Today is Radhastami, the birthday of Radha Rani, as per Hindu traditions. The spiritual love story of Radha and Krishna is known to all. They both were inseparable, and it is also said that they were the embodiment of the human body and soul, where one can not live without the other. Radha, the chief consort of Krishna, is many times placed even higher than Krishna himself as per many scriptures. Also, there are many heart-touching narratives about the eternal & transcendental love between Radha and Krishna. So, I shall refrain from adding to the same narratives. But rather take this opportunity to write about the concept of love in today’s world. I know it is one of the most controversial topics.
Love in the modern world seems like jargon rather than a feeling or emotion. I mean, who has the time to even love? Our worlds have mostly shrunk into the screens of our so-called smartphones, and so have our perspectives. Life has become a race, and options have become a commonality. As bizarre as it may sound, lust has probably replaced love. And the swiping culture makes one believe that there is an abundance of possibilities. Fair enough. We can not turn the wheel of time backwards, and so we, as a race, kind of adapt to our genre of living. But this dilutes the very emotion that holds us together and probably differentiates us as the most supreme being on this planet Earth.
No doubt, romantic love is a combination of physical attraction, longing, emotional intimacy, and a powerful connection with another human being. But in today’s world, it is about objectifying human beings, plotting ways to serve one’s selfish motives, and not hesitating to even harm the one they claim to love! I mean, this degradation of the term love breaks my heart, and I wonder if we as humans deserve to be called rational beings in the first place. I want to highlight that my attempt here is not to compare the love of mortal beings with the spiritual love but to remind us that we need to do better as a species that is supposed to be the most intelligent. If we fan the animalistic desires within us, then probably we should merge with the animal kingdom. As a race that is equipped with art, culture & tradition, I think we must stop ourselves from devaluing the highest form of emotion that is love.
Love is a complex term; it is what I feel, and defining it is nearly impossible. It can mean different things to different individuals. The depth with which I love may seem overwhelming for you, and the nonchalance that you exhibit as a form of affection may seem too shallow to me. The degrees may vary, the level of commitment may differ, and the complexities associated with it can not be negated. But I think the one thing that should remain non -negotiable is that if we claim to love someone, it should not be a means to serve only and only our selfish wants & needs. And to make someone feel like an object, or to use their innocence to our advantage, or to gossip about them in their absence, or to mock them for even believing in the concept of love is just narcissistic behaviour. We have already polluted our environment; let us not pollute the concept of love. I certainly believe that the feeling of happiness when you see your special person win, or the innate compassion that holds the bond tight, and above all, the ability to share and converse about your true feelings, leading to intimacy, is a must in a relationship.
And most importantly, if one wants to be a devoted lover like Radha, then make sure your partner takes pride in being your lover just like Krishna, and vice versa! As a concluding thought, I hope we learn to rise in love and not just fall in it. May the reverent union of Radhe- Krishna always fill our lives with blissfulness and meaningful companionship.
I wrote a Hindi poem today too, which I am sharing below.
Love,
Chinmayee.
Chinmayee's Creations 