How can I increase my love for God more than my parents?

[Smt. Chhanda brought the question of her friend Dr. Lahari: I grew up in God-loving family and have been worshipping since the age of 2 years. Now I am 50. Over the years, God has been my ultimate shelter and saviour. From brake-fail on highway to tumour-burst on road or legal and medical challenges, it is Divine intervention that has been sustaining me. I consider Shiva and Mother Kali as the Head of our family, Krishna as Brother and Gopal as Baby. I take care of them as my family members. I worship, do Japam, meditate and practice (partial) Kriyaayoga daily. Despite my love and devotion, I have realised that I love my parents more than I love God. Although I understand that God’s love is unconditional and Parents’ love is limited, I think of my mother more frequently than I think of God. I wish to reach the state where I can love God the most. How can I increase my love for God? Please suggest."]

Swami Replied:- When you don’t bring God into the picture and confine to world only, your parents are the best within the boundary of Pravrutti or worldly life. But, if you bring Nivrutti or Spiritual life into the picture, none or nothing can stand before God. The main difference between worldly bonds and bond with God is that the love in the worldly bonds is selfish, which means love for self-happiness and not love for your happiness as told in the Veda (Ātmanastu kāmāya sarvaṃ priyaṃ bhavati…- Veda). The love in God’s bond is for your benefit and for your happiness only since the infinite ocean of bliss and the omnipotent God does not require any favour from you. On realising this difference, you will know that why God is greater than any worldly bond. Shankara left His mother, Prahlaada left his father, Buddha left His wife, son and wealth, Raamaanuja left His wife and Miiraa left her husband for the sake of God.

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