Everyone in Bon Maharaj’s ashram where Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was staying complained about his long, unkempt hair. Bon Maharaj requested him to shave his head like the other ashramites. Richard pleaded that for him shaving the head meant surrendering to a mentor, and therefore until he feels strongly about surrendering to a guru, he wouldn’t shave. Then Maharaj suggested that he at least cut it shorter as now the hair hung halfway to his waist, and his mane was quite matted. Richard agreed but the hair was so thick that no scissor could penetrate the hair. Finally they called for a gardener who bought loppers used for cutting bushes. The four men- gardener, barber and their two assistants- strained and groaned as they pushed the cutter from both directions. Finally after great struggle the two blades of the bush cutter snapped together and the project was complete. Asim laughed all the while so hard that tears streamed down his cheeks.
Reading Radhanath Swami’s hair cutting experience, I too laughed but soon realized the seriousness of the event. Radhanath Swami’s long hair had once represented his revolt against war, prejudices and the superficialities of the society. Now he allowed that hair to be cut.
In Indian culture hair cutting is a significant event for many religious people. One of the most popular temples in India is the temple of Tirupati, Lord Vishnu, where every day thousands of pilgrims, including women and children, tonsure their head as a mark of auspiciousness and as an offering for the lord. The daily amount of hair collected is over a ton. The hair thus gathered is sold by the temple organization a few times a year by public auction to international buyers for use as hair extensions and in cosmetics, bringing over $6 million to the temple’s treasury.
The objective behind shaving one’s head for the Lord is to demonstrate that the devotee completely surrenders his/her ego at the feet of the Lord. Also many make a wish to the Lord to fulfil, and in exchange, as a price, shave the head. Also many Hindus shave in case of death of their parents. Even young boys and girls before they reach the age of four are shaved completely in a special ceremony. By shaving the head, it is said the child confronts his or her ego. This teaches humbleness and devotion. Also children with shaved heads are seen as innocent and holy, and are treated with great respect.
In India while visiting holy places, the first ritual to be observed by most pilgrims is shaving the head. Hair is considered the symbol of vanity, and in order to receive the full benefits of a pilgrimage to a holy place, one must first give up self-love and focus on God. Thus, the pilgrims believe that the hair should be shaven from the head in a gesture of surrender and humility.
I once heard one of Radhanath Swami’s students explain that hair cutting is not absolutely essential. What is more important is to remember God and be prayerful. External rituals are important if they increase our favourable remembrance of God, otherwise they are a distraction. Radhanath Swami beautifully exposes the false humility that can creep in by such external show of shaving. “One can be proud of his humility too”, says Radhanath Swami, “by thinking I am more humble than others. This is subtle pride and a distraction.”
Radhanath Swami is always clean shaven and looks effulgent and holy. I find many of his young celibate students who also shave regularly, radiating spiritual energy and look happy. I am sure there’s more to it than mere shaving the head- they offer their heart in love to 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........
That is very scary – being proud of humility – and very difficult to detect and therefore difficult to check.
View CommentInteresting philosophy behind shaving of head!!
View Comment“External rituals are important if they increase our favourable remembrance of God, otherwise they are a distraction.” This statements gives proper understanding on how to see to rituals.
View CommentProud of one’ humility- nothing can escape Radhanath Swami’ scrutinising eyes!!! He is always there to point out the pitfalls we may get into.
View CommentExciting philosophy behind hair cutting. Radhanath Swami’s story looks like the story of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, when His hairs are cut during His Sanyas initiation.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for demonstrating how to balance between outward rituals and internal devotional attitude.
View CommentThis is a very interesting blog by Radhanath Swami.
View CommentMaharaj walks his talk… This incident proves that he acts only when he is fully convinced of something
View Commentradhanath swami had exposed one of the hardcore truth that mostly happens in the world, hence sincere loving attitude towards the supreme lord is most essential rather than external appearance,
View Commentimportant point -External rituals are important if they increase our favourable remembrance of God, otherwise they are a distraction- many a times we get too caught up with the externals
View CommentRadhanath Swami focuses on the essence for him thats what matters the most he can look through ones soul we may try to show how detached we are externally but great souls can see our false renunciation and they appreciate people who are genuine.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s students explain that hair cutting is not absolutely essential. What is more important is to remember God and be prayerful.
View CommentAmong my earliest memories of meeting devotees about 28 years ago, I remember being very impressed at their clean, innocent and young faces, accentuated favourably by their shaven heads.
