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.
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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........
It is amazing to know that the Sadhu understood that Radhanath Swami is a devotee of Krishna.
View CommentThe Lord Himself provided a glimpse into the future of Radhanath Swami when He appeared in Rama Sevaka Swami’s dream. What an exalted personality Radhanath Swami is.
View CommentThank you for very good article
View Commentwonderful article
View CommentIncredible story!
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj embodies the teachings of Lord Rama!
View CommentVow its so nice to hear something like this.
View CommentLord Rama has inspired millions an will do so forever. Its amazing that Lord Rama personally intervened in Radhanath Swami’s life.
View CommentWe can understand that H.H Radhanath Swami is a divine personality sent by the Supreme Lord to save the fallen souls.
View CommentThank u Maharaj
View CommentI agree with you Abhijit .Thanks .
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for these wonderful words, especially in today’s world when people use God to start wars
View Commentit was first lecture in my life to actually hear from mhrj on dasara , which gave meaning to my life based on lord ram , ramayan n killing of ravana. this another lesson to take from lord rams life n apply in my life otherwise lord ram would have been my just hindu god.
View Commenthow wonderfully Lord reciprocates with his sincere and gebuine devotee. this incidence is the testimony of that. very attractive incidence from the life of Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is such a great devotee that LORD RAM himself had to appear to glorify his devotee…..
View CommentRadhanath Swami teaches so many lessons through this write up.
View Commentthis increase my faith in Radhanath swami and Lord Rama. Thank you for sharing these thoughts.
View Commentthis story is just too incredible and it goes to show that how the lord by coming in Ram Sevak Sadhus dreams gave a glimpse of his to HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj knowing that Maharaj was a very powerful and a great spiritual personality by himself, regards, rajesh karia
View Commentvery nice article, haribol, bhakti
View CommentThis episode clearly reveals how Lord controls and protects every one’s life, more so of devotees.
View CommentIts amazing how the Lord reciprocates with his devotees…
View CommentIt is so amazing that lord was always guiding Radhanath swami in his journey to find him
View CommentThe eagerness to hear about Lord Ram by Radhanath Swami had turned into ecstatic glorification by himself now. Radhanath Swami loves to narrate the unparalleled pastimes of Lord ram, mother Sita and Hanuman.
View CommentJai Shri Ram !
View Commentgreat details about sri Rama! i liked that part the most, when all the sages wud at times, laugh out loud, some time weep, sometimes wonder at the story of Sri Rama. Thnks for sharing this.
View CommentThanks to this wonderful experience of Radhanath swami that is being shared here.
Thanks also to the facts that have been mentioned here to depict that Ramayana is NOT a myth, but a TRUE story that has occured in the past.
View CommentMaharaj’s journey is simply astounding. Krishna has been with Maharaj on his journey all the way, as He has brought such wonderful souls in Maharaj’s life. And now we are so fortunate to be getting Maharaj’s instructions as he leads us on the right path back to Godhead. Hare Krishna.
View CommentWe should all endeavour to incorporate the ideals of Lord Rama in our personal lives as Radhanath Swami has described.
View CommentAt one point of time Radhanath Swami was very much eager to hear about Lord Ram. Now the whole world is eager to hear Rama Katha from Radhanath Swami. The narrations of pastimes of Lord Ram by Radhanath Swami are so enthralling that devotees keep on going for hours together without even thinking of prasadam and Radhanath Swami can go on and on continuously. Such is the affection of Radhanath Swami towards Lord Ram.
View Commentamazing article. thanks
View CommentIf we only depend upon our(imperfect)senses for proof of the existence of the Lord, we will forever be in illusion. There are so many things in the material world which we accept on the basis of reasoned faith, but when it comes to something spiritual, we apply double standards and don’t believe in reasoned faith.
View CommentThe lord is very personal aand interfers in hid devotee’s life is illustrated by Radhanath swami’s life.
View CommentSri Ramchandra ki jai!
View CommentIf Ramayan is the greatest epic of all time then Radhanath swami is one of the greatest of acaryas who dedicated their lives to Lord Ramachandra. Radhanath Swami, when he speaks on the pastimes of Lord Ram speaks with such enthusiasm and eagerness as though he is watching those pastimes infront of him.
View CommentVery nice article.
View CommentWhat an amazing event! Thanks for helping me understand Lord Rama, also.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is always eager to hear and speak Krishna (and Ram) katha. In this incident the Lord resiprocated with him though another devotee of the Lord
View CommentVery nice incident showing how Lord reciprocates with his devotees.
View CommentHas been good reading about the historic evidences of Lord Rama
It is difficult to imagine India so spiritual just 30 years ago.
View CommentLord Ram is GOD, and not a mythological character as it is portrayed. There is no logic to the myth of Ram.
View CommentLet us all take inspiration from His perfect dealings with all He came in contact with.
H H Radhanath swami is a ideal devotee
View CommentIn 249 BC, Ashoka erected a pillar in Lumbini with an inscription referring to the visit by Rama. Nice information to let people how scientist are cheating us. thank you maharaj.
View CommentThank you for such a nice article.
View Commentit was already revealed that Maharaj would be devotee of Krishna…Hari Hari…
View CommentMany people consider Lord Rama and Ramayana as Mythological! But when we see that Lord Rama personally appeared in Radhanath Swami’s life through Ram Sevak Swami’s dream, who can doubt about His existence?
View CommentThat’s amazing. Even before Maharaj came in touch with Krsna Consciousness, Lord Ram revealed to his devotee in dream that Maharaj is a devotee of Krsna.
View CommentThis make sense, Ramayan is not myth but its a history as we can still identify the places mentioned in Ramayan
View CommentI love this story!
View CommentSri Rama is an ideal person for all time. Radhanath Swami explained in detail about the historical events taken place in various places. all glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentHare Krishna Maharaj.
View Comment