To Heaven, Hell & Back

This morning my hubby was trying to get my naughty son to some discipline by mentioning to him that, ‘those kids who hit their parents have to go to hell’. So my innocent son asked curiously, what do they do there? Father explains to him that there is a huge frying pot with boiling oil…where these naughty children are placed!

As I laugh over this conversation, one thing that strikes me is it was the same story that I was told as a kid…about Heaven and Hell…

Good behavior reserves our ticket to the Heaven- a place where Gods live; also called Paradise and Jannat! ‘What is Heaven like?’ asks the curious child in me: Oh! Heaven is the most beautiful place in this Universe; it’s full of gardens, flowers and fruits! Angels and semi-gods welcome you at the gate; there are savouries and sweets everywhere; everyone here is with a pleasing smile and you have bright chances of meeting with God too! You can enjoy the rest of your time in Heaven, no work to be done, only wander around and enjoy the pleasures …

On the other hand, if you behave badly, you are sure to be taken to Hell. ‘So what happens if I go to Hell?’ quizzes the child in me. ‘You will be taken there in chains so heavy that you can barely walk! There you will find only demons with red scary eyes and two horns on their heads. They will fry you in hot oil and subject you to a lot of pain by punishing you with all the weapons they have. You will have to keep obeying to their orders even when your body and mind are withering in pain!’

Wow… what a description…enough to scare the hell (!) out of the little child!

 All a human imagination; places where none can certify a visit till date!

Since then I have always thought about my probable visits to these places…

Today I wonder, ‘Is life really all about going to Heaven and Hell? Is that the aim of life? Does Death mark the beginning of a new adventure to Heaven & Hell?

To me the adventure begins as we start growing up; the day we cease to be childlike; the day we know the consequences of what is rightful and wrongful behavior and action!

And the meeting with Heaven & Hell begins right there and then…we keep getting constant feedbacks for our thoughts, actions and deeds… To me, not Death but 'Life' is a place where we encounter Heaven and Hell

To me a vacation spent with family is Heaven; a bad day at office is Hell! The birth of a child is Heaven and loss of a loved one is Hell…A day spent with laughter is Heaven and an irritating toothache is hell; playing with your grandchildren is Heaven but spending that time in a hospital for a chronic illness is Hell; a sound sleep (whether on a ‘kurlon’ mattress or on a street) is Heaven whereas a sleepless, worrisome night even in the finest of the suites is Hell…

To me, if there is ever a place like Heaven and Hell anywhere, it is just here, just here, just here…..