View CommentThankyou for so beautifully explaining the reasons behind shaving one’s head as a mark of surrender and humility. Also Radhanath Swami so cautiously also explains here the real mood of doing this.Thankyou Maharaj.
View CommentSuch a deep understanding is there behind shaving one’s head was something very new to me and the religious act of shaving heads of children in India before the age of four is also something which everybody in India religiously follow but the fact behind the shaving was always unknown to most of them.So thanks for revealing the facts and enlightening us with this knowledge .
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj gives us an important message to focus on essence & not on external rituals!
View CommentVery nice philosophy behind shaving the head. Thank you very much for sharing the same.
View Comment‘Hair’ – just to take care of it we have a whole lot of industries running, well! evidence lies in the shelves of the market stores all round the world, wherein one is given the choice to pamper this ‘DEAD’ byproduct of the body. Radhanath Swamis experiences march on to give us a glimpse of ‘That which is’ and removing ‘That which is not’ read on the ‘The Journey Home’ book gets you to the right perspective.
View CommentH.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj has warned about being proud of humility. It is so subtle. Spiritual life is walking on tight rope.
View CommentAction speaks louder than the words. Surrender through action never develops falls ego. It is very dangerous to act without surrender. Radhanath Swami nicely explained the topic of head shaving. all glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentIf externals are understood in conjunction with the spirit behind them, then they become meaningful and even joyful!
View CommentI also find that Radhanath Swami and many of his fully shaven headed disciples look radiant and effulgent – many times I think and wonder what sort of secret beauty treatment they do!
View Commentyes it is practical . those who are working outside , may find it difficult in shaving the head completely. Thus spirit is more important than external .
View CommentI never knew this understanding of shaving the head and of humility.
View Commentcool
Very detailed & instructive article on reasons for shaving the head……….thanks…
View Commentthank you radhanath swami for clarifying that its not the externals but the mood thats more important
View CommentRadhanath Swami always gives importance to the purpose or intent than to mere external rituals. Radhanath Swami also warns us against these ritualistic activities which make us proud in subtle way. Thank you Radhanath Swami for giving us this right guidance.
View Commentshaven head represents surrender. one should not shave head if he is not surrendered or not intending to surrender. the beauty of the followers of Radahnath swami is actually their surrender which makes them effulgent. I have expereinced this in their company,
View CommentThank you for sharing the wonderful meditation. Mahara had nicely exposed the meaning behind shaving head. Thank you.
View CommentA good explanation of shaving the head as per the tradition or while visiting the Holy place.
View CommentNice informative article…
View CommentThe shaven headed monks of the Hare Krishna Movement with their blissful faces & ecstatic dancing add color & joyous vibrations to the place wherever they are present.
View CommentWhat is real surrender is taught by own example by Radhanath swami
View CommentWhat is important is humility and surrender.Once these qualities are developed in our heart,shaving head is a matter of cleanliness and a reminder of our comittment to the values we have accepted.
View CommentI like the idea of cutting hair if that helps cut down one’s ego. Hari bol!!
View Commentthank you maharaj
View CommentRadhanath swami himself surrendered to his guru only after deep thought and contemplation, and his shaving off his hair was indicative of his surrender.
View CommentVery educative.
View CommentThis is a very hilarious incident in Radhanath Swami’s life !!
View CommentShaving one’s head is a mark of renouncement.It is so beautiful that in devotion when does so, the ego is surrendered to the spiritual master & the divine. The life & experiences of Radanath Swami teaches us so much.
View CommentThank you very much for sharing. Radhanath Swami clearly says here that “What is more important is to remember God and be prayerful. External rituals are important if they increase our favourable remembrance of God, otherwise they are a distraction.”
View Commentnever thought on these lines Thank you Radhanath Swami
View Commentthank you very much for the post
View CommentExternal rituals are important if they increase our favourable remembrance of God, I like this statement. Thank you Radhanath Swami
View CommentThanks for sharing.
View Commentvery nice insight about cutting hair
View CommentThe richness of the Vedic culture can also distract some intellectuals away as long as they dont understand the spirit behind the rituals and also their efficacy. The Vedic culture harmonizes itself with truths yet unknown to the proud modern man. Radhanath Swami reveals the Vedic culture with every passing day.
View CommentVery Inspiring writing
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for a wonderful meditation.
View CommentAnother reason for brahmacaris to remove their hair is to focus less on their body (It saves time while bathing) , looks more clean and neat and also costs less (no need for all those hair oils, shampoos etc.)
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