Today is Valentine’s Day. People have been celebrating this day as a day of love and romance since the 1300s. On this day people demonstrate their love by exchanging cards, candy, flowers or gifts with their special “valentine”.
"Love" is considered pure, selfless and eternal. Does the" love" seen around us have those characteristics? Let us reflect on the various material relationships to test their purity.
1. Parent – child relationship - Parents provide the best possible care to their child(ren). They consider it their moral responsibility and they do hope that the children will take care of them in their old age.
2. A romantic relationship - It lasts as long there is a hope of getting something out of the relationship. If that hope ends that relationship also ends.
"Love" is considered pure, selfless and eternal. Does the" love" seen around us have those characteristics? Let us reflect on the various material relationships to test their purity.
1. Parent – child relationship - Parents provide the best possible care to their child(ren). They consider it their moral responsibility and they do hope that the children will take care of them in their old age.
2. A romantic relationship - It lasts as long there is a hope of getting something out of the relationship. If that hope ends that relationship also ends.
3. A friendly relationship - Every friendship lasts as long as both parties share the same interests. Friendship ends as soon as the interests drift apart.
4. Employer - employee relationship - The employer treats an employee well as long as the employee performs well in the assigned responsibilities. If not the employer will remove the employee from the payroll. On the other hand, employees change employers based on their own interests like compensation, flexible schedules, stability, growth-potential etc.
5. Supporting Charitable, Educational, Medical etc. Institutions - People donate time to these institutions to get on the roster of donors.
4. Employer - employee relationship - The employer treats an employee well as long as the employee performs well in the assigned responsibilities. If not the employer will remove the employee from the payroll. On the other hand, employees change employers based on their own interests like compensation, flexible schedules, stability, growth-potential etc.
5. Supporting Charitable, Educational, Medical etc. Institutions - People donate time to these institutions to get on the roster of donors.
6. Helping Needy - Some help others in need
a. in the hope that when they are in need someone will help them.
b. by donating funds, time, resources etc. They don't expect anything from anyone on earth instead they hope of getting a better after life.
Deep examination of all these (and any other expressions of love) reveals that love in all worldly relations is inspired by self-happiness, self-satisfaction and self–interest. And it is our experience that when self-interest of two individuals clashes, it results in discontentment, dissatisfaction and discord. Every person is fraught with these experiences. Scriptures and also the modern scientists say this world will come to an end. How can anything in here be eternal?
This means the “love” that we have experienced so far is not the love which is so highly spoken about. Now the question arises, what is true love which is being spoken of so highly by everyone? Is it a mere fiction or an empty ideal?
Sage Narad wrote in his book Narad Bhakti Darshan that
a. in the hope that when they are in need someone will help them.
b. by donating funds, time, resources etc. They don't expect anything from anyone on earth instead they hope of getting a better after life.
Deep examination of all these (and any other expressions of love) reveals that love in all worldly relations is inspired by self-happiness, self-satisfaction and self–interest. And it is our experience that when self-interest of two individuals clashes, it results in discontentment, dissatisfaction and discord. Every person is fraught with these experiences. Scriptures and also the modern scientists say this world will come to an end. How can anything in here be eternal?
This means the “love” that we have experienced so far is not the love which is so highly spoken about. Now the question arises, what is true love which is being spoken of so highly by everyone? Is it a mere fiction or an empty ideal?
Sage Narad wrote in his book Narad Bhakti Darshan that
अनिर्वचनीयं प्रेमस्वरूपम्।
anirvacanīyaṃ premasvarūpam
anirvacanīyaṃ premasvarūpam
“Love is a divine entity and that is why it is indescribable”.
Again, he says in aphorism 5 of Narad Bhakti Darshan
Again, he says in aphorism 5 of Narad Bhakti Darshan
यत्प्राप्य न किंचित्वांछति, न शोचति, न द्वेष्टि, न रमते, नोत्साही भवति ॥
yatprāpya na kiṃcitvāṃchati, na śocati, na dveṣṭi, na ramate, notsāhī bhavati
yatprāpya na kiṃcitvāṃchati, na śocati, na dveṣṭi, na ramate, notsāhī bhavati
“There is no trace of desire, distress, animosity, fondness or self-ambition in love”
Can any form of worldly love demonstrate these characteristics? As we have already discussed, it cannot be seen anywhere in the material realm. Because, everyone’s sole aim in life is to please oneself and that quest will not end till that goal is attained.
Our eternal scriptures further define the highest ideal of love
Can any form of worldly love demonstrate these characteristics? As we have already discussed, it cannot be seen anywhere in the material realm. Because, everyone’s sole aim in life is to please oneself and that quest will not end till that goal is attained.
Our eternal scriptures further define the highest ideal of love
तत्सुखसुखित्वं
tatsukhasukhitvaṃ
tatsukhasukhitvaṃ
“To be happy in making the beloved happy”
It means the thought of self-happiness does not even cross the mind of a selfless-lover. Happiness of her beloved becomes her true happiness. Sage Narad further explains
It means the thought of self-happiness does not even cross the mind of a selfless-lover. Happiness of her beloved becomes her true happiness. Sage Narad further explains
यथा ब्रजगोपिकानाम्।
yathā brajagopikānām
yathā brajagopikānām
“Just like it is seen in maidens of Braj.” Gopis are the emblem of True Love. In fact the word gopi in Sanskrit means “the guardian of the true form of love”.
So, what is the “love” that we experience? And can we attain the real "love"?
That pure, selfless, eternal love is not present in this material world. Out of ignorance the word “love” is used in material contexts. Scriptures explain that “love” is a divine power of Lord Krishna. The personified form of “love” is known as Shri Radha. The power of love is so mighty and unique that it does not remain under the control of the power-holder. Instead it controls the power-holder Shri Krishna. The Gopis who love Shri Krishna do not desire to receive any rewards from Him because the chief quality of love is total selflessness. Their joy knows no bounds in serving Him to please only Him. If they have any desire, it is to please Him. If their own pleasure displeases Shri Krishna, then they consider it the source of great pain. Similarly, if their own pain delights Shri Krishna then that pain is a source of happiness for them. This is the ideology of Shri Radha’s love and the Gopis are like the expansion of Shri Radha’s personality. They are forever engaged in fulfilling desires of the divine couple Shri Radha and Krishna.
To learn the depth of selfless love read this story of a Gopi, who follows the path of selfless divine love -
Once a Gopi saw that Shri Krishna is very pleased to see her dressed in white. So, she dressed herself in white clothes, adorned herself in white jewels and flowers, and set out to meet Shri Krishna. He was sleeping in a flower grove at that time. She waited for a while but the flowers won’t stay fresh for long. So, she decided to wake him up but she feared startling Him. So she took a lotus flower and shook it over His face. The idea was the cool pollen from the flower would fall on his face and awaken Him.
So, what is the “love” that we experience? And can we attain the real "love"?
That pure, selfless, eternal love is not present in this material world. Out of ignorance the word “love” is used in material contexts. Scriptures explain that “love” is a divine power of Lord Krishna. The personified form of “love” is known as Shri Radha. The power of love is so mighty and unique that it does not remain under the control of the power-holder. Instead it controls the power-holder Shri Krishna. The Gopis who love Shri Krishna do not desire to receive any rewards from Him because the chief quality of love is total selflessness. Their joy knows no bounds in serving Him to please only Him. If they have any desire, it is to please Him. If their own pleasure displeases Shri Krishna, then they consider it the source of great pain. Similarly, if their own pain delights Shri Krishna then that pain is a source of happiness for them. This is the ideology of Shri Radha’s love and the Gopis are like the expansion of Shri Radha’s personality. They are forever engaged in fulfilling desires of the divine couple Shri Radha and Krishna.
To learn the depth of selfless love read this story of a Gopi, who follows the path of selfless divine love -
Once a Gopi saw that Shri Krishna is very pleased to see her dressed in white. So, she dressed herself in white clothes, adorned herself in white jewels and flowers, and set out to meet Shri Krishna. He was sleeping in a flower grove at that time. She waited for a while but the flowers won’t stay fresh for long. So, she decided to wake him up but she feared startling Him. So she took a lotus flower and shook it over His face. The idea was the cool pollen from the flower would fall on his face and awaken Him.
Radha Rani explaining the secret of selfless love to a Gopi
Shri Radha Rani passed by and seeing her asked what was going on. The Gopi explained that she wants to please Shri Krishna so she has dressed in white. Now, before the flowers wither away she wanted Him to wake up and enjoy the sight.
Radha Rani smiled and said,”Sakhi! Beloved Shyam Sundar is enjoying His sleep at this moment. This act will disturb His present enjoyment. That is not selflessness”. The Gopi explained, “O Swamini Ju! I am doing everything for His happiness alone. I want to please Him with my white adornments”.
Shri Radha sweetly further explained to her,” Sakhi! You are supposed to wait patiently till He is done enjoying what He is currently enjoying. Then give Him the next thing to enjoy.”
“But the flowers would wither and lose their enchanting beauty after a while!”
Shri Radha said “Then you should adorn yourself again and again, till he is ready to enjoy it. Do it gladly, if needed millions of times, in an attempt to please Him. This is what selfless love means.”
The Gopi was happy to know the secret of selfless divine love.
Since this true love is divine it cannot be found in any material being. Just like the milk of a lioness can stay fresh only in a gold pot, the divine love can stay only in a divine heart.
In order to attain that true love and to enjoy it
1. One has to practice devotion towards Lord Radha-Krishna under the guidance of a rasik saint. This will remove the material attachments of the mind and make it purer.
2. After all material attachments are removed, the saint would turn the heart into a divine entity.
3. Thereby, the saint will graciously grant the true divine love in the divine receptacle.
Before that, even though all are devoid of the bliss of divine love, we put up an act of love in the hope of receiving love from each other. We inherently desire for that "love" because we are the part of Shri Krishna, who is the embodiment of love. Since every part wants to become whole, since eternity we inherently are searching for the bliss of true love, which is unsurpassed, everlasting and ever increasing. But due to ignorance we are searching for it in this material world.
