Richard (now Radhanath Swami) discovered that the religion of residents of Vrindavan was not reserved for Sundays or holidays; they had spontaneous, loving attraction to God. And this love was intrinsic to every aspect of their lives. It was autumn season and Radhanath Swami remembers watching in fascination the preparation for the festival of Rasa dance. Radhanath Swami learnt that Rasa dance is one of the deepest revelations of spiritual love. Bon Maharaj explained to him the meaning of Rasa dance as a representation of most perfect intimacy between the soul and God.
On the night of Rasa dance, the whole of Vrindavan was abuzz with excitement. It was on this night that Krishna danced with the cowherd maidens of Vrindavan, known as gopis. Bon Maharaj taught Richard (now Radhanath Swami) that this dance was not like any worldly dance wherein people try to satisfy their material senses. While the gopis live as cowherd maids, they embody the highest expression of the soul’s love for God, for pleasing the Lord is their exclusive aspiration. This dance represents the most perfect intimacy between the soul and God, free of any tinge of selfish desire but charged with the fullest bliss. On this night, when Krishna called them from their homes with the sweet song of His flute, the gopis forsook everything they had and risked dangers and social rejection all to satisfy the Lord. When they reached Krishna, the Supreme Lord, He admitted that in the span of creation He had no power to sufficiently repay the gopis for their pure devotion. But in reciprocation He expanded Himself to dance simultaneously with each gopi in their eternal spiritual bodies, for a night of endless joy.
It was during this period that Radhanath Swami experienced Vrindavan affecting his heart deeply. In the sweetness of those moments, he thought how unconditional spiritual love for God was a higher experience than attaining mystic powers wherein one could perform supernatural feats or even liberation wherein one was freed of all sufferings and anxieties. Radhanath Swami reveals, “In spiritual love, like that of the gopis, a devotee fully gives his or herself for the pleasure of the Lord and can fully relish the intimacy of God’s love.”
To drive the point of selfless love of gopis that a devotee seeks to cultivate, Radhanath Swami often narrates a story from the scriptures. Once, Narada Muni, a great travelling devotee of Lord Krishna, informed different devotees that Krishna is having a headache. Some dismissed it as untrue. Others who loved Krishna wanted to help and asked what could be the cure for this headache. Narada said the dust from the feet of His devotees would cure Krishna’s headache. On hearing this, all devotees were shocked and refrained from giving dust; it’s an offense to give dust from the feet on Lord’s head as it’s akin to putting one’s own feet on God’s head. While all refused, gopis immediately gave the dust. Narada asked them if they weren’t afraid of this offense and severe reactions that awaits them for this act. They spontaneously replied they didn’t mind any suffering or adverse reaction for giving their dust to Krishna if in exchange Krishna can experience even a moment’s relief. Their desire to please Krishna is so great that they didn’t mind suffering in exchange. Radhanath Swami narrates this story to illustrate not only the gopis’ love for Krishna but also the aspiration that all of us should have while executing spiritual practises. We must have a desire to serve God rather than accept gifts from him.
Radhanath Swami implores the seekers of enlightenment not to get fooled by materialistic ambitions when approaching God. He says a devotee never has a business relationship with God. “It’s a relationship of giving, and not taking”, says Radhanath Swami. His words are sobering to me as I have grown up only asking God for benedictions. Even my services are motivated with a desire to get something in return. Radhanath Swami educates me that yes we need to ask God for gifts- but the gifts of opportunities for loving service.
“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........
‘The Journey Home - Autobiography of an American Swami’ Book is an engaging, humorous and heart-warming account of a young nineteen year old’s quest for spiritual enlightenment. The reader follows Richard Slavin (Now Radhanath Swami) from the suburbs of Chicago to the caves of Himalayas as he goes through a variety of exciting adventures; some near-death encounters and many spiritual experiences. Regular reading of this all-time classic has helped me draw spiritual lessons and seek constant inspiration in my own spiritual journey.
Rasa dance is such a deep and intimate pastime of Krishna, that it is not possible to understand by ordinary men. that’s why most of the times we find they mistake it for ordinary lusty affairs. but by following in the footsteps of great souls like Radhanath Swami Maharaj, it is possible to understand it.
Another important lesson i learnt is that of selfless service. Not expecting anything in return, it’s very amazing.
