What is seva?
“Seva” is a Sanskrit word which means “selfless service” or work performed without any thought of reward or repayment. Seva helps one's spiritual growth and at the same time contributes to the improvement of a community.
Illustrations of seva
Dadashri’s live example- Quality of helping people
Why should we serve others?
• According to Dadashri, the purpose of the human life is to serve others.
• The act of benevolence is the highest of all human activity.
• Serve people, because God resides in everyone.
• To progress spiritually on the path of salvation.
Did you know helping others actually helps us! How?
• According to Dadashri, the purpose of the human life is to serve others.
• We will not encounter any obstacles in our life if you help others in any way.
• Happiness begins from the moment you do something for others.
• Dadashri says, ‘The responsibility of anyone that serves me falls upon me and I have to take him or her to moksha for sure.’
• When one uses his mind, speech and body for serving others, he will have everything.
• Lord Mahavir says, ‘Use your mind, speech, body and soul (worldly self) for others. If then you experience any pain, let me know.’
• We get blessings from our elders.
Whom should we serve?
• The first and foremost service worth doing is one for your parents. If you give happiness to your parents, you too will receive happiness.
• If you cannot help others (doing seva), at least make sure that you do not hurt anyone, even if they have caused you problems.
• First, comes service to the parents, and then comes service to the guru.
• Ultimate service which does not only focus one community, but the entire world without any discrimination, whatsoever is called Jagat kalyan (world salvation). This can be done by keeping its intent (reciting the ninth kalam)
What is Ideal seva?
Related Links
Moral Story: Learning from trees
Video: Kalam-9
Akram Express: Selfless Service
Video on Seva
