The highest form of service

A lot of us are drawn towards doing some kind of seva (service). And in choosing what service to do: normally one would choose the "highest" i.e. most impactful level of service. The question then becomes, what is the highest level of service that I can do?

Many times, we have heard that the highest level of service is to spread this knowledge. Thinking over why that is so, the following came up. Any other form of service is inherently limited to a given situation. For instance, say you have a scheme to feed the poor. But once their stomach is full, the scheme doesn't help them any more. Or you run a school for underprivileged children. This has a slightly longer term impact: but it doesn't help if they fall sick, or have emotional problems, or are old and past earning age. The only form of service that is not limited by situations is giving someone spiritual knowledge: in fact, spiritual knowledge is all about becoming independent of the situation. No matter what the situation, it helps me keep my smile intact.

Further, any other form of service must lose its relevance at least when the person dies. But, as Guruji says, the seed of spiritual knowledge that has been planted is going to help them for lifetimes to come.

So spreading this divine knowledge is the only form of service that is unlimited, either by situation or by time. Perhaps this is why it is considered the highest form of service!