YOGA SADHANA – Part 5

True religion does not consist in ritualistic observances, baths and pilgrimages but in loving
all. Cosmic Love is all-embracing and all-inclusive. In the presence of pure love all distinctions and
differences, all hatred, jealousy and egoism are dispelled just as darkness is dispelled by the
penetrating rays of the morning sun. There is no religion higher than Love. There is no knowledge
higher than Love. There is no treasure higher than Love, because Love is Truth, Love is God. This
world came out of Love; it exists in Love and it will ultimately dissolve in Love. A heart without
love is a desert without water. God is an ocean of Love. In every corner of His creation, you can see
ample evidence of His unbounded Love for His children.
It is all so easy to talk of Universal Love, but when you come to the practical field, you
manifestly show signs of failure. If Mr. John speaks ill of you and uses harsh words, you are thrown
out of balance instantaneously. You get irritated, show your angry face and pay him in the same
coin. You do not like to part with your possessions, when you see people in distress. A man who is
struggling to develop Cosmic Love and realise Him through Love cannot keep anything for himself
more than he actually needs for keeping his life going peacefully. He will willingly sacrifice even
this little to serve a needy person and undergo starvation with much pleasure. He will rejoice that
the Lord has given him a wonderful opportunity to serve Him. People generally talk of Universal
Love but are very niggardly in action. They show lip-sympathy and lip-love in mere words. This is
nothing short of hypocrisy.
Those who talk of Universal Love should endeavour to develop various good qualities.
They should serve humanity untiringly day and night with disinterested, selfless spirit for many
years. They must be prepared to bear calmly insults and injuries. Then only there is a prospect of
developing Cosmic Love. Otherwise it is all vain, flowery talk and idle-gossiping only.
The saints, seers and prophets of the world have spoken of Love as the end and aim of life.
Lord Krishna has preached Love through His flute. Lord Buddha was an ocean of Love. He gave up
His body to appease the hunger of a tiger’s cub. Raja Sibi gave flesh equal to the weight of a pigeon
from his own breast to satisfy the appetite of a hawk. Lord Rama lived a life of Love and showed
Love in every inch of His activity. Lord Jesus also preached and practiced Love in the fullest
measure.

From – SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA