Yesterday, I stumbled across some “Promises” that a lover can make for a beloved during the course of the celebration of Valentines’ week. Valentine Day falls today, i.e. 14th February, and from 7-14th February there is a theme for every single day. I wonder how many people follow these thematic propositions. And even if they follow now, I am not sure how many of them will follow after 10 years, once they get married to the same person or someone else as well!

When I read the “promises” of this promise day, I laughed to myself reasoning no one can follow these promises throughout this life itself, what to speak of the next life. What to speak of this life, these promises cannot even be followed for one full day.

In previous times, expressions were modest, and actions expressed affection and genuine love. In modern day and age, expressions are flowery and exaggerated, whereas actions are shallow.

The Promises of the “Promise Day”

I am presenting the promises of the “Promise Day” as I copied them from the web page. While reading, we can try to relate each of this promise to Krishna. It makes sense only then. Actually, Krishna can relate better to these promises than we can!

1. On this Promise Day, I promise to stand by you through thick and thin, to support you in all your endeavors, and to love you unconditionally.
2. My promise to you is simple: I will never let you feel alone, I will never let you down, and I will always be there for you, today and forever.
3. With every beat of my heart, I promise to love you more than the day before. Happy Promise Day, my dear.
4. On this special day, I promise to cherish our relationship, to respect your individuality, and to create a lifetime of beautiful memories together.
5. I promise to be your partner in crime, your confidant in times of need, and your biggest supporter in achieving your dreams. Happy Promise Day!
6. I promise to laugh with you during the good times and to hold you tight during the bad times. Together, we can conquer anything. Happy Promise Day!
7. As we celebrate Promise Day, I vow to be faithful, loyal, and true to you, now and always. You have my word.
8. My promise to you is to never stop loving you, never stop caring for you, and never stop being there for you. Happy Promise Day, my love.
9. On this special occasion, I promise to be your rock, your anchor, and your guiding light. Together, we’ll navigate life’s journey hand in hand.
10. With every promise I make to you today, I am sealing my commitment to our relationship. Here’s to a lifetime of love, trust, and happiness. Happy Promise Day!

Krishna’s Love for Us:

Actually, Krishna has promised all of this to every single living entity since time immemorial. And he never forgets it. He is there with us, as paramatma, no matter how many times we reject him. He has never stopped loving us, although we ditch Him every now and then. Krishna has never once not cared for us. He is our anchor, our guiding light. Only the living entity’s love for Krishna, and Krishna’s love for the living entity can grow in magnitude. That love is the only love that can never fade, come what may.

sarvathā dhvaṁsa-rahitaṁ
saty api dhvaṁsa-kāraṇe
yad bhāva-bandhanaṁ yūnoḥ
sa premā parikīrtitaḥ
“When the affectionate bond between a young man and a young woman can never be destroyed, even when there is every cause for the destruction of that relationship, the attachment between them is said to be pure love.”

This verse is mentioned to describe the pure love of Krishna and Rukmini.

Our Love for Krishna:

What about our promises and our love for Krishna? Are we as loyal as Krishna in fulfilling our “promises” and commitments of love?

We are expert are breaking our commitments. We can write thesis on how to reject Krishna’s plans and do what pleases us. We make promises, and we break them. We get, get and forget!

But even once, if we say to Krishna, “I am Yours”, Krishna is purchased by such a promise.

Krishna’s Eternal Promises:

’kṛṣṇa, tomāra haṅa’ yadi bale eka-bāra
māyā-bandha haite kṛṣṇa tāre kare pāra
”One is immediately freed from the clutches of māyā if he seriously and sincerely says, ’My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa, although I have forgotten You for so many long years in the material world, today I am surrendering unto You. I am Your sincere and serious servant. Please engage me in Your service.’

Krishna has promised through His devotee Arjuna for even one who has failed to keep Krishna’s promise. For such a person Krishna says,
kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā
śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati
kaunteya pratijānīhi
na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati
He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kuntī, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes. BG 9.31

Krishna promises that His devotee will come back to His abode,
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te
pratijāne priyo ‘si me
Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. BG 18.65

The only occasion where Krishna breaks His promise is when He desires to keep His devotees’ promise. Lord Krishna broke His promise of not lifting any weapon during the battlefield of Kurukshetra to keep Bhishma’s promise.

Why not, then should we make the Lord our Valentine?

King Kulashekhara mentions how he is frustrated with what this world has offered him. He simply desires to dive into the shoreless and bottomless love of Lord Hari’s love.

kara-caraṇa-saroje kāntiman-netra-mīne
śrama-muṣi bhuja-vīci-vyākule ‘gādha-mārge
hari-sarasi vigāhyāpīya tejo-jalaughaṁ
bhava-maru-parikhinnaḥ kleśam adya tyajāmi
The desert of material existence has exhausted me. But today I will cast aside all troubles by diving into the lake of Lord Hari and drinking freely of the abundant waters of His splendor. The lotuses in that lake are His hands and feet, and the fish are His brilliant shining eyes. That lake’s water relieves all fatigue and is agitated by the waves His arms create. Its current flows deep beyond fathoming. MM Stotra Verse 8