The Essence Of Bhagavatam-Part II

The word 'love' has become very popular. We hear people use it so often. If so many people really love each other, there should be 'Shanti' (Peace) , isn't it? Every New Year millions of people send greetings and good wishes to others; then why is there so much misery and dissatisfaction ? There is something wrong somewhere. We have not even understood the meaning of the word 'love'. If we like something, it is called love. If we are fascinated by something, it is also called love. If we get infatuated, that is also called love. When we get attached to someone, we call it love. We do not know what real love is; pure love is 'Shanti rupa paramananda'

It is of the nature of peace and bliss. What we call love in this world is only out of expectations if not fulfilled, problems begin. Love at first sight, divorce at the second look, and remarriage at the third! What is true love? What is true understanding? All of us want a house of our own; and when we build that house, we are very particular about the architecture. So we appoint an architect, and to execute his design, we get a good contractor and engineer. Then we need good materials to build the house. The foundation must be strong. After it is built, we want an interior decorator.

When it comes to building our own life, who is the architect? What is the foundation on which we are going to build our life? What about the material, the bricks with which we are going to build it? We have no idea about these. In a routine way, we go to school, because there is no other option. We study subjects we dislike, because it is forced on us or because that is the market now. Somehow we get through the exams and then get married, because that is what is expected of us. Then we have children- they come automatically.

There is some interval, some job satisfaction. Then problems begin. The need for spiritual discourses is not even known or felt by people. Goswami Tulsidas says very beautifully - 'Vinu satsanga vivek na hoi' - without exposing our mind to spiritual matters and the company of noble people, we do not get the right perspective of life, a discriminative understanding of things.

To be continued

Swami Tejomayananda

Swami Tejomayananda, the Chairman and spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide, is one of the foremost disciples of Swami Chinmayananda. He is an outstanding teacher of Vedanta and an accomplished poet, author, and composer.