Why does Chapter 48 place such a strong emphasis on love, suggesting that other spiritual practices are 'fruitless' without it?

Chapter 48 positions love (Prem) as the most crucial element in devotion, rendering other practices ineffective in its absence. The text argues that 'without love, knowledge is dry' and questions its use to anyone, stating that there can be no satisfaction without uninterrupted love. It declares that the greatness of love makes everything else, including the spiritual acts of listening and reading, seem 'trivial' and 'fruitless' if deep love is not present in the devotee's heart. As explained in chapter 48, this is because devotion itself resides where there is love. Consequently, peace, detachment, and even liberation naturally follow and stand ready where love is established, making it the foundational virtue.