Greetings to Bhagavan.

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bakthi is eternal.

 

I had come across an article, which makes one to recollect the

preachings of Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba Varu, which I would like to

share with you all on this auspicious day of

 

Sri Sathyasai Vari Janmadianam.

 

True Seva or Service Is Universal Love

 

In the Mahabharata, during the battle of kurukshetra, Krishna served as

the driver of Arjuna’s chariot. When dusk halted the battle, He

led the horses to the river and applied healing balm to their wounds. He

mended the reins and the harness and rendered the chariot battle worthy

for another day. Sri Sathya Baba says that Krishna set an example by His

actions that seva to both man and animal is dear to God.

 

One cannot find anything greater than service in the world. Chanting the

name of God or other forms of worship will not help you, though they are

good deeds. It is only by selfless service you can get nearer to God.

 

Baba says the body is a karmashetra and is the result of previous

action. “ Get up, place the rosary in its bag and engage yourself

in relieving distress; that is the true spiritual path. Do not waste all

your years with stone images, pictures or idols. Learn to see in every

living person the embodiment of all energy, beauty, beneficence, namely

God. †Lend a helping hand. Attending to the distressed and needy

is the real japam and dhyanam which earns merit in divine court. Also,

service to God can be best done by service to man, for manava seva is

madhava seva.

 

Broadly, there are three types of seva- material, physical and mental or

spiritual. Material seva consists of donation of money, food and clothes

to the needy. Physical seva is offering your services for physical work,

for the benefit of the community.

 

Lastly mental or spiritual seva is sending good wishes and vibrations to

others and making sincere prayers for their welfare. This is an exalted

type of seva because it is done silently, without the

beneficiary’s knowledge. There is no scope for ego or show.

However it does not go unnoticed by the supreme, for the giver himself

becomes the receiver of abundant blessings. This is the basic law of the

universe; whatever you send out returns to you manifold.

 

Seva has two basic characteristics; compassion and willingness to

sacrifice. Baba says the first lesson in seva has to be learnt in the

family circle itself. One must engage in loving service to family

members and prepare for the wider service that awaits outside. Man is a

social animal who woes a debt to the society. All the drama of human

life is played out in and through society.

 

Baba says “ The spiritual journey lies through compassion,

sympathy, mutual help and service… it is the attitude that is

essential. Even the tiniest work is a flower placed at the feet of God.

†Promoting the welfare of others in any capacity, however small,

qualifies as seva. Seva can as well be done quietly and without much

physical activity.

 

For seva to qualify as spiritual sadhana it should spring out of love.

The motive has to be pure. Do not serve for the sake of reward,

attracting attention, earning gratitude or from a sense of pride of your

own superiority in skill, wealth, status or authority. Serve because you

are urged by love. When you succeed, ascribe the success to the grace of

God.

 

Seva done in a reluctant or disinterested way is in vain. Seva should

give satisfaction to the doer and relief to the recipient. True seva

will generate a feeling of joy and deep satisfaction.

 

Praying the Supreme of Supremes to bless for a long, healthy and

prosperous life to our Supreme “ SAI â€,

 

With love and regards,

 

 

 

Sastry.