Is there a better word for love?

Love encompasses so many categories, a bewildering array. It tends to define the a characteristic of a relationship — love does not exist without a lover and an object of love. Perhaps there is an all-encompassing love that lies outside the bounds of this confine — likely something of a divine or spiritual nature.

Love is a horribly imperfect word, a blunt instrument, a catchall for such a diverse assortment of affections. I can love a cake, I can love my mother, I can love my friends, I can love my guru, I can love my dog, I can love myself, I can love my partner — and yet all of these loves are so different from one another. They carry distinct feelings, desires, hopes. I do not want to love my mother the same way I love my dog, not my friends the same way I love my partner. So why do we use the same word?

I have a hunch languages other than English do a better job of distinguishing between these types of love. I remember hearing that in Hindi there is a distinct word for the love one has for a teacher or guru.

Love is so huge, so powerful, so all-encompassing. I do wish we had a bit more nuance when we used it day to day.