Where does love truly figure? – A Valentine’s Day special episode about Hungary’s Krishna Valley

In a world where #situationship, #ghosting, #benching, and #breadcrumbing dominate the language of modern relationships, the question arises—where does love truly figure? As the video podcast India: A Story in the Making explored in its Valentine’s Day special episode, love, in its deepest sense, may go far beyond fleeting emotions and momentary connections.

I have to do my duty, and Krishna will do his

The London-based video podcast, hosted by award-winning journalist Loveena Tandon, delves into global perspectives on the evolving India story. This time, it ventured into an extraordinary setting—Krishna Valley in Somogyvámos, Hungary—an eco-spiritual farm and self-sustaining community, two and a half hours from Budapest. Here, cows and oxen are not treated as commodities but live out their entire lives, cared for even when they are no longer useful for farm work. The valley, largely powered by solar energy, serves as a haven for spiritual seekers and practitioners of Krishna consciousness.

During the episode, India: A Story in the Making interviewed two devotees, exploring the theme of love beyond materialistic and possessive notions. Once known as Tali, now Sukhyanti Devi Dasi, the guesthouse manager at Krishna Valley, spoke of love as an act of surrender rather than possession. “When it’s all about ‘me, me, me,’ then there is no real relationship,” she said, emphasizing that selflessness and devotion define the purest form of love.

Joining the conversation was Hungarian-born once known as Virág and now Vallabhi Kanta Dasi—an influencer, singer, and book illustrator—who recently lost her husband to a brain tumour. Now a single mother to a five-year-old, she shared how Krishna consciousness has given her strength through immense grief. “I am sad-happy… I keep chanting. I have to do my duty, and Krishna will do his. I am his responsibility,” she said, her eyes reflecting both sorrow and resilience.

I found all my answers in the Bhagavad Gita

Sukhyanti, of Israeli and Canadian descent, recounted her journey into Krishna consciousness. During her travels across Europe, she encountered the Hare Krishna movement and never looked back. “I found all my answers in the Bhagavad Gita,” she said. “In fact, I got answers to questions I wasn’t even looking for.” She explained how faith in Krishna’s teachings gave her the patience to work through marital struggles, ultimately strengthening her relationship. “People check out when problems arise, but they forget—if karma requires you to go through something, it will happen, whether through this person or another. Karma will find you.”