THE REALITY OF SACRIFICE

the cost, even if it demands that we have to slaughter some of our deeply-cherished beliefs. This requires that we mould our character on the basis of the Truth, even if this means sacrifi cing our worldly interests. We must bow our heads before the Truth, even if this means having to lose our so-called superiority. We must make love and commitment to the Truth the manifesto of our lives, even if this means that we have no status or position in this world. Success in the life after death, like success in the present world, is dependent entirely on sacrifice In every age, certain practises become popular, certain social bonds become deeply cemented, and certain beliefs become deeply cherished. One gets used to these things and strongly believes that they are right, true and proper. And so, when one is faced with the call of the Truth, it is often the case that one instinctively takes it as a threat to one’s interests. We might construe this call of the Truth as a challenge to our social relations, and as a negation of our beliefs that we cling to in the hope of a blissful future. Because of this, to accept the call of the Truth entails great sacrifi ce. It is tantamount to off ering one’s very life at the sacrifi cial altar of the Truth. But it is this sacrifi ce that makes human beings beloved in the eyes of God. It is this sacrifi ce that leads to the opening of the doors of eternal bliss in heaven. The only price of heaven is the sacrifi ce of one’s self. Without this sacrifi ce, no one can gain entry into God’s paradise. o Greatest Sacrifi ce It is a fact that acknowledgment of truth is worship, nay; it is the greatest form of worship. It is an act for which man has to make the greatest sacrifi ce. What makes it such a great sacrifi ce is that it involves the setting aside of one’s prestige.