“Some people hope to accumulate merit by charity; others feel that asceticism is superior; still others adhere strictly to what they believe Sanathana Dharma (Eternal Religion) to be, considering it a better way to secure Divine Grace. But these, and even the highly praised path of Sathya (truth) and Dharma (righteousness), are not as fruitful as the path of seva (service).”

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 14 (1978)

Clearly, based on Bhagawan’s teachings, the divine endeavour of Narayana Seva is supreme! Have you ever served food to someone you don’t know, and experienced their smile—or simply knowing when you've served a wholesome meal—fills you with a sense of fullness, both in your belly and in your heart?

When Bhagawan blessed the entire region of Delhi-NCR with His divine visit to Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at Lodhi Road,  Swami made a divine declaration, “Delhi is the stomach of Bharat. If the stomach is good, the whole body will be good.” (Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 32, 1999)

Narayan Seva, as we understand from Bhagawan’s teachings, pertains to fulfilling a hungry stomach. A greater sense of fulfilment embraces us within when we serve Bhagawan through Narayana Seva.

Undoubtedly, the true joy and pleasure of Seva is the transformation with ourselves; our hearts grow a little softer, and our love expands as we serve together.

Bhagawan teaches, “Love All, Serve All,” but loving everyone isn’t always easy and we know it when we strive to put this into practice.

Service opens the realm of true love that is latent within us. What greater service is there than serving food to others lovingly? What greater joy is there than watching a person complete their meal with relish? It is often cited that a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Food, nourishing, wholesome and made with a sense of shared joy, becomes a bridge that connects hearts and awakens true and pure love within us.

Bhagawan lovingly teaches, "Who is poor and who is rich. He, who has much desires ,is the poorest man, he who is content is the richest man. Narayan seva is not poor feeding. When you do such a noble task, will you do it 'poorly' that you call it 'poor-feeding'? English does not have a proper translation for Narayan Seva, which is actually an opportunity to feed the Lord Himself."

The Sri Sathya Seva Organisations, Delhi-NCR regularly offers Narayana Seva. Just as different food items are enticing, many venues for Narayana Seva bring opportunities for everyone to lovingly serve food across Delhi-NCR.

It may be noted that we have 51 Samithis across the state and every Samiti conducts the Narayana Seva once every month, with each Samiti serving close to 200-250 Narayanas.

Service is the ship by which one can cross the ocean of ‘Samsara’ (life).

- Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

With Bhagawan’s grace, we are blessed to receive continuous and new opportunities to take part in this seva. We welcome everyone to partake in this divine endeavour and to be a part of our Narayana Seva efforts.

We also have regular ‘Chai Seva’ when winters visit Delhi for a three month spell. In the icy-cold winter mornings of Delhi, as the streets slowly start to come to life with people setting out to work, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Delhi-NCR, undertakes the Chai Seva across different places, thereby serving piping hot tea and biscuits. Through this, we are able to bring heartwarming moments for those who serve and those who are being served.

The Weekly Chai Seva is also offered outside hospitals where patients stand in queue early morning to secure doctor appointments, and the Chai Seva is also extended to hawkers and passersby. No doubt, a cup of Chai always brings warmth and cheer!

Notably, when Covid struck across the country, the Sunday Narayana Seva began at the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre and it continues till date. Every Sunday, freshly prepared, nutritious food is lovingly offered and served to around 500-500 Narayanas.

You will get the actual experience of Sath-Chith-Ananda through service.

-         Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Sanathana Sarathi, 1986)

Across Faridabad and Noida districts, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Delhi-NCR, have set up Community Kitchens. The joy of this seva is not just in serving the food together but touches every facet including cooking and preparing the food together. Till date, with Bhagawan’s blessings, at least 40,000 wholesome meals have been served at these centres.

Divine love on Wheels!

The Sri Sathya Sai Food Van conducts mobile Narayana Seva, distributing home-cooked meals to Narayanas across the region of Delhi-NCR.

Every being needs Prema, inhales and exhales Prema,

for Prema is the basic breath;

everyone is the embodiment of Prema.

Love knows no fear, so love needs no falsehood to support it.

Love seeks no reward; love is its own reward.

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 4 (1964)

All it takes is the will and the drive - the drive to step out of our comfort zones and to do something for the wellbeing of the society at large. Helping another person have a nice, home-cooked meal, freshly prepared with the love of so many mothers, is an act of service that is truly its own reward!

“You arrange the feeding, once a year, on the Annual Day of your Unit; but; is that enough? Does it solve the problem? Do they eat but one meal a year? They have to eat, as you do, many times a day. So, let Me ask you: Instead of feeding hundreds one day in the year, let the housewife keep aside every day, when she takes out rice for cooking the food for the family, a handful, saying, "This is for the offering that Swami accepts," and at the end of the week, feed at home three or four hungry people with that 'offered' rice.”

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 11 (1971)

A conscious effort, as small as it may seem, starts a chain of such efforts, multiplying the impact, amplifying the effect!

To transform ourselves from within and to bring joy to everyone around us, we wholeheartedly welcome all of you to come and serve with us. Join as we continue on this shared journey of service and self-transformation - a path that enriches not just the world around us but also the spirit within!