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प्रेम बेगार नहीं है || आचार्य प्रशांत, युवाओं के संग (2014)
आचार्य प्रशांत
2.9K views
5 years ago
Love
Understanding
Expectations
Forced Labor (Begar)
Freedom (Mukti)
Compulsion (Bandhan)
Surrender (Samarpan)
Giving
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that in a relationship of love or friendship, the other person is first completely understood and known. When you truly understand the situation, you do not set conditions or keep a tally of what you are doing for the other person. You do your part completely because you find your own joy in the act of giving. It is not done out of a sense of duty or for the other person's sake. For instance, you might take a friend along because their company doubles your enjoyment, not because it is your obligation. You are not counting what you do for them because, in essence, you are not doing it for them; the joy of giving is your own reward. However, this act of giving must not be done in unconsciousness, which is why understanding is paramount. The speaker draws a distinction between giving in love and "begar" (forced labor without pay). A slave also gives their labor without compensation. In love, one gives, and in forced labor, one also gives, but love is not forced labor. In both scenarios, something is given without receiving anything tangible in return. For example, in love, you might give both your pieces of bread to a hungry friend and receive nothing material. Similarly, in forced labor, one toils all day and gets nothing. The fundamental difference lies in the presence of understanding. Love and understanding cannot be separate. Love without understanding is blindness, an attraction, or a compulsion, but it cannot be called love. Therefore, one should give completely but with full awareness and consciousness, not out of compulsion or as forced labor. Giving in freedom is "samarpan" (surrender/devotion), while giving out of compulsion is "bandhan" (bondage). One is a form of holy company and oneness, while the other is a forceful, oppressive act.