True Love

Here is a story about lord Krishna that will tell us what true love is about.

Krishna, while living in Dwarka with his favorite wife Rukmani, would very often softly utter to her, "O Radha, O Radha."

Rukmani felt jealous and asked him why he kept remembering Radha so often.

Krishna did not say anything. He just smiled.

A few days later, Krishna complained of stomachache.

Rukmani gave him medicines, but the pain did not go away. He kept moaning in pain.

Krishna told her that only a little Charanamrita (blessed water) of a person who truly loved him would put an end to his agony.

He begged Rukmani to give him some of her Charanamrita.

A shocked Rukmani refused: "how can I commit such a terrible sin?

You are the lord of all that be, and if I gave you my Charanamrita I would surely go to hell."

Krishna then asked Rukmani to send an attendant to Vrindavan and try and procure some Charanamrita from someone there.

Soon the attendant returned with a cupful of Charanamrita and as Krishna sipped it, all the pain disappeared.

He then asked the attendant, "who gave you this Charanamrita?" the attendant replied, "No one in Vrindavan was ready to give it on learning it was for lord Krishna.

Then one young woman came running up to me and gave me this cup.

Her companions cautioned her, "You fool Radha; you are committing the greatest sin.

But she did not care.

She said, "I don't care about what happens to me but I cannot bear to see my beloved Krishna in pain.

"Krishna turned to Rukmani standing by his side and said, "

Radha is not afraid of going to hell for me. She only thinks about me.

So if Radha loves me so much, should I also not long for her?"

This is what true love is about.

It is unconditional.

Sacrifice is the most important characteristics of true love.