Richard met a fascinating person, Balashiva Yogi who was frivolous and talkative, but became intense during his yoga practice. After a few days, as Richard bid him goodbye, Balashiva Yogi insisted that Richard attend his lecture that evening. In the talk he performed miracles by creating a deity of Lord Shiva in his hand and inducing ashes to materialize from his bare palm. As all gazed at him as if he was God, Balashiva Yogi declared that this is prapti siddhi, a yogic art, through which one can manipulate gross elements of nature by controlling the subtle elements within the mind. He warned that neither he is God nor anyone else performing such supernatural feats, for these skills are attained through meditation and austerities. He declared, “I can create ashes, God can create universes.”
Richard was impressed by his honesty and reflected how true spirituality is to realize God and be godly, not to show off one’s powers. He realized how the world over, athletes, entertainers, scientists, politicians, scholars, and business men and women are all worshipped, but this is due to the ignorance of the people who do not appreciate God’s power, but are fascinated by human feats. God has put a gigantic banyan tree in a seed, gallons of water in a floating cloud, and million other miracles. Richard wondered could all this simply be a random chance. He concluded creation is nothing but one amazing miracle after another, and God had empowered every species with amazing talents.
When we think calmly and carefully about this wonderful universe, we can see order and design at every level – in the atoms, the molecules, the solar system and the universe. Scientists continue to find new and astonishing aspects of this order. The very word ‘cosmos’ means ‘an orderly, harmonious systematic universe’. Nobel-prize-winning physicist Robert A. Millikan, said at a meeting of the American Physical Society: “There’s a Divinity that shapes our ends…A purely materialistic philosophy is to me the height of unintelligence. Wise men in all the ages have always seen enough to at least make them reverent.”
Scientific study has consistently shown in the past, and still continues to show that the behaviour of even insensible matter is not at all haphazard, but on the contrary obeys definite natural laws. The arrangement of chemical elements by the great Russian chemist, Mendeleef, is called ‘The Periodic Law’ and not ‘The Periodic Chance’. Also, the entire universe, from atoms to galaxies, is governed by definite physical laws. There are laws for governing heat, light, sound and gravity, for example. As physicist Stephen W. Hawking said: “The more we examine the universe, we find it is not arbitrary at all but obeys certain well-defined laws that operate in different areas. It seems very reasonable to suppose that there may be some unifying principle.”
When we think of laws, we acknowledge that they come from a lawmaker. A traffic sign that says “Stop” certainly has behind it some person or group of persons who originated the law. What, then, about the comprehensive laws that govern the material universe? God is not an assumption, but a tangible reality. Dr Albert Einstein said, “I believe in God – who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of the Universe. I believe that intelligence is manifested throughout all Nature. The basics of scientific work is the conviction that the world is an ordered and comprehensible entity and not a thing of Chance. When I sit here and watch the mighty ocean, I can imagine the treasures hidden below the bed of the sea, when I see the clear blue sky above, I feel sky is the limit. When I cast my eyes around I see the wonders and beauties of Nature. Science must learn to live in Harmony with all these magnificent gifts of God to Humanity.”
Richard had earlier witnessed a striking exhibition of power of yoga. A yogi suddenly appeared from the jungles and challenged the doctors to check his pulse. He then fell silent, withdrawing his life force. The doctors present declared him to be clinically dead. Half an hour later, to the astonishment of all assembled, he rose from the dead. He didn’t ask for any money. He simply wanted to prove to the sceptics the power of yoga, and having done so, disappeared back to the wilds. Richard now realized this too is a power, not in any way an evidence of our becoming God.
Table of Contents
Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“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........
Radhanath Swami is very clear in his search. Never gets bewildered by any yogic displays!!
View CommentA very logical,sensible & heart touching article !
Thank you for sharing it !
View Comment“True spirituality is to realize God and be godly, not to show off one’s powers.” So true.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is a true seeker of the truth, not sidelined by a display of all these powers, who went on to achieve what he was looking for.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is among Lord Krishna’s favourite son.
View CommentRadhanath swami was very expert and learned scholars since in his early age of searching Godhead.Though he didn’t read that time many literature or philosophy but still he would make out who is sadhu and what is jadu (majic).Just by his sincere practice commitment on the path of spirituality.
View CommentRadhanath swami was very expert and learned scholers since in his ealry age of searching Godhead.Though he didn’t read that time many litreature or philosphy but still he would make out who is sadhu and what is jadu(majic).Just by his sincere practise commitment on the path of sprituality.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is the best of all scientists, for all the great scientists despite being convinced about the existence of God couldn’t follow the path to spiritual realization and do what Radhanath Swami has done – touching the lives of millions and helping them perfect their lives.
View CommentI am seeker, and Radhanath Swami is a seer- perfect combination.
View CommentI feel fortunate to have stumbled across this site.
This shows how Radhanath Swami had surpassed the realizations of all the great scientists, at a very early age.
View CommentSuch an important lesson. Radhanath Swami has clearly stated we cannot accept a performer of miracles as God. A man can produce small objects but God can produce this entire universe. How rare it is to find honest people like Radhanath Swami in today’s world. I am so grateful to the author of this article and Radhanath Swami for his book. This book will be my lifelong companion. Thank you very much.
View Commentthis is really an eye opener that such mystic powers can be possessed by anyone who can master this form of yoga. imagine how powerful the God is who invented this yoga! what a deep realization by radhanath maharaj!!
View CommentThis is a very wonderful explanation. God has created everything very carefully and systematically. No one can match Him by mere performance of some magic tricks. How honest of the Swami to declare to the world that by his performing miracles, he does not become God. Thank you for such a wonderful explanation.
View CommentThere are many so called “God-man” in India who perform trivial magical feat of producing ash in their palms out of thin air. Men of little intelligence may be over-awed by the experience. But spiritually learned saints like Radhanath Swami do not get bewildered by this little insignificant “magical feat”. Time & again we have seen all these God-men die just like any other mortal being, exposing them all thoroughly. We are better off taking shelter of a bonafide guru like Radhanath Swami rather than fall prey to these mystic yogis falsely claiming themselves to be God just to cheat the innocent people.
View CommentAs always, keen observation, thoughtful realizations by Radhanath Swami. Also credits to the author for establishing the hand of God in such a scientific way.
View Commentinspite of so much diversions and exposures for one man to become godly, radhanath swami was very much clear and focused in his search for the ultimate guru and the path, the path of bhakti yoga,
View CommentThe travels of Radhanath Swami have given him such deep insight. Radhanath Swami has had a brush with virtually every path in spiritual life, but kept on pushing himself until he was satisfied that he could dedicate himself to a particular path.
View Commentas always radhanath swami is very deeply focussed, regards
View Commentits a very wonderful experience and the kind of intense focus radhanath swami has always in his search. bhakti
View CommentRadhanath Swami is truly guiding the spiritual seekers through this article the difference between being God and Godly.
View CommentNice article.
View CommentVery inspiring article!
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s pastimes are eyeopener for worldly people like me who are absorbed in material life.
View CommentA truly wonderful article.Thank you for sharing this with us.
View Commentgreat article thanks for sharing.
View CommentLet me be always focussed on the lotus feet of Krishna and follow the instructions of HH Radhanath swami maharaj, for he always leads by example. Jai.
View CommentWhen we see law that implies there is a law maker. This observation by Radhanath Swami has far-reaching and fundamental impact – is God some light or is God a person one can relate to, talk to? Can we become God by losing our identity or can we recognize our real identity and serve God and His children?
View CommentThe atheist scientists can see the unlimited vastness of the universe, the complexity of each atom, the precise movement of each planetary body, the unimaginable variety of hues, sounds and objects apart from the very astonishing fact that no two humans or animals are exactly alike and still they think that there is no intelligence superior to theirs.
Radhanath Swami has rightly revealed that there are many yogis who can if they want, shake the foundations of modern science by simple demonstrations of subtle powers of which science today has no clue.
View CommentWonderful title and equally god content. Inspiring.
View CommentThanks for sharing this. We’re always looking for great resources to share with clients and my colleagues, and this article is definitely worth sharing!
View CommentToo Good Article very inspiring.
thank you for sharing
View CommentGreat Article!
View CommentInspiring Article for all……..
View CommentThis article is really an eye-opener…!!!
View CommentGoal of human life is not to show off ones power or strenghts. Our true goal is to realise our true relationship with GOD and serve him and his devotees in the mood of a humble servant. We should use our strengths and power in service of the Lord.
View CommentWow, Radhanath Swami has met so many mystic people, and has learnt nice lessons from that. This lesson of his was very good.
View CommentGreatest mystic power is to transform people’s heart what Radhanath swami is doing…
View Commentthe creator of the universe is god and it was not created by chance is very logically explained in this article. thank you for posting it.
View CommentIt is no wonder that because Radhanath Swami had understood God in such a scientific way, he has been able to inspire many well educated young people to come into the spiritual fold and realize themselves
View CommentVery wonderfully explained – how this world has a certain order (if we see there is a disturbance – guranteed its due to one race of living beings called humans, who just cannot figure out a way to co-operate and live with nature) – there has to a creator/lawmaker/maintainer.
Also how yogic sidhis dont make us God.
Radhanath Swami gives practical proofs and experiences to make it crystal clear.
View CommentVery inspiring article
View Commentbecoming godly will surely help to progress in our spiritual path.
View CommentRadhanath Swami makes a very incisive comment on how we should remain focussed on trying to be Godly, and not God. The real miracles, as he points out, are the millions of creations of God—-how this body grows with its protective coverings, how the flowers bloom….
View CommentRadhanath Swami understood that attaing mystic powers is also material…….pure devotion to Sri Radha & Krishna is the highest level of spirituality…..
View CommentMaharaj is very clear that we can at the most become Godly, not God. Thank you Maharaj.
View CommentHow unfotunate that Our complicated mind does not understand
View Commentsuch simple important subject matter. Thankyou .
very inspiring
View Commentnice story! i always wondered how to differentiate the two.. good explnation!!
View CommentSOUL STIRRING WRITE UP
View Commenttrue. very rare yogis say they are not god. remembered a story. A man said I am god.i can do whatever god can do. God said ok. God took some mud and made a pot and told him now you make a pot. Man said that’s simple. He took the mud. Immdediately God said wait, get your ‘own mud’. We are not God but servants of God
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