Samadhan PrakashSri Guru's Notes

समाधान प्रकाश — भाग 6

I’m happy to see the enthusiasm shown by seekers to resolve their questions through the Samadhan Prakash blog series. In the previous edition, we found solutions to our questions related to the first of four foundational pillars of SRM – ‘Love’. Excessive use of the word ‘Love’ has caused us to forget its true dimension, but with the previous edition, everyone is now clearly understanding the spiritual meaning of ‘Love’. All four fundamental pillars of SRM – Love, Seva (Selfless Service), Sanyam (Discipline) and Sadhana – have been so widely used that it has diluted their meaning, and it has become essential to clarify their spiritual significance. In this issue of Samadhan Prakash, we are shedding light on the spiritual essence of Seva. I wish that you are able to understand the true nature of Seva after reading these solutions.

— Sri Guru


1. Why is Seva the Mission’s second foundational pillar? 

Question: Once Love permeates within us, Seva happens naturally. Then why is Seva specifically regarded as the second foundational pillar of the Mission?

Solution: It is indeed necessary that the inner virtue of Love manifests itself through the expression of Seva. But commonly, people are not able to introspect whether their Love is transforming into Seva. In the Mission song, we sing – “Aarambh Ho Jab Prem Se, To Seva Jhalke Jeevan Mein…” (When the journey begins with Love, Seva reflects in our lives). Thus, to ensure that Love has indeed blossomed within a seeker, Seva must reflect in their nature. If Love is a revolution from an ideological perspective, then Seva is proof that such a revolution has practically arrived in one’s actions and conduct. No matter how many thoughts of spiritual Love occupy our mind, they aren’t of much use until that Love reflects in our nature. Thus, on one hand, we must tune our thoughts to the feeling of Oneness, and on the other hand, those thoughts need to be put into action in our daily lives through Seva. Only then can we progress on the path of all-round transformation.


2. What should be the underlying sentiment in Seva?

Question: Seva is a physical activity, then what should be the underlying sentiment while performing it? 

Solution: The underlying Bhaav (sentiment) behind Seva should be that of ‘selfless-returning’, rather than gaining something. This is the beauty of Spirituality. In religious sects, people are often persuaded with this temptation that doing Seva will bring auspicious Karma and lead to favourable situations in the future. But all it does is intermix the vices like ‘greed’ with the pious intention of Seva, which keeps the seeker entrapped in the cycle of transmigration. The standpoint of spirituality is the exact opposite of that – it believes the opportunities of Seva are the result of previous Karma, and every Seva should be performed with the right perspective and sentiment. The opportunity to perform a Seva is our own ‘file’ from the past, and we must close that particular ‘Karmic account’ by carrying out the Seva. When we perform Seva with this understanding, the underlying sentiment changes to ‘selfless-returning’. Rather than expecting to receive something in return, we are freeing ourselves of the Karmic-debt. This Bhaav lets the seeker naturally progress on the path of inner transformation.


3. How to get rid of the Ego that surfaces during Seva?

Question: Often while doing Seva, we are overcome with this feeling that who else could have performed that Seva except ourselves. This thought feeds our ego. How should we rid ourselves of this pride-inducing feeling?

Solution: While serving a person, the primary sentiment should be this: In the past, we must have received some form of Seva from that person, and now we are simply closing that particular Karmic “file” by offering them Seva in return. Performing Seva with this underlying Bhaav invokes a feeling of gratitude instead of pride. Usually, we thank the person who returns a lost object to us, even though that object was ours only. Similarly, the opportunity to offer Seva to someone means that person has come to us with a Karmic file of past Seva, something that is ours. Thus, it is worth contemplating which feeling would be a more appropriate reaction – pride or gratitude.


4. How to get rid of Dwesh (enmity, aversion) that arises during Seva?

Question: If someone remains annoyed despite our sincere effort and intention while performing Seva, we naturally feel resentment towards that person. Though we are fulfilling the ‘act’ of Seva, but inside we are filled with Dwesh rather than Love. What should we do in such a scenario?

Solution: Always remember, that we ourselves are the focal point of Seva, not others — this is a fundamental aspect in spirituality, as our actions impact us first and foremost. Since Seva is our own file of past Karma, we should thoughtfully consider what kind of ‘pages’ we want to fill it with. What pages others are filling inside their files is their job, not ours. Their annoyance will affect their file, but our Dwesh will add weight to our Karmic baggage. In order to firmly implant these thoughts within us, we need both patience and understanding, which can be obtained only through a Guru’s Samagam (congregation). Avoiding Seva until the genuine feeling to offer Seva arrives from within, will only hinder our inner growth. We need to remove the Dwesh that arises during Seva, not the Seva itself. Until true love for Seva doesn’t foster within, we shouldn’t let go of the opportunities to offer Seva. At the same time, we should continue developing the aforementioned understanding within. The right understanding gradually weakens the knots of Dwesh and, in due course, they are released from within us.


5. What does Seva entail in daily life?

Question: We can offer Seva to someone who is sick, but such opportunities arise rather occasionally. Then what does Seva entail in day-to-day life?

Solution: This is an extremely important thought. In daily life, Seva is the act of performing each action as if it were a Seva in itself. For instance, if a homemaker is doing house related work, they should use the word ‘Seva’ instead of ‘work’; if a person does business to earn a living, they should consider that their Seva. This brings humility to our thoughts and feelings, and invokes the Vivek (discerning power of our intellect) to strengthen the belief that everything is dependent on past Karma. When we develop such a mindset, it prevents the binding of new Karma, as the seeker identifies each new action as a file of their own past Karma (effect of a previous cause). At the same time, our journey of returning (giving back) also begins when we associate the sentiment of Seva with any action. We can give back only that which has accumulated in our Karmic account. Hence, an action performed with the sentiment of Seva reduces our Karmic debt. Slowly, the seeker begins to feel relieved from their Karmic baggage.


