Narada Bhakti Sutra - Post 35

Sutra 24. Naasthyeva tasminsthatsukhasukhitwam.

(There i.e. in that illicit love there can certainly never be happiness of the other.)

Tasmin: in that (profane love), therein, in illicit love

Tat sukha-sukhitwam: happiness in the happiness of the other

na: not

asti: is, exists

eva: certainly.

In that sort of illicit /selfish love, there is no idea at all of one’s feeling happy in the happiness of the other.

In the case of the Gopis, the Beloved was God Himself. There was no desire in them for physical contact. They tried to make Sri Krishna happy by offering their all to Him.

They derived immense happiness from this act of service. They had no idea of any sensual enjoyment. Sensuality is selfish passion. It seeks gratification through others, but pure, divine love seeks to make the Beloved happy and to derive happiness from the happiness of the later. 

Happiness in the happiness of Other 

The subject referred in this sutra, in the context of Devotion to God, is SELF SACRIFICE for God Realization.

A true Bhakta sacrifices everything to attain God's Love, to attain God realization.

There are numerous stories of such devotees who sacrificed everything to please God / to attain God.

Mira sacrificed palace, her home, everything and went around, singing about Krishna, totally immersed in Krishna's Love.

Emperor Bali offered everything that he had, his kingdom, everything and said to Lord, "Oh Lord! I am offering to you the heart which you gave to me. I offer to you all my wealth, my kith and kin and everything else. Protect me, who has surrendered to you."

A heart touching incident to reveal what exactly is SELF SACRIFICE in devotion is worth mentioning here.

During the Super Specialty Hospital build, Swami was so intricately involved with the project that he would lose time with His students. This was difficult for the students, as much of Baba’s time was now dedicated talking to people involved with the project. However, the boys understood the reason behind the change and now communicated with the Swami through letters.

One afternoon, Swami went back into His room after collecting letters from students and the public. A while later, the door opened and Swami came out holding a letter in His hand saying, "Who wrote this letter? Which boy wrote it?". The boy who had given the letter recognized it to be his. Filled with fear, he slowly got up. Swami asked, "You wrote this letter?" Fearing the worst, the boy just nodded. "Come here" said Swami.

Legs shaking and body trembling, the boy tip-toed to Swami. Swami then said to the people on the veranda, "You know what this boy has written and done? He says, 'Swami, I am very anxious to do something for the Hospital Project. If I were a rich man, I could have written a cheque. If I were a contractor, I could have contributed building materials. If I were an engineer, I could have helped with the construction. If I were a doctor, I could have opted to serve here. I cannot do any of these things because I am still a student here. Yet I want to do something. So Bhagavan, out of Love for You, I decided to save money, money that I would otherwise have spent on soft drinks, snacks and various personal conveniences. For example, I now wash my clothes instead of giving it to the Dhobi [washerman]. This way, I have been able to save a hundred rupees. Please allow me to offer this with Love at Your Lotus Feet. If this money could get even a little brick for the Hospital, I would consider myself Blessed!'" 

After saying all this, Swami held opened the envelope and held up a hundred rupee currency note for all to see. Bhagavan then slowly said, "For Me, this hundred rupee note is more valuable than the biggest of cheques". 

(Source: Radio Sai)

Whereas,

In an illicit Love, all that there man needs from his paramour is sensuous satisfaction for himself and in return, he offers some money / some wealth. 

Such a man does not sacrifice anything for his paramour, does not consider her satisfaction to be of much importance. He just needs things for himself in the relationship.

Summary

In divine love the devotee sacrifices everything unto the Lord. There is a sense of self-forgetfulness. There is no trace of selfishness. The devotee does not at all care for his own happiness. He is willing to court suffering in order to make his Beloved Lord happy.

To make Lord happy is to be understood as "Following Lord's commands, Lord's instructions and lead one's life accordingly.

Swami has clearly spoken on this.

"How do you give me Ananda? By taking to heart what I say and putting in into daily sacrifice."

(Divine discourse, 29.9.1960)

The essential difference between the worldly love and the Godly love has been perfectly brought about in this sutra with a striking analogy.

The worldly love springs from the flesh (physical) and seeks but a sensual satisfaction. 

Godly love is utterly selfless and makes the lover joyously sacrifice, happily sigher because his goal is only to make his beloved God happy!!

Chinmaya concludes his commentary on this verse with this beautiful line. 

"To enjoy at the very joy given to his joyous beloved is the subtlest joy demanded in pure love".

Love.