Geethartha Chinthane 46: God is Found Through Unconditional Love and Friendship

When love for God is enlightened, it leads to salvation. Bhakti should be friendly, as the quote says, “Mahatmyajnanpurvastu sutrathah sarvatodhikah snehah bhaktiritiprooktah…” Jadabharatha loves a deer, but a deer cannot be innocent just because it loves Jadabharatha. He should love God more than he loves himself. There is a saying that one must win the Lord with a strategy (upaya). Upa means great, and aya means benefit.

Friendship costs nothing and is very easy. Isn’t it more profitable to make friends without spending anything than to make friends by spending a lot? Friendship is love. If there is a fight, the final sentiment that remains is, “I don’t love you.”

There are two things in this world: first is gain and loss, and second is reality and unreality. Politicians are always preoccupied with matters of gain and loss. It becomes necessary to maintain a balance between profit and loss, and reality and unreality. Sometimes, a small error must be tolerated for the sake of a larger goal. If one does not agree with this, they may have to abandon the bigger task.

~ Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Puthige Sri Krishna Matha

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