View source for Sevā

{{italictitle}}
{{Short description|Selfless service and volunteering in Indian religions}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}

{{Hinduism}}
{{Sikhism sidebar}}
{{Sikh practices}}
'''{{transliteration|sa|Sevā}}''' (also known as '''{{transliteration|sa|sewa}}''', [[Sanskrit]]: [[wikt:सेवा|सेवा]]) is the concept of performing selfless service without expecting any reward. It holds significance in both [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]]. Sevā is a [[Sanskrit]] term meaning 'selfless and meaningful service'. Such acts are carried out to benefit other human beings or society; however, a modern interpretation of the term describes it as a service that reflects 'dedication to others"'.<ref>{{cite book | first=Frederique | last=Pagani | chapter=Empathy, Salvation, and Religious Identity | editor-last=Schlecker | editor-first=Markus | editor-last2=Fleischer | editor-first2=Friederike | title=Ethnographies of Social Support | url=https://archive.org/details/ethnographiesofs0000unse |  url-access=registration | publisher=Palgrave Macmillan | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-137-33096-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/ethnographiesofs0000unse/page/180/mode/1up 180]}}</ref> [[Langar (Sikhism)|Langar]] and [[Bhandara (community kitchen)|Bhandara]] are some of the most common forms of seva seen in [[Sikhism]] and [[Hinduism]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dagdhi |first=Ujjawal |date=2018-10-01 |title=भंडारे का इतिहास और महत्व {{!}} History of Bhandara and Importance in Hindi |url=https://dilsedeshi.com/history/bhandara-history-importance-hindi/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Dil Se Deshi |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Langar - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia. |url=https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Langar |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=www.sikhiwiki.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Nadananda |first=Avadhoota |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KjYtEAAAQBAJ&dq=Bhandara+food+in++hindu&pg=PT348 |title=Autobiography of an Avadhoota - Part II |date=2017-01-14 |publisher=Gurulight |language=en}}</ref>  

In Hinduism, seva is also called [[karma yoga]], as described in the ''[[Bhagavata Gita|Bhagavad Gita]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Phillips|first=Stephen|chapter=Karma Yoga|title=Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and Philosophy|year=2009 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|isbn=9780231144841|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=hlOrAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA100 100]|quote=Thus outlined, yoga can be done in the world, in all kinds of action done for the sake of sacrifice. Yoga becomes ''seva'', service.}}</ref>It is performed without any expectation of reward, serving as a path to purify one's heart and progress toward [[moksha]]. In Bhagavad Gita (3.19), it states: "Therefore, giving up attachment, perform actions as a matter of duty because by working without being attached to the fruits, one attains the Supreme."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukundananda |first=Swami |title=BG 3.19: Chapter 3, Verse 19 – Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda |url=https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/3/verse/19#:~:text=BG%203.19:%20Therefore,%20giving%20up,fruits,%20one%20attains%20the%20Supreme. |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org |language=en}}</ref>

In [[Sikhism]], seva is an act of service to [[Waheguru]] (Supreme God), and it is a way to become closer to Waheguru. The principles of seva underpin many Sikh values and are emphasized numerous times in the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. The scripture focuses on the mindset when practicing seva, the spiritual benefits of doing seva, and how one should perform it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seva (Selfless Service) - Institutions - Sikhism - Sikh Missionary Society (U.K.) |url=https://www.sikhmissionarysociety.org/sms/smssikhism/institutions/seva/ |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=www.sikhmissionarysociety.org}}</ref>

== Etymology and religious significance ==
{{transliteration|sa|Seva}} comes from the Sanskrit root {{transliteration|sa|sev-}}, "to serve", and is a central concept in both contemporary Hinduism and Sikhism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Marcy Braverman |date=2022-05-17 |title=Sevā: The Heart of Spiritual Citizenship |url=https://www.embodiedphilosophy.com/seva-the-heart-of-spiritual-citizenship/#:~:text=And%20the%20etymology%20of%20sev%C4%81,God/Goddess,%20and%20humanity. |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Embodied Philosophy |language=en-US}}</ref>

