The Gates of Heaven

One day, there was a huge crowd at the gates of heaven. Some people were shouting, "Open the gates quickly." But the gatekeepers said, "Wait a moment. Let us find out about you, whether the knowledge you gained was from the scriptures or from your own self. Because knowledge gained from the scriptures has no value here."

Just then, a monk came forward and said, "Open the gates. I want to enter heaven. I fasted a lot and endured physical suffering. Who was a greater ascetic than me in my time?"

The gatekeepers said, "Swamiji, wait a moment. Let us find out why you practiced penance. Because where there is a desire to gain anything, there is neither renunciation nor austerity."

And just then, some servants of the public arrived. They also wanted to enter heaven.

The gatekeepers said to them, "You too have made a grave mistake. Service that demands reward is not service at all.  Still, we will find out about you."

And then the gatekeepers noticed a man standing in the darkness at the back. They asked the crowd to give way for him to come forward. Tears were flowing from the man's eyes. He said, "I have surely been brought here by mistake. Where am I, and where is heaven? I am a complete ignorant. I know nothing of the scriptures. I am completely unfamiliar with renunciation, because I had nothing, so what could I sacrifice? And service? I have never served. Where is my capacity for that? Love certainly flowed from my heart. But love is not a qualification for entering heaven. Moreover, I myself do not want to enter heaven. Please be kind and tell me where the gate to hell is. Perhaps that is where my place is, and that is where I am needed." As soon as he said this, the gatekeepers opened the gates of heaven and said, "Blessed are you among mortals. You have attained immortality. The gates of heaven are always open for you. You are welcome."

Read more : -  Santa's Heartbreaking Journey