Finally at Vrindavan, in the Samadhi, tomb of a renowned saint named Rupa Goswami, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) underwent an experience which revealed to him that Bhakti-yoga was his path. As he knelt before Rupa Goswami’s tomb and prayed silently, he experienced an invisible energy filling his body and mind. Suddenly, Richard knew, with certainty, that bhakti was the path he would give his life to and that Krishna’s name would, in time, reveal His love to him. All reservations that had earlier prevented him from committing his whole heart to the path of devotion were now gone. Still emptiness lingered within him for he knew he had to accept a guru to whom he could fully dedicate himself fully. To harmonize one’s life in the service of a guru’s teaching was the path that enlightened souls had followed since time immemorial. Richard intensely prayed for direction.
My understanding is that nothing in spiritual life comes free. After the soul stirring experience at the cathedral in Florence, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was tested by Irene. Later Rama Sevaka Swami had showered on him affection and given him a stick as a token of love. Soon he was attacked by wild dogs and the stick came to his rescue. Whenever Radhanath Swami underwent a spiritual experience, he faced a simultaneous challenge. Immediately after the revelation of the path of Bhakti, Radhanath Swami was hounded by an immigration agent. Then a mad dog bit him. The series of life threatening experiences and sufferings Radhanath Swami underwent was enriching his spiritual realizations deeper.
As Richard (now Radhanath Swami) sincerely sought the shelter of a guru, he recalled how Lord Rama had appeared in Rama Sevaka Swami’s dream and said of Richard, “This young boy is a devotee of Krishna and Vrindavan will be his place of worship.” At that time Richard had disregarded those words but now he had finally accepted devotion to Krishna as his spiritual path.
Even as young Richard, Radhanath Swami displayed the qualities that scriptures reveal a sincere seeker of guru should have. An ideal disciple has a humble attitude and inquires submissively from learned teachers. Radhanath Swami presented himself as a fool and was humble even when dealing with a lusty guru who attacked him or even a pseudo guru who called him a fool for having left America. He inquired submissively from learned and qualified saints like Vishaka Sharan Baba, Rama Sevaka Swami and others. in Vrindavan Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was also inspired by the two brothers Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami who had appeared five hundred years ago and are considered as two of the greatest saints of Vrindavan. Although they were qualified as ministers and aristocratic by birth, the two brothers presented themselves as fools in front of their guru. Richard was humbly following their footsteps, begging for their grace while seeking out a guru.
A genuine disciple is also said to have devotion to God. Radhanath Swami prayed to God even as a child while sleeping on bed. This gave seven year old Richie (Radhanath Swami’s childhood name) a sense of shelter and a feeling that God was hearing him. Later at all Churches, Mosques, rivers, caves and temples, Richard prayed with feeling and devotion. A real disciple also practises truthfulness. On many occasions, different gurus were willing to officially accept him as their disciple. Although Richard felt honoured, he humbly and truthfully declined because his heart wasn’t ready. His reasoning for not accepting a guru was his lack of confidence in his own sincerity rather than the credibility of the guru. He didn’t want to disgrace a guru by not following his instructions later.
Radhanath Swami’s sagacious words penetrate my heart, “Love of God is not achieved but awarded. Therefore we need shelter of God and guru, who will award this divine grace upon us.”
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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........
Very nicely shown by Radhanath swami by his personal example how eager should be a person in search for a bonafide Guru.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is explaning so nicely how much importance teacher(Guru) has in our life.
View CommentLove of God is not achieved but awarded through Guru and Radhanath Swami knew this well therefore he prepared and made himself qulified to get that mercy.
View CommentBecause of his sincerity, the Lord revealed the highest path of bhakti to Radhanath Swami.
View Commentthank you for sharing
View CommentThe spiritual experiences & the challenges that Radhanath Swami faced is described wonderfully in ‘The Journey Home & fascinating to read.
View Commentnice post
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj shows how an ideal spiritual seeker should be.
View CommentVow its so nice to see how Krishna reciprocated with Radhanath Swamis intensity
View CommentWe are told by the scriptures that by the mercy of a bonafide spiritual guru we get Krishna, and by the mercy of the Lord we will come to the shelter of a guru.
View CommentThank you so much for the beautiful photo and amazing story. Such a powerful part of the book! It strikes the heart very deeply.
