ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ (har kee sevaa)
Meaning: Service to the Divine.
Quote:
ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਤੁਮ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਦੂਜੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ਜੀ॥
har kee tum sevaa karahu doojee sevaa karahu na koi jee.
Serve only the Divine; do not serve any other.
– Guru Amar Das Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 490
Message: These words focus on the primary teaching of the Guru Granth Sahib – serve (worship) only the One Almighty and no other deity or person. Serving the One, we are able to resolve our affairs and obtain the fruits of our hearts desires. Let the One be your love. Let your way of life be a portrayal of this love for the One and for mankind of which He is a part. Let your words spread His wisdom and sing only His praises. Let your actions put the words into practice and speak louder than your words. When your mind is saturated in this manner, you naturally walk on the path of service to the One Almighty. You will not wander or waste your precious life in vain.
ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੇ ਮਨਹੁ ਚਿੰਦਿਆ ਫਲੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਦੂਜੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਾਇ ਜੀ॥
Serving the Lord, the fruit of one’s heart’s desire is obtained; serving another, the life is wasted.
– Guru Amar Das Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 490
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Etymology: From Sanskrit sevaa (attendance on, homage) → Pali → Prakrit sevaa (service) → Hindi sew (obeisance) → Gujarati sev (attendance on).
