The story is told of a devout person, called Pundarika, who perfomed all the rites prescribed in the Vedas, but was unable to get moksha. He asked Sage Narada what was the reason for this.
The sage replied that without seeking a perceptor he would not be able to get moksha. Only after Narada taught him the Ashtakshara mantra, did Pandurika get moksha. This shows that we must have an Acharya, without whose help we cannot get moksha, even if we live according to the scriptures and are devout.
But there was a wicked man who realised the truth and got moksha. He used to waylay travellers and rob them of their belongings.
One day, a group of sages was passing by, and the robber waylaid them. The sages asked him why he was robbing people and told him how he was accumulating sins through his actions. The robber replied that he had no other option for he had a family to support. By robbing he was only providing for his family.
The sages told him that his family was qiut happy to live through his crimes. They were willing to benifit from his robbery. But would they share his sins too? The robber was surprised by this question. He assumed that since he was providing for his family, they would be willing to share his sins.
So he went to them and asked them whether they would face the consequences of his actions. They answered in negative. Only then did he realise that while people might take the wealth we provide them, they would not share the sufferings. If we do wrong to keep our family happy, they will be happy with what we give them, but will not face the consequences of our sins. The robber realising that his family would share his karma, fell at the feet of the sages, and through them , got to know the greatness of Lord Naryana, and ultimately got moksha.
Human being expect a lot from us, but are willing to give little in retrun. But all that the Lord expects from us is unconditional surrender, and if we surrender at His feet, He will never forsake us.
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