Richard From Kathmandu, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) arrived at Janakpur, known in the scriptures as Mithila, and its glories sung in the spiritual epic Ramayana. King Janak, in preparation for a religious rite, was ploughing the soil here when, out from the earth, the Goddess Sita appeared right under his plow. She became known as Janaki, the daughter of King Janak. Mithila was the first meeting place of Sita and Rama and the place where Rama broke the mighty bow of Shiva to win the hand of Sita in marriage.
One day in the courtyard of a temple, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) came upon a sadhu in his fifties sitting on a raised platform and graciously blessing hundreds of people who stood in line for his grace. Richard too approached him, and the sadhu was surprised to see him, and enquired from him as to who he was and why had he become a sadhu. Richard replied that he was from America and had come here in search of enlightenment. The elderly sadhu was furious and screamed that Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was a fool to have relinquished the wealth and comforts of America to become a beggar sadhu. Even as he was spewing anger tantrums at Richard, and declaring that there was no God, the elderly sadhu was simultaneously blessing the innocent people with an open palm. They didn’t understand English and Richard was shocked at the duplicity of this holy man. Richard wondered if this man wanted to enjoy material life, why didn’t he get a job and be honest rather than cheat the innocent by posing as a sadhu. Radhanath Swami writes in his memoir:
“There is always the real and the counterfeit. Hypocrisy in religion has crippled peoples’ faith throughout history. A holy person cannot always be recognized by external appearance. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that renunciation is not for a lazy man who does no work, but for one who works in a spirit of devotion. I thought of all the people I had been meeting who lived their lives working in the spirit of devotion and I prayed that I could be one of them. I remembered the words I had heard Srila Prabhupada speak in Bombay: “Better to be a sincere sweeper of the street than a charlatan meditator.”
Hypocrisy destroys our character. Radhanath Swami appeals to aspiring spiritualists that we may pose as a great person, but the substance of our character determines who we really are. We may fool the world with our external exploits, but God is seeing our motivations from within, and if these motivations are dubious we will ourselves feel emptiness in the heart. Radhanath Swami explains that a person of strong moral fibre will be happy within and will spread happiness wherever he goes and whomever he meets. He has no ulterior motive; his heart is transparent as a crystal clear lake.
Radhanath Swami warns that a sage can never be known by external appearance. One needn’t be wearing saffron garments and have a long beard or a shaven head. “A person’s quality of dependence on God, and his sincere service attitude determines his saintliness”, says Radhanath Swami.
“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
‘The Journey Home - Autobiography of an American Swami’ Book is an engaging, humorous and heart-warming account of a young nineteen year old’s quest for spiritual enlightenment. The reader follows Richard Slavin (Now Radhanath Swami) from the suburbs of Chicago to the caves of Himalayas as he goes through a variety of exciting adventures; some near-death encounters and many spiritual experiences. Regular reading of this all-time classic has helped me draw spiritual lessons and seek constant inspiration in my own spiritual journey.
“A person’s quality of dependence on God, and his sincere service attitude determines his saintliness”, says Radhanath Swami.
Sincerity is the key. “Better to be a sincere sweeper of the street than a charlatan meditator.”
“A person’s quality of dependence on God, and his sincere service attitude determines his saintliness,”… definitely true for the Swami.
Hypocrisy in religion has crippled peoples’ faith throughout history
this is very apt statement in this regard by Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
I also liked the below statement:
“A person’s quality of dependence on God, and his sincere service attitude determines his saintliness”,
Must read…!!!! Its wonderful…!!!
Wonderful! Thanks Radhanath Swami
Thank you Radhanath Swami. Your word are so true in todays world.
Today’s world is full of hipocracy and envy.. Maharaj is nicely explaining this with such a practical example. Even we can see around us, people who say something and do something else.. Maharaj brings this to our realization and teaches us that we should not do this in our life. Thanks for sharing this. JAI !!!
