SEVA

1) Introduction to Seva...... 2

i) What is Seva? ...... 2

2) Why is it necessary? ...... 3

i) Importance of seva...... 3

3) How can it be performed? ...... 5

a.i) Man...... 5

a.ii) Karma...... 5

a.iii) Vachan...... 7

4) Two main categories of seva...... 8

a.i) Sakam...... 8

a.ii) Nishkam...... 8

5) Various ways of doing seva? ...... 10

a.i) Seva in mandir...... 10

a.ii)Seva at home...... 11

a.iii) Seva of satsang...... 11

a.iv) Seva of samaj...... 14

1 1. Introduction to Seva?

What is Seva?

As we know seva can be a wide variety of activities from cleaning and cooking to building a mandir and donating wealth. It can be difficult to define seva as the word ‘Seva’ itself covers such a vast range of things.

Almighty Lord Shree Swaminarayan does however teach us what Seva is. When Bhaktimata requested Ghanshyam Maharaj to enlighten her, Ghanshyam Maharaj told Bhaktimata about Bhakti. He explained to her the form of Bhakti and what Bhakti is. Maharaj said that the meaning of Bhakti is to do seva. Therefore we can also say that Seva is to do Bhakti. Maharaj then goes on to explain the nine different ways a soul can do bhakti.

[Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 1 Adhyay 36]

It can be very difficult to understand what Seva is but with examples of great devotees and how they did Seva of the Lord, we can better understand what seva actually is. ‘Kimti ma kimti beth’ a leela about a Brahmin who had no food to eat, no clothes to wear and no person to fall back on, yet the only little money he had he gave to Maharaj as a gift. The reasoning behind this seva and the happiness of Maharaj on this Brahmin is something words cannot describe, an example for all.

[Vachanmala 1 Leela 39]

2 2. Why is it necessary?

Importance of seva:-

Lord Swaminarayan when replying Muktanand Swami’s question of “If a person has such strong worldly desires and wishes to eradicate them, by which method can they be eradicated?” replied “Just as Uhka Khachar has become addicted to serving the sadhus, in the same way, if a person becomes addicted to serving Bhagvan and His sant to the extent that he would not be able to stay for even a moment without serving them, then all the impure desires in his antah-karans will be destroyed.”

[Vachanamrut, G.M.P. 25]

Lord Swaminarayan once again shows us the unrivalled importance of Seva when He mercifully describes His own nature to us. He says “Those who progress do so, only by serving bhaktas of Bhagvan, and those who regress do so, only by spiting bhaktas of Bhagvãn. In fact, the only method for a person to please Bhagvan is to serve bhaktas by thought, word, and deed.” He goes on to say within the discussion that

“I have delivered this talk to you after hearing and extracting the essence from the Veds, the six- shastras, the Purans and all other words on this earth relating to moksh. This is the most profound and fundamental principle, and it is the essence of all essences. For all those who have previously attained moksh, for all those who will attain it in the future, and for all those who are presently treading the path of moksh, this talk is like a lifeline.”

[Vachanamrut, G.M.P .28]

3 Similar to the above, Lord Swaminarayan again emphasises the importance of Seva for one seeking Kalyan when replying to the question of Raghuvirji. “Maharaj, what must a person do for the moksh of the jeev?” In reply Swaminarayan Bhagwan says, “If a person seeks kalyan, he should place his body, wealth, home, family, and relations in the seva of Bhagvan. Furthermore, he should avoid any object that may not be of use in the seva of Bhagvan.”

[Vachanamrut, G.M.P.62]

Further importance of Seva can be seen in various Vachanamruts. Below are some glimpses of the words of Lords Swaminarayan:

“ Therefore, for making the jeev stronger, there is no method comparable to that of serving Bhagvãn and His bhaktas.”

[Vachanamrut, G.M.P.63]

“When a person who wishes to worship Bhagvan receives an opportunity to serve Bhagvan and His bhaktas, he should serve them considering it to be his extremely great fortune.”

