Within Siddha Yoga as articulated by Swami Muktananda, seva is regarded as a central spiritual discipline rather than a peripheral support activity. It is understood as selfless service offered to the Guru, to the divine, and to the spiritual community, and thus becomes a concrete expression of devotion. Any task, whether humble or prominent, is approached with the inner attitude that one is serving the Guru and participating in the Guru’s work. In this way, ordinary actions are transfigured into spiritual practice, and daily life itself becomes a field for sadhana.

A primary role of seva is the purification of the heart and mind. By acting without expectation of reward, recognition, or personal gain, the practitioner gradually weakens egoic tendencies, selfishness, and attachment. This selfless orientation is said to burn away karmic impurities and negative patterns, fostering humility and surrender. As these inner obstructions are reduced, the mind becomes quieter and more receptive, and the heart opens more fully to love and compassion.

Seva also functions as a practical means of integrating Siddha Yoga teachings into lived experience. Through service, teachings on love, discipline, responsibility, and humility are tested and embodied in real situations, making seva a kind of laboratory for observing and transforming one’s reactions and desires. In the context of ashrams and meditation centers, such service supports the Guru’s mission and the spiritual community, while simultaneously nurturing a sense of oneness and shared purpose. In this way, seva operates as karma yoga within Siddha Yoga: selfless action that, when performed with the right inner attitude, becomes a powerful vehicle for spiritual transformation and progress toward self-realization.