Service Above Self

Hinduism, what our Sanskrit (Samskrit) speaking ancestors knew as Sanatana Dharma (Sanatana – Eternal, Dharma – Natural Law) is a science; it is the science of Life. Our scriptures give us knowledge on astrology, medicine, mathematics, ethics, morals, duties, and much more. By describing the scene of numerous warriors lined up on their respective sides, and a figure by the name of “Arjuna,” kneeling down, listening to the noble “Krishna,” and calling it the “Bhagavad-Gita,” our Sanatana Dharma teaches us priceless lessons on how to lead life. It may not explain all the scientific benefits of Yoga, but it does draw our hunger for Suryanamaskars and Padahastasana by offering spiritual benefits. By selling us the idea of God, this Sanatana Dharma graces us with the path to a healthy mind, a healthy body, and a healthy society.

Sewa is another practice which our Sanatana Dharma has sold to us using God's name. The concept of Sewa, for which the English translation might be “Service above Self,” is highly regarded in our scriptures. We are taught that Nar Sewa, Narayana Sewa, Service to society is Service to God. There’s that word again, God. So, by using this word, what are those ancient seers who wrote our scriptures trying to pull on us this time? Where is Sewa going to get us in this physical world?

Well, I have an idea:
There once was a farmer, who during the winter, was walking around his farm, doing his routine work. He spotted a snake, lying frozen on the ground, suffering from the cold winter frost. The farmer took the snake inside his house, and laid it by the fire. Once the ice melted, the snake quickly bit the farmer, and injected its venom. The farmer cried, asking the snake why he bit him. The snake then replied that he was a snake; it was his instinct to bite. The farmer later died of the poisonous venom.

You see, the animal is only concerned with the well-being of his direct family and himself. Unlike us humans, he isn’t developed enough to consider the well-being of society as a whole. However, being the most evolved form of animal, it is natural that we find happiness in the happiness of others. It is natural that we love one another. Sewa is an expression of this affection towards each other.

Today, the world is connected by materialism, but essentially divided. The world is neither united nor equal, because the rich and the poor are opposites, living opposite lives, and rarely ever coming together. From the individual, to the nation, our material status determines how we live and grow amongst the rest of the world. Those of different statuses are looked upon differently, even though we don’t get to choose what family we’re born in. And, there is never a mutual affection because in the material world, profits must be made to prosper, and thus someone always takes less than they give. Since material wealth exhausts as you use it, we must work life-long to bring paycheck after paycheck of material wealth. We develop a material dependence, and we become self-absorbed. Our life is spent working for ourselves. Where then, do we find time to do sewa? Where then, do we find true happiness?

Sewa is, as our ancient seers saw it, a Dharmic standard, a natural law. Even in this current world united largely by material interests, we are humans, and our natural affection for one another is still there, underneath all the selfishness we have accumulated. By indulging in sewa, we rekindle these natural emotions, and begin to feel a true bliss. As we all know, this state of being is essential for peace and prosperity.