Bhagavad Gita 18.69

na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu

kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ

bhavitā na ca me tasmād

anyaḥ priyataro bhuvi

 

Among all humans, there is none more dear,

Than one who renders this service to me here;

Never shall there ever be,

Another more dear to me.

 

My dear Lord, you do not just share your message of love; you inspire those who love you to share that message of love with others. And when they take up this mission, you bless them with your special love. Thus, you simultaneously expand your circle of love while drawing those who expand that circle into a more intimate circle of love with you.

O Lord of love, though you are completely satisfied in yourself, you still derive great joy in sharing your fullness with everyone—those who reciprocate your love and even those who do not. Your love is so infinite that it seeks to expand and encompass and enchant everyone, even those who have somehow become estranged from that love.

O all-embracing Lord, because you care even for those who do not care for you, those who care for you come to care for them as well. They show their love for you by trying to bring closer to you those who have gone far away from you. And you show your love for them by drawing them closer and closer to you.

O infinitely loving Lord, help me appreciate how expansive and inclusive your love is. May that appreciation draw my heart toward you and inspire me to help draw others’ hearts toward you.

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18.69 There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.