Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was glad to meet Shyamsundar, the devotee who had fed him spiritual food at the Cosmos in Amsterdam, and had taken interest in his well-being in Bombay. Shyamsundar happily described about his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, to Richard. He explained that Srila Prabhupada led the most incredible kirtan for over two hours at the Avlon Ballroom in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco. Richard just couldn’t imagine an elderly saint from Vrindavan living in the world capital of Hippie culture, and was amazed to see Srila Prabhupada transform hippies into ‘happies’. Richard also learnt that Srila Prabhupada touched the hearts of the Beatles and especially of George Harrison who became close friends with Srila Prabhupada and his disciples.
Shyamsundar also narrated to Richard (now Radhanath Swami) about Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Russia, which was then under the Iron curtain. With his charm, humor and precise logic he taught Anatoly, a Russian boy about Krishna Consciousness. Richard was wonderstruck to hear that in the height of the Cold War, Srila Prabhupada was in Moscow teaching the path of Bhakti-yoga to a Russian. Srila Prabhupada had also felt that in India religion was waning and hence brought his Western disciples to India to show the Indians the glory of their own culture. Srila Prabhupada often said that with India’s philosophy and America’s wealth, the world can really prosper.
Radhanath Swami recollects that with all these achievements what touched his heart the most was the humility of Srila Prabhupada. When one guest asked him if he was the guru of the world, Srila Prabhupada meekly bowed his head and said, “I am everybody’s servant. That’s all.” Radhanath Swami recalled the humility of Ghanshyam and saw that externally Srila Prabhupada was different from Ghanshyam, yet both had humility. Besides, this humility empowered Srila Prabhupada with unlimited confidence and determination to spread the teachings of spiritual wisdom.
Radhanath Swami once gave a class on Ghanshyam at Vrindavan, at the same place where Ghanshyam worshipped his deities Radha Gopijana Vallabha. After glorifying Ghanshyam, Radhanath Swami then spoke how he found the same traits in Srila Prabhupada. No sooner had he begun speaking about Srila Prabhupada, Radhanath Swami choked with emotion and cried tears of gratitude to both these special devotees of Krishna who had most deeply touched his heart.
Humility has been the most important emphasis of Radhanath Swami in his writings, teachings, and counseling over the last forty years. He says, “To protect a community from outside attacks, we may require intelligence but to nourish it from within, we need humility.” His reasoning is humility attracts God and therefore we need to be humble. Radhanath Swami gives the logic from Physics, “Like poles repel and opposite poles attract. God is all great and if we think we are also great, we go away from God. But if we consider ourselves fallen, and God being the opposite, Great, immediately there is an attraction between the two.”
Radhanath Swami has often explained the secret of Srila Prabhupada’s success. At the age of seventy Srila Prabhupada had gone to the west and successfully presented the message of pure Bhakti-yoga with pure conviction that he was the servant of all. Radhanath Swami reveals a principle of success in spiritual life, “Humility is a divine virtue. A person who could do great things and maintain humility of the heart, charity of the heart, goodness of the heart is a person who could actually make a difference in people’s lives in a very positive way.”
“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.
Radhanath Swami has really understood the feelings of his guru – Srila Prabhupad.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj is showing how an ideal disciple should be!
It is Srila Prabhupada’s compassion and mercy that he started ISKCON at the age of 70.It is Srila Prabhupada’s compassion and mercy that he has gifted his dear disciple Radhanath Swami to Mumbai for our benefit.Like Prabhupada, Radhanath Swami is also an epitome of humility.
We as followers of Srila Prabhupada and his disciples should inculcate this quality of Humility in our heart.
Humility is the quality dear-most to GOD, and His true followers.
Like Guru Like Disciple
Radhanath Swami is a perfect disciple
This is an amazing meditation on Radhanath Swami’s feelings for Srila Prabhupad ! Thank you.
a brilliant post, that’s all i can say….
Radhanath Swami has shown us the path of his spiritual master Srila Prabhupada. If we try to adopt this simple principle of humility, we would progress on the path of spiritual understanding very fast.
srila prabhpada and radhanath swami are the best example of a perfect spiritual master and his sincere disciple,
Wonderful.All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Radhanaath Swami always wants his disciples to follow Srila Prabhupad’s instructions as their life & soul. Radhanath Swami shows by his own behavior how a perfect disciple should be.
