Asserted Topics:
How does a devotee develop intense love for God’s Murti? How do God and great Santo develop love for a mumukshu?
Main Points:
- There are many reasons for developing love for God. The primary reason is understanding God’s greatness, which involves knowing the divine qualities present in God.
- There are many reasons why God becomes pleased with a mumukshu. The main reasons are:
- Regulation of speech or discretion in speech,
- Physical self-discipline,
- Concentration during Darshan.
Commentary:
In this Vachanamrut, Swayamprakashanand Swami asked a question: How does a devotee develop intense love for God’s Murti? This question is quite complex. Love can be of two types: mutual and one-sided. Swami asked a significant question, addressing one-sided love. Maharaj responded by explaining the concept of mutual love. One-sided love means that one person loves another without expecting reciprocation. Mutual love expects that as one loves, the other should also love back.
In this world, it is generally observed that love is of three types: (1) Love arising from blood relationships, (2) Love arising from relationships with the opposite sex, and (3) Love arising from understanding the greatness of a person. Maharaj has mentioned these three types of love in different contexts in the Vachanamrut. Apart from these, there are many other reasons for the birth of love, such as love arising from physical appearance, lust, greed, selfishness, and qualities. Additionally, love can arise from transactions, conversations, and companionship. However, the love explained in the scriptures and society is the most prevalent and strong.
Love Arising from Blood Relationships: The love that arises between parents and children, siblings, etc., is called the love of blood relationships. Maharaj compared it to the thorny cactus plant, which grows even without any special encouragement. This love is so strong that it does not perish in any way. However, the love arising from relationships with the opposite sex can successfully overcome it. In Vach.G.F.32, Maharaj mentioned that men easily develop intense love for women, and vice versa. This love, called God’s Maya, is stronger than the love of blood relationships.
In society and scriptures, it is observed that once the love between opposite sexes starts, the love for parents diminishes. Often, it even becomes bitter. The love between siblings also breaks due to this love. The love of blood relationships, which is considered eternal in scriptures, is also shattered in a short time due to this love. Therefore, the love arising from relationships with the opposite sex is stronger than that of blood relationships. However, the love arising from understanding God’s greatness is even stronger than the love between opposite sexes. Those who understand God’s greatness have given up their beloved wives at a young age and developed love for God. Chitraketu gave up millions of wives, and Bhartrihari renounced sixteen hundred women. Many devotees have forsaken their dear wives and developed love for God. The love that arises from understanding God’s greatness is the strongest. Therefore, Maharaj first mentioned that the love born out of qualities does not perish. Understanding God’s qualities means understanding God’s greatness. Therefore, love based on qualities remains steady, as stated by Shreeji Maharaj in the Vachanamrut.
After that, Shreeji Maharaj discussed why God develops affection for a devotee, focusing on the qualities of such a devotee. Until now, we have discussed why a devotee develops love for God. Even if a person possesses many qualities, to gain the love of Shreeji Maharaj, a devotee should live according to the qualities of speech, body, and mind as described in this Vachanamrut.
There are many qualities of speech, such as speaking truthfully, sweetly, and beneficially. While these qualities please God, the discretion in speech described in the Vachanamrut brings immense pleasure to God and great Santo. Other qualities of speech are numerous, but without the discretion mentioned in the Vachanamrut, other qualities do not significantly contribute to one’s welfare.
Similarly, there are many qualities of the body, such as physical strength, service attitude, humility, etc. These qualities are very useful for those who wish to walk the path of moksha and are means to please God and great Santo. One should avoid arrogance and serve the devotees of God diligently to gain the pleasure of God and Santo.
The third quality of the mind is to maintain concentration during Darshan. One should not let the mind wander during Darshan. While having Darshan, one should close the eyes and imprint the Murti of God in the heart through the eyes. By repeatedly practicing this during Darshan, a devotee develops love for God. God and great Santo also develop love and become pleased with such a devotee.
Furthermore, Maharaj emphasized the need for special regulation of the senses of hearing and sight because these senses can easily grasp their subjects even from a distance. Other senses can only grasp their subjects when they come near. Therefore, the senses of hearing and sight need more regulation as they constantly hold onto their subjects. Thus, Maharaj emphasized the special regulation of these two senses. Subjects experienced with attachment or intense eagerness are particularly recalled during worship. Hence, one must regulate the senses of hearing and sight and guide them back.
Especially in the Vachanamrut, the qualities of mind and speech are mentioned as the reasons why God and great Santo become pleased with a devotee. The greatness of God causes the devotee to develop love for Him. The subject of the Vachanamrut is about developing mutual love. Here, more emphasis is placed on why God and great Santo develop love for a mumukshu and how a mumukshu develops love for God. Shreeji Maharaj added to the question a bit, and after this addition, he elaborated on why God and great Santo develop more affection for a devotee. (Understanding this context is necessary to comprehend the Vachanamrut.)