Significance of Unconditional love
Unconditional love is a theme explored across various traditions in India. In Jainism, it signifies a deep, lifelong affection for religion. Vaishnavism portrays it as the unwavering devotion of the gopis towards Shri Krishna. The Puranas describe it as selfless devotion to the Supreme Lord, while Vedanta views it as a state of love free from conditions, emanating from unity. Historically, it represents a selfless giving to God, essential for happiness. Additionally, science recognizes it as a powerful influence on well-being.
Synonyms: Absolute love, Unwavering love, Selfless love, Infinite love, Boundless love, Enduring love, Unconditional affection, Agape, True love, Unreserved love
In Dutch: Onvoorwaardelijke liefde; In Finnish: Ehdoton rakkaus; In Spanish: Amor incondicional; In Portugese: Amor incondicional; In German: Bedingungslose Liebe; In Italian: Amore incondizionato; In Polish: Bezwarunkowa miłość; In French: L'amour inconditionnel
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Unconditional love'
In Hinduism, Unconditional love embodies a selfless, profound affection for Shri Krishna, free from demands and material desires, transcending duality and allowing deeper spiritual connection, especially seen in the unwavering devotion of the gopis.
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The selfless and unwavering affection that the gopis have for Shri Krishna, which He acknowledges in his conversation with them.[1]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Describes a type of profound love that is given freely and without conditions, particularly in a spiritual context towards Shri Krishna.[2]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A state of being free from desires and attachments, allowing individuals to act for the betterment of all beings.[3]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) The inherent state of love that transcends conditions and dualistic perceptions, stemming from the realization of unity.[4]
Jain concept of 'Unconditional love'
In Jainism, unconditional love is a profound affection for religion. It represents a lifelong bond, where religion serves as a constant companion for the soul's journey.
The concept of Unconditional love in local and regional sources
Unconditional love is portrayed as an essential quality for happiness, embodying completeness in life. It involves selfless devotion and expression, where love is given freely without expectations of reciprocation, reflecting a deep spiritual connection.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Unconditional love is the expression of love, and a child of God expresses it by giving his everything to God, but does not want anything in return.[5]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A cohesive quality that brings completeness to life, emphasized as essential for happiness in modern existence.[6]
The concept of Unconditional love in scientific sources
Unconditional love, as the core intervention, restores self-worth by providing respect. It ensures recovery and boosts the immune system, exemplifying a selfless love, especially from mothers.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) A concept recognized by the pastor as being highly important within the church environment, arising from witnessing the detrimental effects that social stigma and personal shame had on an individual.[7] (2) Advocacy efforts should focus on promoting the non-discriminating aspects of Catholic teachings, specifically endorsing virtues that instill kindness, respect, acceptance, and above all, unconditional love for every faithful member.[8] (3) It is what guides the life of disciples, setting them apart from pagans, as instructed in Lk 6:27-36.[9]
From: Religious Inquiries (Journal)
(1) Unconditional love is the feeling emanating from a luminous being that experiencers immerse themselves in when they meet with the luminous being.[10]
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) Unconditional love was the healing power that helped one teacher overcome feelings of inadequacy in teaching, ultimately inspiring her to extend that same acceptance and care towards her struggling students.[11]
From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
(1) Unconditional love is a dimension of action that surpasses mere ethical duty inherent to the parental role, representing a motivation so profound that someone not even related as a parent could be moved by it to care for a child.[12] (2) Unconditional love is one of the items within the Dog as Unconditional Support scale, reflecting the participant's perception of the non-demanding affection received from their dog.[13] (3) A deep and unwavering affection for family members, characterized by acceptance, support, and commitment, regardless of circumstances or challenges.[14]
From: South African Family Practice
(1) Participants remained in practice even when they felt they could no longer bear the challenges within the profession because of their evident passion and this feeling for nursing, resulting in compassion fatigue.[15] (2) Unconditional love is the best way of ensuring recovery, as stated in the text, and the author wishes to salute the many mothers who have provided it.[16] (3) The core intervention for women who lost their self-worth is to give them this and respect inside and outside the support group, and it is recommended that it be given to women who have lost their self-worth.[17]