Everything is within us

Pathways to Divine … (Cont.)

Vatsalya – Vatsalya is imagining the Lord as one’s child. Devaki and Nandagopal thought that Krishna was their own child. Dasaratha also thought of Rama as his very own son. All had great affection and love. When Sage Vishwamitra wanted Rama and Lakshmana to protect his Yagna from the Asura’s threats, Dasaratha was overtaken by fear at the prospect of danger to their lives. The King pleaded with the Sage saying that Rama is but a small child. He does not know the evil ways of the Asuras. I will come for your service in their place. This is Vatsalya bhakthi when the devotee thinks that the great Lord is a small child.

Kulashekar Thevar imagined Rama as his son and sang songs like a father. Periazhavar also sang songs imagining Krishna as a child. Mother’s love is the greatest love in the world. So Swami says, My Love is greater than a thousand mothers. One can catch the Lord with Love called Vatsalya. Not even a thousand mothers or the love of the whole world is equal to the love of Sai.