So to make our valentine day, known as Gopi Prem Diwas amongst the devotees of Shri Maharaj Ji, successful, we should seek shelter at the lotus feet of a saint who is from the path of Raganuga Bhakti (1) and practice completely selfless devotion towards Radha-Krishna.
One can have one of the three attitudes
1. Attitude to take only - Tendency of taking for self-happiness is called Kamana (desire). It does not fall in the category of love.
2. Attitude to give and take - Tendency of give in order to get more in return or compromise is called business.
3. Attitude to give only - Tendency of giving only is love.
We have to learn to renounce everything to attain divine love. ‘’Everything’’ comprises of these 3 things -
1. Bhukti means material gratification up to the abode of Brahma
2. Mukti liberation from the clutches of Maya.
3. Divine Bliss of Baikunth Lok the eternal abode of the Almighty form of Shri Krishna.
The devotee attains love only when (s)he is free of all desires and wishes to attain pure love of God with the intent to please the divine couple.
Radha Rani smiled and said,”Sakhi! Beloved Shyam Sundar is enjoying His sleep at this moment. This act will disturb His present enjoyment. That is not selflessness”. The Gopi explained, “O Swamini Ju! I am doing everything for His happiness alone. I want to please Him with my white adornments”.
Shri Radha sweetly further explained to her,” Sakhi! You are supposed to wait patiently till He is done enjoying what He is currently enjoying. Then give Him the next thing to enjoy.”
“But the flowers would wither and lose their enchanting beauty after a while!”
Shri Radha said “Then you should adorn yourself again and again, till he is ready to enjoy it. Do it gladly, if needed millions of times, in an attempt to please Him. This is what selfless love means.”
The Gopi was happy to know the secret of selfless divine love.
Since this true love is divine it cannot be found in any material being. Just like the milk of a lioness can stay fresh only in a gold pot, the divine love can stay only in a divine heart.
In order to attain that true love and to enjoy it
1. One has to practice devotion towards Lord Radha-Krishna under the guidance of a rasik saint. This will remove the material attachments of the mind and make it purer.
2. After all material attachments are removed, the saint would turn the heart into a divine entity.
3. Thereby, the saint will graciously grant the true divine love in the divine receptacle.
Before that, even though all are devoid of the bliss of divine love, we put up an act of love in the hope of receiving love from each other. We inherently desire for that "love" because we are the part of Shri Krishna, who is the embodiment of love. Since every part wants to become whole, since eternity we inherently are searching for the bliss of true love, which is unsurpassed, everlasting and ever increasing. But due to ignorance we are searching for it in this material world.
So to make our valentine day, known as Gopi Prem Diwas amongst the devotees of Shri Maharaj Ji, successful, we should seek shelter at the lotus feet of a saint who is from the path of Raganuga Bhakti (1) and practice completely selfless devotion towards Radha-Krishna.
One can have one of the three attitudes
1. Attitude to take only - Tendency of taking for self-happiness is called Kamana (desire). It does not fall in the category of love.
2. Attitude to give and take - Tendency of give in order to get more in return or compromise is called business.
3. Attitude to give only - Tendency of giving only is love.
We have to learn to renounce everything to attain divine love. ‘’Everything’’ comprises of these 3 things -
1. Bhukti means material gratification up to the abode of Brahma
2. Mukti liberation from the clutches of Maya.
3. Divine Bliss of Baikunth Lok the eternal abode of the Almighty form of Shri Krishna.
The devotee attains love only when (s)he is free of all desires and wishes to attain pure love of God with the intent to please the divine couple.
लेना देना सीखा सदा गोविंद राधे । देना देना पाठ अब मन को बता दे ॥
lenā denā sīkhā sadā goviṃda rādhe . denā denā pāṭha aba mana ko batā de
lenā denā sīkhā sadā goviṃda rādhe . denā denā pāṭha aba mana ko batā de
“Since eternity we have learned to strike bargains. Now, we need to learn the lesson of continuous giving”.
We all are supposed to resolve on Valentine’s Day (Gopi Prem Diwas) to attain such a pure divine love.
Spiritual improvement is immensely important to rectify our life so we can attain our exclusive desire since eternity. So, the purpose of celebrating Valentine's day should be more than just material love and passion(2). Use these festivals to propel yourself forward on the journey to meeting your first and last Valentine and achieving His divine love.
We all are supposed to resolve on Valentine’s Day (Gopi Prem Diwas) to attain such a pure divine love.
Spiritual improvement is immensely important to rectify our life so we can attain our exclusive desire since eternity. So, the purpose of celebrating Valentine's day should be more than just material love and passion(2). Use these festivals to propel yourself forward on the journey to meeting your first and last Valentine and achieving His divine love.
Happy Gopi Prem Divas
