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''Sevā'' (also transcribed as ''sewa''), in
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Indian religion or '' dharma'', a religious and universal order or way of life by which followers abide. As a religion, it is the world's third-largest, with over 1.2–1.35 billion followers, or 15–16% of the global p ...
and
Sikhism
Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit=Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fro ...
, is the concept of selfless service that is performed without any expectation of result or award for performing it. Such services can be performed to benefit other human beings or society. ''Seva'' means "service". A more recent interpretation of the word is "dedication to others". In Hinduism, it is also known as
karma yoga
Karma yoga ( sa, कर्म योग), also called Karma marga, is one of the four classical spiritual paths in Hinduism, one based on the "yoga of action", the others being Jnana yoga (path of knowledge), Rāja yoga (path of meditati ...
, as described in the ''
Bhagavata Gita
The Bhagavad Gita (; sa, श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता, lit=The Song by God, translit=śrīmadbhagavadgītā;), often referred to as the Gita (), is a 700-Sanskrit prosody, verse Hindu texts, Hindu scripture that is part o ...
''.
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
Hinduism () is an Indian religion or '' dharma'', a religious and universal order or way of life by which followers abide. As a religion, it is the world's third-largest, with over 1.2–1.35 billion followers, or 15–16% of the global p ...
, ''seva'' means selfless service and is often associated with ''
karma yoga
Karma yoga ( sa, कर्म योग), also called Karma marga, is one of the four classical spiritual paths in Hinduism, one based on the "yoga of action", the others being Jnana yoga (path of knowledge), Rāja yoga (path of meditati ...
'', disciplined action, and ''
bhakti yoga
Bhakti yoga ( sa, भक्ति योग), also called Bhakti marga (, literally the path of '' Bhakti''), is a spiritual path or spiritual practice within Hinduism focused on loving devotion towards any personal deity.Karen Pechelis (2014) ...
'', disciplined devotion. Seva is also connected to other Sanskrit concepts such as ''
dāna
Dāna (Devanagari: दान, International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: Dānam) is a Sanskrit and Pali word that connotes the virtue of generosity, charity (practice), charity or giving of alms in Indian philosophies.
In Hindui ...
'' (gift giving), ''karunā'' (compassion), and ''preman'' (kindness).
In
Sikhism
Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit=Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fro ...
, the word ''seva'' also means "to worship, to adore, to pay homage through the act of love." In the writings of
Sikh gurus
The Sikh gurus ( Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ) are the spiritual masters of Sikhism, who established this religion over the course of about two and a half centuries, beginning in 1469. The year 1469 marks the birth of Guru Nanak, the found ...
, 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.
''Kar seva'', a concept of Sikhism, is often translated as "voluntary labour." A volunteer for ''kar seva'' is called a ''kar sevak''. A ''kar sevak'' is someone who freely offers their services to a religious cause.
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'' ( pa, ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ; also transcribed as ''sewadar''), literally "''seva''-supporter", is another
Punjabi word for a volunteer who performs ''seva''.
The idea of selfless service (''seva'') is an important concept in several religions because
God
In monotheism, monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator deity, creator, and principal object of Faith#Religious views, faith.Richard Swinburne, Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Ted Honderich, Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Ox ...
is perceived as having an interest in the well-being of others as well as oneself; 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.
''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 ''
dharma
Dharma (; sa, धर्म, dharma, ; pi, dhamma, italic=yes) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. Although there is no direct single-word translation for '' ...
'' (righteousness). ''Seva'' has been said to provide good ''
karma
Karma (; sa, कर्म}, ; pi, kamma, italic=yes) in Sanskrit means an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptivel ...
'' which facilitates the ''
atma'' (soul) to obtain ''
moksha
''Moksha'' (; sa, मोक्ष, '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'' and ''mukti'', is a term in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, enlightenment, liberation, and release. In its soteriology, ...
'' (emancipation from the cycle of death and rebirth). Before the early nineteenth century, the meaning of ''seva'' (serving or honouring) had been virtually synonymous with that of ''
puja'' (worship), which typically also included distribution of ''
prasad
200px, Prasad thaal offered to Swaminarayan temple in Ahmedabad ">Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad">Swaminarayan temple in Ahmedabad
Prasada (, Sanskrit: प्रसाद, ), Prasadam or Prasad is a religious offering in Hinduism. Most o ...
'' (sacrificial offerings or consecrated food), such as food, fruits, and sweets to all gathered. Thus, ''seva'' typically involved offering of food to a deity and its ''
murti
In the Hindu tradition, a ''murti'' ( sa, मूर्ति, mūrti, ) is a devotional image such as a statue, or "idol" (a common and non-pejorative term in Indian English), of a deity or saint. In Hindu temples, it is a symbolic icon. Thus ...
