There is no speaker who does not touch upon affection, and no writer goes without writing about it. All faiths preach affection but sadly most do not know the meaning of affection of love or use it correctly. Many words are used by us without knowing their meanings. We merely use such words out of habit, while those listening pretend to understand what is being said.
Those who really know the meaning of love or affection will certainly put it to practical use. The Yogis are able to make wild animals docile and poisonous snakes stunned by a mere glance. All this results from Love. Our ancients found out the truth that even a very wicked person can be converted to a good man through love. But before we begin to analyse the benefits of Love, let us see what Love is in actual practice.
Like emotions of anger, greediness, happiness, pity and compassion, so is Love an emotion. When one is governed by emotions, they perform certain things without full knowledge of what they are doing. We are all aware of what a man gripped by anger is capable of. Those who are under limitless happiness do certain things which we have seen. Once a man is governed by the emotion of Love, he will perform many rare things. Let us see what such a person is capable of.
If a mother has a deep love for her child, she will fast and feed only the child with what little food she has and will attain satisfaction by doing so. A son who is very affectionate towards his father will turn a deaf ear to his wife, relatives and others and with his meagre earning, will try to satisfy his father. If a wife loves her husband who is in financial debt, she will not mind parting with her ornaments and other material possessions to help him overcome his difficulties. If a husband loves his wife, he will spend all his earnings on her and be satisfied spending nothing on himself. If one sees a dear friend in difficulty, he will overlook the difficulties his own family may have to undergo in order that he may help his friend and will from this derive great satisfaction. If one is devoted to his Ishta Deva, he will not enjoy any worldly pleasures but will derive satisfaction and joy thinking about his Ishta Deva. Thus those who bestow genuine love or affection upon others expect nothing in return from them.
Expecting something in return for help is not a reflection of true love and affection as true Love is derived from real sacrifice. Such a person who does not expect anything in return obtains a peace of mind which cannot be measured, like a very poor person who obtains enormous wealth, or a chronically ill person becoming cured. Spiritually, it is said that the entire world will be indebted to one who loves truly. Test this yourself. Extend love to your pet, or to the pet of a neighbour. Look at it with the ‘bhavana’ of affection of love. See that the rays of your love meet the eye of the animal, then feed it well. You will find it showering affection and love on you, even when you do not feed it.
Yogis kept animals around their ashram under the control of manthras or siddhis. Wild animals controlled by the affectionate look and love of the yogis shed their fierceness and became very docile. In explaining Ahimsa (non-violence), yogis tell us that enmity does not exist in the presence of non-voilence. Within their influence, a tiger will not kill a cow. They may fight with each other, but the moment they come under the influence of such yogis, they become friendly. A mongoose and a snake will play with each other - this does not happen due to special powers of such yogis, but because of the love and affection emanated.
In the same way, a wife or a friend who does not act according to your dictum, will kindle anger in you, resulting in endless tension between the two, but if one continually shows love and affection towards such associates, they will in due course become friendly and will listen to what you say, like a man under the spell of a manthra. They will follow your dictums. To those who have no experience, this may seem an impossible proposition, but let them do as we have outlined above, once or twice, and they will know the secret of controlling all the things in the world. Dear student, be kind to those who hate and do not listen to you. Love those who act against your thinking and shower affection on those who are antagonistic towards you. you will find, in due course, that they have turned over a new leaf, which could not be achieved by manthras or even tanthras. They will become people who will be prepared to do anything for you. This is the rare power of Love. Experience it and make your life a pleasant one.
Those who really know the meaning of love or affection will certainly put it to practical use. The Yogis are able to make wild animals docile and poisonous snakes stunned by a mere glance. All this results from Love. Our ancients found out the truth that even a very wicked person can be converted to a good man through love. But before we begin to analyse the benefits of Love, let us see what Love is in actual practice.
Like emotions of anger, greediness, happiness, pity and compassion, so is Love an emotion. When one is governed by emotions, they perform certain things without full knowledge of what they are doing. We are all aware of what a man gripped by anger is capable of. Those who are under limitless happiness do certain things which we have seen. Once a man is governed by the emotion of Love, he will perform many rare things. Let us see what such a person is capable of.
If a mother has a deep love for her child, she will fast and feed only the child with what little food she has and will attain satisfaction by doing so. A son who is very affectionate towards his father will turn a deaf ear to his wife, relatives and others and with his meagre earning, will try to satisfy his father. If a wife loves her husband who is in financial debt, she will not mind parting with her ornaments and other material possessions to help him overcome his difficulties. If a husband loves his wife, he will spend all his earnings on her and be satisfied spending nothing on himself. If one sees a dear friend in difficulty, he will overlook the difficulties his own family may have to undergo in order that he may help his friend and will from this derive great satisfaction. If one is devoted to his Ishta Deva, he will not enjoy any worldly pleasures but will derive satisfaction and joy thinking about his Ishta Deva. Thus those who bestow genuine love or affection upon others expect nothing in return from them.
Expecting something in return for help is not a reflection of true love and affection as true Love is derived from real sacrifice. Such a person who does not expect anything in return obtains a peace of mind which cannot be measured, like a very poor person who obtains enormous wealth, or a chronically ill person becoming cured. Spiritually, it is said that the entire world will be indebted to one who loves truly. Test this yourself. Extend love to your pet, or to the pet of a neighbour. Look at it with the ‘bhavana’ of affection of love. See that the rays of your love meet the eye of the animal, then feed it well. You will find it showering affection and love on you, even when you do not feed it.
Yogis kept animals around their ashram under the control of manthras or siddhis. Wild animals controlled by the affectionate look and love of the yogis shed their fierceness and became very docile. In explaining Ahimsa (non-violence), yogis tell us that enmity does not exist in the presence of non-voilence. Within their influence, a tiger will not kill a cow. They may fight with each other, but the moment they come under the influence of such yogis, they become friendly. A mongoose and a snake will play with each other - this does not happen due to special powers of such yogis, but because of the love and affection emanated.
In the same way, a wife or a friend who does not act according to your dictum, will kindle anger in you, resulting in endless tension between the two, but if one continually shows love and affection towards such associates, they will in due course become friendly and will listen to what you say, like a man under the spell of a manthra. They will follow your dictums. To those who have no experience, this may seem an impossible proposition, but let them do as we have outlined above, once or twice, and they will know the secret of controlling all the things in the world. Dear student, be kind to those who hate and do not listen to you. Love those who act against your thinking and shower affection on those who are antagonistic towards you. you will find, in due course, that they have turned over a new leaf, which could not be achieved by manthras or even tanthras. They will become people who will be prepared to do anything for you. This is the rare power of Love. Experience it and make your life a pleasant one.
by Swami RK Murugesu Maharishi
