Service brings human beings closer to each other and promotes affection and friendship.

People say that service to humanity (manava-seva) is service to God (Madhava-seva). That is a true statement. But mere repetition of the slogan is useless if service is done without faith in the divinity of people and with an eye on name and fame and the fruits of one’s action. Whatever actions one undertakes, if one constantly has as companion the contemplation of the Lord, and if one has faith in the essential divinity of people, then the statement is justified. Without thoughts of God, how can service to God originate? All such talk is mere show. I won’t agree to that. Instead, whatever is done with the Lord in mind, along the path of truth and according to aspects of dharma, has to be considered as selfless service (seva) to the Lord. In fact, those who are immersed in the uninterrupted contemplation of the Lord need not do any other task at all. The fruit of their prayer itself can make the world holy. However, all can’t be thus engaged, so try to prepare for that stage by purifying the mind and diminishing desires.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba