ਸੇਵਾ

ਅਰਥ

Seva is selfless service, work done for others without expectation of reward, recognition or return. Sweeping the gurdwara floor, chopping vegetables for the langar, carrying an elder's shoes, washing dishes after hundreds have eaten: all of it is seva when done in the right spirit.

Tradition speaks of three forms: tan, service of the body through physical labour; man, service of the mind through devotion and remembrance; and dhan, service of wealth through charity. The highest form is nishkam seva, service without desire, done so quietly that no one knows who did it.

Origin and etymology

The word comes from Sanskrit seva, meaning service or attendance. It passed into Punjabi through centuries of devotional literature and is shared with Hindi and other North Indian languages. In Sikh usage it took on a distinctive depth: seva is not just helping out, but a form of worship in itself.

Cultural context

Seva is one of the pillars of Sikh practice, alongside remembrance of the Name and honest work. Every gurdwara runs on volunteer labour, the langar that feeds thousands daily, the shoe room, the cleaning, the preparation of karah prasad. No one is paid; the work is the prayer.

The spirit extends far beyond the gurdwara. Sikh volunteers are known worldwide for showing up at floods, earthquakes and refugee camps with food and shelter. The teaching is simple and demanding: that serving others with a humble mind wears down the ego, and that the hands that serve are engaged in the highest worship.

What does seva mean in Punjabi?

Seva is selfless service, work done for others without expectation of reward, recognition or return. Sweeping the gurdwara floor, chopping vegetables for the langar, carrying an elder's shoes, washing dishes after hundreds have eaten: all of it is seva when done in the right spirit.

How is seva used in a sentence?

In Punjabi: "ਉਹ ਹਰ ਐਤਵਾਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।", meaning "He does voluntary service at the gurdwara every Sunday.".

Where does seva come from?

The word comes from Sanskrit seva, meaning service or attendance. It passed into Punjabi through centuries of devotional literature and is shared with Hindi and other North Indian languages. In Sikh usage it took on a distinctive depth: seva is not just helping out, but a form of worship in itself.

What is the cultural significance of seva?

Seva is one of the pillars of Sikh practice, alongside remembrance of the Name and honest work. Every gurdwara runs on volunteer labour, the langar that feeds thousands daily, the shoe room, the cleaning, the preparation of karah prasad. No one is paid; the work is the prayer.

ਸੇਵਾ ਦਾ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੀ ਅਰਥ ਹੈ?

ਸੇਵਾ ਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਹੈ ਨਿਸ਼ਕਾਮ ਭਾਵਨਾ ਨਾਲ ਦੂਜਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨਾ, ਬਿਨਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਲਾਲਚ ਜਾਂ ਫਲ ਦੀ ਆਸ ਦੇ। ਸਿੱਖ ਧਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੇਵਾ ਭਗਤੀ ਦਾ ਹੀ ਇੱਕ ਰੂਪ ਮੰਨੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ।

ਸੇਵਾ ਨੂੰ ਵਾਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ?

ਉਦਾਹਰਨ: "ਉਹ ਹਰ ਐਤਵਾਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।" (He does voluntary service at the gurdwara every Sunday.)

ਸੇਵਾ ਦਾ ਸੱਭਿਆਚਾਰਕ ਮਹੱਤਵ ਕੀ ਹੈ?

ਸੱਚੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਉਹ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੰਕਾਰ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ। ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।