[Vachanamrut, G.M.P.41]

The importance of Seva can be seen and understood through the actions of great bhaktos of Swaminarayan Bhagwan and their love of seva.

Chandan no lepp - Swaminarayan Bhagwan was overjoyed when He saw the seva of many bhaktas when the Vadtal temple was being built.

[Vachanmala 1 Leela 11]

Gharno dharni – Swaminarayan Bhagwan praises Ukha Khachar for his Seva and teaches us that we also should adopt similar traits.

[Vachanmala 3 Leela 11]

Shriji ni seva – this poem also shows us how we can put seva into practice and thus shows us the importance of seva from a practical aspect.

[Vachanmala 1 Leela 10]

Devotees of Swaminarayan bhagwan should always look for an opportunity to do seva. Such is the importance of doing seva. Maharaj gladly accepts all sorts of seva that is done with love. We can see through the actions of devotees and to an extent understand how great doing seva is. Sauratmuni tells Pratapsinh raja some of the different sevas bhaktas used to do for Maharaj. From bringing puja materials for Maharaj, to cooking for Maharaj to bringing water, washing clothes and utensils, devotees used to lovingly take the chance of any means of doing Seva.

4 [Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 3 Adhyay 2]

Sometimes it can be easier to understand the importance of something when we can know what its benefits are. If we take the example of money, we understand that if we have money then we can have food, clothes and shelter. Therefore we know the importance of money. Similarly we now need to realise that the opportunity to do seva can lead to a much bigger benefit to us. The leela of a haribhakta from Kutch shows us the end fruits of seva. Just by offering a mango to God with love resulted in the haribhakta attaining parampad.

[Aksharanand Swami Ni Vato, Varta 221]

Lord Swaminarayan again shows us the importance of seva. He says that “If the indriyas are engaged in the seva of Shree Krishna Bhagvan and His bhakta, then the antah-karans are purified and the sins, which have been attached to the jeev for eternity, are destroyed. On the other hand, if the vruttis of the indriyas are directed towards women and other vishays, then a person’s antah-karans become polluted and he falls from the path of kalian.”

[Vachanamrut, G.P.P.8]

3. How can it be performed?

Lord Swaminarayan teaches us that Seva can not only be done physically but through other means. He says “In fact, the only method for a person to please Bhagvan is to serve bhaktas by thought, word, and deed.

[Vachanamrut, G.M.P. 28]

There are many ways of doing seva, the list can be go on forever however there are three main ways through which seva can be performed. Let us now see how this can be put into practice through some examples.

Man (mind)

Padsevanam Bhakti – Seva of the Lords feet (pagchampi) can be done through the mind. Simply by touching the lotus feet of the Lord is also deemed to be a seva.

[Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 1 Adhyay 36]

Seva can also be done through the mind by imagining ourselves doing seva of the Lord and Santos. Through reciting kirtans such as ‘Dada ne darbar jasun’ we can see how this can be possible.

[Dada ne Darbar Jasun- Kirtan]

5 Seva can also be done through Mansi Puja. We as satsangis are required to do a minimum of 5 mansi pujas daily. Through this we can offer various types of seva personally to Swaminarayan Bhagwan. Swaminarayan Bhagwan commands us to do Mansi Puja and also teaches us the method of doing so. “A person who is a bhakta of Bhagvan daily performs the mansi puja of Bhagvan. A person should perform that mansi puja in different ways, depending on the three seasons: summer, winter, and monsoon.”

[Vachanamrut, G.A.P. 23]

Karma (physically doing seva)

In Kaliyug the best method for mankind to achieve happiness is through donation to good causes. Therefore seva through donating food grains money etc can be considered as the best method.

[Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 5 Adhyay 10]

In addition it is said that in this world donation of food and grains is considered as the best type of donation.

[Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 5 Adhyay 11]

Lord Swaminarayan commands us: “As far as possible, my disciples shall attend to their mother, father, preceptor and a sick person and render service with proper care and nursing as they live.”

[Shikshapatri Bhashya – Shlokh 139]

Seva can also be done by offering thaal to the Lord. The leela of a little boy and his watermelon shows us how this can be done.

[Vachanmala 1 Leela 23]

Seva of our parents is also very important and Lord Swaminarayan Himself did seva of Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. It is therefore our duty to serve our parents as they are our gurus.

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‘Me’ – This poem shows us that seva of the Lord and parents on a daily basis are very important.

[Vachanmala 1 Leela 24]

Vachan (speech)

Such is the power of seva that when one merely speaks of doing seva of the Lord or His santos and bhaktas it can be considered as seva.

7 Seva through speech can also be done when preaching about satsang and giving the true knowledge that one has learnt to others. Shatanand Muni says that vidhyadhan is considered as the biggest dhan.

[Shikshapatri Bhashya – Shlokh 36]

Important note - timing of seva

Seva can be done whenever one feels like doing it. However, when seva is done when it is needed most, the fruits of it are much bigger. For example if a friend is in a bad way of health and is in need of medicine but does not have the money for the medicine, then by lending some money in that critical time of need is much more beneficial than if the money is given after he has recovered.

Similarly Nishkulanand Swami teaches us the significance of doing seva when it is needed most.

[“Samay Sevilo Swami” – Nishkulanand Swami Kirtan]

Below are some examples of seva done when it is needed the most.

This leela refers to when Ghadada mandir was being built and the wages of the builders had to be paid but there was not enough and some money was needed to pay the builders. Kheghar Bhagat from Kholiyad Gaam instantly rushed off and got some money for this Seva.

[Aksharanand Swami ni Vato, Varta 25]

Again when Ghadada mandir was being built, a saint was doing his niyam of mala. Maharaj saw this and told him to do seva as it was needed at that time. The sant therefore left his niyam and started doing seva.

[Aksharanand Swami ni Vato, Varta 33]

Dada Khachar was with a barber and was having his hair cut. In the process Maharaj called for him, therefore midway through his haircut he ran to Maharaj in fear of being late for the Seva of Maharaj.

[Aksharanand Swami ni Vato, Varta 54]

4. Two main categories of seva.

8 There are two types of sevas: ‘Sakam and Nishkam.’ Ghanshyam Maharaj in Harigita teaches us what these are.

Sakambhakt is one who wishes for dharma, wealth, desires, salvation etc from Lord Himself. On the other hand a Nishkaam Bhakta is one who other than the seva of Bhagwan does not ask for even the four types of mukti and the eight types of Sidhis. Even if Lord Himself gives a Nishkaam Bhakta a high status he does not accept it, even by thought. Maharaj goes on to say that it is only a Nishkaam Bhakt that can develop such a strong bond with bhagwan that can never be destroyed.

[ Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 1 Adhyay 36]

The same has been written by Shatanand Swami. That a bhakta does not even ask for the 4 types of mukti but just the chance to serve the lotus feet of bhagwan.

[Shikshapatri Bhashya – Shlokh 121]

Once Swaminarayan Bhagwan was very happy upon Premanand Swami, that He asked Swami to ask for anything he wanted but Premanand Swami did not ask for anything. Again Maharaj insisted and Premanand Swami refused. Maharaj was so happy that by now he was pleading to Swami to ask for something. Premanand Swami than in a form of a poem asked for the murti of Maharaj.

[Tamari Murti Vina – Premanand Swami Kirtan]

Lord Swaminarayan himself differentiates between a Sakam bhakta and a nishkam bhakta. He says:

“A person who maintains a desire for the four types of mukti after becoming a bhakta of Bhagvan is known as a ‘sakam bhakta’. In contrast, a person who has no desires regarding the four types of mukti, and who only desires to serve Bhagvan, is known as a ‘nishkam bhakta’”.

