Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was sometimes rebuked by Srila Prabhupada’s leading disciples. They pressured him to make a commitment and urged him to join the movement and travel with them. He didn’t like such pressurizing, although he was used to it. Radhanath Swami writes that he thought he would surrender to a guru only if he was impelled by deep faith and inspiration, and not by somebody’s pressure. One afternoon Srila Prabhupada asked how long had he been staying in Vrindavan. Richard thought he too would chastise him for living in Vrindavan. Richard replied, “About six months Srila Prabhupada.” After a minute long pause and gazing into his eyes, Srila Prabhupada replied, rubbing Richard’s head affectionately, “Very good, Vrindavan is such a wonderful place.”
In this briefest of exchanges Richard (now Radhanath Swami) experienced the love of an eternal friend, a benevolent parent, and of God. This had a profound impact on him which he could neither understand nor explain:
Radhanath Swami describes he closed his eyes and pondered:
“He is such a busy man, with tens of thousands of people the world over waiting for a moment of his time. Why did he stop for me? I have nothing to offer, I am just a penniless nobody who sleeps under a tree” “Perhaps”, Radhanath Swami thought, “the miracle of being an instrument of kindness is the most powerful of all.”
Following Srila Prabhupada’s footsteps, Radhanath Swami also emphasizes on gentle and encouraging speech and little acts of kindness. The first time I read the ‘Journey Home’ I was excited and longed to meet the author Radhanath Swami. I waited outside his room, hoping I would get an audience for a minute where I could thank him sincerely. When he came out I was amazed by his simplicity and unassuming nature. He heard me as I became incoherent in speech, while expressing my appreciation. I spoke too many things too fast. All the while Radhanath Swami looked intently at me, with a loving gaze and with no distraction anywhere else. I blabbered for about five minutes, and felt ashamed for having taken his precious time. I flustered, “Oh, Radhanath Swami, I am really sorry, I took so much of your time and I feel ashamed for that. I am a sentimental fool and I am sorry about that.” No sooner had I said that, Radhanath Swami lovingly touched my palms with his, and expressed with a smile, “Please don’t be sorry. I love sentiments, and let me assure you, I am also a sentimental person.” I was shocked by this answer. Radhanath Swami was coming to my level, and saying he is sentimental. I knew for sure he isn’t like that but just to make me feel good, he confessed to be so. I was overwhelmed by his kindness, and am sure I wouldn’t forget this incident for the rest of my life.
Once I also saw him attend the memorial services of one old visitor to the temple, Sanatana Muni who died at the age of eighty. Sanatana Muni, I learnt was travelling by train daily to attend the temple services at five in the morning. He was a simple, unassuming person, and was satisfied in rendering services according to his humble capacity. Devotees presumed Radhanath Swami wouldn’t know him. However during the memorial services, everybody was pleasantly surprised as Radhanath Swami recounted finer details of Sanatana Muni’s character, and showered appreciation. It was during the memorial that many learnt that Radhanath Swami had interacted with Sanatana Muni and spoken to him about his family concerns. Radhanath Swami showed by his example the need to be personal and caring. Recently another member died and during the memorial services, Radhanath Swami emphatically expressed, “In my last twenty two years of services here in Mumbai, my single most important priority has been to endeavour to create a community of genuine devotees who really love and serve others.” Radhanath Swami paused for about half a minute, and again asserted, “Not just superficially caring, but genuinely kind, loving and caring.” Now I know why Radhanath Swami is popular and endearing to all.
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’s efforts and concerns haven’t gone waste – his community is full of genuinely caring persons, each serving the other.
View CommentIts so amazing how Srila PRabhupada recognized Radhanath Swami their eternal relationship is being highlighted here. Radhanath Swami has simply appeared to assist Srila Prabhupada. When Krishna appeared all the associates took birth in the near by region similarly in case of Srila PRabhupada many stalwarts appeared to assist him
View CommentReally Radhanath Swami is creating a atmosphere where everyone wants to be eternally…
View CommentBravo! What a post!
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj for sharing intimate moments with Srila Prabhupad and the deeper insights into it. It is very inspiring to receive practical behaviour tips from you personal life.
View CommentH.H.Radhanth Swami’s compassion is very evident in his teachings.
View CommentThe singular most attactive feature of any spiritual movement is a happy, content, and satisfied group of members. Radhanath Swami makes sure that all those who are a part of the centre under his guidance, which in turn is part of a global spiritual movement, are well-situated both spiritually and materially. In short, he makes sure that all are happy.
