What are the characteristics of love for God? | P. Mahant Swami | Satsang Chintan

What are the characteristics of having love for God?

What is the etymology of love?

Of the word love.

Love is that which is dear.

Love is an offering to the beloved.

Beloved offering.

What does 'tarpan' mean?

It means to please, to make happy.

Pleasing.

To offer to him means to make him happy.

Such a person becomes happy.

That is called love.

Maharaj said the original word is this, the original meaning is like this.

That is to please him.

Such a person.

How does that happen?

So, from that, all the characteristics of devotion were written.

All the characteristics of devotion that have been made are based on that.

It is written in the Narada BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → Sutra, its characteristic.

Love for stories and so on.

Love for worship and so on.

For that purpose, complete devotion, and extreme distress upon forgetting it.

Self-love without opposition, all these characteristics are written.

To give him respect.

To honor him.

The characteristic is mentioned in the BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → Sutras.

Those characteristics are all action-based characteristics.

Love is an emotion, so it cannot be described.

But its actions can be described.

And sometimes, when describing actions, there are different actions.

So we can describe the actions.

But sometimes, some actions cannot be described completely, and some actions can be described completely.

Therefore, in the characteristic of love, there are many.

To offer to him.

That is the original feeling.

To please him.

So what did Maharaj say here? Which point did he make?

God is pleased.

Huh? Following the will, अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti).

Maharaj said that following his will is great devotion.

No other devotion is considered like अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti).

In अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti), both positive and negative aspects are included.

There are two divisions of devotion, aren't there? One is union and the other is separation.

Devotion of separation.

And devotion of union.

Both devotions.

Both are included in अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti).

Therefore, the form of love is that whoever has love for someone, lives according to their will.

And if one's beloved, what Maharaj said, means to live in अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti).

And there is no other devotion like अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti).

Service with अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti).

It is written in the Eleventh Canto of the Bhagavata, as you mentioned in Gunatitanand Swami's discourse.

What is service?

Devotion.

Anuvritti.

Service with अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti) means to serve with अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti).

To serve with अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti).

To serve through action is already there.

But in अनुवृत्ति (anuvritti), action is included.

Emotion is included.

Whatever is included, offering is included.

Therefore, the form of love is that whoever has love for someone, lives according to their will.

And if one knows their beloved is pleased by staying close, then they stay close.

At the time of Maharaj, Sachchidanand Swami had asked Maharaj, "What is the characteristic of love?"

Sachchidanand Swami was very loving, he had great love for Maharaj.

So, Gopalanand Swami, and Muktanand Swami, and Gunatitanand Swami, Nishkulanand SwamiNishkulanand SwamiDisciple of Sahajanand Swami (Swaminarayan Bhagwan) and author of the Bhaktachintamani, as stated in the scripture's own closing colophon at the end of every chapter.Tap to open in glossary →, Brahmanand Swami.

Can they be said to have love for God or not?

If we compare, whose is considered more?

That

No, so Maharaj without Maharaj dies. Maharaj further, another

The second paragraph written there says that if there is separation from God, one's life departs.

Such is the affection of one for God.

So, without Maharaj, one dies.

And if God commands him to go far away from us and do this much work for us.

So, should he go or not?

So, the affection of Satchidanand Swami for Maharaj was such that he would die without Maharaj, his life would depart.

And Gopal Anand Swami, Muktanand Swami, and all those saints would not have had such a strong affection that their lives would depart. They all kept their lives.

Where did they highlight it in the characteristic of love?

Anuvruti

That Anuvruti

Anuvruti

Sometimes, if there is excessive affection, it completely destroys Anuvruti.

If there is a lot of affection, what does one do?

Does one do what one likes, or what the other likes?

One does as one pleases, little by little.

What does he like?

That is not to be seen.

Maharaj said that the characteristic of love is not what one likes, but what the other likes.

To do as he likes.

Then, even if one likes to do one's own service, or likes to do that, one should still do it.

So, it is worth contemplating deeply.

