On love
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BRIHADARANYAKA-UPANISHAD Part 3
FIFTH BRAHMANA
And he said: ‘Verily, a husband is not dear, that you may love the husband; but that you may love the Self, therefore a husband is dear.
‘Verily, a wife is not dear, that you may love the wife; but that you may love the Self, therefore a wife is dear.
‘Verily, sons are not dear, that you may love the sons; but that you may love the Self, therefore sons are dear.
‘Verily, wealth is not dear, that you may love wealth; but that you may love the Self, therefore wealth is dear.
‘Verily, cattle are not dear, that you may love cattle; but that you may love the Self, therefore cattle are dear.
‘Verily, the Brahman-class is not dear, that you may love the Brahman-class; but that you may love the Self, therefore the Brahman-class is dear.
‘Verily, the Kshatra-class is not dear, that you may love the Kshatra-class; but that you may love the Self, therefore the Kshatra-class is dear.
‘Verily, the worlds are not dear, that you may love the worlds; but that you may love the Self, therefore the worlds are dear.
‘Verily, the Devas are not dear, that you may love the Devas; but that you may love the Self, therefore the Devas are dear.
‘Verily, the Vedas are not dear, that you may love the Vedas; but that you may love the Self, therefore the Vedas are dear.
‘Verily, creatures are not dear, that you may love the creatures; but that you may love the Self, therefore are creatures dear.
‘Verily, everything is not dear, that you may love everything; but that you may love the Self, therefore everything is dear.
‘ Verily, the Self is to be seen, to be heard, to be perceived, to be marked, O Maitreyi! When the Self has been seen, heard, perceived, and known, then all this is known.’