Faith and its reward

For a straight week, my days revolved around rituals to appease the departed. Much money and time and effort was spent by the near and dear in these endeavours. The vadyar was well read in the vedic scriptures. He quoted extensively from the "garuda purana", a treatise on dealing with purported events after human death. The rituals are necessary as a staged ascension of the departed soul to its heavenly abode. All varieties of "dhanam's" - donations in cash and kind are offered to - and of course accepted by - the vadyar and other brahmins to smoothen the journey. This generosity is motivated in no small measure by the dire consequences promised to those who fail to do their duty to the departed. "Pithur sabham", is among the worst curses that could befall anyone. Elaborate rituals were conducted at "Mukti Karma Sthala" an establishment existing solely for this purpose. There, hordes of vadyars, their assistants and all manner of underlings thrive, operating in specially built sub-tenements, with all necessary facilities built-in. Turnkey arrangements are possible too. Business is booming, with new customers streaming in constantly. To the layman, such as yours truly, all this appeared like an elaborate scam.

But as I was leaving the place, I noticed on the lobby wall the inscription of these words:
"Faith is to believe in what you cannot yet see.
The reward for faith is to be able to see what you believe."