God & True Love

[Guest guest]

That by which the Lord's heart quickly melts....True Love

(excerpts from Manasa Bhakti Sutram)

 

- by H.H. Swami Tejomayananda

 

In reply to the question on devotion, Shri Rama says, ''That because

of which My heart quickly melts and which gives much joy to the

devotee is devotion.'' Such love touches His heart and He rushes to

embrace His devotee.

 

Many people think Bhakti is a particular act. If a person goes

regularly to a temple, he is considered a great devotee. He may or may

not be a devotee as doing a lot of rituals is not the essence of

devotion. Some others think that devotion is a mere display of

emotions. One who cries easily on hearing about the virtues of the

Lord or whilst singing devotional songs, is thought to be a devotee.

Does it mean that if one is unable to do so, one has no devotion? That

is not so. Acts of devotion or display of emotions is not necessarily

a sign of devotion, but if one has devotion he may perform acts of

devotion like worship or display emotions. Actors too are known to

bring out tears at will. Emotional people cry about anything and

everything. That is not devotion.

 

In Uttara Kanda, Kagabhushundi tells Garuda, " Even if one does a lot

of yoga or penance, gains knowledge, or develops dispassion, the Lord

is not found without true love for Him " .

True love alone is the essence of devotion. Therefore in prayer too it

is better to have a heart without words than to have many words

without the heart in it.

 

Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda said, " Work is love made visible''. In our

day-to-day life many people do their work without their heart in it.

Since they do it regularly they manage to do the task at hand

efficiently but we can clearly see that there is nothing special or

beautiful in their work. The person himself or herself also knows that

it is being done just for the sake of doing, mechanically, without

putting his or her best into it. However if there is true love behind

the work, it stands out. A person outshines his or her abilities. Even

a few words or a gesture or a look with true love is potent. Great men

achieve much because of this power of true love.

 

What is true love (anuraga)? Raga is an attachment, liking,

fascination or infatuation. Such love is fickle and without depth.

Love of a deceitful or superficial person is also fickle (khala ki

priti sthira nahi). Anuraga on the other hand is steadfast, deep and

lasting.

 

When Shri Rama, Lakshmana and Sitaji were residing in Panchavati,

Ravana's sister, Surpanakha happened to come there. She was instantly

attracted to Shri Rama. With her demonic powers, she transformed

herself into a beautiful young damsel and approached Shri Rama saying,

''There is no man to equal you and no woman like me (we are made for

each other)'' - tuma sama purusa na mo sama nari.

 

What she said is true. Who can equal the Lord in beauty, strength,

knowledge or virtue? And who can equal Surpanakha in deceit! Even

though she was a widow, she lied saying that she had remained

unmarried as she had found no one to match her greatness. The

omniscient Shri

Rama smiled and said that He was married and introduced His wife Sita.

He added that Lakshmana was without his wife. Immediately she shifted

her affections to Lakshmana. Alas! Even after coming so close to the

Lord, she could not attain Him! Such is the fleeting nature of

attachment. An attached, fickle, and deceitful mind does not allow us

to remain with the Lord.

 

On the other hand Shabari, the tribal woman waited for years for the

Lord with a heart filled with devotion. The Lord Himself came to her.

Anuraga brings God to your doorstep. Raga takes you away from Him.

 

With a heart filled with such love you may or may not do anything in

particular to express your love. We love our children unconditionally.

Do we feel compelled to express our love all the time? It is not

necessary. Love remains all the time even if we do not express it in

words or deeds. (Of course, expressing it gives the one who loves and

the beloved much joy and nourishes the relationship).

 

True love alone melts the Lord. He then rushes to meet His devotee.

Being all-pervading, it does not take Him any time to manifest. The

all-pervading Lord always resides in all actions that spring from

devotion (tasmat sarvagatam brahma nityam yajne pratisthitam).

 

Om Tat Sat