All Sikhs are encouraged by Guru Granth Sahibji to perform Seva or
Selfless Service.
Sikhism is founded on principles of “Sarbat da bhalla” - working towards
the “common good of all”. Even at the end of every Ardas we say “Nanak Naam
Chardi Kala, Tere bhane sarbaht da bhala.”
Seva is highlighted in many places in the Guru
Granth Sahibji. It explains the ways in which one should perform it by
focussing on the state of the mind while performing seva. For a Sikh, simran
and seva are the spiritual right and left hand. As a Sikh, you must do both to
keep a balance. These are like the two wings of a bird - the bird must use both
otherwise it will not be able to fly. In the same matter Sikh must do his
nitname along with the selfless sewa to reach the higher state of mind. Where
the need to be “desire-less” (“nishkaami”) is critical in making sewa fruitful
in the same manner doing nitname and simran at amrit vela is important
too.
Guru Amar Dasji says in gurbani that when we
perform Seva our mind should recite Gurbani: "ਸੇਵਾ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਏ ॥ Center your awareness on
seva and focus your consciousness on the Word of the Shabad." (SGGS p 110)
There are three things necessary to obtain salvation
and liberty
1.) Seva
2.) Follow Gurbani and
3.) Simran
Guru Arjan Devi says in
Gurbani
“ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸੈਲ ਗਿਰਿ ਕਰਿਆ ॥
In so many incarnations, you were rocks and mountains;
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਰਭ ਹਿਰਿ ਖਰਿਆ ॥
In so many incarnations, you were aborted in the womb;
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸਾਖ ਕਰਿ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥
In so many incarnations, you developed branches and leaves;
ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਭਇਓ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ॥
Through the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, you obtained this
human life.
ਕਰਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ॥
Do seva - selfless service; follow the Guru's Teachings, and vibrate the
Lord's Name, Har, Har.
ਤਿਆਗਿ ਮਾਨੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਅਭਿਮਾਨੁ ॥
Abandon pride, falsehood and arrogance.
ਜੀਵਤ ਮਰਹਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥੩॥
Remain dead while yet alive, and you shall be welcomed in the Court of
the Lord. ||3||
Guru Amar Dasji says that doing pure seva for
the Almighty is tough and one needs to “surrender” their head and abandon
selfishness.
ਸਤਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਗਾਖੜੀ ਸਿਰੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇ ॥
ਸਬਦਿ ਮਿਲਹਿ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੇਵਾ ਪਵੈ ਸਭ ਥਾਇ ||
So one must attain humility in mind before
undertaking seva and that is only possible with reciting is name “Waheguru
Waheguru ….” i.e doing simaran.
Why Simran must be
considered TOP priority ?
This can be easily co-related with what Guru Nanak Devji states in gurbani
:-
"ਭਾਂਡਾ ਧੋਇ ਬੈਸਿ ਧੂਪੁ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਤਉ ਦੂਧੈ ਕਉ ਜਾਵਹੁ ॥
Wash the vessel, sit down and anoint it with fragrance; then, go out and
get the milk.
ਧੁ ਕਰਮ ਫੁਨਿ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਮਾਇਣੁ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਰਾਸ ਜਮਾਵਹੁ ॥੧॥
Add the rennet of clear consciousness to the milk of good deeds, and
then, free of desire, let it curdle. ||1||
ਜਪਹੁ ਤ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮਾ ॥
Chant the Name of the One Lord.
ਅਵਰਿ ਨਿਰਾਫਲ ਕਾਮਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
All other actions are fruitless. ||1||Pause||"
The mind, like the vessel, first needs to be
cleansed if one is to prepare it for Seva and which is done by Simran otherwise
all efforts goes to waste. So far, all of this seems philosophical. But Sikhi
brings this all down to earth by guiding us how to do it while going about our
day-to-day ordinary lives. In seeking humility, there's no need to blindly go
through religious tomes. No fasting of any kind. No feeding of priests, no
pilgrimages.
There is a simple, direct and effective way:
“Selfless - Seva.”
Just serving the basic needs of those who are in
need puts us on the right path. At home, with the neighbour, around the corner,
in the community we live in . Feed the hungry, clothe the destitute, shelter
the homeless. Or even more simple: just wash the dishes at the langar, or serve
food, or look after the shoes of those who come to worship.
Anonymity helps. Not wearing a t-shirt or chola
that proclaims “SEVADAR", helps. Doing it without any pat on the back, is
a definite plus. Doing things that others do not want to, or cannot do, is
good. Sweeping the floor, or cleaning the washrooms are therefore bound to be
the most rewarding.
Not too long ago, After living the wordly life for
more than three decades I was blessed with an opportunity to take Amrit at Darbar
Sahib in Amritsar . There were so many things that added to the joy of being
there. The sight there at all hours of the day or night, literally - even in
the cold and dark hours before dawn - of men, women and children behind the
counter, taking care of shoes of pilgrims. Quiet faces, moving in the shadows.
Quivering of the lips, silently accompanying the kirtan playing from the
speakers around them. No talks . No meeting of the eyes, No searching for
acquaintances. Just simple, purposeful, swift, efficient movements … the queues
were long.There's always a hush around the shoe-stalls outside the main
entrance, I've noticed. The only words you hear are “satnam, satnam…” and
“waheguru, waheguru…” And a lot of “ji…ji…jee-o…ji …” I don't know how they do
it. But I see them taking each pair of foot-wear as if it is a gift. Lovingly,
gently, softly … if you glance back for a split-second, as you turn away, you
may even catch one in the shadows wiping the dirt off your shoes as they are
placed on the shelves. I tell you, it is there, standing on the cold wet
marble, looking at this scene, that I experienced the first communion with what
I had come searching for, after all these years, at the doors of the Harmander
Shahibji.
It is the epitome of seva.
It's for the sheer sake of seva and there is no
other goal. Even the end result is not important. You don't need a smile or a
nod, a pat on the shoulder, or the gratitude of another to validate it. You
simply do it, and you do it to the best of your ability, and nothing else
matters.You don't go home and note it in your diary. Or tell your family and
friends.
We need to ask the these questions ourselves every
time when we are engaged in any kind of Sewa.
·
Is it for the purpose of getting a tax-deductible
receipt ?
·
Is our heart and soul both in it ?
·
Are we going to tell it to others, now or later ?
·
Are we honest in doing it ?
·
Do we feel we are doing what is expected out of us,
and that we need not do any more ?
·
Are we doing it for building our reputation in the
society ?
·
Do we need others appreciation in doing it, or we
feel others criticism will drive us away ?
·
Are we doing it because we feel it is our right to
do it ?
·
Will it distresses us if others may take credit for
what we have done?
·
Do we believe that we are the best one to do it ?
If the answer to any one of these questions is
“YES” then unfortunately its not a “Self less Sewa” in the eyes of Guru Granth
Sahibji and we need to rethink.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ !!
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