There was a great saint who was a great ascetic. He had deep knowledge of many scriptures and knew numerous verses by heart. His wisdom was renowned for miles around. The saint devoted every moment, day and night, to the worship of God.
He performed the most difficult austerities, but he had no interest in service. He believed that service did not lead to true knowledge — only meditation on God could make life meaningful.
Therefore, he remained immersed in divine contemplation day and night. He neither took anything from others nor gave anything to anyone. He neither helped nor harmed anyone. Such a person poses no danger to society and people generally regarded him as good. Because of this, his fame spread far and wide.
One day, the saint was sitting under a banyan tree engaged in meditation. Suddenly, while sitting there, he passed away.
After his death, when Chitragupta appeared before him, he said, “O ascetic! Seeing your devotion and austerities, you shall be reborn into a noble and respected family.”
Hearing this, the saint replied in a sorrowful tone, “O Chitragupta! I have performed austerities for years without any shortcomings. I have never caused suffering to any living being. Then why have I not attained liberation (moksha)?”
Chitragupta then presented the saint before Lord Dharmaraja (the Lord of Justice). The saint expressed all his sorrow and narrated in detail all his religious deeds and rituals.
After listening to everything, Dharmaraja smiled and said, “O child! In truth, you never understood the true duty of a human being. I know you performed severe austerities and caused harm to no one, but you also did no good to anyone. You never used your knowledge to help the ignorant.
You did not tend to the sick. You never guided a lost traveller to the right path. In reality, you did not know that selfless service is the true essence of human duty. The spirit of service should be the foundation of human life.”
Thus, the saint realized his mistake and, in his next life, made both austerity and service the goals of his life. After many years, he finally attained liberation (moksha).
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