The Illusion of Paradise: Baba’s Definition of True Heaven and Hell
The Leela
In a prosperous kingdom, a King had two sons. The Royal Guru educated both in the arts of ruling and the secrets of the spirit. The elder son, captivated by power and prestige, ascended the throne after his father, believing that ruling the material world was the ultimate success. The younger son, however, felt a pull towards the silent call of the Eternal. He renounced the palace, seeking the refuge of the forest to perform deep penance.
Years later, news reached the royal court of a great Yogi residing on the outskirts of the kingdom. The King, now steeped in luxury and fame, went to visit this holy man, only to discover it was his own younger brother. The King, adorned in jewels and arrogance, looked at the Yogi’s simple attire and asked, 'Why do you live in such wretchedness? Look at me! I am like Indra in heaven. I have wealth, fame, and people ready to die for me. Come back to the palace; what have you gained in this dust?'
The Yogi smiled calmly and picked up a sewing needle he was using for his blanket. He tossed it into the deep river flowing nearby. 'Brother,' the Yogi said softly, 'ask your mighty empire to retrieve that needle for me.'
The King laughed and ordered his best divers. They plunged into the waters repeatedly but failed to find the tiny needle in the vast depths. Frustrated and defeated, the King eventually himself tried and failed. 'It is impossible,' the King declared.
The Yogi closed his eyes in meditation. Moments later, a fish surfaced, holding the needle gently in its mouth, and dropped it at the Yogi’s feet. The King stood frozen. He realized that while he ruled people through fear and favor, his brother had conquered nature itself through the spirit. The King's 'heaven' was a golden cage, but the Yogi’s 'dust' was the throne of the Universe.
? The Conflict / Doubt
Is Heaven a geographical paradise located above the clouds where one enjoys eternal pleasures after death, or is it the life of luxury, fame, and wealth enjoyed by celebrities on Earth today? If the scriptures promise specific rewards—like the grandeur of Indra's court or the 72 virgins—should that be the ultimate goal of a devotee?
The Revelation
Sai Baba dismantles the conventional geography of the afterlife, revealing that Heaven (Swarga) and Hell (Naraka) are not places we travel to, but states of consciousness we inhabit right now.
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The Trap of Material Heaven: Baba explains that those who strive for the 'happiness of heaven' are merely trading one form of bondage for another. Even if one attains a life of celebrity, wealth, and luxury (which can be seen as a temporary heaven), they are simply burning through their 'Bank Balance' of past merits (Punya). Once the balance hits zero, they fall back into the cycle of birth and suffering, often unaware of their previous heights.
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The Definition of Hell: It is not just a place of torture, but a state of mind ruled by unrighteousness, ignorance, attachment, and hatred. Body consciousness—the belief that 'I am this body'—is the ultimate hell because it subjects the eternal soul to the fear of death and the pain of desire.
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The Definition of True Heaven: According to Baba, Heaven is found where detachment arises.
"That vastness of the whole universe is Me... One who has realized this and is free from mental sorrows, only that is Heaven."
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The Prayer of the Earth: The transcript highlights a profound prayer: Do not give us the extreme pleasure of Heaven (where we forget God in luxury) nor the extreme torture of Hell (where pain prevents remembrance). Instead, keep us on Earth (Bhu-Loka). It is only here, in the middle ground, that we can offer the 'five rupees' of Body, Speech, Mind, Breath, and Intellect to the Sadguru and attain liberation.
Scriptural References
📖 Sai Satcharitra Chapter 37 (Verses 10-15, 21, 24-25, 29)
Watch the Discourse
In a prosperous kingdom, a King had two sons. The Royal Guru educated both in the arts of ruling and the secrets of the spirit. The elder son, captivated by power and prestige, ascended the throne aft...
Leela Narration
In a prosperous kingdom, a King had two sons. The Royal Guru educated both in the arts of ruling and the secrets of the spirit. The elder son, captivated by power and prestige, ascended the throne aft...