17/04/2024
LOVE ONLY KNOWS HOW TO GIVE NOT TO TAKE
Janaka Maharaja spoke again. тАЬListen Bharata, there is one rule to love: love only knows how to give, not to take. If you truly love Sri Ramacandra, you will sell yourself at His feet without question. You will fall at His feet and ask Him what He wants; what will make Him happy.тАЭ
Bharataji looked at Janaka Maharaja, тАЬAs my father, you have shown me proper conduct. You have opened my eyes. Until now, I was concerned only with my own happiness, not at all with that of Sri Rama. Should Sri R├дma have re-turned to Ayodhya, the subjects would have been happy, but I never thought whether Sri Rama would be pleased or not.тАЭ
Bharata fell at the lotus-like feet of Sri R├дmacandra and asked, тАЬBrother, what do You want? What will satisfy You more than anything else?тАЭ
Sri Rama smiled, тАЬYou have won the battle, and I am defeated.тАЭ
When they heard this a second time, the inhabitants of Ayodhya leapt for joy. They shivered with delight, their hair standing on end, as if they were about to leave for Ayodhya and decorate it like a lovely bride for Sri Rama.
Sri Ramacandra continued, тАЬBharata, it is My cherished wish that you take care of Ayodhya for fourteen years on My behalf.тАЭ
And Bharata did exactly that, out of love for Sri Ramacandra. If he had not surrendered himself to his brotherтАЩs wishes, it would not have been bhakti; it would have only been blind selfishness".
Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja