Why so many rules if Bhakti is the path of love? Radhanath Swami clarifies
Life — By RNS Online on March 17, 2011 at 3:30 am
Question to Radhanath Swami: In the path of Bhakti we are told to refrain from certain activities like meat eating for developing our love for God. But can’t I love God and simultaneously do these things? Love is not to be bound by rules and regulations. Why then do we have rules and regulations on the path of Bhakti?
Radhanath Swami: Unconditional love is a very high and pure platform. To get there we have to honestly begin from where we are. The beginning of love is to do what the beloved wants. Similarly, the beginning of developing love of God is to understand what God wants us to do and to obey that. Can we love our mother and simultaneously torture and kill our younger brother? Would she accept that as love? Similarly can we kill innocent animals to satisfy our taste buds and say that we love God? Will God accept that love?
Obedience is the beginning of love. Therefore there must be rules and regulations so that we can monitor and orchestrate our lives in a way that we are doing what God wants. In a college there are rules and regulations. One cannot go to college tomorrow without wearing any clothes and say that the goal of coming to college is to study unconditionally. It is definitely the perfection to study unconditionally but to come to that stage one has to follow the discipline set by the college.
Impelled by our inclinations and conditionings we act in ways that are harmful for us, harmful to others and displeasing to the object of our love. Unconditional love comes when our inclinations are perfectly in harmony with God’s will. But to come to that point, first we have to discipline ourselves to live according to God’s will. And to inculcate a spirit of discipline, rules and regulations are absolutely necessary
Tags: bhakti, god, love, love god, meat eating, path of love, radhanath swami, Rules & Regulutions
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67 Comments
Very practical answer
What a clear-cut answer,awsome.Thanks very much to HH.Radhanath Swami.This power packed answer will help us understand and explain to others the necessaty of following rules and regulation to raise to pure platform of Bhakti that is pure love to GodHead.Thank you very much for sharing with us.
In conditioned state we willingly or unwillingly accept Rules and Regulation everywhere examples School, College, Job, except in Spiritual life. Radhanath Swami has very logically explained the reason and importance of these Rules and Regulation.
Beautifully explained!
Amazing Answer. Is there any person who objects this answer. I don’t think any thoughtful person can object.
Very practical answer
Very nice answer.
Beautifully said!
Amazing post – thank you!
This is a practical answer to the question of so many so called practical people of the world! Jai ho, Radhanath Swami Maharaj!
Radhanath Swami Maharaj gives such a comprehensive reply!
Eloquence…
Such a nice answer to undestand the importance of following rules & regulationson the path of bhakti. Thank you Maharaj!!
Maharaj, I was asked/challenged similarly by a relative. Since I didn’t want to get into bitter exchanges and I didn’t know exactly how to explain to them. Now I can repeat your words. Thanks Maharaj
This is such a perfect answer, as we do get asked this many times. Thank you Maharaj.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj makes it clear that even the rules & regulations are for pleasure of Krishna!
Wonderful explanation with analogies by Radhanath Swami
“The beginning of love is to do what the beloved wants. Similarly, the beginning of developing love of God is to understand what God wants us to do and to obey that”.
“Obedience is the beginning of love”.
“Unconditional love comes when our inclinations are perfectly in harmony with God’s will”.
-Woderful flow of Wisdom.Thank You Maharaj.
What a superb answer! Radhanath Swami always answers the intent of the question and not merely the specific question. This proves his deep insights about life and people’s concerns.
Swamiji answers these challenging questions so beautifully convincing the person without offending him………
Brilliant answer. And the examples are very penetrating, especially when one sees the foolishness of loving a mother but killing the brother, or going to college without clothes on the immature application of the principle of unconditional studies. With the help of these examples, Radhanath Swami has very clearly proved that obedience to the will of the beloved and discipline are stepping stones to even qualify to talk about unconditional love.
This is such a wonderful answer to a very sincere enquiry.
Very nice explanation.
Thanks for posting.
Very thoughtful question and a nice answer by Radhanath Swami.
