Prerequisite for Performing Sevaa

As indicated in the Gurbani, there is the prerequisite to performing Sevaa (ਸੇਵਾ, selfless service …).

That is, one must be fully contented within (ਸੰਤੋਖੀ). In other words, only those who are perfectly contented (ਸੰਤੋਖੀ) within, can truly meditate on the Truth (ਸਚ), and thus selflessly serve.

The implication is that, without contentment, there can be no selflessness (ਨਿਸਕਾਮਤਾ). In the absence of selflessness, one’s Sevaa will be motivated by Bikaars such as desires, greed, and so on. The contentment (ਸੰਤੋਖ) indicates absence of self-hood, selfishness, Bikaars, Mayaic hunger (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀ ਭੁੱਖ), ਆਪਾ ਭਾਵ …

Baabaa Nanak elaborates the state of the mind of those who perform true Sevaa. We daily hear this:

• ਸੇਵ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੰਤੋਖੀਈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਸਚੋ ਸਚੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥ ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਮੰਦੈ ਪੈਰੁ ਨ ਰਖਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਤੋੜੇ ਬੰਧਨਾ ਅੰਨੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਥੋੜਾ ਖਾਇਆ ॥: Only those do the real Sevaa who are contented. They contemplate the Truth. They do not walk on the path of
  corruption (wickedness, ill-doings…), but do good deeds and live by Dharma. They burn away the bonds of the world (Maya’s fetters…), and live on a little water and
  food (i.e., they do not eat for the sake of sense-gratification).
• ਬਿਨਾ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਜੈ ॥: Without contentment (inner contentment, True Contentment, ਜੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੈ…), no one is satiated (ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤ, ਰੱਜ). (sggs 279).
• ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ॥ ਤਾ ਸੁਣਿ ਸਦਿ ਬਹਾਲੇ ਪਾਸਿ ॥੧॥: When a person acquires Godly (Virtue of) Contentment, and offers his prayer (Ardaas) to God; then God listens to his prayer (Ardaas), and the person feels His Presence Within. ॥1॥ (sggs 878).

Why are such contented beings selfless or free of Bikaars? Because, as the Gurbani indicates above, they abide in true Dharma. In this way, they never act wickedly. (ਸੇਵਾ ਸਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਾਵਸੀ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਏ ਥਾਇ ॥: Sevaa saa prabh bhaavasee jo prabhu paae thaai, sggs 757).

In other words, Sevaa can only be performed by eradicating the self-hood (ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੇ ਤਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਏ ਮਾਨੁ ॥: Aapu gavaai sevaa kare taa kichhu paae maanu, sggs 474).

Such Sevaa is successful.

• ਸਾ ਸੇਵਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਸਫਲ ਹੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਮਨੁ ਮੰਨੇ ॥: Saa sevaa keetee safal hai jitu satigur kaa manu manne (sggs 314).

In nutshell, the way to perform Sevaa is to abide in the Gurmat (Divine Teaching of the Gurbani, Divine Knowledge, Shabad-Giaan, Aatam Giaan, Naam, Hukam …) – the Gurmukh Lifestyle. Again, as indicated by the Gurbani, Consciousness of such service (Sevaa Surati – “ਸੇਵਾ ਸੁਰਤਿ”) comes by Reflecting (Vichaar) upon the Shabad. (ਸੇਵਾ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥: Sevaa surati sabadi veechaar, sggs 1343).

This Sevaa can be done within by collecting the fragmented mind and becoming One (“Ik Mani Ik Chiti” Ho Ke), not externally to show off. (ਹਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਇਕ ਮਨਿ ਇਕ ਚਿਤਿ ਭਾਇ ॥: Haou satiguru sevee aapanaa ik mani ik chiti bhaai, sggs 26).

Jhooth (falsehood, ਝੂਠ) is shallow. Therefore any Sevaa performed in selfishness and with the scattered or divided mind would be false (ਝੂਠ-Jhooth), superficial, show off, etc.

The Gurbani’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ) is that ONLY Internalization of the Message of the Shabad (GURMUKH-Hood State of Mind) can discern (recognize, determine, distinguish etc.) fake from true or real from the unreal etc.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਖੋਟੇ ਖਰੇ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥: The spirituality of the Shabad (i.e. Internalization of the Message of the Shabad) distinguishes between fake true (in conscience within. (sggs 942).

Since the way of the Gurmukh is arduous (like walking on a razor’s edge …), the Gurmukhs are very “rare”. Nonetheless, the Gurbani time and again urges us to become the Gurmukh – Sach Santokhee, follower of the Truth, his mind is linked to Antar-Aatmaa, his Akal (ਅਕਲ, wisdom, intellect, reason, etc.) follows the Gurbani, he restrains his mind instead of following his mind, his state is that of Ik Mann Ik Chit, ਮਾਇਆ ਵਿਚ ਉਦਾਸੀ, he is established in Viveka-budhi, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰਮਤ ਦੀ ਪੂਰੀ ਸੋਝੀ ਹੈ …

Essentially, in the Sevaa as indicated by the Gurbani, the self serves the Self!! (ਤੇਰੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੁਝ ਤੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਉਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ॥: Teree sevaa tujh te hovai aouru n doojaa karataa, sggs 1185).