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Fatherly affection of Kailash Baba
July 20, 2010  |  radhanath-swami

One of the kindest, gentlest men Richard ever met was Kailash Baba. Once as Richard was taking a dip in the Ganges, the current pulled him away, and it was then that Richard met Kailash Baba, a powerfully built elderly man, who seized his arm, and rescued him. Kailash Baba was a devotee of Lord Shiva and instructed Richard on the proper behavior of a sadhu. He did not speak English but both communicated through the language of love. Kailash Baba shared all the food he collected, offered his blanket during the cold nights, and showered him with fatherly affection. Externally he had a fearsome appearance with long unkempt hair, and an iron trident. However he was a mountain of affection and drew love from Richard’s heart like a lifelong friend. Although Kailash Baba possessed great supernatural powers, he never made a show of them. It was the character and devotion of Kailash Baba that inspired Richard the most. As days passed, Kailash Baba wished to enter into seclusion, and Richard not wanting to impose himself, sought blessings to move on. Richard was particularly touched by Kailash Baba’s unyielding detachment and the softness of heart.

“Like a father and son we loved each other, but as roaming sadhus, we sensed that we would never meet again. This bittersweet experience of developing dear relationships, then moving on to never again see the people I was meeting was part of the life I had chosen. It was difficult for me, but the pain of separation kept the joy of our relationship alive in my heart. As I turned and walked away from Kailash Baba, I prayed never to forget him. And I never have.”

This has been to me the most touching part of Radhanath Swami’s autobiography. While absorbed in the narration, I too felt pain in their separation, and reflected on the culture of sadhus in India. How many such great souls must be living in the Himalayas, practicing their spiritual path sincerely, without desire for any fame or recognition? The affection that Radhanath Swami draws from all those who know him, has its origin in these loving exchanges with holy men that he had as an innocent Richard, travelling alone in the jungles of the Himalayas.

One student of Radhanath Swami shared with me an incident that touched his life deeply and inspired him to take to a God centered life more seriously. Once in the initial days of his married life, his wife was sick, and took a long time to recuperate. When Radhanath Swami heard this, he called him to the kitchen of the ashram, and cooked a special sweet with his own personal hands. For hours he worked to prepare halwa, sddd…, and asked him to serve his wife. The student was overwhelmed by the Swami’s affection for his family. Recently Radhanath Swami was in South India for a month long treatment. During the entire stay, an elderly Muslim driver drove Radhanath Swami around the different places. Each day before getting into the car Radhanath Swami greeted the driver with a sweet smile and offered respects with folded hands. On the last day, the entourage of the Swami rushed to go the airport, and in the hurry, the other members forgot to thank the driver. Radhanath Swami however insisted that they go back, and call for the driver. Radhanath Swami personally thanked him for his service. He was overwhelmed, and tearfully expressed to the others that he had served as a chauffeur for many great personalities in India and abroad. However none had made him feel as special, honored, and loved as Radhanath Swami had done. In his emotional tone, he thanked Radhanath Swami for the loving affection showered upon him. Whether it’s a senior student who has known the Swami intimately or it’s an insignificant driver, Radhanath Swami has the special ability to touch the hearts of all those who have known him.

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111 Comments


  1. Venkata Buddhiraju

    The story of the Muslim driver drives home the point that Radhanath Swami loves everyone equally as the children of God irrespective of their social or economic position.

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  2. swapnil Gaonkar

    Sensitivity towards each living entity is one of the most important aspect of human life. It crosses all the divisions of different religions

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  3. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the book “Journey Home”. Thank you Radhanath swami for giving us hope in our spiritual journey.

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  4. Sometimes we are so busy and lost in ourselves that we don’t even think being thankful…sometimes we think about it but still don’t do it…for whatever reasons. These real life experiences with Radhanath Swami force us to stop for a moment and think about it.

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  5. rambaboo maheshwari

    He has always been sensitive to others feelings.Par Dukh Dukhi

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  6. I have also read the auto biography of Radhanath Swami and moved by the section of Kailash Baba. Radhanath Swami himself exhibits these qualities in his own life and any one who is close to Radhanath Swami can experience this while dealing with Radhanth Swami

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  7. Radhanath Swami mentions about this bitterseet relation and it amazes me how at that very young age he had such classical realisations.

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  8. Radhanath Swami’s relationship with each living entity is so loving that it is touching to the heart.

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  9. After reading about such incidents I feel a sense of pride and gratitude to be associated with Maharaj and the Radhagopinath temple.

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  10. Radhanath Swami has this unique quality of appreciating & even glorifying small & feeble service rendered to him

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  11. malathi santosh

    Thank you Kailash Baba for saving Radhanath Swami for us 🙂

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  12. Anyone who comes in the proximity of Radhanath Swami feels love of God .Radhanath Swami has appreciation for any one and does not know to see faults in others.Whereever Radhanath Swami went in his journey to God he took blessings from everyone by his humble genuine attitude.He has that treasure in his heart which the whole world is longing for – love!!!

