The Light of Love: Rediscovering Devotion Through Service

JKYog Team -

In a world overwhelmed by material pursuits, broken relationships, and transactional interactions, the true meaning of love has become obscured. We speak of love often—romantic love, familial love, self-love—but very rarely do we delve into its highest and most selfless form: divine love.

Love, in its purest sense, is seva—service. Not service born from obligation, but service as a joyful and spontaneous expression of the heart. In the realm of spiritual evolution, service is not a chore—it is the very language of love, the offering of one’s self for the pleasure of the Beloved.

Let us explore how our understanding of love must shift—from worldly attachment to divine surrender—and how service can transform not just our relationship with God, but with every soul we meet.

Love and Lust: Two Poles of Human Emotion

In our world, the word love is used loosely, and more often than not, it is mistaken for lust. This confusion leads to pain, attachment, and possessiveness. Lust is about what I can gain from the other. Love is about what I can give.

As the Chaitanya Charitamrita beautifully declares:

“Kaama-andha tamaḥ, prema-nirmala bhaaskar”—
Lust is darkness, love is the spotless sun.

“The difference between lust and love is like the difference between darkness and light.”

Lust is self-centered and blind. Love, on the other hand, is divine and radiant. Where lust seeks fulfillment through others, love seeks the joy of giving without expectation. They are opposites—just as darkness cannot coexist with light, lust cannot coexist with true love.

In the worldly context, we often say we love someone, but what we really mean is, “I need you,” “I want you,” “You make me feel good.” Such love crumbles when expectations are not met. Divine love, however, is born of sacrifice, surrender, and seva.

Learning to Love God: Giving Instead of Taking

When we begin our spiritual journey, we often approach God like a merchant—asking, bargaining, hoping for blessings, success, or relief from pain. Rarely do we pause to ask, “What can I give to God?”

But love means exactly this: to give.

“God does not look at what you give; He looks at the bhāv (intention) with which you give.”


“God does not look at what you give; He looks at the bhāv (intention) with which you give.”

Love is not about taking from God—it is about offering everything to Him. Our time, our talent, our resources, our devotion. In every tradition, the saints and sages remind us that the nature of true love is to serve. Yet this is the one lesson we have failed to learn through countless lifetimes.

We continue asking—“God, help me. God, bless me. God, give me peace.” But rarely do we say, “God, I am here to serve You. I want to make You happy.” That is real love. That is the love Radha had for Krishna. That is the love Hanuman had for Ram. That is the love Meera sang about, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu embodied. 

A Parable of True Giving

To illustrate the contrast between worldly and divine generosity, consider this humorous yet profound story:

A one-dollar bill and a hundred-dollar bill were on their way to be destroyed. As they reflected on their lives, the hundred-dollar note boasted of visiting glamorous places—Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Sea World, casinos. The one-dollar bill sighed, “I’ve had such a dull life. I went only to temples—Ganesh Mandir, Vishnu Mandir, Ram Mandir, and to Swamiji’s Aarti Thali.”

The hundred-dollar bill replied in surprise, “What are Mandirs? I’ve never seen one!”

This story is a mirror for us. How often do we give to God compared to how much we spend on worldly pleasures? Where does our wealth go? To entertainments and luxuries—or to places of devotion and service?

In many ways, Indian culture is rich with rituals, festivals, and spiritual philosophy. Yet, when it comes to giving, especially financially, we often lag behind. We believe that offering time or small tokens is enough. But sacrificial giving—the kind that pinches a little, the kind that comes from the heart—is a rare gem.

 

The Beggar and the Businessman: A Lesson on Gratitude

 There is another touching story that drives home the same lesson.

A beggar once approached a wealthy businessman. The businessman, rather than giving him spare change, offered him a partnership. “I own a rice field and an empty shop,” he said. “I will provide the rice. You just sell it at the market, and we’ll split the profit.”

The beggar was stunned. “How will we split it?” he asked. “You keep 90%, and give me just 10%,” the businessman replied.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, the beggar began his new role with sincerity. He sold diligently and earned well. But soon, ego crept in. “I’m doing all the work,” he thought. “Why should I give him even 10%?”

When the businessman returned for his share, the beggar denied him.

This story mirrors our own relationship with God. He gives us our body, intellect, skills, and opportunities. He plants the rice, builds the shop, hands us the goods—and lets us keep 90% of the fruits. He only asks for a small portion in return—for His work, His mission.

