Vijay Vohra
Charitable service is a component of major religions. Even people who have no religious affiliation often feel the urge to serve others. It is our duty to repay our debt to society and to improve the situation of others. If we will not serve God in the form of our unfortunate brothers and sisters, how can we seek to realize God? Through service we will be able to fulfill the purpose of our life. In this sacred country of ours, the idea of service has been handed over to us by the rishis and gurus.
Even the Lord Krishna served Arjuna as charioteer. Not only this, HE used to take the tired horses to the river and wash them. Selfless service is the fragrant flower of true love. It is not to be performed for the satisfaction of the person rendering service. One should regard service as the purpose for which he is given life whatever social work we do, we should do it as an offering to God and for His pleasure.
Service brings human beings closer to each other and promotes affection and friendship. Without feeling of love for one’s fellowmen; one cannot attain intimacy with the Lord. The benefit of service is that it directs us away from too much self concern. It is one of the few practices which allow us to escape from concentrating on only our own needs. When we work for the benefit of others, the Lord looks after our needs. Service is also excellent arena for the elimination of ego. While performing service to others we learn to accept criticism and face obstacles willingly.
If we serve thinking that our action is primarily for the benefit of others, we are incorrect. Actually service holds the greatest benefit for the one who serves. Others are assisted, but we derive the joy and spiritual lesson from the act. When service is performed from compassion without desire for reward or recognition, it can be a source of unlimited joy. That joy is found in the happiness of another, in the recognition that we are all manifestation of God. Selfless service is a path to God realization.
Bhagwan Satya Sai Baba says, “Do not believe that you can by means of service reform or reshape the world. You may or you may not. That does not matter. The real value of seva, its most visible result is that it reforms you, it reshapes you. Do service as a sadhana, then you will be humble and happy”.
You can do service through your words as well. With good words you can soothe others hearts and by doing good deeds you can soothe their minds. Never should one go into any kind of publicity. If you call a photographer and obtain a photograph while doing some kind of social service (to be published in some newspaper), that is not at all true service. Any sort of service should come from your heart. eg. A hungry person who knocks at your door and asks for food, it is your duty to offer him whatever you can offer and relieve his/her hunger.
When we start, it is difficult for us to know how to serve. We must carefully appraise our abilities and choose an appropriate field of service. It is necessary to do service only within your capacity and strength. You can sponsor education of a poor child or teach poor children free of cost. One can provide medicines to poor patients. Cooked food or, clothes, toiletries can be distributed among needy persons. You can give raw food packets containing rice, dal, Atta ,Sugar etc to a few needy families on monthly basis. But throwing money in beggar’s hands is not a good practice. Rather it is harmful for the society. We may encourage some healthy persons to sit with begging bowls while pretending some ailments.
The quantity of work done is not important what is important is that service is motivated by pure ideals. Love is the best motivation for service. Love for others and love for God inspire us to render true service. There is no other way to serve God except to serve His creation.
We endlessly pray to the Lord for His grace. But how can we expect to receive grace, if we will not lift our hands to help needy persons. We earn God’s grace through selfless service. Bhagwan Baba attached immense value to willing and selfless service. In fact He declared that service is the most supreme of all spiritual efforts like jap, tapas, yajna and yoga. Beloved Swami says, “Service to man is service to God, Manav Seva is Madhav Seva”. Service is sacred duty to society. Service is an integral aspect of spiritual life. Performing service purifies our hearts, and mind, making us fit to realize our inner divinity. The inner satisfaction of service gives us joy and will to do more.
Vivekananda said, “Sympathy, service and putting yourself in the place of the sufferer and trying to assuage pain and sorrow- that is what wins Grace of God.
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