Lord Swaminarayan then quotes from the Shrimad Bhagwat:-

mat-sevaya prateetam cha sãlokyãdi chatushtayam nechhanti sevaya puranahã krutonyat-kãlaviplutam

If those who are only fulfilled by serving me do not desire the four types of mukti, such as a place in my dham, which are attained by serving me – then why would they desire anything that is ultimately perishable?

sãlokya sãrshti sãmeepya sãrupyaika-tvamapyut deeyamãnam na gruhnanti vinã mat-sevanam janãhã

Even if granted a place in my dham, powers similar to mine, my closeness, a svarup similar to mine, or oneness with me, nishkam bhaktas would not accept them without my seva.

In explanation Swaminarayan Bhagwan says...

9 “This means that a nishkam bhakta of Bhagvan does not wish for the four types of mukti, if the seva of Bhagvan is not included. He only wishes to serve Bhagvan. In turn, Bhagvan keeps this nishkam bhakta in His own seva. Bhagvan also insists on granting such a bhakta with His divine powers and bliss, even though the bhakta does not wish for them. Kapil-Dev Bhagvan has also said:

atho vibhutim mama mãyã-vinastã-maishvaryam-ashtãngama-nupravruttam shriyam bhagavateem va spruhayanti bhadram parasya me teshnuvate tu loke

Even though my nishkam bhaktas have no wish for the material wealth of the loks up to and including the lok of Brahma, for the eight extraordinary powers, or for the auspicious wealth of Bhagvan, they still enjoy all these in my dham.

“ In the Geeta, such a nishkam bhakta has been referred to as a bhakta with gnan. A sakam bhakta, on the other hand, has been referred to as materialistic. Therefore, a bhakta should not wish for anything except the seva of Bhagvan. After all, wishing for anything other than the seva of Bhagvan is considered to be a flaw. It should be overcome by extreme association with the nishkam ekantik bhakta of Bhagvan.

[Vachanamrut, G.P.P. 43]

This leela shows us the love and sevabhav of a Nishkaam devotee. Amba Sheth from Gadari used to get up daily at 4am and travel to Ghadada to give datan to Maharaj. He only used to return to his village after doing darshan of Maharaj.

[Aksharanand Swami Ni Vato, Varta 553]

Ukha Khachar was a devotee of Bhagwan who had so many bad habits in his life. On one occasion he pleased Maharaj by doing seva of picking up the droppings of a dog. Many other devotees just walked past it but did not make an effort to clean it as they considered it as a dirty seva. Maharaj however said that the type of Seva Ukha Khachar did was of the highest quality.

[Vachanmala 3 Leela 11]

Another example of seva with Nishkaam bhav was shown by a Haribhakta from Kariyani when he gave a donation to Maharaj and accepted the way in which Maharaj intended to use that donation. This shows us that once we donate something or do seva we should have no personal desires from it. Once it is given it belongs to the Lord and He can do whatever He wishes with it.

[Aksharanand Swami ni Vato, Varta 19]

10 5. Various ways of doing seva?

Seva in mandir

Cooking for the Lord is a great way to do seva. This can be done at home or in the mandir. The leela of Jivan Bhagat shows us how God pleasing the seva of cooking is, if it is done with love.

In Jetalpur Gaam, lived a poor Brahmin by the name of Jivan Bhagat. Once Swaminarayan Bhagwan was in Jetalpur and decided to accept food items from His devotees. Many devotees brought expensive sweet items such as ladus for Maharaj but Jivan Bhagat could only afford a Rotlo. Seeing the love of Jivan Bhagat and the affection with which he had prepared the rotlo Maharaj only accepted the Rotlo and did not even touch the sweet items from other devotees.

[Vachanmala 3 Leela 15]

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We should also take part in seva during festivals. This is a great opportunity to please Swaminarayan Bhagwan.