But what do we do? We claim full ownership. We forget the Source. We hoard.
And then we wonder why there is no peace in our hearts.

 

Tithing and Transformation: A Practice of Love

 The concept of offering 10% to God is known as tithing. It is a sacred practice found in many spiritual traditions. The idea is not to enrich God—He is already the possessor of everything—but to purify ourselves. By learning to give, we break the chains of greed and attachment.

“If you give in charity for Krishna’s service, that is real charity. Otherwise, it is maya, illusion.” — A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

When we give, we receive the joy of selflessness. We become instruments of divine will. We no longer live for ourselves—we live as expressions of His grace. Our every act becomes yoga, a union of our heart with His.
Start small. Offer your time in a temple or ashram. Donate a portion of your earnings to a cause that uplifts others. Share your skills in service. Serve food, write a prayer, clean a sacred space, comfort a lonely heart. Every act counts—when done with devotion.

 

Transforming Relationships Through Service

When we begin to cultivate a service attitude toward God, something miraculous happens—our earthly relationships are transformed as well.

We begin to approach others not with the mindset of “How can you make me happy?” but with “How can I serve you with love?” Relationships shift from selfishness to sacrifice, from entitlement to empathy.

“Service is the external expression of internal love.”

This shift is not weakness. It is strength—the strength of the soul. A mother serves her child without seeking reward. A lover waits patiently, not demanding attention. A friend listens without interrupting. These are not small gestures. These are the divine expressions of prem—the love that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spoke of, the love that expects nothing, the love that gives everything.

The Path Forward: Love in Action

We often wonder what it means to walk the spiritual path. Is it about chanting mantras? Following rituals? Studying scriptures? While these are important, the essence lies in this: Love in action. Not abstract love, not poetic emotion—but practical seva.

Do we love God? Then let us show it. Let our hands be busy in service, our tongues in prayer, our hearts in gratitude.

Let us wake up each day asking, “How can I bring joy to You today, my Lord?”

And not just God. Let us ask this of our parents, our spouses, our neighbors, our coworkers.

Love that is not expressed becomes stagnant. Service is the channel through which love flows freely. And as it flows, it purifies everything in its path—our mind, our ego, our ignorance.

Conclusion: From Darkness to Light

 The difference between worldly love and divine love is as vast as night and day. One binds; the other liberates. One exhausts; the other elevates. One takes; the other gives.

We must choose what kind of love we want to cultivate. In giving, we grow. In serving, we shine. In loving, we live. Let us not waste this precious human life merely in asking from God. Let us become givers—of time, of devotion, of selfless love. In that giving, we will discover the joy that has eluded us for lifetimes.

Let our love no longer be hidden in the shadows of desire. Let it rise like the sun—clear, radiant, and unconditional.

That is the love we were born to live.
“Seva is not a burden—it is the soul’s celebration.”

When love for God or others fills the heart, it naturally manifests as selfless service—not out of duty or obligation, but from joy and devotion. In the path of Bhakti Yoga, this principle is fundamental: to love God is to serve Him and His creation with a pure heart.

🌟 Resources

🎥 What is True Love for God?

Discover what it truly means to love God — beyond rituals and emotions — through selfless devotion and service.
👉 Watch: What is True Love for God? | Service to God | Swami Mukundananda

🙏 Teachings of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Deepen your understanding of Bhakti Yoga, Krishna’s service, and detachment from material illusions.
👉 Explore His Teachings

🙌 Call to Action: How You Can Begin Today

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🤝 Offer Your Seva (Selfless Service)

🕊️ Reflect. Serve. Transform.

You don’t need grand gestures to show divine love. Even the smallest act, done with bhāv (devotion), carries immense power.

1. Is seva only for saints and monks?
Not at all. Seva is for everyone—householders, students, professionals, and elders. Wherever you are, you can serve through thoughts, words, and actions.

2. Can I offer seva if I don’t live near a temple or ashram?
Yes. Seva can be done from your home. Helping a neighbor, supporting a devotional mission online, donating, or simply praying for others is also seva.

3. What if I don’t have money to give?
God values the intention more than the object. Offering your time, love, and sincere effort is equally, if not more, meaningful.

4. How do I overcome the feeling that I’m not doing enough?
Start with what you can do joyfully. Seva isn’t about quantity—it’s about quality and devotion. Even a small act done with love pleases the Divine.