Difference between revisions of "Seva (सेवा)"
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The Indian Epigraphical Glossary notes the presence of the term 'seva' in tamizh epigraphs as 'sevai' and 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.<ref>Indian Epigraphical Glossary</ref> | The Indian Epigraphical Glossary notes the presence of the term 'seva' in tamizh epigraphs as 'sevai' and 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.<ref>Indian Epigraphical Glossary</ref> | ||
| − | The root सेव् means<ref name=":1">Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), [https://ia600505.us.archive.org/19/items/ldpd_7285627_000/ldpd_7285627_000.pdf The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: | + | The root सेव् means<ref name=":1">Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), [https://ia600505.us.archive.org/19/items/ldpd_7285627_000/ldpd_7285627_000.pdf The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेव् (p.1137)</ref> |
# to serve, wait or attend upon, honour, worship, obey, etc. | # to serve, wait or attend upon, honour, worship, obey, etc. | ||
# to attach or devote oneself to, attend to, cultivate, practise, perform. For eg. Manusmrti. विद्वद्भिः सेवितः सद्भिर्नित्यमद्वेषरागिभिः । हृदयेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं निबोधत । । २.१ । ।<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2]</ref> 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.<ref>Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti with the Manubhashya of Medhatithi ([https://ia601503.us.archive.org/5/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.46009/2015.46009.Manusmrti--Vol-3_text.pdf Vol.3]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref> | # to attach or devote oneself to, attend to, cultivate, practise, perform. For eg. Manusmrti. विद्वद्भिः सेवितः सद्भिर्नित्यमद्वेषरागिभिः । हृदयेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं निबोधत । । २.१ । ।<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2]</ref> 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.<ref>Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti with the Manubhashya of Medhatithi ([https://ia601503.us.archive.org/5/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.46009/2015.46009.Manusmrti--Vol-3_text.pdf Vol.3]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref> | ||
| − | # to resort to, betake oneself to, dwell in, frequent, inhabit - Panchatantra अर्थार्थी जीवलोकोऽयं श्मशानमपि सेवते। त्यक्त्वा जनयितारं स्वं निःस्वं यच्छति दूरतः॥१.९॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 | + | # to resort to, betake oneself to, dwell in, frequent, inhabit - Panchatantra अर्थार्थी जीवलोकोऽयं श्मशानमपि सेवते। त्यक्त्वा जनयितारं स्वं निःस्वं यच्छति दूरतः॥१.९॥<ref>Panchatantra, Tantra 1: Mitrabheda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 1-20]) </ref> Meaning: This mortal world, desirous of riches, recourses even to a cremation ground and relinquishing one's indigent progenitor-father even, goes far.<ref>Dr. Naveen Kumr Jha & Dr Anjana (2016), Pancatantram, Delhi: J.P.Publishing House, p.10. </ref> |
# to watch over, guard, protect | # to watch over, guard, protect | ||
| − | Consequently, a 'sevaka' is described as | + | Consequently, a 'sevaka'<ref>Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), [https://ia600505.us.archive.org/19/items/ldpd_7285627_000/ldpd_7285627_000.pdf The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवक (p.1138)</ref> is described as |
# a servant, dependant. For eg. Hitopadesh 2.20 (Nirnaya Sagara Edition) सेवया धनम् इच्छद्भिः सेवकैः पश्य यत् कृतम् । स्वातन्त्र्यं यच्छरीरस्य मूढैस्तद् अपि हारितम् ॥२०॥<ref>Hitopadesha, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AD Suhrdbheda]</ref> Meaning: See what servants who wish to acquire wealth by means of service have done - those folls have allowed even the independence of their body to be lost !<ref name=":2">M.R.Kale (1967), [https://ia601506.us.archive.org/34/items/gQXu_hitopadesa-of-narayana-edited-with-a-sanskrit-commentary-maram-prakasika-and-not/Hitopadesa%20Of%20Narayana%20Edited%20With%20A%20Sanskrit%20Commentary%20Maram%20Prakasika%20And%20Notes%20In%20English%20By%20M%20R%20Kale%2C%201967%20-%20Motilal%20Banarsidas.pdf Hitopadesa of Narayana], Motilal Banarsidass, p.42</ref> | # a servant, dependant. For eg. Hitopadesh 2.20 (Nirnaya Sagara Edition) सेवया धनम् इच्छद्भिः सेवकैः पश्य यत् कृतम् । स्वातन्त्र्यं यच्छरीरस्य मूढैस्तद् अपि हारितम् ॥