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The Eighth Lesson: Sufiism.1281
It is difficult for the Western mind to understand the Oriental conception
and expression of the “Love-of-God” of which we find many references in the
Hindu and Persian poems, hymns, and epics. The Western mind recognizes
a quiet and repressed expression of the love of the creature toward the
Creator, which expression seldom goes beyond a quiet earnest expression
of the love of the child toward the Father. In some cases the expression of
love toward the Christ and Savior is expressed with rather more fervor and
human feeling, and terms such as “the Beloved” are not uncommon in this
connection. Some Western religious writers have even hinted, in poetical
form, of the relationship of the Creator and creature as the love of the
Mother for the babe, etc., but even such instances are rare. It is true that
under the excitement, ardor and fervor of the old-time revivals, we often
heard ecstatic and passionate expressions of love of God, which, at times,
faintly approached the Oriental form of expression, but even this extreme
voicing of the feeling seems to be dying out.
But in the Eastern lands it is quite different—the warm, poetical natures
of the people express themselves in the use of the most ardent terms
of endearment addressed to Deity, and (to the Western mind) the most
extravagant forms of expression of the Divine Relationship are freely
indulged in. The Bhakti Yogis of India—and the majority of the followers
of the religious creeds profess this form of Yoga—make the expression of
this Love-of-God one of their principal religious ceremonies and duties.
On all sides are heard the voices of the faithful raised in prayers and praise
of Deity, in which the most endearing terms are used. It is quite frequent
for the Hindu Krishna-Vaishnava Bhakti to address his Lord as “Beloved;
Darling; Sweetheart; Precious One; Light of my Heart; Beautiful One; Being
of Rapturous Bliss,” etc., etc. Some who find a nearness in considering the
Lord in the aspect of Mother-Love (not uncommon in Eastern countries) are
heard addressing prayers to “My Blessed Mother Divine,” with references to
the “Divine Breasts which have ever suckled thy Infant,” and so on. Instances
are common in which Hindu women, whose conception of the greatest