Many great devotees looked for a slight opportunity to do seva as we can see from the Ankoot Utsav in Ghadada. Many devotees with dasbhav and pure love for Maharaj, cooked for the lord. There were instances when whilst cooking rotli, they would have divine darshan of bhagwan on the rotlis themselves. Similarly many devotees were completely engrossed in doing various sevas and were experiencing the divine darshan of bhagwan.

[Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 3 Adhyay 5]

Seva at home

Seva of Bhagwan can be done anywhere as we have seen through the examples of seva through the mind. Seva of parents can be done at home and also seva of the Lord, through our daily puja and the mandir at our homes.

Even though we may be busy with various tasks the leela of Parvatbhai shows us that we can do seva and bhakti whilst doing our household chores.

Parvatbhai used to do seva bhakti whilst eating, drinking, sleeping, sitting, 24/7. Even whilst farming he would do seva through mansi puja and please bhagwan.

[Vachanmala 1 Leela 19]

Seva of samaj

Swaminarayan Bhagwan Himself set us an example of serving mankind in various ways.

When doing Vanvicharan, Maharaj said, “Once, when I was travelling from Venkatadri to Setubandh Rameshvar, I came across a sadhu by the name of Sevak-Ram. He had studied Shreemad Bhagvat and other Purans. During his journey, he fell ill. With him, he had a thousand rupees worth of gold coins. However, as he had no one to nurse him, he began to cry. I consoled him, and said, ‘Do not worry about anything. I shall look after you’.

“On the outskirts of the village, there was a banana orchard, where there was a banyan tree that was home to a thousand ghosts. The sadhu had become extremely ill and was unable to walk any further.

I felt extreme pity for him. So I prepared a bed of banana leaves one and-a-half feet high under the banyan tree. As the sadhu was suffering from dysentery and was passing blood, I would wash him and attend to him.

“He would give me enough of his money to buy sugar, ghee, and grains for himself. I would bring the ingredients, cook them, and then feed him.

12 [Vachanamrut, G.P.P. 10]

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The leela of Rambai from Kathlal shows us how we can do seva for satsang as well as for mankind. Rambai was the only satsangi in her village. Once Swaminarayan Bhagwan was passing her village so she ran and asked Maharaj to make some water Prasadinu (holy) so that she could put that water in the village well and make it holy. This would mean that the whole village that was non satsangi could become satsangis by having that water.

[Vachanmala 1 Leela 25]

Lord Swaminarayan also did seva of mankind by setting up sadavrats – a place where satsangis as well as non-satsangis could come and have Prasad for free. The reason for this was that Maharaj said ‘whoever has the divine Prasad will get kalyan’. Therefore Maharaj was looking out for the benefit of all the souls.

[Purshottam Prakash, Prakar 9]

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Maharaj also dug wells and vavs (step-well) for poor villagers so that they did not have to travel far in search of water. In Mangrol Village Maharaj got a Vav built and did the opening ceremony according to Vedic rituals. During this occasion He fed many people and it was a big Utsav.

[Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 2 Adhyay 5]

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Shatanand Muni explains that a devotee should take care of any person or being that has come under his/her shelter. They should make sure that they have food and clothing. Shatanand Muni

14 goes on to name some of those people that are considered as under your shelter. ‘Mother, father, Guru, wife, children, guest...’

[Shikshapatri Bhashya – Shlokh 67]

One shall always be compassionate towards the poor, those with physical defect, those women who are ill and the misfortunate.

[Shikshapatri Bhashya – Shlokh 84]

Lord Swaminarayan also teaches us the importance of the seva of animals. He commands householders to “keep cows and other cattle only if they can afford to look after them well by feeding them with fodder; water etc. properly; otherwise they shall not keep them.”

