Value: Seva - September 2025
Second Week: Seva with emotion
The word "seva" also signifies reverence and admiration, both of which stem from an emotional connection. We tend to revere only what we respect and devote ourselves to. Admiration, on the other hand, is a form of deep appreciation. Does this mean that seva, or service, should only be offered to those we revere and admire?
Seva is enhanced by devotion
Divine emotion manifests as devotion. Many people dedicate themselves to their personal deities, worshipping them at home or at specific holy shrines. Devotees often undertake yearly pilgrimages and observe festivals with great reverence. While these events can evoke intense love for God, they do not lead to personal transformation unless we maintain the same respectful attitude toward everyone we encounter in our daily lives.
Lord Krishna advises Arjuna (BG 9.27): यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत्। यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्।। - "Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as a sacrifice, whatever you give, and whatever austerities you undertake, all that you offer to Me." Devotion should not be confined to rituals, festivals, and pilgrimages; it should be expressed as a constant love for God, who Himself manifests as all beings. Serving the world is, in essence, serving God.
Loving attitude
Consider viewing service as a way to express your love for God. Seva is about connecting with the world around you to facilitate your ability to serve. When you present a fruit to God, who do you thank or show gratitude to? Is it the shopkeeper who sold it to you, the wholesaler who supplied the shop, the farmer who cultivated the produce, the tree that bore it, or the Earth’s fertility, along with the sun and water?
Although we may feel independent, we are actually interdependent. No one can thrive without the support of many others. When we have the opportunity to serve, we should be grateful to all those who contribute to our lives, both known and unknown. True seva is expressing thanks to the Lord, who supports us through countless hands, feet, eyes, ears, mouths, and hearts.
