Prem Vatika is written by Shri Raskhan that compiles 53 dohas of devotional love for God.
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Though natural affection may be seen among worldly relations such as friends, spouses, siblings, and parents, it cannot truly be considered pure love. Pure love is incomparable and indescribable, for it is entirely selfless and exists only for the happiness of the beloved.
One who dies, bound in the ties of the divine love of the Lord, alone attains true and eternal life. In contrast, one who lives in this world without realizing this essence of love is regarded by the rasikas as no better than dead, and even after death, such a person does not attain true eternal life.
That love which is mixed with selfish motive is called impure love; and that which is selfless, effortlessly performed solely for the happiness of the Beloved, is known as pure love. Nārada and other exalted sages have explained these two forms of love.
Love has the power to unite two bodies into one; therefore, it stands even higher than liberation. When love awakens, all rules and restraints become irrelevant—love acknowledges no regulations.
Raskhan says — That love alone is called pure love, in which the lover constantly fears that none of his actions should ever cause the Beloved even the slightest trouble. The one who seeks nothing in return from the Beloved, whose love continues to deepen even amidst all kinds of hardships, and who remains forever immersed in the nectar of love for the one and only Beloved — that is true, selfless love.
Without which nothing can be understood, through which divine knowledge arises, and after knowing which nothing remains to be known, that very essence of all essences is Prema (love).
True love is not merely the union of two minds. Only when both the minds and the bodies unite completely, can it be truly called the highest form of love.
Knowledge, actions, and even devotional practices — all of these are rooted in ego. Unshakable faith in the Lord awakens only when one aligns oneself fully with the path of love (prema marga).
The wound of love is deep, yet sweet, filling the heart with boundless nectar. Only those who sacrifice themselves to love achieve immortality. Only by plunging into the depths of love can one rise to spiritual heights. True transformation begins when the ego is forsaken, and the soul advances toward love.
The tale of love is indescribable, known only to the lovers. Love is a blessing that unites the bodies and minds of the lover and the beloved, making them one.
Love embodies the form of Sri Hari, and Sri Hari is love itself. Despite appearing to be two, in essence, they are one, much like the Sun and its rays.
Rasik devotees say that whatever gives rise to love, makes it blossom, and matures is nothing but love itself.
Describing the essence of love, Raskhan says, I've only heard that love is an extraordinary game, where one willingly risks one's life to establish a deep connection between hearts.
While describing the significance of love, Raskhan asserts that Udhhav recognized and tasted some sweetness of the nectar of love. Who can now attain again the love that Uddhav had attained in Braj?
One might spend a lifetime in diverse pursuits or enhance their pride through knowledge, yet without love, all efforts are utterly useless. Even if one tries endless expedients, the sole path to attaining God is paved with love.
When describing the essence of love, various individuals express it in diverse ways: some compare it to a noose, others to a sword, a spear, a dagger, an arrow released from the bow, and some regard it as an extraordinary shield.
The mirror of love unveils a magical game, wherein one’s own reflection (of form) appears to be mismatched.
Sri Raskhan reveals the significance of love says, Varun became the god of water because of filtering the wine of love, while Shiva is worshipped for consuming poison out of love.
Sri Raskhan, expressing his profound inclination towards Krishna Bhakti, states that He, by detaching himself from the attachment of women, dismantling the pride of captivating women, and experiencing the divine presence of the God of love (i.e. Shri Krishna), a Muslim individual has been transformed into 'Raskhan' (a mine of love), who now wholeheartedly immersed in the devotion of Krishna.
Shri Raskhan says, love is the fundamental force behind the creation of the world i.e. the world originated from love and the entire creation process is driven through love. Love is the doer, destiny, action and is the form of God.
