Sevaka, Shevaka: 24 definitions
Introduction:
Sevaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Alternative spellings of this word include Sevak.
In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: eScholarship: Chapters 1-14 of the Hayasirsa PancaratraSevaka (सेवक) refers to “one who is an attendant”, representing an undesirable characteristic of an Ācārya, according to the 9th-century Hayaśīrṣa-pañcarātra Ādikāṇḍa chapter 3.—The Lord said:—“I will tell you about the Sthāpakas endowed with perverse qualities. He should not construct a temple with those who are avoided in this Tantra. [...] He should not hate the Ācārya, Putraka and others, be a servant of others, a glutton, attendant (sevaka), prone to disasters, wicked or afflicted with disease. [...] A god enshrined by any of these named above (viz., sevaka), is in no manner a giver of fruit. If a building for Viṣṇu is made anywhere by these excluded types (viz., sevaka) then that temple will not give rise to enjoyment and liberation and will yield no reward, of this there is no doubt”.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationSevaka (सेवक) refers to “servants” (viz., of Śiva), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.36. Accordingly, as Vīrabhadra said to Viṣṇu:—“[...] as Śiva, so you. As you, so Śiva. O Viṣṇu, thus speak the Vedas at the bidding of Śiva. O lord of Lakṣmī, all of us are the servants [viz., sevaka] of Śiva. We work at the bidding of Śiva. Still due to respect we speak and argue thus”.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad BhagavatamrtamSevaka (सेवक) refers to:—Servitor. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraSevaka (सेवक) refers to “servants”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the sun and moon should begin to be eclipsed when only half risen, deceitful men will suffer as well as sacrificial rites. [...] If the disc should be eclipsed at one of the corners, the Mlecchas, persons proceeding to battle and those who live by fire will perish; if the southern limb should be eclipsed aquatic creatures as well as elephants will die; and if the northern limb should be eclipsed cows will suffer. If the eastern limb should be eclipsed there will be abundant rain; if the western limb should be eclipsed, farmers and servants [i.e., sevaka] will suffer and seed grains will be destroyed”.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismSevaka (सेवक) is a Sanskrit word referring to “a servant”.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I1) Sevaka (सेवक) is the author of the Sanatakumārarāsa (dealing with Prince Sanatkumāra, the fourth Cakravartin), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—The same text (of the Sanatakumārarāsa) was signed by two different persons, a Sevaka who is difficult to locate, and a Ṛṣi Udau (udo) belonging to the pārśvacandragaccha.
2) Sevaka (सेवक) is also the author of the Ṛṣabhadhavalabandha (dealing with classical hymns and stotras from Jain literature).—In this manuscript, as in many others, the author’s name is given as Sevaka. According to Jain gurjar Kavio the author’s name is Śrīvanta, who belonged to the kaḍavāgaccha (on the founder of which see p. dundas, ‘Jainism without Monks? the case of Kaḍuā Śāh’, pp. 19-35 in Approaches to Jaina Studies: Philosophy, Logic, Ritual and Symbols, ed. by n.K. Wagle and o. Qvarnström. univ. of toronto, 1999). The work does not give the date of composition, but the oldest ms. available to M.d. desai had been copied in VS 1530. Therefore he ascribes the author to the 16th century VS. According to ed. Sevaka was a pupil of guṇanidhānasūri of the añcalagaccha and composed this work in VS 1633 (?).
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossarySevaka.—(SITI), a soldier; cf. sevaka-ttevai (SITI), expenses in connection with the supply and maintenance of retainers of chiefs and officers during their visit to a place. Note: sevaka is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the Āgamas (history)Sevaka refers to “attendants” or “servants” working at Śiva temples, according to [medieval] temple inscriptions and Śaivāgamas.— The various Sevakas of the temple were not employees in the typical sense. Each was in the service of the Lord and each had a special relationship to the Deity of the temple. They could not be paid merely a salary; their compensation involved either land, or paddy along with share of the sanctified food offering. [...]
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarysevaka : (m.) a servant; an attendant. (adj.), serving; associating.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionarySevaka, serving, following; a servant, dependent J. II, 12, 125, 420; SnA 453. See vipakkha°. (Page 724)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryśēvaka (शेवक).—m (Corr. from sēvaka) A servant.
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sēvaka (सेवक).—m & a (S) A servant. 2 That serves; ministerial, menial, serving, servile. 3 That uses, employs, applies &c. See the detail under sēvana.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishsēvaka (सेवक).—m A servant. a That serves. That uses.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySevaka (सेवक).—a. [sev-ṇvul]
1) Serving, worshipping, honouring.
2) Practising, following.
3) Dependent, servile.
-kaḥ 1 A servant, dependant; सेवया धनमिच्छद्भिः सेवकैः पश्य किं कृतम् । स्वातन्त्र्यं यच्छरीरस्य मूढैस्तदपि हारितम् (sevayā dhanamicchadbhiḥ sevakaiḥ paśya kiṃ kṛtam | svātantryaṃ yaccharīrasya mūḍhaistadapi hāritam) || H.2. 2.
2) A votary, worshipper.
3) A sewer.
4) A sack.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionarySevaka (सेवक).—(Sanskrit Lex. said to mean sack), patch, = āsevaka, q.v.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionarySevaka (सेवक).—mfn.