6. Can Seva done with anger or other vices still be considered as Seva?

Question: Is it realistically possible to consider everything in day-to-day work as Seva? While doing any work, there are numerous occasions when we get angry, or tell lies, or feel lazy – then can we consider actions done with such vices as Seva?

Solution:  Seva is the transformation of our perspective. Since countless births, Seva done with greed has only prolonged our transmigration. Hence, first and foremost, our perspective on Seva should change. Then comes the elimination of vices, followed by the emergence of virtues – that is the order. 

Sometimes, our Karmic link with a person is such that despite doing Seva with the right perspective, our strained relation with that person doesn’t soften. At such times, the seeker should consciously make an effort to eliminate their vices to prevent the feelings of Dwesh (aversion), hatred, bias etc. towards that person. After this, the seeker enters the stage where Guna (virtues) begin to emerge. But this is also possible only when they have purified their Antah-Karan (conscience) by the means of Sadhana. After this inner-cleansing, the seeker is able to perform Seva towards any person, even one with whom they have an unfavourable Karmic link, keeping an auspicious attitude at the forefront.


7. Can Seva bring changes to our relationships?

Question: By doing Seva, do our unfavourable Karmic links with other people convert into favourable relationships? 

Solution: You should not have any such desire, as even that would be considered doing Seva done under the influence of greed. But yes, the Universal Law is such that Seva done with the right attitude reduces inauspicious Karmic debt, which in turn builds the being’s preparedness. Once that happens, the subsequent Sadhana sheds light on our true nature. And once we have understanding of our nature, there’s no scope for enmity in any of our relationships. This lack of enmity may manifest in this birth itself or a future birth, but the Law is absolute. What is worth remembering is this – for a seeker, their thoughts and feelings in the present moment are all that matter, and if those feelings include the right attitude towards Seva, then the future will most certainly be joyful.


8. Is Seva a prerequisite for Sadhana?

Question: Can a seeker not enter into Sadhana without the right perspective on Seva?

Solution: No, it isn’t possible for someone to enter straight into Sadhana without the right perspective on Seva. Sadhana involves a yogic practice through which a seeker can experience their true eternal Self. The subtle inner journey of “returning” (going back) does not begin until the feeling of “returning” (giving back) manifests at a gross level within the seeker. If the seeker is unable to have unwavering feelings and thoughts in the known world, how will they remain steady in the unknown world…! The entire journey of spirituality is to purify your conduct after correcting your belief system. The seeker is able to remain committed to Sadhana only when they undergo comprehensive purification (of thoughts as well as conduct) – this is a firm principle. There are no shortcuts on the path of spirituality, as ignoring even one of the four fundamental pillars hinders the seeker’s all-round growth. Yes, there may come a time when Sadhana becomes the seeker’s primary focus and the act of Seva becomes secondary, but the perspective always remains fixed.


While reading these answers, it is natural that some new questions might arise in the seeker’s mind. We invite you to post those questions in the comments section below. Answers to questions related to your spiritual growth can be obtained from Sri Guru. Some of them shall be published in the next issue of Samadhan Prakash.


Read previous blogs of Sri Guru’s Samadhan Prakash: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Get in-depth answers to more such questions, in ‘Samadhan’ book: Click Here»

Bliss of Wisdom is a blog for seekers who are in search of their true self. It is published by Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Delhi – a spiritual revolutionary movement founded by Sri Guru. She is a spiritual Master who has transformed innumerable lives through her logical explanations and effective meditation techniques. To know more, visit srmdelhi.org.

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11 Comments

  1. Thank you so much Prabhu sewa Ka Sahi arth hame samjhne k liye 🙏🌹🙇

  2. Seva aur Kartaya me kya difference hay ?

  3. Every aspect of sewa is cleared by this blog. Thank you so much Sri Guru for giving such a clarity .

  4. Jai krupadu Prabhu.. Thankyou so much for giving such a awesome clarity on sewa🙏🏼

  5. Jai Krupalu Prabhu
    Thank you very much for explaining the true meaning of Sewa. Today I realized how can I convert my day to day activities in to Sewa and avoid the burden of KARTABHAV .

  6. Thank you so much SRI GURU for explaining and giving so much Clarity of Seva ,I feel every vachan of Pratyaksh SRI GURU should be our agnya and we will love more and more and ultimately will convert into Nishkaam Seva ,where there will be no dwesh ,and all 4 kashays ,
    Gratitude and Immense Love ❤️ 🌹 🙏

  7. this was really needed… Seva aaj tak me ek karta bhav samaz rahi thi… Khud ko centre banake Seva Karna is a new view point I got from samadhan prakash

  8. Living in a family, first three are possible.

    But Sadhana remain untouched in the family.Hence please guide us Prabhuji.Jay Krupadu Gurudev.

  9. ખુબ ખુબ આભાર શ્રી ગુરુ . દિલ થી કોઈ પણ કામ કર્યા પછી પણ સામાં પક્ષ થી નીંદા જ મળે તો મન પર ભાર રહેતો હતો પણ આજે સેવા નો આટલો સરસ અર્થ સમજાવી મન હળવુ થઈ ગયું.Thank you very much sri guru કોટિ કોટિ વંદન.

  10. Pl.guide us how i can get Guru Diksha from living at Nagpur.Still I have not made any Guru.As a jain ,I am going to each Saint as avilable .I am doing SAMAI/Bhaktamer every day.Is it sufficient to travel Bhavesagar.I am regular listing your SATSANG .

    1. Please connect with SRM Helpline at connect@srmdelhi.com or 7098888388

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