In [[Hinduism]], {{transliteration|sa|seva}} means selfless service and is often associated with {{transliteration|sa|[[karma yoga]]}} (disciplined action) and {{transliteration|sa|[[bhakti yoga]]}} (disciplined devotion). {{transliteration|sa|Seva}} is also connected to other Sanskrit concepts, such as {{transliteration|sa|[[dāna]]}} (gift giving), {{transliteration|sa|karunā}} (compassion), and {{transliteration|sa|prema}} (love/affection).<ref>{{Citation |last=Jacobsen |first=Knut A. |title=Sevā |date=2018-05-29 |url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/brill-s-encyclopedia-of-hinduism/seva-COM_2050280?lang=fr|url-access=subscription |encyclopedia=Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online |publisher=Brill |language=en |access-date=2022-04-16}}</ref> {{transliteration|sa|Seva}} is also performed as a form of [[Self-concept|ego]]-transcending spiritual practice known as {{transliteration|sa|[[sādhanā]]}}, and plays a large role in modern Hinduism.<ref name="Jacobs2010">{{Cite book |last=Jacobs |first=Stephen |title=Hinduism Today: An Introduction |publisher=Continuum International Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=9786612874345 |location=London |pages=42 |language=English}}</ref>{{rp|42}} A key concept in Hinduism is {{transliteration|sa|[[moksha]]}}, which is liberation from the cycle of births and death known as {{transliteration|sa|[[saṃsāra]]}}. [[Sādhanā]] is the effort one makes to strive for liberation, which highlights the importance of service to others.{{r|Jacobs2010|page=43}}

In [[Sikhism]], the word {{transliteration|pa|seva}} also means "to worship, to adore, to pay homage through the act of love." Seva could be social, physical, spiritual or security service for the welfare of the humanity. In the writings of [[Sikh gurus]], these two meanings of {{transliteration|pa|seva}} (service and worship) have been merged. {{transliteration|pa|Seva}} is expected to be a labour of love performed with humility and without desire and intention.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Labour of love: Kar seva at Darbar Sahib's Amrit Sarover |first=Gurmit Singh |last=Virdee |journal=Sikh Formations: Religion, Culture, Theory |year=2005 |volume=1 |number=1 |pages=13–28 |doi=10.1080/17448720500231409|s2cid=144267107 }}</ref>

{{transliteration|pa|Kar seva}} ([[Gurmukhi]]: {{lang|pa|ਕਰ ਸੇਵਾ}}), from the [[Sanskrit]] words {{transliteration|sa|kar}}, meaning hands or work, and {{transliteration|sa|seva}}, meaning service,<ref name="Encyclopedia">{{cite book |last=Singha |first=H. S. |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |publisher=Hemkunt Press |year=2000 |isbn=8170103010 |page=121}}</ref><ref name="Christiane Brosius, Melissa Butcher 1999 134">{{cite book |author=Christiane Brosius, Melissa Butcher |title=Image journeys: audio-visual media and cultural change in India |publisher=Sage Publications |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-7619-9325-4 |page=134}}</ref> another concept of Sikhism, is often translated as "voluntary labor". A volunteer for {{transliteration|pa|kar seva}} is called a {{transliteration|pa|kar sevak}} (voluntary laborer)—someone who freely offers their services to a religious cause.<ref name="alter">{{cite book|title=Amritsar to Lahore: A Journey Across the India-Pakistan Border|first=Stephen|last=Alter|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.|year=2001|isbn=9780812217438|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=snp1LwlbiPsC&pg=PA198 198]}}</ref> Sikhs use the term {{transliteration|pa|kar sevak}} to refer to people who engage in ministrations, altruistic philanthropy, and humanitarian endeavors in service to religion and society. {{transliteration|pa|Sevadar}} ({{langx|pa|ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ}}; also transcribed as {{transliteration|pa|sewadar}}), literally "{{transliteration|pa|seva}}-supporter", is another [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] word for a volunteer who performs {{transliteration|pa|seva}}.<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite web|title=Sewa|date=13 December 2018 |url=https://www.khalsaschool.co.uk/sewedars|publisher=Khalsa VA Primary School}}
|2={{cite book|title=The A to Z of Sikhism|first=W. H. |last=McLeod|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vgixwfeCyDAC&pg=PA184|publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=2009|isbn=9780810863446|page=184}} }}</ref>

The idea of selfless service ({{transliteration|sa|seva}}) is an important concept because serving other people is considered an essential devotional practice of indirectly serving God and living a religious life that is a benefit to others.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.clinmedjournals.org/articles/iaphcm/international-archives-of-public-health-and-community-medicine-iaphcm-7-090.php?jid=iaphcm |access-date=2025-06-24 |journal=International Archives of Public Health and Community Medicine|doi=10.23937/2643-4512/1710090 |title=Examining the Intersection of Seva and Public Health Policy |date=2023 |last1=Pragat |first1=Patel |volume=7 }}</ref> The motivation behind seva is serving God through serving humanity.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.clinmedjournals.org/articles/iaphcm/international-archives-of-public-health-and-community-medicine-iaphcm-7-090.php?jid=iaphcm |access-date=2025-06-24 |journal=International Archives of Public Health and Community Medicine|doi=10.23937/2643-4512/1710090 |title=Examining the Intersection of Seva and Public Health Policy |date=2023 |last1=Pragat |first1=Patel |volume=7 }}</ref> Ultimately, seva can even be integrated into aspects of life, such as public health, to foster social cohesion and enhance interventions.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.clinmedjournals.org/articles/iaphcm/international-archives-of-public-health-and-community-medicine-iaphcm-7-090.php?jid=iaphcm |access-date=2025-06-24 |journal=International Archives of Public Health and Community Medicine|doi=10.23937/2643-4512/1710090 |title=Examining the Intersection of Seva and Public Health Policy |date=2023 |last1=Pragat |first1=Patel |volume=7 }}</ref>

=={{transliteration|sa|Seva}} in Hinduism==
{{see also|Bhakti movement#Seva, dāna, and community kitchens}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Seva-Ukraine.jpeg|thumb|270x270px|[[Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha|BAPS]] Hindu volunteers performing seva in the form of humanitarian aid in Ukraine]] -->
In Hinduism, {{transliteration|sa|seva}} is the concept of service to God and/or humanity, performed without any expectation of personal gain. According to Hindu scriptures, {{transliteration|sa|seva}} is seen as a form of {{transliteration|sa|[[dharma]]}} (righteousness). {{transliteration|sa|Seva}} has been said to provide good {{transliteration|sa|[[karma]]}}, which facilitates the {{transliteration|sa|[[Ātman (Hinduism)|atma]]}} (soul) to obtain {{transliteration|sa|[[moksha]]}} (emancipation from the cycle of death and rebirth).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Gibson|first=Lynne|title=Hinduism|publisher=Heinemann Educational|date=2002|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=kaBqYvH02_QC&pg=PA56 56]|isbn=9780435336196}}</ref> 

Before the early nineteenth century, the meaning of&nbsp;{{transliteration|sa|seva}} (serving or honoring) had been virtually synonymous with {{transliteration|sa|[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]}} (worship), which typically also included distribution of {{transliteration|sa|[[prasad]]}} (sacrificial offerings), such as food, fruits, and sweets to all gathered.<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite web|title=Prasada|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/prasada |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica}}
|2={{cite web|title=Puja|date=23 September 2023 |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/puja |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica}}
|3={{Cite book|first=Rachana|last=Bhangaokar|chapter=The Development of Communal and Spiritual Dutifulness in India: Upholding ''Dharma'', Offering ''Seva''|editor-last=Jensen|editor-first=Lene Arnett|title=The Oxford Handbook of Moral Development: An Interdisciplinary Perspective|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2020|isbn=9780190676056|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=OcXLDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA341 341]|quote=The communal preparing and sharing of food or prasad (sacred food offered to the deity and then distributed among the followers) is particularly important as an activity binding together a community of followers.}}
|4={{Cite book|editor-last1=Hawley|editor-first1=John|editor-last2=Narayanan|editor-first2=Vasudha|title=The Life of Hinduism|publisher=University of California Press|year=2006|isbn=9780520249141|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9hairjdT-ekC&lpg=PR1&pg=PA13 13]}}
}}</ref> Thus, {{transliteration|sa|seva}} typically involved the offering of food to a deity and its {{transliteration|sa|[[murti]]}} (idol), followed by the distribution of that food as {{transliteration|sa|prasad}}.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cush|first=Denise|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|publisher=Routledge|year=2012|isbn=9781135189792|page=783}}</ref> 

The concept of {{transliteration|sa|seva}} and {{transliteration|sa|karma yoga}} is explained in the [[Bhagavad Gita]], where [[Krishna]] expounds on the subject. In modern times, the concept has been expanded to volunteering for the greater good, such as in disaster relief and other major incidents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Engagement Guidelines: Hindu Leaders|series=Tip Sheets: Engaging Faith Communities |url=https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/fema_faith-communities_hindu-leaders_1.pdf |website=FEMA |access-date=3 January 2022}}</ref>

=={{transliteration|pa|Seva}} in Sikhism==
{{see also|Langar (Sikhism)|Dasvandh}}
{{transliteration|pa|Seva}} in Sikhism takes three forms: {{transliteration|pa|tan}} (Gurmukhi: {{lang|pa|ਤਨ}}), meaning physical service, i.e. manual labour, {{transliteration|pa|man}} (Gurmukhi: {{lang|pa|ਮਨ}}), meaning mental service, such as studying to help others, and {{transliteration|pa|dhan}} (Gurmukhi: {{lang|pa|ਧਨ}}), meaning material service, including financial support.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wood |first=Angela |title=Movement and Change |date=1997 |publisher=[[Nelson Thornes]] |location=Cheltenham, England |isbn=978-0-17-437067-3|page=46}}</ref> Sikhism stresses {{transliteration|pa|[[kirat karō]]}} (Gurmukhi: {{lang|pa|ਕਿਰਤ ਕਰੋ}}), "honest work", and {{transliteration|pa|[[vaṇḍ chakkō]]}} (Gurmukhi: {{lang|pa|ਵੰਡ ਛਕੋ}}), "split up", sharing what you have by giving to the needy for the benefit of the community.<ref>{{cite book |first1=W. Owen |last1=Cole |first2=Piara Singh |last2=Sambhi |title=A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism: Sikh Religion and Philosophy |year=2005 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Abingdon-on-Thames, England |isbn=978-1-135-79760-7 |pages=31, 59}}</ref> It is a duty of every Sikh to engage in {{transliteration|pa|seva}} wherever possible, such as volunteering at a [[Gurdwara]], [[community center]], [[senior living]] center, care center, a disaster site, etc.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Volz|first=Christian|title=Six Ethics A Rights-Based Approach to Establishing an Objective Common Morality|publisher=Ebookit.com|year=2014|isbn=9781456606916|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=miocwwy6LMUC&pg=PT278 278]}}</ref> {{transliteration|pa|Seva}} can also be performed by offering service for a religious cause, such as constructing a gurdwara, a place of worship that performs community services, such as providing volunteer-run [[Langar (Sikhism)|food kitchens]].<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{Cite book|first1=Muninder K.|last1=Ahluwalia|first2=Anna Flores|last2=Locke|first3=Steven|last3=Hylton|editor-last=Kim-Prieto|editor-first=Chu|chapter=Sikhism and Positive Psychology|title= Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures|publisher=Springer Netherlands|year=2014|isbn= 9789401789509|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=QPU-BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA129 129]}}
|2={{Cite book|last=Singha|first=H.S.|chapter=Kar Seva|title= The Encyclopedia of Sikhism|publisher=Hemkunt Publishers|year=2000|isbn= 9788170103011|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=gqIbJz7vMn0C&pg=PA121 121]}} }}</ref>

{{transliteration|pa|Kar seva}} is one of the main teachings of [[Sikhism]]—including its [[History of Sikhism|ordained philosophy]], in [[Sikh scripture]], [[Guru Granth Sahib|theology]], and [[:Category:Sikh scripture|hermeneutics]]. 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."{{Fragment|date=September 2023}}<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{Cite book|last=Goshen-Gottstein|first=Alon|title= Interreligious Reflections, Six Volume Set|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|year=2018|isbn= 9781532671524|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=3VcXEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT259 259]}}
|2={{Cite book|last=Hett|first=Geoffrey|title= Diversity, Culture and Counselling|publisher=Brush Education|year=2021|isbn= 9781550598759|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=WH86EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA162 162]}} }}</ref> {{transliteration|pa|Seva}} is believed to be a way to control [[Five Thieves|inner vices]] and is a key process in becoming closer to God.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jhutti-Johal |first=Jagbir |title=Sikhism today |location=London; New York|publisher= Continuum |year=2011 |isbn=9786613089229 |page=58 |language=English}}</ref>

