Wednesday 19 December 2007

Seva - Selfless service


Seva is a fundamental and important characteristic of the Sikh nation. Seva is when you help others and expect nothing in return. The Guru Sahibs all partook in seva and famous Sikhs have also based their life upon serving the creation of god.

There is countless type’s of seva; there is no seva too big and no seva too small for a true Sikh. A Sikh of the Guru will serve humanity with humility and will even die fighting for the better of humanity. Thousands and thousands of Sikhs have died on the battlefields fighting against evil-doers and tyrants. In the past death has not even altered Sikhs from doing seva, one example of this is Shaheed bhai Taru Singh ji who was told by the government that he must stop serving Sikh warrior clangs, langar (food). Bhai Taru Singh Ji said you can cut me to pieces but I cannot stop serving the needy and my warrior brothers who are fighting for a just cause against your government. He was martyred due to his unwillingness to stop his seva.

Centre your awareness on seva- and focus your consciousness on the word of the shabad. (Ang 110, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

Blessed are that mortal beings, who share the Teachings with others and engages in altruistic services of doing good to others. (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 311)
Worthless is the body that does not do good deeds to others. (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 69)


Every one does different seva’s but as long as you are serving others and benefiting their life for the better and expect nothing back that is seva. Join a charity or simply just go clean the dishes or toilets in the gurdwara.

How many times have you cleaned the Gurdwara toilets ?

How many time have you cleaned the shoes in the Gurdwara?

Toilet and shoe seva get rid of alot of ego