(-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) 1. Servile, dependent. 2. Practising. 3. Serving. m.
(-kaḥ) 1. A sack. 2. A servant. 3. A votary. E. ṣev to serve, or viv to sew, ṇvul aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionarySevaka (सेवक).—[sev + aka] [A.], I. adj. Servile, dependent, Ii. m. A servant, [Pañcatantra] 217, 25; [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 51 (read deva sevakaḥ, ‘O king, a servant of the minister Śūra, hold by him like a son...’). B. i. e. siv + aka, A sack.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionarySevaka (सेवक).—(—°) inhabiting, serving, revering, practising; [masculine] inhabitant etc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Sevaka (सेवक):—[from siv] a See 2. sev sub voce
2) [from sev] 1. sevaka mfn. (for 2. See [column]2) dwelling in, inhabiting ([compound]), [Mahābhārata]
3) [v.s. ...] practising, using, employing ([compound]), [Kāvya literature; Kathāsaritsāgara]
4) [v.s. ...] revering, worshipping (mostly [compound]), [Yājñavalkya; Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
5) [v.s. ...] m. a servant, attendant, follower, [Rāmāyaṇa; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā; Rājataraṅgiṇī]
6) [v.s. ...] a votary, worshipper, [Harivaṃśa; Pañcarātra]
7) 2. sevaka m. ([from] √siv; for 1. sevaka See [column]1) one that sews, a sewer, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
8) a sack, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionarySevaka (सेवक):—[(kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) a.] Servile, dependant. m. A servant; a sack.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Sevaka (सेवक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Seuya, Sevaya.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionarySevaka (सेवक) [Also spelled sevak]:—(nm) a servant, an attendant; ~[gaṇa] totality of servants, suite (of servants); hence [sevikā] (nf).
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusSēvaka (ಸೇವಕ):—
1) [noun] a man employed by another, esp. to perform domestic duties; a servant.
2) [noun] a man working for another person or a business firm for pay; an employee.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionarySevaka (सेवक):—n. 1. a servant; 2. one attending (on); 3. a worshiper; a devotee;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+2): Cevakakkacu, Cevakam, Cevakamelutu, Cevakan, Cevakanar, Cevakanarkilanku, Cevakappatam, Cevakavirutti, Sevakaal, Sevakai, Sevakaku, Sevakala, Sevakalam, Sevakalin, Sevakalina, Sevakalpataru, Sevakalu, Sevakara, Sevakatana, Sevakaumudi.
Ends with (+14): Angasevaka, Asevaka, Carmaprasevaka, Carmmaprasevaka, Charmaprasevaka, Charmmaprasevaka, Chirasevaka, Cirasevaka, Dvijasevaka, Gandhasevaka, Harasevaka, Janasevaka, Kulasevaka, Kumarasevaka, Lokasevaka, Mrityusevaka, Nishevaka, Nityasevaka, Parasevaka, Prasevaka.
Full-text (+57): Cirasevaka, Rajasevaka, Dvijasevaka, Kulasevaka, Prasevaka, Sevakalu, Sevakottama, Sevak, Shevaka-kkashu, Cevakanar, Cekan, Mrityubhritya, Sevya, Sevika, Sivaka, Shevaya, Nallacevakan, Nityasevaka, Gandhasevaka, Seuya.
Relevant text
Search found 18 books and stories containing Sevaka, Śēvaka, Śevaka, Sēvaka, Shevaka; (plurals include: Sevakas, Śēvakas, Śevakas, Sēvakas, Shevakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.4.19 < [Chapter 4 - Bhakta (the devotee)]
Verse 1.4.42 < [Chapter 4 - Bhakta (the devotee)]
Verse 2.1.183-184 < [Chapter 1 - Vairāgya (renunciation)]
Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure) (by Swami Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaja)
Residing at Govardhana in Kãrtika < [Chapter 2.19 - The Concluding Transcendental Pastimes]
Residing in the Abode of Separation (Śrī Jaganntha Purī-dhāma) < [Chapter 2.19 - The Concluding Transcendental Pastimes]
Return to Delhi after Kārtika < [Chapter 2.19 - The Concluding Transcendental Pastimes]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 3.9.311 < [Chapter 9 - The Glories of Advaita]
Verse 3.3.261 < [Chapter 3 - Mahāprabhu’s Deliverance of Sarvabhauma, Exhibition of His Six-armed Form, and Journey to Bengal]
Verse 2.5.121 < [Chapter 5 - Lord Nityānanda’s Vyāsa-pūjā Ceremony and His Darśana of the Lord’s Six-armed Form]
Prasthanatrayi Swaminarayan Bhashyam (Study) (by Sadhu Gyanananddas)
4.3. Forms of Akṣarabrahman (Introduction) < [Chapter 3 - Analysis on the Basis of Metaphysics]
4.3.3. Akṣarabrahman as Sevaka in Akṣaradhāma < [Chapter 3 - Analysis on the Basis of Metaphysics]
7.4. Upasya-Upasaka Relationship < [Chapter 5 - Analysis on the basis of Soteriology]
Bhajana-Rahasya (by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya)
Text 1 < [Chapter 5 - Pañcama-yāma-sādhana (Aparāhna-kālīya-bhajana–kṛṣṇa-āsakti)]
Matangalila and Hastyayurveda (study) (by Chandrima Das)
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