=== Criticism ===
[[File:Kar Sewa appeal for the construction of the clock tower gateway entrance to the Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab, ca.1951.jpg|thumb|Kar Sewa appeal for the construction of the clock tower gateway entrance to the [[Golden Temple]], Amritsar, Punjab, {{circa|1951}}]]
Some {{transliteration|pa|Kar Seva}} groups and organizations have been criticized for their lack of care for and apathy towards preserving Sikh historical sites, [[Sikh art and culture|artwork]], and [[Sikh architecture|architecture]] during renovation and construction projects.<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Gurnam |date=2021-04-21 |title=Who's really destroying Sikh heritage? |url=https://asiasamachar.com/2021/04/21/37425/ |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=Asia Samachar |language=en-GB}}
|2={{Cite web |last1=Singh |first1=I. P. |date=August 23, 2021 |first2=Yudhvir |last2=Rana |title=Sikhs wake up late to the loss of religious heritage |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/sikhs-wake-up-late-to-the-loss-of-religious-heritage/articleshow/85548603.cms |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}
|3={{Cite web |author=Yudhvir Rana|date=March 31, 2019 |title=Karsewa group demolish historical darshani deori |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/karsewa-group-demolish-historical-darshani-deori/articleshow/68657470.cms |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}
|4={{Cite web |date=2021-07-31 |others=Sikh24 Punjab Bureau |title=Beleaguered over Destruction of Heritage, SGPC Plans to Initiate Sikh Archives Project |url=https://www.sikh24.com/2021/07/31/beleaguered-over-destruction-of-heritage-sgpc-plans-to-initiate-sikh-archives-project/ |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=Sikh24.com |language=en-US}}
|5={{Cite web |agency=TNN|date=Apr 15, 2003 |title=Stop 'kar seva': SAD-A to SGPC |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/stop-kar-seva-sad-a-to-sgpc/articleshow/43500092.cms |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}
|6={{Cite web |others=Asia Samachar Team |title=Sikhs aghast with tearing down of historic Sikh site in name of 'kar seva' |url=https://asiasamachar.com/2019/04/01/24582/ |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=asiasamachar.com |date=April 2019 |language=en-GB}}
|7={{Cite web |date=2019-04-01 |others=Sikh24 Editors |title=UPDATE: Kar Seva's Baba Jagtar Singh Evicted from Sri Tarn Taran Sahib |url=https://www.sikh24.com/2019/04/01/update-kar-sevas-baba-jagtar-singh-evicted-from-sri-tarn-taran-sahib/ |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=Sikh24.com |language=en-US}}
|8={{Cite web |first=I.P.|last= Singh|date=Oct 7, 2018 |title=Heritage under the hammer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/heritage-under-the-hammer/articleshow/66103515.cms |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}
|9={{Cite web |date=26 July 2003 |others=Tribune News Service |title=Frescos of Hindu gods whitewashed |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030727/main5.htm |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India}} }}</ref> Numerous historical [[Sikh scriptures|Sikh scriptural]] manuscripts have been systematically "cremated" (burnt to destruction)<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{Cite book |last=Mann |first=Gurinder Singh |title=The Making of Sikh Scripture |publisher=Oxford Academic |year=2001 |pages=121–136 |chapter=8 The Guru Granth Sahib |quote=...all old manuscripts were sent to Goindval for “cremation” in the late 1980s}}
|2={{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1258082801 |title=Sikh art from the Kapany Collection |year=2021 |editor-first1=P. M.|editor-last1=Taylor|editor-first2=Sonia |editor-last2=Dhami |isbn=978-81-949691-2-9 |edition=First Indian |location=New Delhi, India |pages=296–302 |oclc=1258082801}} }}</ref> over the years at secretive ''‘Angitha Sahib’'' gurdwaras<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{Cite news |last=Dogra |first=Chander Suta |date=2013-05-27 |title=Endangered texts |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/endangered-texts/article4750493.ece |access-date=2023-01-08 |issn=0971-751X}}
|2={{Cite web |last=Saxena |first=Shivani |date=23 November 2014 |title=For 25 years, a gurdwara near Dehradun has been cremating old copies of sacred texts |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/for-25-years-a-gurdwara-near-dehradun-has-been-cremating-old-copies-of-sacred-texts/articleshow/45251949.cms |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} }}</ref> in Dehradun and around India as part of {{transliteration|pa|kar seva}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dogra |first=Chander Suta |date=2013-05-27 |title=Endangered texts |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/endangered-texts/article4750493.ece |access-date=2023-01-08 |issn=0971-751X|quote=The logic behind these crematoriums is the Sikh philosophy handed down by the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh that their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib is the embodiment of a guru}}</ref> The logic behind these crematoriums is the Sikh philosophy handed down by the tenth [[Guru Gobind Singh]] that [[Guru Granth Sahib]] is the [[Guru Maneyo Granth|living embodiment of a Guru]], and so [[Antam Sanskar|Sikh funeral rites]] are carried out. This practice is heavily criticized for systematically destroying historical manuscripts.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