View CommentRadhanath Swami underwent an experience which revealed to him that Bhakti-yoga was his path.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj is personally blessed by the great saints!
View CommentAll the qualities of a true spiritual master can be found in Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
View Commentspirituality and a higher calling are best! thx.
View Commentvery noble views.
visited this site by chance; and i am very happy going through the content.
pl keep-up the good work.
– Sushil K Chaturvedi
View CommentGreat blog…Keep it up.
View CommentGreat experiences like these remain in our hearts for ever.
View Comment“Love of God is not achieved but awarded.” Only a person who has realized the Love of God can tell the intricate details of this rare Love. Radhanath Swami has definitely been awarded with this Love which He is sharing with all of through His words and experiences.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj’s way of seeking the Lord is awesome!
View CommentVery nice..really appreciate it.
View CommentThis is a very great realization. Lord shows the true path to Him to who ever enquires about Him sincerely from the core of ones heart. Here we see how the Lord is taking charge of His beloved devotee to bring closer to Him. Thanks for sharing this wonderful meditation.
View CommentH.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai
View CommentVery profound part of The Journey Home book. “Love of God is not achieved but awarded” and HH Radhanath Swami with his sincerity and devotion is receiving the grace of his Guru and Krishna. May I get an iota of that sincerity to please my spiritual master some day.
View CommentThank you Radhanathji for your clear views.
View CommentI promise to visit this space more often.
very true this article is.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s sagacious words penetrate my heart, “Love of God is not achieved but awarded
View CommentVery nice lesson taught here by Radhanath swami on patience and determination in one’s quest to find a guru.
View CommentVery difficult to digest the last few lines, for we live in a world of egoistic achievements….
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj for showing the way by personal example.
View CommentHis reasoning for not accepting a guru was his lack of confidence in his own sincerity rather than the credibility of the guru. He didn’t want to disgrace a guru by not following his instructions later.
very well narrated in the Journey Hoime book by HHRM about the importance of seeking a Guru, haribol, rajesh karia
View CommentHHRM’s statements are so profound and strong especially when he mentions that “The love of God is not achieved but awarded”. One has to always make sincere desire to seek the blessings of his Guru and the Lord, Haribol, bhakti
View CommentRadhanath Swami humbly & with determination searched for Guru, & Krishna, after testing him, gave him so many siksha Gurus…….Radhanath Swami’s quest is very inspiring for every devotee……..
View CommentThank you maharaj
View CommentWOW!!!
View CommentRadhanath swami was requested by so many Gurus but he never disrespected them even though he didn’t follow them or accepted them as his guru.
View CommentAmazing realizations of Radhanath Swami. Any sincere seeker of the Absolute Truth would get inspired by reading the book The Journey home.
View CommentRadhanath swami’s single incident is so full of lessons. Jai!!
View CommentRadhanath swami maharaj is inspiring every one by his example and the results which he has given to the society.
View CommentA Life-Saving Project…Something that actually makes people ‘LIVE’ the teaching of Simple Living High Thinking. Radhanath Swami ki Jay
View CommentRADHANATH SWAMI is explaining how important it is to accept tribulations that come upon us in life with a grateful heart as grace of God to purify one’s heart so that one may to dive deep in to the realization of God’s love in our life.
View CommentAll the qualities of a real spiritual master can be seen in H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
View CommentTo advance in any field, we need the shelter of a teacher, what to speak of the delicate but complex path of spirituality. What is spiritual seeker who does not take shelter of God and his followers?
View CommentAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
A very beautiful Narrative. The Journey of Our Maharaj, seeking Spirituality, is worth hearing millions and millions of times, and i am sure we shall every time have an different realisation through his experiences.
Hare Krishna
View CommentVery nice article.
View CommentFinding faults with others is an offence. Finding short comings within oneself is a reward. Radhanath Swami very carefully behaves towards others. All glories to Radhanath Swami
View Commentonly by sincere efforts to please Guru and Krsna the love of God is awarded to us
View CommentThank you very much for sharing the words of Radhanath Swami “Love of God is not achieved but awarded. Therefore we need shelter of God and guru, who will award this divine grace upon us.”
View Commentvery heart melting experiences. many thanks to Radhanath swami for sharing this with the world.
View Commentnice article
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