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.

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

• सेव्

• षेव् (सेवने, भ्वादिगण, आत्मने)
• शेवृँ

all of which mean 'to serve'.

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).

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.

The root सेव् means

1. to serve, wait or attend upon, honour, worship, obey, etc.
2. to attach or devote oneself to, attend to, cultivate, practise, perform. For eg. Manusmrti. विद्वद्भिः सेवितः सद्भिर्नित्यमद्वेषरागिभिः । हृदयेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं निबोधत । । २.१ । ।
3. to resort to, betake oneself to, dwell in, frequent, inhabit - अर्थार्थी जीवलोकोऽयं श्मशानमपि सेवते। त्यक्त्वा जनयितारं स्वं निःस्वं यच्छति दूरतः॥१.९॥ Panchatantra 1.9
4. 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.