Seva (सेवा)

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The term 'Seva' is primarily used in the sense of

1. Service, servitude, dependence
2. Attending to as in Hitopadesha - हीनसेवा न कर्तव्या...॥११॥ Meaning, A mean person should not be served.
3. Worship, homage, honouring.
4. Devotion to, fondness for.
5. Frequenting, resorting to.
6. Flattery, coaxing or flattering words.

The root of the word 'Seva' is generally traced back to the dhatu सेव् which could mean

1. to serve, wait or attend upon, honour, worship, obey, etc.
2. to attach or devote oneself to, attend to, cultivate, practise, perform as in Manusmrti - विद्वद्भिः सेवितः सद्भिर्नित्यमद्वेषरागिभिः । हृदयेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं निबोधत । । २.१ । । Meaning, Learn that Dharma which has been ever followed by and sanctioned by the heart of the learned and the good who are free from love and hate.
3. to resort to, betake oneself to, dwell in, frequent, inhabit as in Panchatantra - अर्थार्थी जीवलोकोऽयं श्मशानमपि सेवते। त्यक्त्वा जनयितारं स्वं निःस्वं यच्छति दूरतः॥१.९॥ Meaning, This mortal world, desirous of riches, recourses even to a cremation ground and relinquishing one's indigent progenitor-father even, goes far.
4. to watch over, guard, protect

The Indian Epigraphical Glossary notes the presence of the term 'seva' in tamizh epigraphs as 'sevai' that denotes the sense of 'service'. These epigraphs also talk about an 'inām' for services and tax-free land given to servants for enjoyment in lieu of salary.

In Sanskrit, the 'sevaka' refers to

1. a servant, dependant as in Hitopadesha सेवया धनम् इच्छद्भिः सेवकैः पश्य यत् कृतम् । स्वातन्त्र्यं यच्छरीरस्य मूढैस्तद् अपि हारितम् ॥२०॥ Meaning, See what servants who wish to acquire wealth by means of service have done - those fools have allowed even the independence of their body to be lost !
2. a votary, worshipper

However, in the Indian epigraphical glossary, the term sevaka is also used to reffer to a soldier.

The concept of Seva is also closely associated with

• dharma as in सेवाधर्मः or the duty of service as seen in the Panchatantra viz. सेवाधर्मः परमगहनो योगिनाम् अप्यगम्यः ॥पञ्च_१.३०८॥ Meaning, the duty of service is highly mysterious, even yogis are not able to measure its depth.
• Vyavahara as in सेवाव्यवहारः or the practice or law of service.

And 'sevana' is

1. the act of serving, service, attendence upon, worship.
2. following, practising, employing as in Manusmrti - इन्द्रियाणां प्रसङ्गेन धर्मस्यासेवनेन च । पापान्संयान्ति संसारानविद्वांसो नराधमाः । । १२.५२ । । Meaning, Foolish men of the lowest class go through the vilest migratory states, in consequence of being addicted to the senses and by not attending to duties.
3. Using, enjoying
4. devotion to, fondness for
5. frequenting, dweling in