'' (idol), followed by the distribution of said food as ''prasad''. 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 taken to volunteering for the greater good, such as in disaster relief and other major incidents.
''Seva'' in Sikhism
''Kar seva,'' (
Gurmukhi
Gurmukhī ( pa, ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ, , Shahmukhi: ) is an abugida developed from the Laṇḍā scripts, standardized and used by the second Sikh guru, Guru Angad (1504–1552). It is used by Punjabi Sikhs to write the language, commonly r ...
: ਕਾਰ ਸੇਵਾ) from the
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
words ''kar'', meaning hands or work, and ''seva'', meaning service,''
'' is one of the main teachings of
Sikhism
Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit=Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fro ...
— including its
ordained philosophy, in
Sikh scripture
The principal Sikh scripture is the Adi Granth (First Scripture), more commonly called the Guru Granth Sahib. The second most important scripture of the Sikhs is the Dasam Granth. Both of these consist of text which was written or authorised by th ...
,
theology
Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...
, and
hermeneutics
Hermeneutics () is the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, and philosophical texts. Hermeneutics is more than interpretative principles or methods used when immediate ...
. A tradition set forth with the clear understanding that there is God within all of us, and thus by serving humanity you are serving God's creation.
''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. Sikhism stresses ''
kirat karō
Kirat Karō (Gurmukhi: ਕਿਰਤ ਕਰੋ) is one of the three pillars of Sikhism, the others being Naam Japo and Vaṇḍ chakkō. The term means to earn an honest, pure and dedicated living by exercising one's God-given skills, abilities, ...
'' (Gurmukhi: ਕਿਰਤ ਕਰੋ), "honest work", and ''
vaṇḍ chakkō
( pa, ਵੰਡ ਛਕੋ) is one of the three main pillars of the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikhism. The other two pillars are ''Naam Japo'' and '' Kirat Karo''. It means to share what you have and to consume it together as a ...
'' (Gurmukhi: ਵੰਡ ਛਕੋ), sharing what you have by giving to the needy for the benefit of the community. It is duty of every Sikh to engage in Seva wherever possible, such as volunteering at a
Gurdwara
A gurdwara (sometimes written as gurudwara) (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ''guradu'ārā'', meaning "Door to the Guru") is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs. Sikhs also refer to gurdwaras as ''Gurdwara Sahib''. People from all faiths ...
,
community center
Community centres, community centers, or community halls are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole co ...
,
senior living Senior living is a concept that encompasses a range of housing and lifestyle options for ageing persons adapted to the challenges of health issues associated with ageing, such as limited mobility and susceptibility to illness.
Common forms
Based o ...
centers, care centers, sites of major world disasters etc. ''Seva'' is also performed further by offering service for a religious cause, often for constructing a gurdwara, a place of worship serving the
One Creator which performs community services such as
liturgy
Liturgy is the customary public ritual of worship performed by a religious group. ''Liturgy'' can also be used to refer specifically to public worship by Christians. As a religious phenomenon, liturgy represents a communal response to and partic ...
and providing communal
food kitchens open to all communities and religions, regardless of those who attended the service or not, where the volunteers prepare and serve meals.
Criticism
Some Kar Seva groups and organizations have been criticized for their lack of care for and apathy towards preserving historical Sikh heritage sites,
artwork, and
architecture
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing building ...
during renovation and construction projects. Large amounts of historical
Sikh scriptural manuscripts have been systematically "cremated" (burnt to destruction) over the years at secretive ''‘Angitha Sahib’'' gurdwaras in Punjab and around India under the guise of ''kar seva''.
This practice is criticized for systematically destroying historical manuscripts rendering them unable to be researched, archived, repaired, or conserved for future generations.
See also
*
Community Service
Community service is unpaid work performed by a person or group of people for the benefit and betterment of their community without any form of compensation. Community service can be distinct from volunteering, since it is not always performed ...
general concepts:
**
Bhandara (community kitchen)
**
Dakshina
**
Punya (Hinduism)
Punya (), also rendered Punyam () is a concept in Hinduism with various definitions. It generally refers to virtue or merit, and the activities that allow one to acquire this attribute, in order to achieve liberation from samsara, the cycle of bi ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Seva (Indian religions)
Sikh practices
Sikh philosophy
Sikh terminology
Sanskrit words and phrases
Hindu practices
Vishva Hindu Parishad
October observances
International observances
Volunteering in India
Alms
Telugu words and phrases
Alms in Hinduism