1. In a Divine Discourse in 1982, Swami shares: “The entire world is filled with Love. Life devoid of Love can be described as lifeless. In Love, there are three levels.

The first is the best and the highest level (utthama). Men at this level have full faith and belief that God, who is the embodiment of eternal bliss, is present in all beings without exception. They will have the feeling that Ishwara is present everywhere and in everything in the form of Love. For such people, "Adveshtaa Sarvabuuthaanaam" will be the feeling. They see nothing but love in every being. They see no difference between their ‘own’ people and others. Persons filled with such supreme love will experience bliss.

Those at the second level care only for their own good and the welfare of their own kith and kin, their comfort and happiness. They do not care about others, about their merits or their faults. These people can be termed as madhyama, or middle level persons.

There are others who don't feel happy if they see others happy; in fact they grow jealous of others' happiness. They will always be looking for faults in others and criticizing them. They cannot tolerate other people being happy. Thereby they ruin all aspects of love in themselves. Just as a crow feels jealous when a cuckoo sings well, these people feel jealous at others' attainments. Just as the crow ridicules the swan, these people ridicule good people. They are in the lowest level of love (adhama).”

According to Swami what is that one thing that is present in all three levels of love?

A. Peace
B. Love
C. Compassion
D. Unity

2. In a Divine Discourse in 1996, Swami further explains in depth on different kinds of Love: “Love of the Divine is of four kinds. One is Svaartha-Prema (love based on self-interest). The second is Samanjasa-Prema, the third is Paraartha-Prema, and the fourth is Yathaartha-Prema.Svaartha-Prema is like a lamp kept in a room. The lamp illumines only the room. This kind of selfish love is confined to a limited group and does not extend to others. Samanjasa-Prema may be compared to the light from the moon. This moonlight is visible both outside and inside. It is, however, not very effulgent. The light is dim. This kind of love extends to a wider group but is not very intense. The third is Paraartha-Prema. It is like _________. It illumines both inside and outside with brilliance.”

To what does Swami compare this love to?

A. A diamond
B. A chandelier
C. Sky-light
D. Sun-light

3. In a Divine Discourse in 1970, Swamireveals: “ Love unfolds first on the lap of the mother. The eyes of Love fasten themselves on the caressing face of the mother. It then spreads towards the father, brothers and sisters, kith and kin, friend and playmate, region and language, world and it’s Maker.

The I that lives within the body is like a lion in a cave. It is the monarch of the forest; but it limits itself to the few square feet of rocky floor. Let it come out, renouncing the petty possessions. So long as you crib yourselves into the body-consciousness (I am the body), you are the lion moping in the musty cave! Do not feel, Dhehoasmi (I am the body). Roar, Brahmaasmi (I am Brahman, I am all this and more, I am all this is, was, and will be) and littleness, time, space, ego, all will flee from your heart! You will be Love, Love, Love and nought else. That is to say, you will be Divine, one with the One.”

According to Swami, what is the essence of Love that can help one reach that stage of ‘I am Brahman’?

A. Practicing Dharma
B. Selfless Service
C. Expansion
D. Charity

4. In a Divine Discourse in 2005, Swami teaches us a very profound lesson: “Non-dualism is true devotion. Share your love with others without any expectation. Love everybody only for the sake of love. When you extend your love to others, you can attain the state of non-dualism. The love that you experience at physical and worldly plane day in and day out is not true love at all! True love is that which is focused on one form, one path and one goal. Love is most sacred, sweet and non-dual. It is a great mistake to divide suchlove and associate it with multiplicity. Your love should remain steady in pleasure and pain. Love and devotion do not give any scope for differences. All differences are _________.”

A. Hurdles to peaceful living
B. The making of our own mind
C. A result of selfishness
D. Impermanent

5. In a Divine Discourse in 1985, Swami expands on the meaning of Love: “It should be understood that human birth is the progeny of Truth as father and Love as the mother. Even if one's natural parents are absent, one should not forget the real parents - Truth and Love. When Truth and Love beget dhana (Wisdom) as the son, the true lineage of man is established. Truth is sacred. It is valid for all time; past, present and future. It is unchanging. Love is eternal. It is indescribably sweet like nectar. Can such Truth and Love beget an unrighteous and evil-minded son? Only one who is wise and free from illusion and ignorance can be a true human being. Ignorance is not the inherent characteristic of man. There is no room for aberrations in him. Egoism is out of place. He should revel in the ecstasy of dhana (the consciousness of the Divine). His true form should be bliss. Discrimination should be natural to him. Today this true nature of man is being forgotten.