No hypocrisy, no duplicity can help anyone in his spiritual life. Radhanath Swami very nicely teaching us to avoid such
things for our own ben efit in spiritual life. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
Radhanath Swami warns that a sage can never be known by external appearance. One needn’t be wearing saffron garments and have a long beard or a shaven head.
Very Important Instruction for people of Kaliyuga
thanks mhrj for warning me not to b hypocryt
Wonderful & instructive
To be transparent , simple and utterly sincere
Is the recipe to freedom from misery and fear
The hypocrite can be happy , neither there nor here
Honesty and service alone can take us to God very near
I liked the article very much .Thank you Radhanath Swami .
Radhanath Swami quotes such a nice statement by Srila Prabhupada – “Better to be a sincere sweeper of the street than a charlatan meditator.”
Radhanath swami has always made honest attempt to not cheat by bogus people. Let’s follow him and separate sheep from goats.
” a holy person cannot be known by his externals” is my take home message
Liked the explanation of Radhantha Swami that a person with strong moral fiber in his character will be transparent in heart and be happy and spread happiness.
Thank you Maharaj for en living us from dangers of accepting anyone in saffron robe as Sadhu.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing this with all
Radhanath Swami once said our intelligence has two defects, 1)doubting mentality and 2)lack of determination or faith. The cure, Radhanath Swami says is to regularly read the scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
Yes so true. Very nice writeup. Thank you for sharing. Radhanath Swami Maharaj is like that clyster clear lake, who has no duplicity. I am striving to follow his foot steps.
This is a shocking story. How can people be so duplicitous?
One side you show as saintly and other side full of material desires.
Wonderful….. This is a real Sadhu.
Radhanath swami had always been a genuine spiritualist and non-duplicitous in his character. Thats why wherever he goes today people can feel the presence of supreme lord. Please bless me also to be non-duplicitous in my dealings
Hypocrisy is very dangerous in spiritual life.I wish i could develop sincerity, faith and dependence on the Lord.
Hypocrisy destroys our character is true what RAdhanath Swami says
This incident shows us the sincerity of Radhanath swami maharaj and inspires all the aspirants of absolute truth to protect themselves against the swindelers(bogus sadhus and gurus) and not to be hypocrite…
Amazing…a must-read in this age of worldwide hypocrisy…thank you radhanath swami
Very Insightful – “A person’s quality of dependence on God, and his sincere service attitude determines his saintliness”. Thank you so much Maharaj.
“A person of strong moral fibre will be happy within and will spread happiness wherever he goes” This is for all the people in the word who want to be happy.
Sincere devotion takes care of spiritual advancement.Maharaj’s aspiration to be a true devotee has motivated him to travel to India in search of enlightenment. He is duly rewarded for his real motivation. His life is a lesson for all of us how not to be a pretender but to remain true to ourselves in practicing the path of devotion.
Thank you Maharaj for your instructive experience.
My prayers to the saintly vaishanavas is that they bless me so that I can practice sincerity.
hare krsna
very instructive quote to tell us how even after coming to spiritual life we may maintain our previous duplicit nature. thank you maharaj for warning us about this.
“We may fool the world with our external exploits, but God is seeing our motivations from within, and if these motivations are dubious we will ourselves feel emptiness in the heart.” Thank you maharaj for this wonderful instruction
It is such an important lesson to learn, to be sincere and not pretend…..
It’s the Hypocracy which has damaged the true name of religion.
thank u very much for writing such book which inspires the youth to know about spiritual knowledge.
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
How profound is this narrative.Hypocrisy can be so dangerous, one should always guard against picking it up knowingly or unknowingly.
Hare Krishna
Thank you for this important lesson
The most important thing every spiritual aspirant should always remember is “Better to be a sincere sweeper of the street than a charlatan meditator”
This is stressed by both Prabupada Maharaj and Radhanath Maharaj..
Really very good lesson,which give us the direction in the life.