Service Is Meaningful When It Manifests From Sacrifice!

Dharmaraja had uttered some white lies during the Mahabharat war in order to foil the plans of the enemies and for this, he had to spend a few minutes in Hell.

When the emissaries of the other world were escorting him after death to Hell, for this nominal sojourn, the denizens of Hell suddenly felt coolness and a fragrance in the air they breathed, a strange peace and joy, a thrill and exhilaration which they had never hoped to enjoy. That was the consequence of the holy soul approaching the region of terror and torture.

The unfortunate sinners gathered around Dharmaraja to be soothed and comforted by his very sight. When Dharmaraja was directed to turn back towards Heaven (the term of his sentence was soon over), the populace of Hell cried out to him to prolong his stay.

They were reluctant to go back to the heat and the pain. Hearing their piteous wall, Dharmaraja declared that he was surrendering to them all the merit that had earned Heaven for him; he was willing to stay with them! But, that great act of tyaga (renunciation or sacrifice) not only benefitted the suffering creatures, it gave Dharmaraja a greater lease of life in Heaven and a more honoured place there.

Life is best spent in alleviating pain, assuaging distress, and promoting peace and joy. The service of man is more valuable than what you call service to God. God has no need of your service. Please man; you please God. Service will become meaningful, when it manifests love that ensues from sacrifice!