Where’s Heaven? Where’s Hell?

Where’s Heaven? Where’s Hell?

Where’s the one who points to destiny?

Everyone swears by his own belief.

If Heaven is after death, will it comfort the living?

If Hell is after death, why lament now?

He who strikes the blow himself, weeps.

He who drives another, is himself lost.

If a life was taken this day with

a gun or knife, should dues be paid later?

Should the sinner’s penitence come only hereafter?

Dark misery is not external; it’s within.

Stripped of everything – health, wealth, knowledge, fame – even peace,

Left with only your agonising mind.

When you defy the world

You are tortured in Hell, every day.

A man returns to his hut with the day’s begging,

His wife feeds him stirred rice with love,

Children now grown up, modest and humble.

He sleeps with a light heart,

Having already reached Heaven. 

One hoards wealth tricking others.

Restless, he scratches his head with half-burnt firewood.

Another, toils hard to earn his rightful wages.

Which one of these two  

Would win the much coveted Heaven?

Even with fine clothes, feasts and a grand home

Life will still be peaceless if theft lingered in your heart.

Your efforts fail to bring comfort,

You don’t enjoy its sweet rewards.

You did wrong, so you get trapped in Hell.

When the blazing pyre burns your body to ashes

At once tears come, with heat and exhaustion.

If penance and retribution for past deeds are meted out later,

Righteous deeds today will deplete any past bad karma

And rebirths will vanquish ego.