Greatest virtue!
A king was a great Prajapalak, always working in the interest of the people. He was so hardworking that leaving all his happiness, luxuries and comforts, he used to spend all his time in public welfare. He could not even find time for the one which is the means of salvation i.e. bhagavat-bhajan.
One morning the king was going to visit the forest when he saw a god. The king saluted the god and greeted him and seeing a long book in his hand asked him- "Maharaj, what is this in your hand?"
Dev said- "Rajan! This is our bookkeeping, in which the names of all the worshipers are there.
The king said in despair- "Please see if my name is also there in this book or not?"
Dev Maharaj started turning every page of the book, but the name of the king was nowhere to be seen.
Seeing Dev worried, the king said - "Your Majesty! Don't worry, there is no shortage in your search. Actually it is my misfortune that I do not find time for bhajan-kirtan, and that is why my name is not here.
On that day, there was a sense of self-blame in the mind of the king, but in spite of this he ignored it and again started serving others with the spirit of benevolence.
After a few days, when the king again went out for a walk in the morning, he saw the same Dev Maharaj, this time also he had a book in his hand. The color and size of this book varied greatly, and it was also much smaller than the first one.
The king again bowed to him and asked- "Your Majesty! Which bookkeeping have you taken up today?"
Dev said- "Rajan! The names of those people who are dearest to God are written in today's books.
The king said- "How lucky will those people be? Surely they must have been absorbed in bhagavat-bhajan day and night !! Is anyone in this book also a citizen of my state? ,
Dev Maharaj opened the bookkeeping, and what is it, the first name on the front page was that of the king.
The king was surprised and asked- "Sir, how is my name written in it, I go to the temple only occasionally?
Dev said- "Rajan! What's surprising about it? Those who serve the world selflessly, those who dedicate their lives in the favor of the world. Those who give up the greed of salvation and contribute in the service and help of the weak children of the Lord, God himself worships those renounced great men. Oh Rajan! Do not repent that you do not worship, by serving people, you actually worship God. Charity and selfless public service are more than any worship.
Giving the example of the Vedas, the Deva said- “Kurvanneveh karmani jijivishechanam samaah avantvapa nanyatoasti va karma lipyate nare.”
That is, if you wish to live a hundred years while doing karma, you will be indulging in the bondage of karma. Rajan! God is humble. They do not like pleasantness, but they like conduct.. True devotion is that do charity. Do the welfare of the poor and downtrodden. Today orphans, widows, farmers and the poor are persecuted by the tyrants, help and serve them as much as you can and this is the ultimate devotion.
Today the king had got a lot of knowledge through God and now the king also understood that there is nothing greater than charity and those who do charity are the most dear to God.
Friends, the person who comes forward to serve the people selflessly, God always makes efforts for their welfare. Our ancestors have also said – “Paropkarai Punyay Bhavati” means living for others, taking service of others as worship and doing deeds, making one's life meaningful for charity is the biggest virtue. And when you do the same, automatically you will be included in the dear devotees of God.