Heaven and Salvation

Maithree one day asked her Thatha, “What is heaven thatha. Does not Gita tell anything about it?” Thatha replied, “Little darling .Definitely. Gita tells us a lot about heaven .I shall tell you a story about it.”

He started a new story, “Subba Shastry was a very intelligent man.” Goldy jumped up, “Are you Subba shastry , Thatha.”

Thatha smilingly nodded his head. He had 10 sons,” Rohan started shouting, “Thatha , How can they all take food in the dining table Thatha.”

Thatha told, “Rohan , they can do it one after another. These children all grew up. Ramu who was the eldest was very intelligent. He passed in all examinations and became rich. But though he was rich, he always wanted to know about that God who made him learn, pass in exam, work and earn money. He spent all his money on poor people. But his nine brothers were not like him. They also grew up. Four of them were good .They all earned some money. Each of them gave all the money they earned to a very rich hotel. They got whatever they wanted. Yummy food, lot of cinemas, pizza, macaroni and so on. The last five were bad,. Whatever money they earned, they spent daily. After some time all of them became old and were not able to work. Ramu who was good and who had a helped by lot of people was looked after by every one whom he has helped. He was always happy, The four good brothers who had earned lot of money had to vacate the hotels and were again forced to work. The bad five did not have food as no body gave them any work and they suffered.” Maithree and Rohan were thoughtful, “Thatha we did not understand”, they told.

Thatha then replied, “People like Ramu who has helped all will be taken care of them and will not suffer. This is salvation. His four good brothers were in heaven like hotels. But once the money was over, they had to come out. The bad ones, though , they also earned money, would suffer , starve and be always sad. This is hell.”

The children were silent and at last Maithree asked, “What is the moral of the story thatha?” Thatha replied, “He who lives for others would never suffer, he who is devoted and prays(works) for his happiness will be happy. But after some time, he will spend all that he has earned and be forced to work again. The bad will suffer.”