SEVA IS THE BEST SADHANA FOR ELIMINATING THE PULL OF THE MIND TOWARDS DESIRES

TYPES OF SEVA

TAN SEVA: This is Seva that one can do physically, also known as KAR SEVA, where one takes upon oneself some sort of physical service. For instance, at our very own Siddha Daata Ashram, there are many disciples who are engaged in building up the Ashram and its surroundings. They take on real tough work like breaking stones, carrying weights, etc., and they do it out of SEVA BHAAV.
MAN SEVA: Thinking good about your community and wishing them well, praying, chanting the Name of the Supreme Lord, remembering the Lord at all times, and performing any karma with the thought in mind that it is being done for the Supreme Lord or for our Guru all come under Man Seva.
DHAN SEVA: This is monetary service. One can serve by giving monetary donations to any Ashram, temple, or by distributing food and medicines among the needy. People with more financial resources build charitable clinics, Ashrams for the aged or for widows, etc. However, if this Seva is done with the intention that the person’s name should be glorified, then he does not reap the maximum fruit from his Seva as most of it is paid off in his goodwill.
VACHAN SEVA: This is a form of Seva that, for example, saints undertake, spreading knowledge among people. People staying abroad, if they cannot find any form of physical service, can spread the name of the Lord through Bhajans, Satsang, etc.

The different types of Seva clearly indicate that distance, age, finance, or handicap is no barrier to doing Seva. All the above-mentioned forms of Seva are equally accepted by the Lord and also increase love in us for the Lord.

Guruji at times really stresses on SEVA; in fact, He puts SEVA even above SIMRAN. Let us list a few points on SEVA:

SEVA must be done SELFLESSLY: Wherever selfishness comes into the picture, that SEVA will not give the total fruit that it could give.
SEVA destroys ego: Any SEVA done selflessly totally destroys our ego as we think that what we are doing is only for the Lord and we are His humble servants.
SEVA must not be done just to show your Guru: Some people take to Seva only when their Guru is around to show Him that they are doing something, but Guru obviously knows each person’s Bhaav while doing SEVA. For instance, those ladies who sit in the kitchen at the Ashram for hours and hours cooking in such hot and humid surroundings sometimes do not even get a glimpse of their Guru for days, but they continue their SEVA with the same fervor and feeling (Bhaav) that they are doing it for the Lord. This type of SEVA is very dear to the Guru or to the Lord.
Opportunities for SEVA: This feeling must be totally taken out of everyone’s mind, that since we stay abroad or far from the Ashram, God has not given us enough chance to do SEVA. These explanations are totally unacceptable. Where there is a will, there is a way, and nothing can stop a disciple from doing SEVA. Only the will to do it selflessly is required, and then we can see how many opportunities for SEVA will come in front of us.

SEVA does not necessarily mean working at an Ashram. SEVA can be done at home itself, like caring for children as if they are the Lord Himself in child form, or cooking for the house with the intention that we are cooking for the Lord. Any activity, once we decide that we are doing it for the Lord and we are doing it selflessly, automatically comes under SEVA. So it is the Bhaav, or the intention, which counts.

REMEMBRANCE: THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL SEVAS

As Guruji says, remembering God is much more than meditating. Will you be able to meditate when you are very old, disabled, or bedridden? No! But surely during any misery, we can remember God.

Remembering your Lord/Guru is considered the most important Seva because, during this time, we feel the presence of our dear Guru within us. We feel we are talking to Him, touching His feet, etc., all depending on each one’s bhaav.

This bhaav of ours draws us nearer to our Lord/Guru, as this is what they see in us. We should have our Lord’s name so much in us that at all times we should be able to take His name, even in our sleep. So much should the practice be that at the time of our last breath, the name should come to our minds by itself. This will surely bring the Lord Himself to take our souls away. We all must know the story of a man who did not believe in God, but due to some saint, he kept his youngest son’s name Narayan. He was so fond of this son that at the time of his death, he called out his son’s name, and Lord Narayan came to take his soul away. This confused some angels, and they asked the Lord how an unpious man was brought to Heaven. The Lord answered that he had called out My name, and I had to go when My name was called. So you see, just taking the name of the Lord gave the man such a reward. What would you not gain by remembering Him at all times?

Summary

Guruji outlines four types of Seva, emphasizing that service to the Lord can take many forms and is not restricted by one’s physical location, age, or financial status. The first type, Tan Seva (physical service), involves physical labor, such as working at an Ashram. Man Seva (mental service) focuses on good thoughts, prayers, and dedicating all actions to the Lord. Dhan Seva (monetary service) includes donations and financial support for charitable causes, while Vachan Seva (verbal service) involves spreading knowledge and the Lord’s name through Bhajans and Satsangs. Guruji stresses that Seva must be selfless and warns against performing Seva for recognition or showing off, as true Seva destroys ego and is recognized by the Lord and Guru based on the intention (Bhaav) behind it.

Important Points

Tan Seva (Physical Service): Involves physical labor and actions dedicated to the service of the Lord.
Man Seva (Mental Service): Encompasses thoughts, prayers, and performing actions with the Lord or Guru in mind.
Dhan Seva (Monetary Service): Involves financial donations and support for charitable causes.
Vachan Seva (Verbal Service): Includes spreading knowledge and the Lord’s name through Bhajans, Satsang, and other means.
Selflessness in Seva: Seva should be done without any selfish motives to gain maximum spiritual benefit.
Seva Destroys Ego: Selfless service helps in diminishing ego, as it is performed with the intention of serving the Lord.
Avoiding Showmanship: Seva should not be performed to show off in front of the Guru; the intention behind the service is crucial.
Opportunities for Seva: Seva can be performed regardless of one’s location; even daily activities at home can be dedicated as Seva.
Remembrance as Seva: Constant remembrance of the Lord or Guru is considered the highest form of Seva.
Bhaav (Intention) in Seva: The sincerity and devotion behind Seva are what make it meaningful in the eyes of the Lord and Guru.
Practice of Remembrance: The practice should be so ingrained that even in old age or in moments of distress, one can remember the Lord effortlessly.
Story of Remembrance: A story illustrates how even a non-believer who called out the Lord’s name at the time of death was taken to Heaven by the Lord Himself.
Seva Above Simran: Guruji places Seva even above Simran, emphasizing its importance in spiritual practice.
Seva as a Path to the Divine: Through selfless Seva, one can draw closer to the Lord and Guru.
Universal Nature of Seva: Seva is accessible to all, regardless of physical ability, wealth, or distance from holy places.