Shikshapatri Bhashya – Shlokh 142]

Seva of Satsang

Swaminarayan Bhagwan shows us how to do seva for satsang through the building of various temples. Nishkulanand Swami in Purshottam Prakash describes to us how Swaminarayan Bhagwan built mandirs so that the satsang could thrive and get bigger so that many souls could achieve salvation. It would make it easier for people to do darshan of bhagwan and also people would be able to worship Him with ease.

[Purshottam Prakash, Prakar 25]

Not only did He build temples but he also taught us that we should also look to develop and build more mandirs according to our capabilities. Lord Swaminarayan also tells us how to build mandirs and what type of facilities we should have in the mandir.

[Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 5 Adhyay 12]

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One may ask what the fruits of us doing the seva of building a mandir is. With this leela we can understand just how great a seva of building a mandir actually is.

When the temple of Gopinathji Maharaj in Ghadada was being built, Swaminarayan Bhagwan said that ‘whoever puts a stone towards the building of the mandir; I will come and collect them when they die.’ A person named Aliyas was sat in the sabha and he heard this statement from Maharaj. Therefore he went to the Ghela River and picked up a stone. He returned and said look Swaminarayan I am putting one stone in the foundation of the mandir. Swaminarayan bhagwan replied, ‘ok very good’. Then, when Aliyas was taking his last breaths Maharaj came to collect him personally.

[Aksharanand Swami ni Vaato, Varta 227]

One of the commandments of Swaminarayan Bhagwan for Acharyas is to “establish “PATHASHALAS” (Educational institution) and appoint Brahmin Scholars in them, to propagate Vedas and Shastras which are called here as Sat-Vidhaya. This is the act of greatest piety.”

[Shikshapatri Bhashya – Shlokh 132]

Swaminarayan Bhagwan also shows us that we should spread satsang so that many souls can recognise Lord Swaminarayan and attain his divine happiness. We can do this by doing external sabhas where knowledgeable saints and haribhaktos can teach the ways of our religion Nishkulanand Swami says that Swaminarayan Bhagwan asked the saints to spread satsang in many villages.

[Purshottam Prakash, Prakar 7-8]

Lord Swaminarayan tells us that householders should build temples and also tells us the reason for Him building temples for us.

16 He says “After all, a bhakta is required to pick flowers and tulsi for Bhagvan; he is required to bring various types of vegetables, and to grow gardens for Bhagvan; he must also build mandirs. Therefore, a person who sits idly, maintaining extreme tyag and compassion, is unable to offer bhakti to Bhagvan. When bhakti diminishes, the upasana of Bhagvan is also destroyed, and a lineage of blind followers results. That is why I have had mandirs built for the purpose of preserving Bhagvan’s upasana forever.”

[Vachanamrut, G.M.P. 27]

Important Note – Seva and ego

It is of great importance that we do not let the inner enemy of ego come in the way of our seva. No matter how big a position we may have in the mandir but when we do seva we should always do it as a servant of the Lord.

Lord Swaminarayan, even though He is almighty Supreme and the controller of all, He did seva of His parents, Seva of saints like Sevakram and as we see now He also did Seva of Saints in Loj after he completed his Vanvicharan. Lord Swaminarayan used to collect utensils, firewood, cow dung etc and used to cook the food Himself for all the saints in the ashram in Loj. He used to serve all the saints and if they were ill He would cook them food according to their wishes and used to prepare medicine for them as well.

[Satsangi Jivan, Prakran 1 Adhyay 52]

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17 Muktanand Swami also teaches us in his Kirtan that bhagwan does not like people with ego. Swami says that ego will destroy all our good deeds instantly. He says that if we get seva such as Ukha Khachar of cleaning dog droppings or cleaning the mandir we should believe that it is our great fortune that we have received this opportunity as these kinds of sevas are of the highest qualities in the eyes of Maharaj.

[Sambhar Beni Hari Rhijyani Ni Rhitadi – Muktanand Swami Kirtan]

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