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  13. love brought Radhanath Swami nearer to baba

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  14. It is one thing to draw affection for one’s ownself by one’s behaviour but the way Radhanath Swami has desribed the story of Kailash baba, makes Kailash baba dear to all readers too.

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  15. very very inspiring

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  16. This story is very inspiring. The narration of Radhanath Swami genuinely thanking even a driver who was just doing his job is really inspiring.

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  17. Nice Article, Thanks for sharing

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  18. Radhanath Swami is grateful to everyone’s services whether he is a driver or someone else it is really amazing

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  19. Hrishikesh Mafatlal

    “It was the character and devotion of Kailash Baba that attracted Radhanath Swami.” This is a lesson for me as to what to look for in another person.

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  20. magnetic personality !! wonderful !!

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  21. In all our still and not so still moments we’re torn between so many worlds and then whats on the surface is totally contrary to the conflicts raging within. But when you catch a single glimpse of Maharaj or hear His voice in a lecture, all the noise inside just dies down and you realise this is one person whose completely at peace with Himself and the world,gentle, calm and self realised..May Maharaj always shower His mercy upon us ..

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  22. Smitha Krishna das

    It is heart melting narration. H.H Radhanath Swami is so ideal that any one can adopt his priciples. He is an example of Panditah sama darsinah (BG 5.18)

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  23. One of the very rare virtues in today’s world is gratitude. Radhanath Swami’s life teaches one how to be grateful even for something that may seemingly be insignificant.

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  24. with his love and affection he has changed so many.

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  25. very inspiring story of muslim driver radhanath swami by his own example he is teaching all of us how to be greatful to each and everyone even the person did little to you

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  26. Radhanath Swami sets the epitome of humility through his own example.

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  27. it takes one to know one. Radhanath swami can really bring out such finer qualities of so called common looking people.

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  28. Truly,only a heart filled with love and compassion can spread love all around.

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  29. Nausheel Unnadkat

    Radhanath Swami is a true spiritualist and can gel with any other spiritualist with love and affection.
    Both Radhanath Swami and Kailash Baba are transcendental. I am thankful to Kailash Baba for protecting my Guru Maharaj, because of which we have got ooportunity to serve Radhanath Swami.

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  30. Beautiful story of love between two great souls.

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  31. amazing!!

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  32. Radhanath Swamis experiences are so unique and wonderful

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  33. Radhanath Swami’s humility is touching. He offers all respects to everyone.

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  34. The incident gives us glimpse of a wonderful fatherly compassionate relation between Radhanth Swami & kailash baba ..His realizations helps us to learn how to maintain good relations in general.

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  35. Sometime you find yourself speechless & you find only words ” Hare Krsna” by seeing so much for care, affection & love.

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  36. I dont have words to speak for the love, affection and care that Radhanath Swami has shown to each and everyone he meets. To be honest I was in tears, when I read how Radhanath Swami spent hours to make the sweet for his student.

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  37. Good,i find something what i want! thank you very much!

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  38. Guru Maharaj’s attention to detail ,to the smallest things. to making everyone feel so special,so important,so inspiring,a lesson for all of us.Thankyou Guru Maharaj

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  39. this is touching and inspiring …….

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  40. The fact that Radhanath Maharaj has written so much about Kailash Baba, even after so many years, is proof enough that this person has etched a deep mark in Maharaj’s heart. Maharaj truly knows what to retain and share and what to forget. A yet important quality to be imbibed by me.

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  41. What a fatherly affection shared by Kailash baba!

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  42. Jagdish Majethiya

    Touching article – Radhanath Swami Maharaj’s heart is always overflowing with compassion, humility, gratitude, mercy and love of God. Anybody who comes in contact gets touched by this beautiful and transcendental mercy.

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  43. Maharaj is simply amazing. Every action he does, every word he speaks teaches us new lessons and encourages us to be krishna conscious. It re-asserts our faith in the process of devotional service.
    It is a great fortune that we are able to associate with such a great soul.

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  44. excellent experiance

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  45. Dattatraya Choudhari

    Radhanathswami has prayed ,never to forget Kailash Baba,really he never had ,thats why Radhanathswami showers these qualities of love&affection in thousand &thousand times.

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  46. You are absolutely a skilled writer. You absolutely know how to write to keep the audience engaged. I need to see a lot more of your wonderful writing style in the future.

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  47. Excellent blog! I actually love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which should do the trick! Have a nice day!

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  48. Hellooo there, I just felt the urge to say how interesting I find this blog!

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  49. very rightly said HHRM has the ability to touch each and everyone he has met and is known to him, haribol, bhakti

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