View source for Seva (सेवा)

The term 'Seva' is primarily used in the sense of 

* Service, servitude, attendance
* Worship, homage, honouring
* Devotion to, fondness for
* Practice, employment, exercise
* Resorting to, frequenting
* Flattery, coaxing, etc.<ref>Apte & Shabda Sagara</ref> 

The root of the word 'Seva' can be traced to the Dhatus,

* सेव्<ref name=":0">Shabda Sagara</ref>

* षेव् (सेवने, भ्वादिगण, आत्मने)<ref name=":0" />
* शेवृँ<ref>Dhatu Pradipa</ref>

all of which mean 'to serve'.<ref name=":0" />

The concept of Seva is also closely associated with dharma (सेवाधर्मः or the duty of service), livelihood (सेवावृत्तिः or a livelihood gained by service) and practice (सेवाव्यवहारः or the practice or law of service).<ref>Apte</ref>

The Indian Epigraphical Glossary notes the presence of the term 'seva' in tamizh epigraphs as 'sevai' and denotes the sense of 'service'. These epigraphs also talk about an 'inām' for services and tax-free land given to servants for enjoyment in lieu of salary.<ref>Indian Epigraphical Glossary</ref>

The root सेव् means<ref>Vaman Shivram Apte (1890), [https://ia600505.us.archive.org/19/items/ldpd_7285627_000/ldpd_7285627_000.pdf The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Poona: Shiralkar & Co.; Book-Sellers & c. &c. See: सेव् (p.1137)</ref> 

# to serve, wait or attend upon, honour, worship, obey, etc.
# to attach or devote oneself to, attend to, cultivate, practise, perform. For eg. Manusmrti. विद्वद्भिः सेवितः सद्भिर्नित्यमद्वेषरागिभिः । हृदयेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं निबोधत । । २.१ । ।<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2]</ref> Meaning: Learn that Dharma which has been ever followed by and sanctioned by the heart of the learned and the good who are free from love and hate.<ref>Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti with the Manubhashya of Medhatithi ([https://ia601503.us.archive.org/5/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.46009/2015.46009.Manusmrti--Vol-3_text.pdf Vol.3]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>
# to resort to, betake oneself to, dwell in, frequent, inhabit - अर्थार्थी जीवलोकोऽयं श्मशानमपि सेवते। त्यक्त्वा जनयितारं स्वं निःस्वं यच्छति दूरतः॥१.९॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 Panchatantra] </ref> Panchatantra
# to watch over, guard, protect



Indian Epigraphical Glossary

sevā, cf. Tamil sevai, śervai (SITI);



Apte

the obligations of service.

सेवा. Service, servitude, dependence; attendance; सेवां लाघवकारिणीं कृतधियः स्थाने श्ववृत्तिं विदुः Mu. 3.14; हीनसेवा न कर्तव्या H.3.11.

सेवा. Worship, homage, honouring.

सेवा. Addiction or devotion to, fondness for.

सेवा. Use, practice, employment, exercise.

सेवा. Frequenting, resorting to.

सेवा. Flattery, coaxing or flattering words; अलं सेवया मध्यस्थतां गृहीत्वा भण M.3. -Comp. -आकार a. in the form of servitude; सेवाकारा परिणतिरहो स्त्रीषु कष्टो$धिकारः V.3.1. -काकुः change of voice in service; (this is a variant in V.3.1 for सेवाकारा).

सेवा. धर्मः the duty of service; सेवाधर्मः परमगहनो योगिनामप्यगम्यः Pt.1.285.

सेवा. the obligations of service. -विलासिनी a female servant. -वृत्तिः a livelihood gained by service.-व्यवहारः the practice or law of service.

== References ==