== Benefits Of Seva ==
Religion, as explained by the philosophy of Jordan Peterson, possesses the innate power to motivate and inspire the masses.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Anoop |last2=Dutta |first2=Sumedha |date=2023-09-04 |title=The Concept of Seva in Sikhism and its Practice for Holistic Well-being: An Analysis |url=https://www.ijfmr.com/research-paper.php?id=6109 |journal=IJFMR - International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research |volume=5 |issue=5 |doi=10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i05.6109 |issn=2582-2160}}</ref> This is especially evident through ''seva'' when religion becomes intertwined with critical issues and the preservation of nature.<ref name=":0" /> For example, there are many Hindu faith-based organizations that have social projects where ''seva'' becomes a form of engagement with different organizations.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Global |title=Seva as a Form of Faith-Based Social Work in India |url=https://globaljournals.org/item/4133-seva-as-a-form-of-faith-based-social-work-in-india |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=globaljournals.org |language=en-us}}</ref> 

Here are examples of ''seva'' that has had a lasting impact on society.

* Golden Temple, Amritsar<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rees |first=Gardner |date=2025-04-05 |title=Golden Temple Feeding up to 100,000 People Every Day Leading to Humanitarian Cause Being Fulfilled at Scale and For Free |url=https://www.cpsradar.com/post/golden-temple-feeding-up-to-100-000-people-every-day-leading-to-humanitarian-cause-being-fulfilled-a |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=The Radar |language=en}}</ref>
** World's largest free kitchen serving over 100,000 meals daily
*Ramakrishna Math and Mission Temples<ref>{{Cite web |last=donationsbm |title=Belur Math - Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Home Page |url=https://belurmath.org/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Belur Math - Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission |language=en-US}}</ref>
**Disaster relief programs 
**School kit distributions
**Hostels
**Medical relief
*Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee |url=https://www.dsgmc.in/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=www.dsgmc.in}}</ref>
**Medical services 
**Educational institutes 
**Serving food
*BAPS Mandirs<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Home • BAPS Charities |url=https://www.bapscharities.org/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=BAPS Charities |language=en-US}}</ref>
**Annual walkathons with donations to organizations
**Community cleanups
**Blood drives
**Disaster relief 
**Health fairs

Ultimately, ''seva'' allows devotees to extend beyond outward religious symbols, and commit to values and teachings.<ref name=":0" /> It is rooted in the belief that the value of community and equal treatment of all individuals as part of the same human family.<ref name=":0" /> As one can see above, there are a variety of different ways that people can do ''seva''. Commitment to ''seva'' not only embodies religious values but also establishes a better connection to a broader purpose but also shows the necessity of upholding selflessness, holistic well-being, and adherence to guiding principles.<ref name=":0" /> Furthermore, ''seva'' is viewed as having transcendental benefits for the self.<ref name=":1" />
 
  



See also
* [[Sewapanthi]]
* [[Community Service]] in Different Religions:
** [[Bhandara (community kitchen)]]
** [[Dakshina]]  
** [[Punya (Hinduism)]]
** [[Sadaqah|Sadaqah (Islam)]]
** [[Tikkun olam]] ('repairing of the world' concept in [[Judaism]])

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Sikhism}}
{{Hindudharma}}
{{Virtues}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seva (Indian religions)}}
[[Category:Sikh practices]]
[[Category:Sikh philosophy]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]
[[Category:Hindu practices]]
[[Category:Vishva Hindu Parishad]]
[[Category:October observances]]
[[Category:International observances]]
[[Category:Volunteering in India]]
[[Category:Alms]]
[[Category:Telugu words and phrases]]
[[Category:Alms in Hinduism]]