Guru Sahib is completely free from all bondage and has no need of our Seva. Any Seva we perform is not for the sake of Guru Sahib, but rather for our own cleansing and spiritual growth. Out of His infinite compassion, Satguru Ji allows us to engage in Seva so that we may become pure. He is the very embodiment of Parupkaar (selfless benevolence).

The highest form of Seva is to live in harmony with Guru Sahib’s Hukam. The foremost Hukam is Naam Abhyaas:

ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਗੁਰ ਭਗਤਿ ਹੈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਪਾਏ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥
(Doing Gur Bhagti is Guru’s Seva, and only a rare one attains it).

From this Pankiti, it becomes clear that Guru’s Seva is Guru’s Bhagti. Guru’s Bhagti primarily involves Naam Abhyaas and Kirtan, along with living in obedience to all Hukams of Guru Sahib. Gurbani further clarifies this truth:

ਧੰਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਫਲ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੨॥
(Satguru’s Seva is truly blessed, for through it one chants Naam and attains peace).

ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਿ ਪਿਰਾ ਜੀਉ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਏ ॥
(Serve the Guru by meditating on Naam).

ਖਿਨੁ ਪਲੁ ਰਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਉ ਬਿਨੁ ਸੇਵਾ ਮੈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਮੑਾਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
(I cannot live even for a moment without Guru’s Seva – I remember the Gurmat Naam).

From these Pankitis, it is evident that the essence of Guru Sahib’s Seva is to Japp Naam.

In worldly life, “service” means employment: obeying and carrying out the instructions of an employer. In the same way, Guru’s Seva means to obey Guru Sahib. Since Guru Sahib’s Hukams are revealed through Gurbani, to follow Gurbani is to serve Guru Sahib.