२०॥<ref>Hitopadesha, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AD Suhrdbheda]</ref> Meaning: See what servants who wish to acquire wealth by means of service have done - those folls have allowed even the independence of their body to be lost !<ref name=":2">M.R.Kale (1967), [https://ia601506.us.archive.org/34/items/gQXu_hitopadesa-of-narayana-edited-with-a-sanskrit-commentary-maram-prakasika-and-not/Hitopadesa%20Of%20Narayana%20Edited%20With%20A%20Sanskrit%20Commentary%20Maram%20Prakasika%20And%20Notes%20In%20English%20By%20M%20R%20Kale%2C%201967%20-%20Motilal%20Banarsidas.pdf Hitopadesa of Narayana], Motilal Banarsidass, p.42</ref> | ||
# a votary, worshipper | # a votary, worshipper | ||
| − | And 'sevana' is | + | And 'sevana'<ref>Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), [https://ia600505.us.archive.org/19/items/ldpd_7285627_000/ldpd_7285627_000.pdf The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवन (p.1138)</ref> is |
# the act of serving, service, attendence upon, worship (Gurusevana Raghuvamsha 18.30) | # the act of serving, service, attendence upon, worship (Gurusevana Raghuvamsha 18.30) | ||
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# Using, enjoying | # Using, enjoying | ||
# devotion to, fondness for | # devotion to, fondness for | ||
| − | # frequenting, dweling in | + | # frequenting, dweling in |
| − | Seva<ref | + | Seva<ref>Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), [https://ia600505.us.archive.org/19/items/ldpd_7285627_000/ldpd_7285627_000.pdf The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवा (p.1138)</ref> is explained as |
# Service, servitude, dependence | # Service, servitude, dependence | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
# Frequenting, resorting to. | # Frequenting, resorting to. | ||
# Flattery, coaxing or flattering words. | # Flattery, coaxing or flattering words. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Seva dharma<ref>Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), [https://ia600505.us.archive.org/19/items/ldpd_7285627_000/ldpd_7285627_000.pdf The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवाधर्मः (p.1138)</ref> is the duty of service For eg. Panchatantra (1.308) सेवाधर्मः परमगहनो योगिनाम् अप्यगम्यः ॥पञ्च_१.३०८॥<ref>Panchatantra, Tantra 1: Mitrabheda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8%E0%A4%9B 301-350])</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Seva Vyavahara<ref>Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), [https://ia600505.us.archive.org/19/items/ldpd_7285627_000/ldpd_7285627_000.pdf The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवाव्यवहारः (p.1138)</ref> refers to the practice or law of service. | ||
Indian Epigraphical Glossary | Indian Epigraphical Glossary | ||
sevā, cf. Tamil sevai, śervai (SITI); | sevā, cf. Tamil sevai, śervai (SITI); | ||
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Apte | Apte | ||
| − | + | -वृत्तिः a livelihood gained by service. | |
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| − | |||
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== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 15:20, 10 June 2025
The term 'Seva' is primarily used in the sense of
- Service, servitude, attendance
- Worship, homage, honouring
- Devotion to, fondness for
- Practice, employment, exercise
- Resorting to, frequenting
- Flattery, coaxing, etc.[1]
The root of the word 'Seva' can be traced to the Dhatus,
- सेव्[2]
all of which mean 'to serve'.[2]
The concept of Seva is also closely associated with dharma (सेवाधर्मः or the duty of service), livelihood (सेवावृत्तिः or a livelihood gained by service) and practice (सेवाव्यवहारः or the practice or law of service).[4]
The Indian Epigraphical Glossary notes the presence of the term 'seva' in tamizh epigraphs as 'sevai' and 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.[5]
The root सेव् means[6]
- to serve, wait or attend upon, honour, worship, obey, etc.
