Each morning at Rama Sevaka Swami’s ashram, five sadhus gathered to hear Ramayana, the story of Lord Rama. Richard (now Radhanath Swami) could understand only a few words here and there but Narayan Prasad promised Richard that he would translate whatever was spoken after the session. For three hours, the sadhus sat in rapt attention as emotions flooded their hearts. Sometimes they shook in laughter; other times they wept with joy or sorrow. Still, at other times they sat motionless in suspense, fear, and wonder. Richard was starving to hear the story that affected them so much. Narayan Prasad translated by narrating a story of Lord Krishna stealing butter. For three consecutive days Narayan Prasad translated only this story, and Richard was upset that although in the narration only Lord Rama’s names and His associates were mentioned, Narayan Prasad was instead speaking only Krishna’s stories. Seeing Richard (now Radhanath Swami)’ desperation, Narayan Prasad revealed the secret that his guru Rama Sevaka Swami had told him that Lord Rama had appeared in his dream and told him that this boy (Richard (now Radhanath Swami) ) would later become a Krishna devotee, although he isn’t aware of that now. In due course of time that will be revealed to him. Therefore Lord Rama forbade Rama Sevaka Swami from narrating these pastimes.
Although Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are same, there is a difference in the form in which they appeared, and the historical time at which they appeared. Rama, the perfect incarnation of God is an all-time favorite among Hindu deities. The most popular symbol of chivalry and virtue, Rama – in the words of Radhanath Swami, in his autobiography, ‘The Journey Home’- is “the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king.” Rama is seen as an archetype of righteousness and the most sought-after virtues in life. Rama is said to have taken birth on earth to annihilate the evil forces of the age. He is widely believed to be an actual historical figure whose exploits form the great Hindu epic of Ramayana or The Story of Rama, written by the ancient Sanskrit poet Valmiki.
Lord Rama is most often represented as a standing figure, with an arrow in his right hand, a bow in his left and a quiver on his back. A Rama statue is also usually accompanied by those of his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana, and the legendary monkey attendant Hanuman. He is depicted in princely adornments with a ’tilak’ or mark on the forehead, and as having a dark, almost greenish complexion.
Although some wrongly informed people would like to believe that Lord Rama and Ramayana are mythological, the first Governor General of India, Sri Rajaji, wrote on the Ramayana and called it a history, as also did the English Indologist Sir William Jones. Various renowned western authors such as Philip Lutgendorf, Ann Arbor, W. L. Smith and others have made a study of the culture and history of the Ramayana, and accepted Lord Rama as real. There are also numerous places like Ramesvaram, Nasik, and Hampi, besides hundreds of other places that are indicated as the locations where various events happened in reference to the pastimes of Lord Rama and Sita. These places still exist and Radhanath Swami often takes a group of interested seekers on a retreat to these holy places.
The Ramayana is also geographically very correct. Every site on Rama’s route is still identifiable and has continuing traditions or temples to commemorate Rama’s visit. Around 1000 BC or earlier, no writer had the means to travel around the country inventing a story, fitting it into local folklore and building temples for greater credibility. In 1975 the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) unearthed fourteen pillar bases of kasauti stone with Hindu motifs near the mosque at Ayodhya; reports of the excavations are available with the ASI. In 249 BC, Ashoka erected a pillar in Lumbini with an inscription referring to the visit by Rama. Ashoka was much nearer in time to Rama and would be well aware of his facts.
On hearing that he is destined to be a Krishna devotee, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) dismissed this idea because he couldn’t grasp what he had heard about his worshipping Krishna. Richard was all set to return to the Himalayas.
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........
Many people think that Lord Rama is a mythological figure; in leading book stores, books such as Ramayana are placed in the mythology section. As pointed out, no writer had the means to travel around the country inventing a story, fitting it into local folklore and building temples for greater credibility.
View CommentThis heart touching incident tells us how much eager Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was to hear the pastimes of Lord.
View CommentThis incident shows how intense was Radhanath Swami’s eagerness to know God. His love of the Lord is visible in his every action and interaction.
View CommentEver wondered why it is said that India is the land of spirituality , and true seekers of self somehow the other eventually land up here. It is saddening to see what we are doing to ourselves in the name of being advanced. If the world is so advanced just look at the available statistic where are the most crimes, suicides etc happening it is matter of time when we are there. To discard the Vedic way of life is to speed up our own degradation. Reading the ‘Journey Home’ by Radhanath Swami Makes us realize that for a true seeker geographical boundaries are for that matter inconveniences are not obstacles.
View CommentThrough this sotry it seems that even Lord wanted ,Radhanath Swami Could here only pastimes of Krishna and for that he had made arrengement in that way only.
View CommentActually even Radhanath Swami knows what to tell a person individually. He narrates stories from the scriptures in a general lecture, but knows exact what to impress on, in case of each individual.
View CommentI may have read Ramayan four times during the annual Nine days Navratra Festival, But understood a little, till I came in contact with Radhanath Swami and his clear explanation on Lord Ram.
View CommentThis is really wonderful story which can change hearts of many who are real seekers of spirituality.
View CommentThank you
View CommentThose who beleive the existence of the God always belive all subject matter related to Him.There are no difficulties and no doubts.In Radhanath swami’s book we clearly understand that Lord Rama appeared in dream of His devotee and told him that Richard(Radhanarth Swami)is a devotee of the Lord Sri Krishna.And now we have seen this become true.Thank you for sharing it.
