Love is perhaps the most complex, yet also the most universal emotion known to us. While some saints and philosophers claim that ‘Love is God’, insisting that true love can be found in our quest with the divinity that lies within, in everyday nuance we find love manifesting itself in uncountable forms.
The purest form of love is unconditional, like the one shared between a mother and a child. Parental love is tender and caring, seen in almost all species of life that exists. A mother nurtures her offspring without a thought of merit or reward. Her love is never calculative, and she showers her affection unbound by any rule. As a child grows up, she becomes the safe space they can always rely on, and even in adulthood she often remains a symbol of reverence for her child, when the noise of the world seems too loud.
Thus, in our formative years, our idea of love revolves around the affection received from parents. Gradually we learn of sibling love, with the arrival of our little brother or sister, who equally vies for the attention of our parents. The initial phase of rivalry, often melts into another lasting bond, as we grow up playing, fighting and sharing secrets with our partners in crime—our siblings. At this juncture, we also make some lasting friendships in places of social conditioning like schools and our neighbourhood. While some people may appear on our timelines for a short span, only to leave with memories, good or bad, there are those rare gems who stand the test of time as our friend for all seasons. This love, although it is platonic, etches a mark on our being, as we start treasuring the presence of this friend, who sees us through the highs and lows of life, unflinching in their loyalty toward us.
Love in all its shades, remains cherished and beautiful, until one falls in the whirlwind of another kind—the ‘Romantic’ love. Researchers, the world over, are yet to fathom the intricacies of this emotion and the range of feelings that it encompasses. Philosophers and thinkers, writers and scientists, commoners and kings, have all been smitten by this kind of love, that surpasses definition! However, it is this very love that forms the backbone of creation on earth. For, without the communion of man and woman, there would be no progenitor of life! Romantic love often stems from desire, which should not be confused with lust. This love doesn’t ask for a reason, but is often conditional. A love which is unrequited leaves a longing hard to overcome! On the other hand, a romantic, passionate love which is reciprocated by both the partners, leaves one satiated and fulfilled. Often this kind of love, results in a harmonious matrimony which may last a lifetime, thereby bringing a steadiness to life and society as a whole. The couple seeks to bear children together, growing into a nurturing family, endowed with love in all its colours.
This however, remains a utopian vision largely, considering the rising number of separations and dysfunctional families in today’s society. Couples are unable to live up to each other’s expectations and tolerance flies out of the window, with unmatched preferences and viewpoints. To add to it, loyalty goes for a toss, when one or both partners deviate from the vows of marriage, indulging in infidelity, which ensures a point of no return. In such a scenario love easily loses its lustre, resulting in hurt and repentance. A broken heart is often unredeemed, as it finds it difficult to trust and open up to a fresh, new love. But when it does, it marks the beginning of a new innings in the individual’s life, appearing as a second chance.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, with the institution of marriage gradually falling apart, there is still a silver lining among the clouds. When we see an old couple, who has managed to remain together and thrive in each other’s company over the years, we look upon them with awe. A lot of such couples have been questioned about the secret ingredient that kept their love growing and burning like a steady flame, despite the vagaries of life. The most common answer that resonates among them is ‘mutual trust’ and ‘unwavering faith’ that everything will work out despite the adversities. They never let go of each other and remain a pillar of support to each other even when things appear to fall to bits. They listen to the voice of their own hearts instead of lending an ear to the opinion of outsiders, mending the frayed edges of their relationship through constant communication and unending love. Though it may appear as hard work initially, but a couple that stays in love, is often resilient and passes through the turbulent storms of life, as a shield for one another. They find joy in the little gestures of love, and do not necessarily depend on grand occasions to rejoice. They do not publicly display their affection, keeping their love simple yet deeply personal.
Mythology shares the love saga of Shiva and Shakti as the rare and ultimate union between the two genders. While Shiva is the absolute masculine force that embodies the supreme consciousness, Shakti is the divine feminine energy that nurtures and nourishes the universe. For humans, it may be difficult to imbibe the same kind of love, but we definitely idolize the love between Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati as sacred. Their love provides a template for us mortals to follow, defining the ideal nature of a man-woman relationship.
Another immortal love lore is that between Radha and Krishna, which is easier to perceive, as both are visualised in a human form. Their earthly romance has been a matter of discussion among poets, writers and artists worldwide. Later in life, Radha’s separation from her beloved has stirred the imagination of several creative minds, who have depicted their love and longing through their art. Divine love, though hard to attain, remains an epitome of the purest form.
Love flows through us in its multihued states – at times bringing out the genius within, yet at other times drowning us in agony. The kind of love that truly stays is never materialistic; it is not an attraction bound by flesh, but a longing that comes from the heart. True love overlooks the superficial and dives into the depths of one’s soul.
A soul-to-soul connection can only be established when we are first connected to our own soul, that lies within. A person who is in tandem with himself, easily forges strong connections outside, too. Such a person is capable of loving and nurturing, as he has learnt to inculcate self-love.
Therefore, it is essential to bridge the gap within, through introspection and self-knowledge, before we proclaim our love for another individual. For love to stay, one must first be content in one’s own company and have enough self-worth. Such a person is endowed with a tremendous power to heal, understand and empathise with another soul, which are all ingredients required for a lasting love that never loses its spark and continues to inspire!