ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ // Seva of Guru Sahib

Proper Maryada of doing Guru Sahib's Seva

Seva of Guru Sahib

Introduction
In the tradition of true Guru-loving Gursikhs, the seva of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is treated with the utmost reverence, satkaar, and divine fear. Every motion, every cloth, and every breath around Guru Sahib must carry the fragrance of love and unwavering obedience to Gurmat Maryada.
Among the highest forms of seva is Tabiyaa Seva, the privilege of sitting before Guru Sahib to take Hukam, do Paath, or perform duties as a Paathi Singh or Singhni. Yet, in many places this seva has been diluted with negligence, comfort, and convenience. This article outlines the strict Maryada of Tabiyaa Seva, as upheld by Gurmukh souls like Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee, and provides insight into how we can correct our approach and mindset in modern times.

Guru Sahib is the King of Kings
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is not a book, nor merely a scripture. Guru Sahib is the living Guru, the embodiment of the Ten Gurus, the form of Vaheguru.

“ਬਾਣੀਗੁਰੂਗੁਰੂਹੈਬਾਣੀਵਿਚਿਬਾਣੀਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁਸਾਰੇ॥”
“The Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Amrit is contained.”

When we approach Guru Sahib, we are approaching the Sovereign of all worlds. This is not a metaphor—it is a spiritual reality. A Sikh of the Guru must recognize this truth with mind, word, and action.

Belief in One Guru Only

“Following the Hukam of Sri Dasmesh Pita Jee, do not accept any physical guru after Guru Granth Sahib Jee.”
The Panthic Hukam is clear: Guru Granth Sahib Jee is our only Guru. No sant, baba, dera, or book can be treated as a replacement or intercessor. Redemption, salvation, and guidance come from Guru Sahib alone.

Satkaar and Setup of Guru Sahib's Takhat

Wherever Guru Sahib is Parkash:

• The Takhatposh must be clean, high, and covered in clean white sheets or Rumalley.

• Rumalley should be simple, clean, and respectful. Bright silks, gaudy patterns, or expensive embroidery are unnecessary.

• It is Maha-Manmat to place pictures on or near the Rumalley. Guru Sahib is the Guru—not photographs, paintings, or icons.

Sukhaasan Maryada

• Guru Sahib must be respectfully put to rest on a proper bed with bedding and Chanani / Chandoa Sahib.

• It is not appropriate to do Sukhasan in a cupboard, closet, or bookshelf. If a Gursikh has financial or space limitations, they may respectfully use an open closet—but it must be clean, adorned, and aired, with simple cloth and respect.

• The room or area should be fragrant with Thoof (incense) and always spiritually uplifting.

Pictures and Decoration

Absolutely no pictures or paintings of the Gurus should be placed near or around Guru Sahib’s Takhat or on Rumalley. Guru Sahib does not need visual aid to command reverence. The presence of art or portraits can unknowingly direct attention away from the true Guru—Bani itself.

Cleanliness of Guru Sahib’s Room

• The room of Parkaash must be swept, dusted, and sanctified.

• No worldly items should be left around (i.e., fans blowing directly, storage boxes, decorations from other functions).

• Chaur Sahib must be done continuously until a Paathi Singh takes a Hukam or begins Paath.

Tabiyaa Seva: Pre-Conditions and Physical Cleanliness

Sitting at Tabiyaa is a rare privilege—not a right. It requires physical and spiritual cleanliness.

• Panj Ishnaan is required before sitting at Tabiyaa.

  • This includes washing hands, face, feet, and rinsing the mouth.

  • After using the restroom, full Gurmat Ishnaan is required (especially after jungle paani).

  • If going number one, then one must do Panji Ishnaan before going on Guru Sahib’s Tabiyaa.

• Dirty clothes, Pajamis worn during the day, or smelly garments must not be worn.

A Singh must remove his Pajami before sitting at Tabiyaa, or doing Chaur Sahib di Seva.
Bibiyaan must wear clean, unused Pajami, freshly washed and not sat on in beds, couches, or car seats.

The Danger of Negligence

Many Gursikhs today:

• Sit at Tabiyaa without washing their feet, or taking off Pajami in Singhs' case

• Wear smelly or jootha clothing or socks

• Give off a bad odor from feet encased in boots or shoes

• Yet claim they do not eat or drink or start any task before Guru Sahib's Darshan

This is hypocrisy. Guru Sahib is not fooled by emotional displays—only genuine respect rooted in Gurmat Rehat will be accepted.

The Spiritual Loss of Lazy Seva

“ਮਤਿਥੋੜੀਸੇਵਗਵਾਈਐ॥੧੦॥”
“But through small-mindedness, we forfeit the merits of selfless service.”

– A weak mindset causes us to lose the fruit of our seva.
When we approach Guru Sahib lazily, in dirty clothes, without full ishnaan, we lose the spiritual benefit of the seva itself. Seva without satkaar is just action—not bhagti.

Conclusion

The path of a Gursikh is narrow and beautiful.
Tabiyaa Seva is not about convenience or ritual—it is about love, discipline, and reverence for the living Guru. To honor Guru Granth Sahib Jee, we must not only bow with our heads, but surrender our minds, tongues, and bodies to the true Maryada.

Let us never sit before Guru Sahib as if we are reading a book. Let us sit as if we are in the court of a King—one whose glance alone liberates countless souls.

Final Appeal to the Sangat

• Always do Panj Ishnaan before doing any Seva of Guru Sahib.

• Never sit at Tabiyaa in dirty or smelly clothes.

• Avoid worldly behavior and comforts in the presence of Guru Sahib.

• Encourage others to learn and implement true Maryada—not for show, but from the heart.

Let us restore the sanctity of Tabiyaa Seva. Let every Paath be offered as a fragrant flower of love at the feet of Guru Sahib.

“ਜੋਤੁਧੁਭਾਵੈਸੋਈਚੰਗਾਇਕਨਾਨਕਕੀਅਰਦਾਸੇ॥੪॥੨॥”

"That which pleases Your Will is good; this alone is Nanak's prayer."

*The points below are a translated excerpt from Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee’s book Gurmat Parkash, shared by Gursikhs on the Tapoban.org forum and also shared on Gurmatbibek.com

The true Sikhs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee believe SGGS to be the true saroop of the ten Gurus, and have complete and absolute respect for SGGS. SGGS is the King of Kings and believing that is the life and religion of the True Guru’s Sikhs.

1) With your mind, words and actions believe Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee to be your true saviour. Following the Hukam of Sri Dasmesh Jee do not believe in any other physical guru or believe that any other Guru can save and redeem you.

2) Whenever there is any program or Smagam and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is Parkaashed, it should be done at a high and clean place.

3) The Rumalle that are used should be simple and clean. There is no need to use colourful and silken Rumalle. It is Maha Manmat to put pictures in front of and on the Rumalle.

4) There should be at least 5 Rumalle.

5) Sukhasan should be done on a nice bed. There should be sheets on the floor and on top there should be a Chananee.

6) It is not appropriate to do Sukhasan in a closet or cupboard and it is a sign of ignorance of Sikhi Asools. If any poor Sikhs do not have a second room or space for a nice bed to do Sukhasan on, they can according to their financial situation and to the best of their ability, but with perfect and absolute respect do Sukhasan in an open closet, but that open closet should very clean and be decorated with simple Rumalle and cloths.

7) It is very important for the Sukhasan room or place to smell good using Thoof.

8) Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is the form of the Gurus and is above and beyond hunger, pain and the feeling of cold or hot. So for this reason to change the Rumalle and do Bhog of food according to different seasons is total Manmat.

9) It is Manmat to put pictures of the Gurus anywhere near where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is Parkashed. In the room or on the Rumalle.

10) In the room where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is Parkash that room should be completely cleaned and properly prepared, this is very important. When Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is Parkash it is very important to do Chaur Sahib. It is important Keep doing Chaur until a Paati Singh reads from the Saroop and/or takes a Hukamnama.

11) When someone sits on the Tabiyaa do Paat or take a Hukam it is important that they do Panj Ishnaan before sitting down. This is a sign of complete and utmost respect. Those that quickly sit on Tabiyaa without doing Panj Ishnaan can not be called true and caring Sikhs. To sit on Tabiyaa without washing your feet, the same feet that have been in shoes is not appropriate. This is a very heavy disrespect of Guru Sahib. To wear a dirty Pajamee and sit on Tabiyaa is a horrible offence as well. A Singh should take off his Pajamee before sitting on Tabiyaa. Those that don’t take off their Pajaamees are scared because either they are not wearing proper Kachherai or they aren't wearing Kachherai at all and are wearing something else. So for this reason out of fear they do not take off their Pajamee.

12) For Bibian the Hukam is before sitting on Tabiyaa they should put on a new and completely washed and clean Pajamee or Salwar. Do not wear those Pajameea that have been worn and are smelly. They should also wash their feet. Any Salwar or Pajamee that has touched a shoe should not be worn when sitting on Tabiyaa.

We have seen that at Sri Amritsar Darbar Sahib the Sevadaars do not take off their Pajameea when sitting on Tabiyaa. But the fact is that they have special Pajameea that they only wear when they do Seva. After they are done their Seva they take off those Pajameea and wear different ones. In this way only clean and new Pajameea are worn when they do Seva. That Sevadaar that does not wear clean Bana when sitting on Tabiyaa is a Daindaar to Guru Sahib. Those that wear dirty clothes when sitting on Tabiyaa their Bhagtee will never completely come to fruit.

We have seen some Naam-Dhareek Sikhs that wear smelly clothes and have smelly feet that have been in shoes and without any fear sit on Tabiyaa and do Paat from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. From their feet there is a strong repulsive stench that comes from the leather boots that they wear, but still with such smelly clothes and feet they sit on Tabiyaa and do not care. Yet they claim and call themselves to be complete and perfect Gursikhs of the Guru. These people say with complete faith that without doing Darshan of Guru Sahib we do not eat or drink or start any task. We are Kurbaan and sacrifice ourselves to this commitment of theirs but alas if only they kept the Rehat that we have described above.

-Translated From Gurmat Parkash, Page 128-130, by Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee.