While in Vrindavan, Radhanath Swami contrasted the interesting lifestyle of Vishaka Sharan Baba with the yogis in the Himalayas. While the yogis tortured their bodies and displayed miracles, the eighty year old Vishaka Sharan baba was absorbed in simple, loving devotional service like an innocent child. Although his followers worshipped him and were eager to arrange for his meals, Vishaka Sharan Baba happily begged for coarse flat homemade bread, rotis, and gur, a sugar cane extract. He had a simple message for Richard (now Radhanath Swami), “If one begs for God’s love like a starving man for food, the lord will bestow that rarest treasure.” Although Vishaka Sharan Baba was four times his age, he personally served and fed Richard. On one occasion he described to Richard the personal beauty of God. After his enchanting description of God’s form, he also clarified that this is not anthropomorphic or trying to impose humanlike qualities upon God. On the contrary, humans have been blessed with qualities that originate in the Lord. The Baba quoted the Bible, “Man is made in the image of God.”
Radhanath Swami practices and teaches Bhakti-yoga where the aspiring spiritualist is encouraged to worship a personal God. A friend of mine confirmed to me the realizations of Vishaka Sharan Baba and of Radhanath Swami regarding the personal aspect of God. He revealed how both the Bible and the Holy Koran repeatedly refer to God in a personal, humanlike way. For example, the Bible talks about “under His feet” (Exodus 24:10); “inscribed with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18); “the hand of the Lord” (Exodus 9:3); “the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 38:7); “the ears of the Lord” (Numbers 11:1). Ezekiel (1:26) describes God as having “the semblance of a human form.” Such phrases permeate the biblical literature. Similarly, in the Quran, there are references to “the face of your Lord” (055:027), “under My eye” (020:039), “under our eyes” (052:048) & (054:014), “the hand of Allah” (048:010), (038:075) & (039:067). Radhanath Swami reasons that when we want knowledge about physics, we refer to the authorized textbooks of physics. Similarly, when we want knowledge about God, should we not refer to the authorized textbooks about God – the scriptures? The scriptures of the great religions of the world repeatedly refer to God in a personal, humanlike way.
Radhanath Swami also learnt the lesson of balance staying with Vishaka Sharan Baba and his followers. These old sages gathered around their radio, listening to the evening news broadcast of the India-Pakistan war. They would cry tears of sympathy hearing about the bloodshed and after switching off the radio they immersed themselves in discussing the Lord and would soon be bubbling with joy. They were also simultaneously absorbed in a spiritual reality beyond birth and death as they were distressed by the human suffering surrounding them.
Radhanath Swami writes that this balance requires maturity and realization. I personally witnessed Radhanath Swami display this maturity and sensitivity to the troubles of the world and the plight of the others. After the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, there was anger, shock and fear looming on everybody’s faces. I chanced to visit the temple on the following Sunday, and Radhanath Swami gave the most grave and sobering lecture I ever heard. He appealed to all to offer prayers for the innocent people killed. After the most serious talk was an ecstatic hour long kirtan, where he sang devotional songs and induced everyone to chant God’s names and dance in joy. I could see that Radhanath Swami was blessed with the quality of compassion, which was a result of his deep love for God. The love for God awakened in him and in those who knew him, a level of happiness that sprung from the transcendental realm. A natural result of this love for God was love for God’s children. Radhanath Swami’s message carries his heart-felt compassion for all, “Compassion is an essential, inseparable element of love. Real compassion means to understand what the needs for the body, mind and soul are.”
“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.
Radhanath swami also teaches us that compassion is a very important aspect in a devotees life and that develops through deep love of God
Beautifully explained..!
Very nicely taught by Radhanath swami the quality of real compassion
Thank you very much Radhanath Swami for sharing such incident. Our faith on the God as a person increases by seeing such examples.
Isn’t it very heartening to know GOD as a person with whom we can have loving exchanges?
“A natural result of this love for God was love for God’s children”.
This is such a deep lesson. We cannot claim to to Love God and hate others.
All religions claim that God is the supreme Father. In our practical experience our father is a person => supreme father would also be a person. Now to approach that person is the process of Bhakti.
Simply Wonderful…The last line of the article is very instructive…Thank you
Amazing definition of compassion.
wonderful article, thanks for posting, haribol, bhakti
very truly explained by HHRM in the article, that real compassion is to understand what the actual needs of the body, mind and the soul are, haribol, rajesh karia
Amazing meditation by Radhanath Swami. Radhanath Swami elucidatedly explains the needs of mind body and soul.
“If one begs for God’s love like a starving man for food, the lord will bestow that rarest treasure.” — what a lovely realisation of Radhanath Swami. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing how Radhanath Swami showed true compassion.
Very nice article.
Nice article. Balance is important in almost every aspect of life. Also, some nice examples from other scriptures that prove that Man was made in the image of God.
Radhanath Swamis explanation of compassion simply penetrates the heart
Only a personal God makes sense to me. Impersonal understanding might give some peace of mind, but one cant call that God.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj explains the unlimited sweetness of the Lord!
Thankyou for posting!
Radhanath Swami Maharaj explains the sweetness of Lord so sweetly!
Really, Radhanath Swami is the personification of compassion. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
Thank you Radhanath Swami
Great souls like Vishaka Sharan Baba & Radhanath Swami are naturally compassionate to all other living entities……
wonderful,thank you
Thank you very much for sharing such a nice incidence.
If we understand Swamiji’s statement, we will see God’s hand in everything, and thus achieve God Consciousness.
Thank u Radhanath Swami for teaching us to see each & every situation of our life as a mercy of Lord & accept every moment with positive attitude.
thank you Radhanath Swami for so wonderfully explaining about every aspect of life as part of purification of our heart.
thank u radhanath swami maharaj
Radhanath Swamis book ‘The Journey Home’ takes us through great insights and opens up a fresh outlook the way we approach our lives
Nice explanation on the qualities of Radhanath Swami.
This sense of balance is one of Radhanath Swami’s most endearing qualities because he seems to understand and empathize on a personal level with anybody’s difficulties, and at the same time brings in the context of perfect philosophy.
It’s Radhanath Maharaja’s compassion which has sheltered so many of us.
“Compassion is the essential element of love”
Radhanath Swami has unlimited compassion for others.
Radhanath Swami is an ocean of compassion.
A Life-Saving Project…Something that actually makes people ‘LIVE’ the teaching of Simple Living High Thinking. Radhanath Swami ki Jay
Radhanath swami maharaj is inspiring every one by his example and the results which he has given to the society.
very touching. thanks for sharing.
So nice
Wonderful !!
Wonderfully explained ! Excellent….
god means personal form
Thank you very much for sharing the words “If one begs for God’s love like a starving man for food, the lord will bestow that rarest treasure”
Thank you radhanath swami