Convincing reply by Radhanath Swami….thanks
Radhanath Swami Maharaj removes all the apprehensions of the audience.
Radhanath Swami has bought out very nicely the importance of discipline and obedience.
the regulative principles of freedom r must for getting freedom from this mortal world.lets fight our false ego esp our wandering minds to digest & assimilate this fact. thank u maharaj.
Wonderful message from Radhanath Swami on this topic. We need to show to God that we are really sincere, serious and free from ulterior motives in our attempts to please the Lord.
Maharajah has cleared all the confusion very nicely.
‘The beginning of love is to do what the beloved wants’
Excellent answer by Radhanath Swami.
A perfect answer with a perfect example by His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
very beautiful response by Radhanath swami on the need of following rules and regulations in spiritual life.
Thank you maharaj
I was thinking love has to be spontaneous. but my experiences in this world, made me realize that it also ends spontaneously . for lasting love , what swamiji says , seems logical and practical.
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
A very beautiful explanation.
Hare Krishna.
Just Do it – This popular slogan emphasizes the current mind state of people when it comes o doing all sorts of things against human nature like meat eating, unrestricted sex life etc for it suits.
But when we have to do something for our spiritual progress it is Just Don’t do it.
Radhanath Swami answer logically explains the why aspect.
It is very true that we should try our best to please the object of our love i.e. God, that is true bhakti. Thank you ver y much Radhnath Swami Maharaj .
Powerful argument – Can we love our mother and simultaneously torture and kill our younger brother?. Thank you Radhanath Swami.
Rules and regulations are a small price to get love of God……
Excellent examples…befitting.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for such a deeply convincing understanding.
This is a very helpful post in reinforcing our own commitment to the rules and regulations on the path of Bhakti.
fantastic reply
Very Powerful and Insightful Reply – Thank you so much Maharaj.
Wonderful answer, the answer reveals the great wisdom that Maharaj is blessed with. Thank you very much Maharaj
Wonderful explanation. We can’t claim to have love for GOD without giving up our own selfish wishes..Thank you Maharaj
Brings to mind the Taj Mahal, and how Aurangzeb built that masterpiece as an expression of love for his dead wife, but cut off the hands of all the artisans so that it could be unparalleled! Really, it was an expression of ego. How could he truly love his wife if he could cause violence to so many others?
How true it is. Love begins when by pleasing the object of our love.Beautiful answer by Radhanath Swami.
Crisp and accurate
That’s very very nice and befitting answer by HH Radhanath Swami. Many people, the so called scholars want every thing to be let free and they believe its natural and should not be imposed upon anybody. If they read this wonderful answer by HH Radhanath Swami they will surely agree what God wants and what we are doing(nonsense).
now i can make my friends understand why we have to follow some rules n regulation…..one of which is meat eating..such an appropriate answer for every thoughtful man..
Amazing…
hare krishna
unconditional and unmotivated love very good definition of love. thank you radhanath swami
Radhanath Swami does a wonderful job in clarifying a very important point in our service of God rendered out of love.
Radhanath Swami explains that depending on our level of advancement, rules are essential.
Wonderful and very practical.
Maharaj explained very practically.
Thank you so much maharaj for enlighten us.
HH Radhanath swami maharaj says at other place…
Just by hearing sincerely from Guru, Sadhu and Shastra we will understand the urgency of spiritual life.
makes a lot of sense…brilliant answer…
Rules and regulation are made for dicipline and they are for the developement. Rules are required in everyone’s life
Wonderful answer as to how rules are required to develop unconditional love for God.
The best answer to Most FAQ !
Radhanath Swami goes to root of problem & explains so nicely with real life example. Nothing is vague in his answers. Its simply perfect !
Radhanath Swami is embodiment of perfection !
Hare Krishna !
Thank you for the wonderful answer which tells us that we should do the things that the beloved likes/wants. That is real love.
nice answer
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article by Radhanath Swami on the nature of love.
Very practical !!
Beautiful example! Simply perfect!
thank you very much.