View CommentThis incident with Radhanath Swami is surely extraordinary and beyond mundane understanding as probably most spiritual experiences are. Commendable attempt to inspire us to apply logic and science before rejecting Spirituality in the name of mythology.
View CommentLord Rama – God as an ideal person
View CommentRadhanath Swami – God’s ideal devotee!
its very nice to see spiritual experience of Radhanath Swami.
View CommentVery wonderful article. Wonderful arguments to prove that ramayana is not mythological
View Commentculture places mentioned, authors didn’t travels anf fitteds trories amd temples and Ashoka inscription on pillar and also ASI reports thank you
The Journey Home is full with such exciting experiences of a seeker of truth – Radhanath Swami.
View CommentThe Ramayana pretty much runs through the fabric of traditional Indian life. It has molded the lives and character of countless people through countless centuries. How can a book whose influence is so real be a myth itself!! All glories to the Ramayana and to Radhanath Swami who brings it to life every time he speaks on this great literature.
View CommentIt is clear from this story how Lord Krishna inexorably drew his pure devotee to His lotus feet, not allowing for any other distractions, even to His to own expansions / incarnations!
View CommentMaharaj’s encounters with such genuine bhakti yogis nourishes the soul. Previous to that Maharaj explained how to please others is innate nature of the soul and in conditioned stage that’s not easy
View CommentWhen I read about this pastime in the Journey Home book, I was truly amazed. Radhanath Swami Maharaj has been a devotee since the beginning of his life.
View CommentThank u for sharing!!!
View CommentIts really amazing to learn that one day Richard will become the ideal devotee of Lord Krishna.
View CommentIts amazing to find the eagerness in Radhanath Swami to hear about Lord Rama. Its also amazing that now Radhanath Swami himself narrates very eloberately and lucidly the pastimes of Lord Rama in a spontanous way. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentAll Glories to H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Thanks for this wonderful anecdote.
Hare Krishna
View CommentI felt after reading this, you can only hear from an ideal guru, Radhanath Swami about an ideal God, Rama.
View CommentIts so amazing to see Radhanath Swami came across so many pure devotees on his path of devotional service. Krishna reciprocates with sincere souls like Radhanath Swami. Radhanath Swami had a plan and even Krishna had a plan for him.
View CommentThis shows that Maharaj was already Great Devotee ok Krishna before coming to ISKCON …
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for presenting so many historical facts relating to Lord Rama, proving to the skeptics that Lord Rama was definitely a part of our history and is certainly not a ‘mythological’ figure as perceived by many.
View Commentthank you maharaj fro everything
View Commentradhanath swami is the chosen one by the lord for the deliverance of the fallen souls in this age of kali, he is the true messenger since all his attempts are directed and focused in guiding the people how to approach to love god,
View CommentThanks Maharaj..People will less intelligent and who want to prove their supremacy will treat , Ramayana as mythology. All the facts and activities of Ramayana still holds true and we need to be pure in heart and need to have the mercy of Lord to know this fact.
View CommentAlso if we are sincere , God will show us the path , although the process may delay and if we have patience and faith, by the mercy of lord, we can achieve the perfection…
Thanks Maharaj….
Worship of Lord Krsna was destined for Radhanath Swami much before he he actually starded practicing. Inconceivable !!
View Commenteven some of thepoliticians claimed lord rama as myth. these foold dont know the facts and also mislead the masses. in one of the programmes Zee news carries out a documentary showing the places in lanka where Mother sita was kept as captive and Hanuman how he burnt lanka the sil is still black and also there is a montainwhere lot of medicinal herbs are found.
View CommentHariiii bol.
View CommentAlthough Richard followed some other faith, Lord Ramachandra had unfolded his future….this experience is simply mind boggling……..
View CommentRadhanath Swami hits the nail on the head when he says that ” no writer had the means to travel around the country inventing a story, fitting it into local folklore and building temples for greater credibility.” So obviously this was not a work of someone dreaming.
View CommentWonderful article. It shows how Maharajah was eager to hear about the past times of the Lord.
View CommentThank you very much for sharing the pastimes
View Commentvery nice Radhanath Swami
View CommentNice.
View CommentIndia’s culture is based on Ramayan and Mahabharat. However, unscrupulous persons are trying to shake the foundation.
View CommentLord Rama is such an amazing personality in our vedic scriptures who has inspired millions of books to be written. More is written and spoken about him more his glorious qualities increase. It is amazing how he is so perfect.
View CommentVery nice. Thank you very much for sharing the same with us.
View CommentRadhanath Swami lives by the highest spiritual ideals as laid down by the acharyas & inspires us to do likewise.
View CommentThankyou for sharing the facts proving that Lord Rama is not a mythological figure.
View CommentAfter reading this excerpt, i am getting a strong desire to read Maharaj’s book The Journey Home once again! its filled with soo many fantastic expriences!
View CommentMaharaj is truly an amazing person
View CommentAmazing experiences and amazing personalities Radhanath Swami came across in his venture.
View CommentAlthough some wrongly informed people would like to believe that Lord Rama and Ramayana are mythological – this is like sayng my great grandfather is mythological simply because I have no information about my great grandfather.
View CommentThank you Maharaj for the wonderful book and the story.
It is very inspiring to see how the Lord guides His devotees to Him.
View CommentIt is very inspiring to see how the Lord guides His devotees to Him. Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience.
View Comment