Dear to Me

One who is completely free from ill will and is friendly and compassionate towards all, who has overcome attachment and egotism, who is self-composed in pain and pleasure, and forgiving, (13) Who is ever content, meditative, serene, resolute in spiritual effort, and whose mind and intellect are dedicated to me; he who is thus devoted to me is dear to me. (14) He by whom the world is not afflicted and who is not afflicted by the world, who is not carried away by emotion, and who is free from envy, fear and anxiety; he is dear to me. (15) He who is not ruled by sensory desires, who is pure, wise and competent, unattached, undisturbed, free from egoistic motive; he who is thus devoted to me is dear to me. (16) He who is neither overbearing in the joy of achievement nor negatively depressed in failure, who is neither abased by misfortune nor greedy of gain, who has renounced the concept of relative good and evil and is full of devotion; he is dear to me. (17) He who is equal to friend and foe, serene in fame and insult, heat and cold, pleasure and pain, and free from attachment, (18) Self-composed in praise and blame, wise in speech, content amidst all circumstances, unattached to this abode of life, and calm of mind; such a devout heart is dear to me. (19) But those who follow this immortal path of devotion exactly as herein propounded by me, with faith and regarding me as the supreme goal; such devotees indeed are exceedingly dear to me. (20)

Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita: The Revelation of the Supreme Self
Chapter 12:13-20
Translation by Swami Premananda

Love is Soul

Love is the inherent quality of the human heart. We, as yet, may not have developed the perfect intellect to understand metaphysical truths; our physical strength may not be adequate to allow us to work and serve; we may be mentally deficient, or physically weak, but the unending flow of the fountain of love is in every one of us. We are not truly alive until we have drunk from the fountain of love. Then alone we know the fullness of life when we have given ourselves to love. In love we truly live. Life unfolds itself in love, for love is life.

All possess love. We not only possess love, but we also have the spiritual strength to express it. To possess love is to manifest it. One whose heart is imbued with love can never hide it, for his whole being radiates it. Can a full-blown rose hide its fragrance? Then how can anyone ever conceal the sweetness of love? For love is sweeter than the rose.

We tend spontaneously to manifest love. Even from the day we are born, we try to express our love. None can ever fully express the love that fills his heart. Word and gesture are too finite to express the sublimity of infinite love that dwells in the human heart. Complete realization of love comes in the union of souls, for love is a quality of soul. Love is soul.

Swami Premananda
The Magnetic Power of Love (Bhakti Yoga)