It may be asked whether Truth and Love have begotten only a son (Jnana - wisdom) and not a daughter. There is a daughter…”

According to Swami, who is the daughter of Truth and Love?

A. Peace
B. Laughter
C. Compassion
D. Joy

6. In a Divine Discourse in 1990, Swami guides us: “ Love is like the mariner's compass, which always points to the north. At any time, any place or in any circumstance love points only towards God. Hence, everyone should try to understand how the Love principle works. Love can be compared only with love. Prema (love) and Anuraga (affection) are one and the same. But affection, when it is directed towards worldly objects, gets tainted. Because of this pollution, joy and sorrow ensue. Man becomes a prey to desires and disappointments. However when Love is directed towards God, it becomes pure, selfless, enduring and divine.

Nectar is described by the scriptures as extremely sweet. But nectar nowhere approaches the sweetness of love. As against love, nectar appears insipid. The uniqueness of such love is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. Such love arises only when you churn the ocean of bliss. Hence, all our actions should be based on Love. But in this mundane world, love assumes external forms. When pure gold is given to the goldsmith for making a jewel, he mixes copper and other metals with it and thereby its value is reduced. Likewise, because pure love is mixed with worldly attachments, it gets tainted.”

According to Swami, then how can one purify love?

A. By constant remembrance of God.
B. By bathing in the Holy Ganges
C. By fasting
D. By rendering service

7. In a Divine Discourse in 1996, Swami enlightens us further: “The hall-mark of love is thyaaga (selfless sacrifice). Love seeks nothing from anyone. It bears no ill-will towards anyone. It is utterly selfless and pure. Failing to understand the true nature of love, man yearns for it in various ways. Love has to be cherished with feelings of selflessness and sacrifice. In what is deemed as love in the world - whether it be maternal love, brotherly love, or friendship - there is an element of selfishness. Only God's love is totally free from the taint of selfishness. Divine love reaches out even to the remotest being. It brings together those who are separate. It raises man from animality to divinity. It transforms gradually all forms of worldly love to Divine love. To experience this Divine love, men must be prepared to give up selfishness and self-interest. They must develop purity and steadfastness. With firm faith in the Divine, they must foster the love of God regardless of all obstacles and ordeals. However, even the feeling of universal brotherliness is not the same as the experience of ___________.”

A. Maternal Love
B. Divine Love
C. Oneness
D. Renunciation

8. In a Divine Discourse in 1999, Swami reiterates clearly: “God is not different from you. He is not confined to places like temples, mosques, and churches. He is Omnipresent. He is the resident of your heart. The body is the temple of God. So, you should strengthen the feelings of love within you. You do develop love, but it is based on bodily relations. You love your son, father, and mother. You identify yourself with the body, so you direct your love toward those with whom you have got a relationship at physical level. You are not able to manifest the kind of love that is _____________.”

A. Beyond name and form
B. Universal
C. Beyond Mind and Body
D. Needed for our spiritual growth

9. In a Divine Discourse in 1989, Swami enlightens us with: “God is the very embodiment of Prema (Love). Man is the spark of the Divine. You may find a man without anger, without truth or without peace, but you cannot find anyone in the world devoid of love. Love is present equally in all human beings as the one effulgent divine quality. This love may be expressed in different ways, but its nature is the same. Man is thus an aspect of the Cosmic Consciousness. The Principle of Love is the greatest unifying force which unites all spiritual practices, all creeds, all the goals of life and all the scriptures. The foremost path for the spiritual aspirant is the path of __________.”

A. Serving all equally
B. Complete surrender
C. Being a part of His Divine Mission
D. Attending bhajans

10. In a Divine Discourse in 1968, Swami says: “God is the source of all Love; Love God, Love the world as the vesture of God, no more, no less. Through Love, you can merge in the Ocean of Love. Love cures pettiness, hate and grief. Love loosens bonds; it saves man from the torment of birth and death. Love binds all hearts in a soft silken symphony. Seen through the eyes of Love, all beings are beautiful, all deeds are dedicated, all thoughts are innocent. The world is one vast kin.

If you pay attention to the individual, differences thrust themselves on you. Fix your attention on ___________, then points of identity will be more apparent.”

A. The Soul
B. Good deeds
C. Devotion
D. The Collective

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-Heart2Heart Team