Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was wonderstruck to know of Srila Prabhupada’s journey to the west. He compared it with his own journey and felt humbled and inspired to know about Srila Prabhupada’s sacrifice and compassion for the people of this world. Radhanath Swami writes he was a nineteen year old with no money travelling from America to India, but Srila Prabhupada began his journey at the age of seventy and travelled to America with no money, knowing no one-only to be an instrument of the Lord’s compassion.
One day Richard informed Krishnadas Babaji that Srila Prabhupada was in Vrindavan. The Babaji asked him to take to Srila Prabhupada. Radhanath Swami writes that when these two great souls met, their faces bloomed in joy and they exclaimed ‘Hare Krishna’ in great happiness. Radhanath Swami says the blissful smile he saw in Srila Prabhupada’s face, he never saw in any human face. Both embraced each other and tears of happiness filled their eyes. For the next hour they conversed happily in native Bengali language, oblivious to all external situations. They laughed aloud and Radhanath Swami realized this is an incredible spiritual relationship these two great souls had. Radhanath Swami claims to have never seen such love and honour between two human beings. He felt he had received a glimpse into the spiritual world.
Radhanath Swami also shares such loving exchanges with his friends. During my travels in India, I once met Niranjan Swami, an old time friend of Radhanath Swami. Niranjan swami described to me his friendship with Radhanath Swami. “The last night I had a special dream”, confessed Niranjan Swami. “I dreamt that I am in deep sleep, and Radhanath Swami is sitting next to me and lovingly pouring sweet rice, (a special Indian sweet) into my mouth. As he was feeding me spoon by spoon, he was lovingly calling out, Oh, my dear Niranjan Swami, please wake up.” This is the only dream I had whole night. I am eagerly waiting to meet him.” I also remember feeling then that this is a glimpse of a deep spiritual friendship. On another occasion I heard Radhanath Swami speak a long class on the glories of his close friend, Bhakti Tirtha Swami. It was on the order of Bhakti Tirtha Swami that Radhanath Swami has written his autobiography. After Bhakti Tirtha Swami left this world, Radhanath Swami felt great sorrow and separation from him and glorified him for over six hours in a class in Mumbai. I was fortunate to attend that discourse where over two thousand people heard the whole class in rapt attention.
Generally every spiritual centre or temple as the seat of a speaker, called vyasasan, on which the spiritual leader sits to give discourses. Generally this vyasasan is one small chair or cushion where only one person can sit. But the vyasasan in Mumbai itself speaks of Radhanath Swami’s mood to serve and glorify all sincere spiritual practitioners. The vyasasan is big and six people can sit, and hence is unique of its kind. When Radhanath Swami gives classes he invites many of his friends to sit next to him, and then he glorifies them as if he has thousand mouths. Later when they get a turn to address the assembled crowd, and they express feeling embarrassed by so much love and praise, Radhanath Swami, with the twinkling of his eyes, grins, “aha…if you are embarrassed then our mission is successful”. His genuine appreciation of devotees serving in his guru’s mission is most inspiring and reminds me of one of his instructions he gave in a talk, “One should be willing to undergo any austerities to develop the mood of genuinely appreciating the good qualities of other devotees”. No wonder his god brothers and god sisters love Radhanath Swami so much because he is wonderfully following his guru’s final instructions, “your love for me will be shown by how much you cooperate with one another”.
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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........
only through great devotees we can see that this is the real and only one mission without honor and prestige but spreading only love of god head
View CommentThank u very much for revealing the glories of Radhanath Swami.
View CommentOne should be willing to undergo any austerities to develop the mood of genuinely appreciating the good qualities of other devotees. – What a statement! when Radhanath Swami Maharaj glorifies other devotees, we feel as if we are sprinkled with nectar. That nectar seems to remain with us forever and sweet memories of the discourse fills the heart with joy and gives impetus to practice devotion more sincerely.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s glorification of others shows his deep love for others, his purity and selflessness. Thankyou for posting.
View CommentMaharaj is truely following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and it is evident from the number of people who love him so much. We are really blessed to have guidance and love of Maharaj with us. JAI !!!
View CommentIt is somewhat easy to respect seniors but it is generally very difficult to cultivate a mood of humble servitude with our peers. Radhanath Swami has demonstrated with his personal example the culture of love and appreciation within a good family.
View CommentRadhanath swami glorifies others very nicely.
View CommentHearing glorification of devotees from Radhanath Maharaja in his lectures is necterean
View CommentRadhanath Swami set up his personal example of how to live together with love in one family for higher goal.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for teaching us divine qualties through your wonderful example
View CommentVery nice article.
View CommentWhomever Radhanath Swami meets, he makes a special place in the heart of that person.
View CommentWhomever Radhanath Swami meets, he makes a special place in the heart of that person. Everybody feels comfortable in his company.
View CommentSuch a joy to read and see this !
View CommentRadhanath Swami places the HIGHEST emphasis on genuine respect and love among peer devotees.
View CommentA beautiful narration of these most inspiring pastimes between the disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Thank you so much!
View CommentNo wonder his god brothers and god sisters love Radhanath Swami so much because he is wonderfully following his guru’s final instructions, “your love for me will be shown by how much you cooperate with one another”.
View CommentWe see Maharaj lives his talk…inspiring all of us to share loving relationships with each other
View CommentMaharaj always glorifies everyone.
View CommentOne must learn to respect all living entities.
View CommentWonderful article – The culture of Love and Appreciation gives a glimpse into the spiritual world.
View CommentBy his own realization and example Radhanath Maharaj demonstrates and inspires relationships to be established on transcendental basis and growing from spiritual values. Maharaj’s relationships are like a soothing balm on the defensive heat of the selfish relationships of the usual sort.
View CommentThank you very much for sharing the words “One should be willing to undergo any austerities to develop the mood of genuinely appreciating the good qualities of other devotees”
View CommentRadhanath swami having deep love for all.
View Comment“When people hear about serving God, sometimes they ask that if we serve God, what about serving humanity? Actually, by serving God, we will serve humanity utmost. Because we will see God in everyone’s heart. We will not envy anyone. We will love everyone.”
View CommentA wonderful meditation.In his lectures HH.Radhanath Swami always speak about co-operation and genuinely appreciating others services.By our practical experiences, we come to conclusion that by following his instruction with true spirit in our day to life,we feel enlightened and thus produce wonderful results.Thank you for sharing nice meditation.
View CommentSharing with all, all life along—After seeing, He felt he had received a glimpse into the spiritual world.
View Comment“One should be willing to undergo any austerities to develop the mood of genuinely appreciating the good qualities of other devotees” – wonderful, revealing words!
View CommentDeveloping genuine loving spiritual relationships with devotees is a wonderful experience. Radhanath Swami captures the hearts of all his followers and we are all so lucky to have his association.
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