Seva and Shukrana.

 Selfless and done just for the joy of it. Sometimes, the road less traveled is the one you truly need to be on.

That day, while driving back from one of the busiest local markets in my city, I found myself caught in a traffic jam. But it wasn’t just the cars that were stuck ... my thoughts too seemed to pause in that moment.

So, I changed my route. I took a road less traveled ....a quieter lane, yet alive with energy. On one side, shiny tents shimmered in the winter sun, and groups of youngsters stood under a shamiyana, smiling and requesting passersby, hands folded, to accept prasad.

It was the eve of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Jayanti.

Suddenly, something stirred within me ... I want to make langar. Without another thought, I turned the steering wheel once more, this time toward the market, to buy everything needed. Plates, groceries... khichdi? Yes, definitely on the plate! But was that enough? No. Yeh dil maange more.

I picked up lentils and vegetables too. “I’m going to do this with an open heart,” This,I spoke to   “Lord, I want to serve. You better arrange the support or wait and watch..”

And He did.

The helping hands that came forward turned my day into a blessing. The old saying, “Too many cooks spoil the broth,” found a new meaning: too many cooks made the langar prasad.

There were no conflicts, no waiting for turns, no boundaries drawn ....only seamless teamwork and laughter.

Why didn’t I just hire someone to cook? Because that would have taken away the real joy .... of community, of creating and serving together, of the pranks and laughter that seasoned our khichdi.

From daybreak to lunchtime, we worked and sang, and when the prasad was served, it was received with gratitude .... even by those who hesitated to risk my cooking!A friend who served sandwiches confused me about admiring her sun glasses or act of getting the sandwiches.

After everyone was served, it was self-serving time ....we sat on the floor together, enjoying our cups of tea and each other’s company.

What was my inner voice whispering? Just one word: Shukrana.

As the divine grace continued, we soon found ourselves dancing and singing kirtan, lost in pure bliss. It was seva ...service to the God within every being ...through the langar, and service to the God inside us......through singing His name.Hare Krishna.

Later that evening, a friend asked, “How much did you spend on all this?”

I smiled. “I haven’t calculated. Feelings, emotions, and the joy of selfless service.... they’re priceless.”

When the day ended, we washed the utensils, sorted the litter, and cleaned the space .No trace was left behind. No nostalgia, no residue ,just peace.

A experience of Naam Japna,kirat karni ,Vand chakna..