HEAVEN AND HELL
The Daily Guardian|January 04, 2025
Various religious traditions contain references to paradise, which is described as a place or period of complete happiness, with no trace of sorrow.
B.K. SHEILU
HEAVEN AND HELL

When or where was this paradise? Does it still exist somewhere? Many people believe that paradise or heaven is a place above, or apart from, our world. That is why people are said to ascend to heaven after death. Mythological tales describe angels escorting virtuous souls to heaven. Similarly, hell is believed to be the nether world where souls are flung to suffer for their sins.

In fact, heaven and hell exist in this very world at different points of time. They are not distinct places but qualitatively different periods in the cycle of world history.

Our world is heaven during the Golden Age, when only deities, or people with divine qualities, exist. The deities are aware of their true identity - that they are souls, not bodies. Consequently they are free from the influence of vices, which arise from identifying the self with the body. Being completely virtuous, they lead a life of unalloyed happiness.

Such a world seems to be a fantasy when we look at the current state of affairs. If heaven existed on this very planet, how has it turned into the violent, chaotic place it is today?

This story is from the January 04, 2025 edition of The Daily Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 04, 2025 edition of The Daily Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE DAILY GUARDIANView All
Shaurya Samman 2025: Bravehearts honoured
The Daily Guardian

Shaurya Samman 2025: Bravehearts honoured

Dedication of police officers, soldiers and paramilitary personnel of UP honoured

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
Rashid Khan's 7-wicket spell helps Afghanistan to clinch Test series
The Daily Guardian

Rashid Khan's 7-wicket spell helps Afghanistan to clinch Test series

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan's magical spell guided Afghanistan to victory over Zimbabwe in the second and final Test match of the series by 72 runs at the Queens Sports Club on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
International Women's Wrestling Camp to be Held in IIS
The Daily Guardian

International Women's Wrestling Camp to be Held in IIS

Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), on Sunday, announced a first-of-its-kind International Wrestling Camp for Women, in collaboration with United World Wrestling (UWW).

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
Manchester United manager drops massive hint about Zirkzee's future
The Daily Guardian

Manchester United manager drops massive hint about Zirkzee's future

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted that there is a possibility of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee leaving the club in the January transfer window, Sky Sports reported.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
The Daily Guardian

Jasprit Bumrah Likely to Be Appointed as Vice-Captain for Champions Trophy

Following a lackluster performance in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, India will aim to bounce back during the white-ball series against England.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
Time For Kohli And Rohit To Return To Domestic Cricket?
The Daily Guardian

Time For Kohli And Rohit To Return To Domestic Cricket?

India's disappointing 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 has not only dashed their hopes for a series win but also knocked them out of contention for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The Daily Guardian

Hardik Pandya Suspended for Mumbai Indians' IPL 2025 Opener

Mumbai Indians (MI) will be without their captain, Hardik Pandya, for their opening match of IPL 2025.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
India all-rounder Rishi Dhawan announces retirement from white ball cricket
The Daily Guardian

India all-rounder Rishi Dhawan announces retirement from white ball cricket

After representing Men in Blue just four times, all-rounder Rishi Dhawan announced his retirement from Indian limited-overs cricket on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
Stop Whining
The Daily Guardian

Stop Whining

Mystic Musing

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The real luxuries in life
The Daily Guardian

The real luxuries in life

In the material world we happen to see that man comes weeping and goes weeping by. Yet man thinks that his real luxuries are in getting material wealth.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 07, 2025