Daily Devotion -Apr 29, 2026 (English)- The First Step
When you understand the true value of something, faith arises. And when faith arises, love follows automatically. For example, if a person finds a touchstone (pāras) and comes to know that it is truly a touchstone, he will instinctively cherish it. He carries it everywhere and touches it to the iron so that it may turn into gold. Once he knows and accepts it, love naturally arises. Understanding its value, he hides it and locks it securely.
Thus, Shri Maharaj Ji speaks to Radharani on behalf of an aspiring devotee:
"Kishori Ju! I cannot truly know You, because You are beyond the grasp of my intellect. My intellect is material, whereas You are divine. Therefore, until I know You, I cannot accept You. And without accepting You, how can love arise? Hence, You must first reveal Yourself to me. Only then will I be able to accept You, and then love will arise automatically. Therefore, You must take the first step."
Radha Krishna's divine descension takes place only in India. Yet, throughout India, ninety per cent of people do not even know who Radha is. People know something about Shri Krishna, but those who truly know Kishori Ji are extremely rare. Even those who claim to know do not have the correct understanding. They regard Radharani as merely Shri Krishna's consort, akin to a worldly husband-and-wife relationship. That is the limited extent of their knowledge. Had Shri Maharaj Ji not explained this to us, we too would not have known who Radharani truly is. Generally, people consider Lakshmi-Narayan to be their worshipable deity, hoping to gain material prosperity through Their grace.
When a genuine saint makes you understand who Radharani truly is, faith arises within you, and only then does love for Her arise. Without meeting an authentic saint, you cannot know Her, and therefore you cannot accept Her. Consequently, you will not be able to love Her.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
