The Essence of Seva: Embracing Selfless Service as a Leader

Murlidhar was living the kind of life most people only dream of—a life of comfort, leisure, and privilege. Horse riding, hunting, bridge, tennis, and social evenings at the club filled his days. The fur of a leopard he had once hunted adorned his car, symbolizing the luxuries he took for granted.

But even amidst this affluence, Murlidhar was not blind to the stark social realities of 1940s India. He had always sensed the divide between classes.

One day, that awareness became a personal reckoning.

He came face-to-face with a man afflicted by leprosy. The sight was unbearable. It felt like looking at a living corpse. Shocked and terrified, Murlidhar ran. But the image haunted him. For six months, he lived with the agony of that moment, unable to shake it off.

And then, clarity emerged. There was only one way to confront this fear: to live and work among those very people.

In 1949, at the age of 35, Murlidhar Amte—later known as Baba Amte—established Maharogi Sewa Samiti (MSS) in Warora. His vision was profound: to help the disadvantaged reclaim their dignity through self-discovery and empowerment, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to society.

From that moment until his death in 2008, Baba Amte dedicated his life to selfless service—most notably, to people suffering from leprosy.

Today, his legacy lives on through Anandwan—the “Forest of Bliss”—and MSS, which continue to serve marginalized communities in areas like healthcare, education, agriculture, renewable energy, and small-scale industries.

Baba Amte exemplifies what it means to lead with a Seva Mindset

Seva is Not Service

To truly understand Baba Amte’s legacy, we must grasp a simple yet profound distinction:
Seva is not the same as service.

Service is often transactional—performed in exchange for compensation, recognition, or reward. Seva, on the other hand, is devotional. It flows from within.

Service is Transactional, while Seva is Devotional

Baba Amte never asked, “What will I gain from this?”
His commitment came not from obligation but from deep devotion to a cause larger than himself. This intrinsic motivation gave him the strength to serve for a lifetime.

And contrary to what many believe, Seva does not leave an organization starved of resources. In fact, Anandwan stands as a testament to how purpose-driven service can create sustainable ecosystems of impact.

Seva is Without Expectations

At its heart, Seva is an offering—with no strings attached.

Think of the Gurus who teach without seeking rewards, or the volunteers in Sikh Gurudwaras who quietly prepare and serve food to thousands. These acts are not done for applause. They are done in the spirit of surrender.

Seva is a way of dissolving the ego and aligning with a higher purpose. In giving without expectation, one receives something far greater—inner expansion, connection, and peace.

That’s what makes Seva limitless. It’s not confined by contracts or conditions. It is a sacred act that moves both the giver and the receiver.

The Key difference between Service and Seva

How Can a Leader Inculcate Seva 

It is fascinating to know that the ripple effect of Seva is never-ending. Indian Wisdom has fascinating stories of sages, kings, leaders, and organizations who selflessly served their people. Although uncommon and unaddressed, Seva has been a part of cultures across the globe since time immemorial.   

Although it is tempting to think of oneself as a selfless leader, bringing the attitude of Seva into practice needs effort.

The first thing you can do as a leader is to have a purpose. Understanding your Dharm (purpose) is the most crucial exercise to know what drives you. In the case of Baba Amte, it was clear that his purpose was to help people with leprosy. What is your purpose? What excites you to wake up in the morning? Once you figure out your Dharm, you can start seeding it in the vision of your organization.   

Offering Seva does not have to be some out-of-the-box activity. You can start by helping people surrounding you with what you already know/have. Even such small acts of kindness can have an unending ripple effect. Adam Grant, in his book, ‘Give and Take,’ writes about the attitude of giving and how givers succeed in the world, offering insights into the science of selflessness. 

No doubt, by embracing Seva, a leader can uplift not just others but also oneself, fostering a deeper connection to the purpose. The fulfillment comes solely from the act of giving, leaving behind ripples of positivity and prosperity. 

As Leaders, What Can We Learn from Baba Amte?

Leadership today is often defined by KPIs, targets, and external metrics. But the Seva mindset offers a deeper lens. It reminds us that real leadership begins with selfless intention and unwavering dedication.

It asks us:
🔸 Can we lead without ego?
🔸 Can we serve without expectations?
🔸 Can we build institutions rooted in purpose, not just profit?

At Chiranjeev Gurukul, we have a range of initiatives driven with Seva – We have a Mentorship initiative where our community members offer their expertise to emerging leaders. We organize Seva Smruti to initiate upcoming swamis/swaminis to offer Seva at a farm and experience the satisfaction from the act. We have Kathashaala – a biyearly storytelling event, where members from and outside of our community can volunteer to share stories from Indian Wisdom to school children. 

Would you like to know more about Chiranjeev Gurukul? Would you like to be a part of Chiranjeev Gurukul community? Do connect with us.

Meanwhile do share what kind of Seva you are involved in? We are excited to know from you.