Every time I finish the Journey Home, I pick it up and can’t help but read it again and again. The instructions, and the personal story, and of course the personal connection has magically created a wonderful bond to Srila Prabhupada and the rest of our Guru Parampara.
This is a wonderful post. Thank you very much for sharing.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj loves his Guru!
Srila prabhupad always had the mood of being a humble servant of his guru and Krishna and we can see that Radhanath swami also also carries the same mood as his spiritual master srila Prabhupad.
Very inspiring article…..Radhanath Swami has learnt humility from great souls & he in turn is teaching the same to his disciples with full conviction & determination…..
Radhanath Swami recollects that with all these achievements what touched his heart the most was the humility of Srila Prabhupada
another example of humility demonstarted by Radhanath Swami
Very nice analogy from Maharajah
““Like poles repel and opposite poles attract. God is all great and if we think we are also great, we go away from God. But if we consider ourselves fallen, and God being the opposite, Great, immediately there is an attraction between the two.”
jai!
Most wonderful article. I beg to ask who is this fan of Swami Radhanath, who is writing such wonderful purports to Swami Radhanath’s book.
very nice blog
Humility is the secret to success in devotional life…..thanks for always reminding us Swamiji
Very true ……..Humility is the key to success in bhakti .
Radhanath Swami Maharaj is deeply devoted to Prabhupada.
Thanks to Radhanath Swami for reminding us with the words “God is all great and if we think we are also great, we go away from God. But if we consider ourselves fallen, and God being the opposite, Great, immediately there is an attraction between the two.”
Radhanath Swami Maharaj’s words are very inspiring.
This is clearly an example of humility by H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Srila Prabhupada’s Life is an defining moment in the History of the world, his movement is propelled by the underlying principle of Love and compassion and hence leaders of the world are scared to popularize it, for in today’s time though leaders talk of Love and Peace, if one looks around the Hypocrisy, facts are evidence to what is actually the agenda. Following the guidelines prescribed by Srila Prabhupada, Radhanath Swami and his God brothers are caring on the legacy for creating Love and compassion among all souls. Radhanath Swamis book “The Journey” brings out these basic essence in a tale told with great Love and conviction.
humbleness with affection is very much required to make progress in spiritual path. Radhanath swami is a great ideal in front of us to ourselves humble.
humbleness with affection is very much required to make progress in spiritual path. Radhanath swami is a great ideal in front of us to make ourselves humble.
HHRNSM has very nicely explained the importance of being humble
HHRNSM is truly a pure humble spiritual soul just like his Guru Swami Srila Prabhupada and full of selfless devotion, haribol, bhakti
Radhanath Swami’s logic from physics to explain how Humility attracts the Lord is so fantastic.Thankyou Maharaj.
Thank you for this post.
Maharaj has stressed again on importance of humility in making spiritual progress. Thank you.
Thank you very much for such a nice write-up on Radhanath Swami Journey Home book.
What Srila Prabhupada has done cannot be comprehended by us in this generation, but decades from now, centuries from now, people will marvel as to who was this extraordinary personality in parampara who walked into history.
Radhanath Swami is truly transcendental and guides us how to follow the bonafide spiritual master trying to serve Him and following His instructions
Srila Prabhupad’s compassion and humility are unparalleled. Following in his guru’s footsteps Radhanath Swami Maharaj also exemplifies these qualities through his behaviour.
Glorifying others also needs humility. Radhanath Swami glorifies others with all his humility. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
Amazing!Maharaj’s love for his guru Maharaj.
Thank you very much for sharing “Humility is a divine virtue. A person who could do great things and maintain humility of the heart, charity of the heart, goodness of the heart is a person who could actually make a difference in people’s lives in a very positive way”
very nice article.
Very Touching and Inspiring article – A person who could do great things and maintain humility of the heart, charity of the heart, goodness of the heart is a person who could actually make a difference in people’s lives in a very positive way. Thanks a lot for the nectar.
Radhanath Swami was so sincere in his desire that the Supreme Lord led him to the right destination and his spiritual master.