Wherever the characteristics of love are written, Gunatitanand Swami said to all of them that one should do good with words.

And then analyze it, think well.

Then something enters into it.

It enters.

Therefore, the true form of affection is that whoever has affection for someone, lives according to their will.

And if one knows that their beloved is pleased by them staying close, then they stay close.

And if one knows that their beloved is pleased by them staying far, then they stay far.

But no one

If one likes proximity devotion, one practices proximity.

If one likes separation devotion, one practices separation.

But one acts according to his will.

And the characteristic of mere love is that it always revolves around him.

He still walks around in circumambulation.

Not violating his will is the characteristic of true love.

Both of those come in it.

And the Gopis had true love for Lord Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →.

Otherwise, the Gopis would have suffered a fatal blow.

But still, seeing Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →'s wish, something

They drove our nature.

But in no way does one violate the command of one's beloved; that is the characteristic of love.

If the Gopis had true love for God.

Will is an internal matter, and command is an external matter.

But both come under Anuvruti.

If the Gopis had true love for God, they would not have gone to see God without His command.

And when God called them to Kurukshetra, they had the darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary → of God.

But in no way

When God was 11 years old, he went to Mathura.

So, in Kurukshetra, he was called only after 100 years.

And for 100 years, his love for God continued.

That is called true, solid love.

If we get separated for a few days, there is no connection left.

Then there is no connection left.

So, a continuous love, just like that.

So, he has true love.

It is a characteristic of love, isn't it?

If the Gopis had love for God, it is written in the Narada BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → Sutra, "Vivardhamana Nitya Vivardhamana" (ever-increasing, eternally increasing).

One nature of love is that it does not decrease.

If it is true.

It keeps on increasing.

If time passes, time cannot consume it.

Time cannot damage it.

If one has true love, and they got separated.

Five years, ten years, fifty years, a hundred years.

He called these Gopis after almost a hundred years.

He called them to Kurukshetra, in my opinion, after the Mahabharata war.

God.

The Mahabharata war was over.

So the Mahabharata war happened when Lord Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → was over a hundred years old.

And he left when he was 11 years old. A period of a hundred years passed. No darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary →, nothing, yet the love remains the same.

Long time.

If the Gopis

If we have love when we come, then even a sadhu believes it.

Then does it last forever?

It doesn't last forever.

It's intense when it comes.

Like when new marriages happen.

And then it doesn't last long.

Gunatitanand Swami said that to live and die in one state, to live and die, is even more difficult than nirvikalpa samadhi.

So, maintaining that love, that love itself, is salvation.

To maintain it in good and bad situations, and in that, his salvation was achieved.

Then let him do as many spiritual practices as he wants.

Whether he does or not, his salvation is achieved.

If the devotion towards Maharaj is maintained, and the devotion towards God's sadhus and God's devotees is maintained, then his salvation is achieved.

But it is more difficult than nirvikalpa samadhi.

The great saints said that.

If the Gopis had true love for God, then they would not go for darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary → of God without his command.

To have atma-buddhibuddhi1) Intellect. Intelligence. 2) One of the four antah-karans, with the functions of consolidating thoughts, making decisions and resolutions, forming beliefs, or discriminating. It possesses the knowledge of all objects and is also the reason for the specific knowledge which all of the indriyas possess. Its inherent features are doubts, belief, sleep and memory.Tap to open in glossary → (oneness) with God's devotees and saints is more difficult than nirvikalpa samadhi.

If one starts nirvikalpa samadhi, they can cross over in Ashtanga Yoga.

But in this, one cannot cross over; in this, one's own nature comes in the way.

In Ashtanga Yoga, one's own nature does not come in the way.

In Ashtanga Yoga,

This is called anuvritti (following), and if we want to act according to someone else's will, then our own nature comes in the way.

Is Ashtanga Yoga according to our will or according to the will of Ashtanga Yoga?

We keep it according to our will then.

So if this jiva (soul) has decided, then it can turn Girnar upside down, move it from here to here, from Junagadh to this side and that side.

It can do that.

But it cannot move its own nature from here to here.

That's why love is very difficult.