Thank you for teacing us the tue definition of love for God
rasa dance mystery solved by swamiji
Thank you for sharing this article
Radhanath Swami else where says opportunity to serve to God is the ultimate wealth one can get. This mediation of Radhanath Swami in the mood of Gopis who were ready to go to hell eternally for giving a moment of pleasure to Krishna is the only meditation we need to aspire.
thank you Radhanath swami for teaching us this fact that one should serve God rather than accept gifts from him.
Radhanath Swami motivates us by asking us to pray for a higher goal. Thank you Maharaj!
Very educating
radhanath swami is the true representative of god since he picked up the right message of loving the supreme godhead with all the available purity and sincerity and the same he directed to his followers and disciples,
radhanath swami is really a great and a pure soul,
Thank you Radhanath Swami for giving us the proper understanding of rasa dance
All GLories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
A difficult one to inculcate, but a sincere endeavour shall help us one day see that we actually practice it, if not in entirety but to whatever minimal level we can do it.
Hare krishna
Thank you very much for sharing. Radhanath Swami’s words ” Yes, we need to ask God for gifts- but the gifts of opportunities for loving service” are so inspiring
Very inspiring. Radhanath Swami wants us to focus on the essence.
Radhanath Swami thank you for removing the clouds which were not allowing me to understand Rasa Dance pastime now its so clear by your mercy
hari hari,thank you
Radhanath Swami Maharaj is revealing the ultimate culmination of love for God, the beautiful Rasa Dance.
A journey undertaken with true humility and a quest to know the ultimate truth that’s what we come across as the author Radhanath Swami crosses borders, he carries a new learning and becomes spiritually richer by the miles he covers. His realizations make us understand that after all the Lord and his pastimes are not gossip matters they need a deep understanding.
Rasa dance is a deep and intimate pastime of Lord Sri Krishna which is not possible to understand by ordinary persons. Due to this, people mistake it for ordinary lusty affair. By following the footsteps of great souls like H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj, it is possible to understand it. I learnt what is selfless service. (Not expecting anything in return). It’s very amazing.
Radhanath Swami was attracted to the selfless love of devotees for the Lord. Ironically, the best thing we can do for the self is to be selfless.
In this article, Radhanath Swami sums up pure love of God in a single line, “It’s a relationship of giving, and not taking”. Very Very Very beautiful !!!
We do need an enlightened personality like Radhanath Swami to tell us what should be the goal of our life. Thank you.
Thank you very much.! Nice Article.!
Radhanath Swami teaches everybody how to achieve real goal?
THANK YOU MAHARAJ FOR CLEARING SO MANY MISCONCEPTION
Thank you Radhanath swami for giving such a clear and right description of Rasa lila…
“It’s a relationship of giving, and not taking” this is real relationship with Krishna. In giving we receive. Thank you swami ji for correcting our understanding for Rasa Dance.
Thank you very much for nice write up.
Radhanath Swami is describing here how the love of Gopis transcended any material bonds which anyone can have in this material world. This is a great message.
Thanks to Radhanath Swami for enlightening us on the exalted subject matter and giving us the right understanding of this subject
Very insightful article – So nicely explained – we need to ask God only for the opportunities for loving service. Thanks a lot Maharaj for these most wonderful instructions.
very nice article – Thanks to Radhanath swami for such beautiful examples.
the Lord’s most dearest pastimes is dancing in Vrindavana, haribol, bhakti
The Lord is the most beautiful when he dances with the gopis of Vrindavan, hari hari, rajesh karia
How wonderful to know that we can give something of value to Supreme Lord!
How great to realise that love means to give and give.
How liberating to know that as part and parcels of Supreme Lord we lack nothing except this knowledge itself!
Radhanath Swami has prepared the ground for many a lost soul to go back home to Krishna and enjoy the eternal rasa dance with the eternal Beloved.
very instructive
Amazing!
If we understand Swamiji’s statement, we will see God’s hand in everything, and thus achieve God Consciousness.
Hari Hari
Thank u Radhanath Swami for teaching us to see each & every situation of our life as a mercy of Lord & accept every moment with positive attitude.
thank u radhanath swami maharaj
thank you Radhanath Swami for so wonderfully explaining about every aspect of life as part of purification of our heart.
Very deep understanding is revealed. We are very greatful for everything Maharaj.
Thank you very very much.Really very hearttouching answer.
Very Inspiring!
hari hari,thank you!!!!