View Commentthank u for wonderful article
View CommentRadhanath Swami is the most kind hearted person I have ever met in my life, I’m eternally grateful to him for everything he has offered to me and can never repay him.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has the same kind of compassion for anyone and everyone, irrespective of age, background, qualifications. That is a great hope for fallen souls like me.
View Commentthank you very much prabhji, for sharing you interactions with maharaj.
View CommentIt is difficult to be loving and kind to people but through his example Radhanath Swami makes it easier. Thank you Maharaj.
View CommentRadhanath Swami a pure devotee of Lord Krishna proves by his behaviour. I feel unqualified to speak about great personality.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has given his time, love and affection to people that they can never forget the time they have spent with him.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj’s personal dealings is what makes people come closer to God!
View CommentV nice example of compassion by Radhanath swami
View CommentHaribol
View CommentRadhanath Swami thank you for sharing your experience
View CommentMaharaj is really a great soul and LORD has sent him to show us the example of a devotee.. thanks for sharing.. JAI !!!
View CommentH.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai
View CommentThank you very much for sharing.
View CommentThese are the intimate moments of H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj with Srila Prabhupad and the deeper insights into it. It is very inspiring to receive practical tips.Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai.
View CommentThis particular incident shows the importance of giving love and care to fellow devotees
View CommentIn my life, I have never come across a person who is so intensely caring. I bow down before Radhanath Swami.
View CommentJust like his spiritual master, Radhanath Swami is a true saint who has understood that real understnading of GOD translates into love, care, and concern for all.
View Commentvery good article
View CommentSimply amazing…
View Commentradhanath swami’s sincere and a genuine desire to have devotees together lead to the existence of radhagopinath temple,
View CommentWith his kindness Radhanath Swami has won many a hearts.
View CommentBeing gentle is an austerity – but not for those who have become an instrument of God’s kindness. For them, its natural. Radhanath Swami is an epitome of gentleness without compromising the truth about the Absolute Truth as presented in the standard scriptures.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has touched many people’s lives through his genuine love and personal concern for them.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj shows through his personal example how ultimately we are all looking for love & service!
View CommentRadhanath Swami experienced the love of an eternal friend, a benevolent parent, and of God
View CommentThis is the intimate moment of H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj with Srila Prabhupad. Radhanath Swami has simply appeared to assist Srila Prabhupada.. He also has the same kind of compassion for his deciples.
View CommentRadhanath swami is teaching here a very wonderful lesson.
View CommentWonderful article…Thank u for sharing
View CommentRadhanth swami imbibes the quality of showing true compassion to everyone from his GURU Srila Prabhupad ! Thank you to sharing these incidents and realisations.
View Commenta very wonderful article and like his Guru Maharaj even HHRNSM is following the same footsteps to create a loving environment for all his devotees, haribol, bhakti
View CommentHHRNSM like his own Guru Maharaj is a very humble and a simple person and is an instrument of kindness which is HHRNSM most powerful quality, thank you Maharaj, regards, rajesh karia
View CommentThis is a perfect example of Guru-Parampara or chain of disciplic succession…..Prabhupada showered his compassion on Radhanath Swami & instead is doing the same on his disciples….great
View CommentNow, that’s really heart touching! I have never seen anyone is such a influential position as Radhanath Swami behave so personally as he does. Most such people tend to be arrogant and look down on people but here’s one person who genuinely cares so much even for the most “ordinary” devotees. Otherwise how could he remember such finer details of Sanatana Muni? Remmebrance is a necessary expression of love as radhanath swami himself says.
View CommentThis is a perfect example of Guru-Parampara or chain of disciplic succession…..Prabhupada showered his compassion on Radhanath Swami & he in turn is doing the same on his disciples….great
View CommentIn my last twenty two years of services here in Mumbai, my single most important priority has been to endeavour to create a community of genuine devotees who really love and serve others. — This statement of Radhanath Swami Maharaj outlines the importance he gave to the people. I sincerely hope and pray that I may humbly assist him in creating harmonious relationships among everyone.
View Commentnice article
View CommentH.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a compassinate soul to all.
View CommentThank you so much
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s warmth and deep love is felt by EACH AND EVERY PERSON among the thousands who attend the temple.
View CommentThank you very much for sharing.
View CommentGreat article – Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful article – HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj has been distributing the causeless kindness and love to one and all.
View CommentThe miracle of being an instrument of kindness is the most powerful of all.
View Comment