Divine Love in the Thought of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Abstract

This article explores A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda's central teaching on "divine love," primarily articulated through the phrase "love of God." While "divine love" encompasses various meanings, including God's inner life, divine love for souls, and the soul's love for God, Prabhupāda's "living theology" emphasizes the latter, specifically prema-bhakti, a devotee's pure love for God. The essay analyzes Prabhupāda's extensive writings, lectures, and conversations, revealing the remarkable frequency with which he employs the phrase "love of God" and related terms like "devotion," "bhakti," and "premā," alongside synonyms for "God" such as "Kṛṣṇa" and "the Supreme." Furthermore, it delves into Prabhupāda's understanding of the soul's dormant love for God (premodaya), the love emanating from God (bhagavat-premā), and the intrinsic love within the divine realm (premāveśa). By contrasting divine love with worldly lust, the essay highlights Prabhupāda's vision of transforming base desires into pure love for Kṛṣṇa through the practice of bhakti, particularly through temple worship centered on Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa and the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahāmantra. Ultimately, this analysis demonstrates that the cultivation of selfless "love of God" is the foundational principle and ultimate aim of Prabhupāda's teachings, guiding his followers from the darkness of self-centeredness towards a life of divine connection and service.