Today is the day of love as they say

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Today is the day of love as they say. The saint (Valentine) as a patron of love may still be a legend, but the original messenger or even an incarnation of Love is Krishna.

His entire life is a doctrine of love, devotion and friendship. He was Yasoda’s lifeline. She showered her vatsalya on him and the stories of his maakhan-chori and the subsequent punishments from the mother are as legendary as they come. He in turn was a devoted son. He loved Nand-lal and Yasoda as though their real son would not have. The feeling of “maitri” – kind of devotion and love is evident in a story that transpires between him and Sudama when they were in rishi Sandeepani’s ashram. Both were playing atop a tree among its branches when Sudama spotted a snake nearby and was petrified with fear. He communicated to Krishna. Krishna, being an embodiment of love and without “dvesha” for any being, presented himself with a friendly disposition to the snake and as the legend has it requested it to leave lest his friend would get more fearful. The snake poisonous as it was, showed no signs of fierceness and left the place meekly. Sudama was astonished.
It is also legendary how he later welcomed his pauper Brahmin friend Sudama into his palace in Dwarka and showered his bliss of friendship on Sudama. He even gave him the command of 3 lokas as the legend has it in response to Sudama’s devotion to the friend. He was equally bothered about all his devotees and showered his love and blessings unto all who were devoted to him. Arjuna was another of his friends whom he revealed his “Viraat Swaroop” out of love and a reward of his devotion.
Then there are the legends of the ultimate devotees or bhaktas – the Gopikas and the foremost of them being Radharani. Here, the expression of “maadhurya” in love and devotion is to be seen in its pomp. They were apparently rishis of yore who had incarnated in their current lives to express their love and devotion for the supreme personality of godhead. Extreme penance and meditation had sprouted the divine love in their hearts. Such is the effect of selfless love that even the ascetic sadhus are smitten by it. Meerabai is a more recent example whose love for Giridhar transcended senses as the poison chalice presented by Rana did not have any effect on her. And no love directed towards went unrequited. Rukmini sent a letter to him expressing her love for him and requested him to flee her from her palace lest she be married to shishupala against her wish. Krishna, the warrior arrived in his shining armour and fought a battle defeating the foes and fled with his bride. Her letter to him is as described in the Bhagwat Purana:
http://www.stutimandal.com/gif_bhgvt/rukmini_sandesh.htm

Those who have renounced the world, in whose hearts “vairagya” (dispassion) has dawned, are gullible to be attracted by Krishna (Manohar). That is the meaning of the word Krishna – “all attractive”. All the qualities that are attractive to a human mind find their genesis in Krishna including renounciation. Anyone who came in contact with Krishna felt “mantramugdha” and instantly became joyful. Such was his love for every being. And krishna is also known as premavataar – the incarnation of love and devotion.