- to attach or devote oneself to, attend to, cultivate, practise, perform. For eg. Manusmrti. विद्वद्भिः सेवितः सद्भिर्नित्यमद्वेषरागिभिः । हृदयेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं निबोधत । । २.१ । ।[7] 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.[8]
- to resort to, betake oneself to, dwell in, frequent, inhabit - Panchatantra अर्थार्थी जीवलोकोऽयं श्मशानमपि सेवते। त्यक्त्वा जनयितारं स्वं निःस्वं यच्छति दूरतः॥१.९॥[9] Meaning: This mortal world, desirous of riches, recourses even to a cremation ground and relinquishing one's indigent progenitor-father even, goes far.[10]
- to watch over, guard, protect
Consequently, a 'sevaka'[11] is described as
- a servant, dependant. For eg. Hitopadesh 2.20 (Nirnaya Sagara Edition) सेवया धनम् इच्छद्भिः सेवकैः पश्य यत् कृतम् । स्वातन्त्र्यं यच्छरीरस्य मूढैस्तद् अपि हारितम् ॥२०॥[12] Meaning: See what servants who wish to acquire wealth by means of service have done - those folls have allowed even the independence of their body to be lost ![13]
- a votary, worshipper
And 'sevana'[14] is
- the act of serving, service, attendence upon, worship (Gurusevana Raghuvamsha 18.30)
- following, practising, employing Manusmrti 12.52 - इन्द्रियाणां प्रसङ्गेन धर्मस्यासेवनेन च । पापान्संयान्ति संसारानविद्वांसो नराधमाः । । १२.५२ । ।[15] 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.[16]
- Using, enjoying
- devotion to, fondness for
- frequenting, dweling in
Seva[17] is explained as
- Service, servitude, dependence
- Attendence For eg. Hitopadesh 3.11 (Nirnaya Sagara Edition) हीनसेवा न कर्तव्या[18] Meaning: A mean person should not be served.[13]
- Worship, homage, honouring.
- Devotion to, fondness for.
- Frequenting, resorting to.
- Flattery, coaxing or flattering words.
Seva dharma[19] is the duty of service For eg. Panchatantra (1.308) सेवाधर्मः परमगहनो योगिनाम् अप्यगम्यः ॥पञ्च_१.३०८॥[20]
Seva Vyavahara[21] refers to the practice or law of service.
Indian Epigraphical Glossary
sevā, cf. Tamil sevai, śervai (SITI);
Apte
-वृत्तिः a livelihood gained by service.
References
- ↑ Apte & Shabda Sagara
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Shabda Sagara
- ↑ Dhatu Pradipa
- ↑ Apte
- ↑ Indian Epigraphical Glossary
- ↑ Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेव् (p.1137)
- ↑ Manusmrti, Adhyaya 2
- ↑ Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti with the Manubhashya of Medhatithi (Vol.3), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
- ↑ Panchatantra, Tantra 1: Mitrabheda (1-20)
- ↑ Dr. Naveen Kumr Jha & Dr Anjana (2016), Pancatantram, Delhi: J.P.Publishing House, p.10.
- ↑ Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवक (p.1138)
- ↑ Hitopadesha, Suhrdbheda
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 M.R.Kale (1967), Hitopadesa of Narayana, Motilal Banarsidass, p.42
- ↑ Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवन (p.1138)
- ↑ Manusmrti, Adhyaya 12
- ↑ Ganganath Jha (1926), Manusmrti with the Manubhashya of Medhatithi (Vol.5), University of Calcutta, p.606
- ↑ Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवा (p.1138)
- ↑ Hitopadesha, Vigraha, Katha 2
- ↑ Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवाधर्मः (p.1138)
- ↑ Panchatantra, Tantra 1: Mitrabheda (301-350)
- ↑ Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेवाव्यवहारः (p.1138)