It's called anuvritti, isn't it?

According to his will, one has to put their own nature from here to here.

So, in that love, nature becomes an obstacle.

Maharaj said in the first Vachanamrut that

Even if a jiva (soul) does satsangsatsang1) True company. The practice of associating with Bhagvãn’s sant, other satsangis, the ãtmã, and the sacred shãstras, and also observing vartmãns and niyams. 2) Also refers to the sampradãy, which is the presence of good company.Tap to open in glossary → for many days,

Just as the body and its relatives

The deep love that this jiva has for them, why doesn't such deep love happen in satsangsatsang1) True company. The practice of associating with Bhagvãn’s sant, other satsangis, the ãtmã, and the sacred shãstras, and also observing vartmãns and niyams. 2) Also refers to the sampradãy, which is the presence of good company.Tap to open in glossary →?

Why doesn't it happen for sadhus and God's devotees?

So what did Maharaj say there?

Nature comes in the way.

If you want to move Girnar, it moves.

If you want to change your nature, it doesn't change.

So, in that love, both are main, in love, the main opponent is.

If the Gopis had true love for God, then they would not go for darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary → of God without his command.

And when God called them to Kurukshetra, they had darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary → of God.

But in no way did they break God's word.

Therefore, whoever has love for God will never transgress God's command.

To remain as God likes is the characteristic of love.

To remain in anuvritti (following)

That is the characteristic of love accepted by Maharaj.

Many have described the characteristics of love.

The characteristics of love are also found in the literature of ChaitanyaChaitanyaConsciousness. The substance of the ãtmã. A higher consciousness that is beyond the physical world, which is jad and mãyik. It is indestructible.Tap to open in glossary → Mahaprabhu.

Narad BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → Sutra, Shandilya Sutra.

It comes in Vachanamrut.

Keep that in mind.

Maharaj said 'Pritam'.

Then Shriji Maharaj said.

Lord Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → said in the Gita, 'Vasudev Sarvam Iti'.

Such a great soul is rare.

That great soul is very rare.

Almost all of them are pretty much the same.

If one analyzes it deeply, there will be some difference.

Vasudev Sarvam Iti Sa Mahatma Durlabha, so what does Vasudev Sarvam mean?

For him, everything is God.

For him, everything is.

Vasudev is everywhere, there are two meanings. Vasudev Sarvam means Vasudev is everywhere. That meaning also applies.

But for this, because devotion is a private thing.

Devotion is not a general thing.

DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → is a general thing.

Not to commit violence applies to everyone.

And devotion is a private thing.

So, Vasudev Sarvam, meaning to see Vasudev everywhere, that is good.

But Vasudev, for whom everything is.

That is what devotion is called in the Gita.

Then Shriji Maharaj said.

Let us ask a question.

Then the munimuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary → said, "O Maharaj, ask."

Then Shriji Maharaj said.

A devotee of God, who considers the five worldly subjects, which are unrelated to the murtimurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → of God, as insignificant, and maintains a relationship with God in all five ways, makes them insignificant.

And in all five ways, he maintains a relationship with God.

To such a devotee, God commands, "You stay away from me."

Then, if he desires to have darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary → of God, he disobeys the command.

And if he does not obey the command, then God will not have affection for that devotee.

Therefore, just as that devotee has renounced the five worldly subjects like sound, etc., should he also renounce the five subjects related to God, namely sound, touch, form, taste, and smell, or not?

That is the question.

Then all the munis gathered

If one experiences separation from God, one dies.

Such is his affection.

So then, if God commands, one has to go away, right?

So, to die or to live.

That is Satchidanand Swami's question, and this is Maharaj's question, and it is a bit of a cross-question to that.

This is Maharaj's question in response to Satchidanand Swami's question.

And it's a bit more of a cross than that.

Then all the munis

Maharaj asks such a cross-question to verify the nature of love, the nature of affection.

So, to die or to obey the command.

What to do?

He dies in his separation.

And if he dies, he won't obey the command then.

Then all the munis gathered, and each gave an answer according to their intellect.

