Punjabi · Culture & Society
ਸੇਵਾ
seva
Selfless service
Intermediatenoun
Definition
Voluntary service for others — washing dishes in langar, sweeping the gurdwara.
Example
ਉਹ ਹਰ ਐਤਵਾਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ।
They do seva every Sunday.
Etymology
'Seva' comes from the Sanskrit word 'सेवा', meaning service or selfless act. It has been adopted into Punjabi with connotations related to community and altruism.
How & Where It’s Used
'Seva' is used in both spoken and written contexts, particularly in religious and community service discussions among Punjabi speakers.
Literary Heritage
The concept of 'seva' is central to Sikh philosophy and is frequently mentioned in religious scriptures and community narratives.