Is it not selflessness if a soul helps or sacrifices to another soul?

[Ms. Bhanu Samykya asked: Pādanamaskāram Swami, Is it not selflessness if a soul helps or sacrifices to other soul or mother earth? Or does it depend on aspiration in the mind of soul for something in return? Is soul called selfless only when it sacrifices to God only? What is correct meaning of Selflessness? Where should it be applied? Please enlighten me. -At Your Divine Lotus Feet, Bhanu Samykya.]

Swami Replied:- Whether it is sacrifice without aspiration for a co-human being or it is sacrifice without aspiration for God, both the actions of such sacrifice can be called as selfless sacrifice. Selfless sacrifice means doing sacrifice without any selfish aspiration. This is a meritorious work irrespective of human being or God as receiver of the sacrifice. If such sacrifice is done for a human being, the fruit of such merit is temporary heaven and if such sacrifice is done for God, the fruit of such merit is eternal abode of God. Both these actions of sacrifice are good and meritorious (Puṇyam) with different status of fruit i.e., temporary or eternal as said in the Gītā (Kṣīṇe puṇye…, yadgatvā na nivartante…- Gītā).

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