Mother Ganges taught valuable lessons to Richard (now Radhanath Swami). One of them was the virtue of perseverance. Ganga begins her course from high in the Himalayas and flows without stopping, to the sea. Despite all obstructions she flows gracefully. Radhanath Swami writes that Mother Ganges teaches us that if we want to attain the sea of our aspiration, we must persevere in our goal and never be discouraged by the inevitable obstacles that come on our path. All impediments are like rocks in the river of life. We should flow around them and never give up. With the Lord’s help, there is always a way. Radhanath Swami also felt that the sea was calling and each drop of Ganga water patiently flowed in the current to her ultimate destination, so far away. Mother Ganges is teaching all of us that patience and steadfastness are required to follow our inner calling.
I once heard a story that Radhanath Swami’s friend, Saccinandana Swami narrated. Long ago, there lived a bird in a beautiful orchard. She soon found a mate and they both lived happily. She laid her eggs in her nest and nurtured them with all her love and care. But one day, while she was away an eagle picked her egg and flew away with it. The mother, determined as she was, tried to chase the eagle to retrieve her precious egg. After a while, the eagle dropped the egg in the ocean and flew away. retrieve her precious egg. After a while, the eagle dropped the egg in the ocean and flew away. The mother was helpless and she broke into tears. But she had tremendous faith in God’s grace. She thought she could empty the ocean by scooping out the water and get back her eggs. The tides were strong and night was dark. But nothing could shake her faith and perseverance. She went on and on. Seeing her total faith, the Lord was pleased and personally gave her eggs back. Thus perseverance despite repeated obstacles helps us attract the lord’s grace.
Radhanath Swami says that the ability to persevere during difficult times comes if we can internally connect to God. The tests are sometimes severe and also unaccepted. Radhanath Swami shares his realization that we are living in times of great uncertainty. We do not know what will happen tomorrow. But one thing is sure that if we establish our connection with the Lord, it makes us eternally self-satisfied and fearless. It is like how we take petty things seriously in the absence of our connection towards the great. “For example, if you have two dollars and you have a bill that is a dollar and fifty cents; that is a big problem for you because it is almost everything you have. But if you have 100 million dollars, do you take that dollar & fifty seriously? Similarly, because we are spiritually bankrupt every little thing disturbs us so much.” Through this classic example Radhanath Swami is imploring us to go deeper in our relationship with God. This will help us push on happily when challenges strike us repeatedly during our sojourn in this material world.
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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........
“Radhanath Swami says that the ability to persevere during difficult times comes if we can internally connect to God.”
View Comment– if we could learn to do this, we will remain grateful in every situation, good or bad and receive it as the mercy of the Lord. None of the externals matter anymore.
Very deep thought
View Comment“All impediments are like rocks in the river of life. We should flow around them and never give up. With the Lord’s help, there is always a way”. ALL glories to Radhanath Swami for sharing this message.
Radhanath Maharaj puts his realizations so well. It is so inspiring that we gain the strength to take all obstacles in our stride and just keep having faith in the Lord. Thank you so much for these wonderful insights.
View CommentHari Bol
View CommentRadhanath Swami says that the ability to persevere during difficult times comes if we can internally connect to God. The tests are sometimes severe and also unaccepted. Radhanath Swami shares his realization that we are living in times of great uncertainty. We do not know what will happen tomorrow. But one thing is sure that if we establish our connection with the Lord, it makes us eternally self-satisfied and fearless. It is like how we take petty things seriously in the absence of our connection towards the great.
View CommentJust what I needed to hear now!
View CommentThanks Maharaj for teaching us the preservance during any circumstance of life. This will make us stronger and we have to have a strong faith towards lord, which will take us towards a blissful situation under any circumstance of life
View CommentExplain very nicely with wonderful example. Thank you very much.
View CommentVery instructive article. Thank u.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’ meditations are the perfection of one’ dedication to the desires of the all-attractive Lord.
View CommentThis is a deep message from Radhanath Swami – worth contemplating.
View CommentThank you so much Radhanath Swamiji for teaching us so many lessons that you learnt from various sources like mother Ganges..
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s explaination of the eagle and fish is so live that one can imagine how we are really entrapped in this material world suffering and not knowing that eagle of death can capture us any time.
View CommentThe concept of ‘spiritually bankrupt’ explains everything. So all material progress over decades amount to nothing!
View Comment“Radhanath Swami says that the ability to persevere during difficult times comes if we can internally connect to God.”
View Comment– if we could learn to do this, we will remain grateful in any situation of life.Thank u
Thank you Radhanath swami for giving us the guidance on how to be happy in all situations
View CommentSo inspiring!
View CommentVery much inspiring.
View CommentThank you for reminding us this important ingredient for success. It helps to read such topics over and over again so that we continue to practise it in our journey of life.
View CommentThank you for sharing
View CommentBeautiful meaningful statement Radhanath Swami makes here “because we are spiritually bankrupt every little thing disturbs us so much”.
View CommentEevery little thing disturbs us so much becouse we are spritually not very solvent.If we want to be undisturbed and happy then we have to take to the path of devotional service ,is the teaching 0f Radhanath Swami.
View CommentYes, to become self satisfied eternally is very important. But to acheive that we need to take guidance from saints like Radhanath Swami
View CommentThank you for sharing these teachings by Radhanath swami.They are so inspiring to read and how we get to learn so many new lessons through his teachings.
View Commentvery inspirational talk by radhanth swami
View Commentvery inspirational talk by radhanth swami,god gives us internal strenth to be preverse at the time of difficulties
View CommentThanks for sharing the words of Radhanath Swami “The ability to persevere during difficult times comes if we can internally connect to God”
View CommentAll glories to u Maharaj..All glories to u .. for enlightening so many soul throughout the world by giving the real knowledge..
View CommentRadhanath Swami has given an important lesson on perseverance and importance of connection with God. We suffer in this world because we try to handle everything by ourselves thinking that we are the doers. But if can re-establish our relationship with God, we realise that we are not alone and we can actually feel the divine shelter and support.
View CommentVery nice article,Thank you very much for sharing this.
View CommentThe example of million dollars given by Swamiji is so striking & appealing……….really, perseverance & patience are important keys for success in spiritual life…..thanks
View Commentradhanath swami is pointing us to our real problem spiritual bankruptcy
View CommentNice example. Profound teachings in very simple language
View CommentRadhanath Swami has definitely exemplified through his personal life as to what perseverance & patience means. He has been a source of inspiration to many practioners of bhakti yoga.
View Commentvery nice article……thanks
View CommentThank You for this important instruction on perseverance in our spiritual life!
View CommentToday’s life everyone is hankering although have or not have the money, machine and man still the satisfaction is not there. above that fear of loosing is making more disturbed.
Altimate solution of connecting oneself with GOD makes us fearless and self satisfied.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for such wonderful teachings.
View CommentIt is a fact that Mother Ganga revealed the Holy Name to Radhanath Swami
View Commentradhanath swami said that “one thing is sure that if we establish our connection with the Lord, it makes us eternally self-satisfied and fearless”- (in any worst situations), and this is the acceptable formula for existence,
View CommentVery inspiring. Thank you Radhanath Swami
View CommentPerseverance Is One Of The Important Thing In Our Life, Which Helps Everyone To Progress Spiritually, If We Take Sincere Efforts Towards It.
View CommentSo Each & Every Person Should Learn From This Great Lesson Of Radhanth Swami.
A positive heart can learn from every source of nature and in every situation provided by Lord. Swamiji has unflinching determination and genuine love and thats why he is able to learn from everything. If one learns this attitude and follows His guidance, one can surely aspire to be happy and satisfied. Thanx Swamiji for your true advices full of real wisdom.
View CommentConcept of spiritual bankruptcy is nicely pointed out in this article. thank u.
View Commentmany thanks to Radhanath swami for these wonderful analogies
View CommentBeautifully explained.Thank you very much Maharaj.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami
View CommentRadhanath Swami is constantly imploring all to delve deeper into the spiritual realm
View CommentSimilarly, because we are spiritually bankrupt every little thing disturbs us so much. This is true of anybody in any position of life. Thank you Radhanath Swami for giving us these wise words to meditate upon.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is a pure devotee
View CommentRadhanath Swami says that the ability to persevere during difficult times comes if we can internally connect to God.
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