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सेवा
sevā
Selfless service. Considered a path to liberation in itself (seva-yoga). Includes guru-seva, deva-seva, mata-pita-seva, atithi-seva, deena-seva.
सेवा; निःस्वार्थ कार्य।
Hindu thought is built from a vocabulary of carefully-distinguished terms. Words like seva are not loose translations — each has a precise scriptural genealogy, a specific role in ritual or philosophy, and often a counterpart that completes its meaning. Many of the major Hindu darśanas (Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Vedānta, Mīmāṃsā, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika) refined their vocabulary over centuries; the same Sanskrit term can carry different shades in different schools.
Seva sits within a cluster of related concepts — daana, karma-yoga. Reading these together gives you the actual texture of the idea, rather than treating it as an isolated definition. Each Sanskrit term in this glossary is cross-linked to the others it presupposes.
Where useful we cite the primary scriptural source — the Upaniṣad, sūtra, or smṛti passage where the term is given its classical sense — alongside trusted modern dictionaries (Monier-Williams, V.S. Apte, Sanskrit Heritage). For practical questions about usage in pūjā or daily life, ask a paṇḍita in your tradition.
Gift-giving; charity. Considered a primary act of dharma. Specific danas for specific purposes — anna-dana (food), vidya-dana (knowledge), abhaya-dana (protection), gow-dana (cow), bhumi-dana (land).
The yoga of action — performing one's duty without attachment to results (nishkama karma). Krishna's central teaching to Arjuna in the Gita.
Non-violence in thought, word, and deed; the first and foremost yama. Foundational to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Donation of food. Considered the highest dana ('annadanam param danam'). Free meals (prasadam, langar) at temples are institutional annadana — Tirupati, Iskcon, BAPS, Sikh gurudwaras.
Guest; literally 'one without a fixed time of arrival.' 'Atithi devo bhava' — the guest is to be treated as God. Atithi-yajna is one of the five mahayajnas.
Continence; conduct leading to Brahman. Both a yama (sexual restraint) and the first ashrama (student stage of life).
Gift-giving; charity. Considered a primary act of dharma. Specific danas for specific purposes — anna-dana (food), vidya-dana (knowledge), abhaya-dana (protection), gow-dana (cow), bhumi-dana (land).
Wise conduct, polity, ethics. Genres: Niti-shastra (treatises like Chanakya Niti, Vidura Niti, Bhartrihari's Niti Shataka).
Truthfulness; the second yama. Speaking what is, balanced with ahimsa (truth that injures should be tempered by silence).
Awaiting paṇḍita verification before final publication. If you spot an inaccuracy in the Sanskrit, IAST, or interpretation, please write to us.