Serve Without Seeking Reward
Do your work and serve others, but let go of craving for the results.
कुर्वन्नेवेह कर्माणि जिजीविषेच्छतं समाः
Kurvann eveha karmāṇi, jijīviṣec chataṃ samāḥ
Doing your work here, wish to live a hundred years — yet without clinging.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।।2.47।।
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi
Your right is only to work, but not to its results; do not let the results of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.
ਵਿਚਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਤਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣੁ ਪਾਈਐ
Vich dunee-aa sev kamaa-ee-ai, taa dargeh baisaṇ paa-ee-ai
English
Serve selflessly in the world, and you earn a seat in the Court of God.
Punjabi meaning coming soon
Common thread
Act with love, serve freely, and release the need for reward — that is true freedom.
Echo
The Upanishad and Gita teach action without attachment; Sikhi gives it a name and a practice — sevā, selfless service.
📖 A story to understand
During battle, Bhai Kanhaiya carried water to the wounded — friend and enemy alike. Accused of helping the foe, he said he saw no enemy, only the same Light shining in every suffering face. The Guru honoured him for it.
Traditional sakhi / story (simplified retelling)