Lord constantly!

Jai Gurudev!