Guru Seva is service to the Guru. When a disciple loves his Guru he does service or seva to the Guru. The Guru Seva which is common to all disciples is following the teachings of the Guru and practising the spiritual techniques regularly and in a disciplined manner. All disciples do not have physical or geographical proximity to the Guru. Hence they cannot perform personal seva to the Guru. So wherever the disciple may live, in whichever station of life he maybe, whatever be his job or livelihood, a disciple can serve his Guru by following the instructions and teachings of the Guru.
True Guru Bhakti or love for Guru is implicitly following the teachings of the Guru. A disciple who practises the teachings of the Guru will rise above the inner shortcomings of lust, anger, pride, attachment and vengefulness. He is an example to others about the blessings which flow from the Guru. He blossoms spiritually and his fragrance of love and service identifies and glorifies His Guru.
There are some disciples who have proximity or contact with Guru. The Guru may ask them to do some work for him. This is also Guru Seva. It can be any work. It could be sweeping the Ashram, washing clothes, watering the plants, buying groceries, cooking food, massaging the Guru’s feet or receiving the visitors. The disciple should do the task he is asked to with sincerity and dedication. He should not look at the task given to another and seek to do it. There should be no feelings of inferiority of self or favoritism on part of Guru or any other negative feelings in the mind of the disciple. Any task given by the Guru is sacred and must be performed to the best of one’s ability. Every disciple is given a task or seva which is decided by the Guru as per the karmic needs and also personal abilities of the disciple. No disciple should feel jealous or want to do the work given to another. Doing what work is allotted by the Guru to us with love and loyalty are the best seva we can do.
The blessings from Guru Seva complete and fill up the areas which are lacking in the life of the disciple. Guru Seva brings upon the disciples blessings in form of health, good life partner, progeny, work, wealth, knowledge, intelligence, superhuman abilities, blessings of Gods and merger with Absolute.
Rama did Guru Seva to Vasistha Rishi and pleased him. His Guru taught him about mantras to be used for specific purposes in battles. He also rewarded Rama with knowledge of chakras, nadis and Kundalini Shakti. He gave Shaktipata to Rama and later on Rama passed on this knowledge of Shaktipata to Laxman and Hanuman. Hanuman is Chiranjeevi. It means he has eternal life. Hanuman waits even now to give this knowledge to the worthy for the benefit of mankind. It is believed that Dhyanyogi Parmeshwardasji who is Guru of my Guru is the form of Hanuman who has passed on the knowledge of Kundalini Maha Yoga for the evolution of mankind.
Krishna also performed Guru Seva at the Ashram of his Guru Sandipani. He cleaned and swept the floors, gathered water and firewood and articles for pooja. Though he was an Avatar of Lord Vishnu , he was meek, humble and obedient. He performed all the work given by His Guru like any other ordinary student. As a result he was able to master sixty four arts in sixty four days. This is blessings for the Guru Seva performed with the right attitude.
Those who do Guru Seva must do the service with the right spirit, willingness and obedience and without feelings of jealousy towards others who are in constant contact with Guru. Those who are far away and do not have direct contact with the Guru must do their mantra japa and dhyana regularly and follow other rules of spiritual practices taught to them. Guru Seva bestows the highest possible rewards.
Guru Seva is a reward in itself. Always do seva to the Guru with body, mind and soul.