But the question was not resolved.

Then Shriji Maharaj was told, "O Maharaj, you answer it."

Then Shriji Maharaj

Then Shriji Maharaj said.

One who has firm affection for God and has made insignificant the five worldly subjects that are devoid of an eternal relationship with God, and who is firmly connected with God through the five subjects like sound, etc.

And who is firmly connected with God through the five subjects like sound, etc., that devotee, by the command of God, wherever he goes, the murtimurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → of God also goes with that devotee.

Yes.

It's not just that he has affection for God.

God has more affection for him than that.

Such are my beloved, beloved.

The knower's ultimate truth is dear to me.

Just as I am extremely dear to the wise, so too is he extremely dear to me.

So God's separation from him is even greater.

So, God becomes happy with that.

So, God protects him.

So, he won't let him die.

And to be courageous.

To be courageous in following the commands.

God won't let him die.

God will protect him.

If he is here, he won't protect him that much.

If he goes outside, God will protect him even more.

Do it with love.

He keeps the commands.

One who has firm love for God and has made the five worldly pleasures insignificant, being devoid of constant connection with God.

What is virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → called?

What is virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → called?

When they are separated.

One who hears it, that is virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary →.

Hears?

Hears.

Meaning, he says, "Okay."

The feeling didn't come in it, like that.

Agitation.

Agitation comes in it.

If agitation comes due to separation, then.

That is called virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary →.

Here, Maharaj said that

Which is superior, anuruti or agitation?

Anuruti is superior.

Huh?

Why?

Why?

He is dying, so then.

In agitation, he dies.

And in anuruti, he doesn't die, he lives.

God's protection.

Huh?

Anuruti.

Whatever God's wish is.

He acts according to God's will.

In this, it's his own will.

God's wish is to keep him alive.

Or to kill him.

What am I saying?

It is to keep him alive.

Huh?

If he lives, he comes in God's way.

If he comes in the way, then God has difficulty.

If he lives, it's better if he dies, then he won't come in the way.

Nature says that both of them are not in the way.

And then virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → is proven.

And if he dies, no one comes in the way.

And virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → is proven.

So his work is done.

And God's work is also done.

That he doesn't come in the way.

That work became God's.

And for him, virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → was proven, so he felt that way.

Right?

That's good.

And it's not called love.

Why?

It is called love, virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → is called love.

Virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → means love.

And if he dies without him, what greater love can be said than that?

Huh?

Those with nature die.

Huh?

Those with such a nature have to give up that nature.

They don't die.

They extract oil from others and then die.

Virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → has come in anuruti.

Why do you say that?

What is virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → called in anuruti?

He dies without them.

He dies without him.

This is the last thing.

And if he keeps anuruti, he is not going to die.

So where did virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → come from in anuruti?

He who lives is Maharaj.

He who lives is Maharaj.

That's right.

And he who dies.

He doesn't die for himself, but he dies because of himself.

God does not wish for him to die.

What is God's wish?

He does my work.

Is God more pleased if we die, or if we do his work?

Huh?

He does devotional service.

If he serves him, he will be pleased.

If he died, what benefit did God get from that? Tell me.

And what benefit does he get?

He might have gotten a benefit.

That his virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → was proven.

But what benefit does God get from that? Tell me.

That's why anuruti was mentioned.

In anuruti, God's virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → also came, Maharaj says.

He has made all the five worldly pleasures, except God, false.

So, if there is separation from anything other than God, he almost dies.

So, virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → has come in that.

Now, if he keeps God's anuruti.

Then God is pleased.

God's work is done.

And his work is also done.

And virah bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → is proven in that.

So, Maharaj has called anuruti bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → superior to all others here, right?

Everyone had their own differences of opinion.

What was the meaning?

First, Naradji created differences of opinion among everyone in the Narad BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → Sutra.

And then he gave his own opinion.

So what did that mean?

That I believe more in this than in that.

So Maharaj knows all this, yet Maharaj said that we believe more in this bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary →.