default image for post
American by birth, Indian at heart
April 12, 2011  |  radhanath-swami

Richard (now Radhanath Swami)’s six months of adventure filled travels was now entering an exciting phase. Since he’d heard the voice of God in his heart at Crete that told him to go to India, each day he had been looking forward. Now having reached Lahore from Peshwar, Richard was all set to enter India through the Hussainiwalla border. A stout lady at the immigration desk refused entry to Richard demanding money. She also gave instructions to her colleague who came at the night shift to not allow the ‘nuisance’ –Richard- into India. Richard once again meekly approached the tall Sikh officer and pleaded him to allow entrance into the great land of India. Richard cried tears that he had left the comforts of America to search for India’s spiritual treasures and he narrated how he had risked his life. Richard promised that someday he will do something good for the people of India. The Sikh officer relented and stamped his legal entrance into India.

 

Radhanath Swami did fulfill his promise to the Sikh immigration officer. Once I spoke to Dr. Ranjit Wagle, an Opthalmology specialist and a citizen of India who since his childhood dreamt of going to America and becoming a billionare. After becoming a doctor he was earning well and was all set to go to the US. During this time he met Radhanath Swami who requested him to offer some services for the poor and needy in North Indian villages. By the end of the month long camp, Dr. Ranjit’s heart had changed; the act of selfless service filed his heart with a deep inner fulfillment and he changed his plan. He now stays in India and serves the needy. At a time when the Indians are forgetting their own roots and blindly aping the Western countries, Radhanath Swami reminds the Indians the need to render service here.

 

At a time when more than eighty percent of the doctors in India work in the cities, the villages have suffered due to lack of medical facilities. Radhanath Swami pioneered rural eye camps free of cost. Today many medical students and doctors visit these annual camps and help the needy in rural areas. Radhanath Swami is now inspiring many to settle in Indian villages. I am amazed how an American born has so much love and concern for this country.

 

Radhanath Swami is also inspiring a team of dedicated people to serve food to the poor and needy children in schools daily. The project, ‘Mid Day Meal’ is an initiative of ISKCON Food Relief Foundation, inspired by the tireless leadership of Radhanath Swami. The ISKCON Food Relief Foundation is at present implementing the Mid Day Meal Project in 14 centers across India, cooking for more than 6,60,6000 school going children every day. At present, in Mumbai alone there are four units with state-of-the-art ISO 9001-2000 certified kitchens.

 

Radhanath Swami regrets that India is so much concerned with building better cars , better bombs and better technology when the west has already perfected that and are destroying the world with it. Radhanath Swami insists that India’s opulence is in its transcendental knowledge. “Indians are tossing aside the most valuable diamond of spirituality to pick up the broken pieces of glass of materialism”, says Radhanath Swami. He repeats the words of his guru, “Any family in India that has more than one child should give at least one child for a spiritual cause to spread the glories of India throughout the world.”

 

Related Posts:



114 Comments


  1. Radhanath Swami is beyond the bodily concepts of Indian or American. He is a lover of God !!

    View Comment
  2. Radhanath Swami is simply concerned with compassion for the soul, beyond bodily designations of country and society

    View Comment
  3. “Indians are tossing aside the most valuable diamond of spirituality to pick up the broken pieces of glass of materialism”. So true. Radhanath Swami is the entropy behind leading the army of devotees to drive back this scenario of materialism to transcendental civilization

    View Comment
  4. Tallam Sita Ramaiah

    There is a a lot to be learnt from each page of the book “The Journey Home”. H.H Radhanath Swami is showing Indians what we have forgotten through western influence and so called secular democracy. Good number of people are opening their eyes due to his preachings. Infact, he is preaching all over the globe the purpose of mankind and several people are getting the benefit. All glories to Maharaj.

    View Comment
  5. Radhanath Swami understands the real India and what her real values are.

    View Comment
  6. By associating with what is pure, we become purified.

    View Comment
  7. rambaboo maheshwari

    Only a Johri knows the real value of the real Diamonds

    View Comment
  8. It is true that many Indians ape the Americans – Radhanath Swami is the perfect American to emulate.

    View Comment
  9. Radhanath Swami’s compassion & selflessness knows no bounds.

    View Comment
  10. This article reminds us what India stands for and the need to maintain that treasure.

    View Comment
  11. Radhanath Swami is driving many useful projects to help preserve and promote the cultural heritage. Thank you Radhanath Swami for doing so much good for India.

    View Comment
  12. Radhanath Swami has fulfiled the promise given by him to sikh immigration official.The immigration official got an opportunity to serve the great soul like Radhanth Swami.Lots of thanks to him too.Thank you very much.

    View Comment
  13. Yes. Radhanath Swami makes us feel proud. And hope to become worthy of all this.

    View Comment
  14. Arjun K Ramachandra

    I fully agree with Radhanath Swami when he says “Indians are tossing aside the most valuable diamond of spirituality to pick up the broken pieces of glass of materialism”. It’s high time indians wake up and realize of futility of aping the western nations.

    View Comment
  15. thanx for sharing

    View Comment
  16. Radhanath Swami is a true visionary manifesting the designs of true universal brotherhood under the care and shelter of the universal Father, God.

    View Comment
  17. Heart touching article.“Indians are tossing aside the most valuable diamond of spirituality to pick up the broken pieces of glass of materialism”- very well versed every Indian must be follow this instruction.

    View Comment
  18. Wonderful article.Radhanath Maharaj is inspiration & driving force for many useful projects to promote the cultural heritage of India.Thanks for sharing.All glories to Radhanath Maharaj.

    View Comment
  19. An individual soul is neither an American or an Indian.Yet Radhanath Swami is considered as’Brajavasi’.Brajavasi means inhabitant of Vraja.Vraja is a place geographically situated in North India but scriptures also tell us that Braja is the highest place in the spiritual world, the abode of Supreme Lord and the original home of every living entity.

    View Comment
  20. Thanks very much the only way I could show my gratitude to Maharaja is try to follow his instruction with sincerity

    View Comment
  21. Yes, I am waiting for that day when every town and village of the world will reverberate with the chanting of the holy names of God. And Radhanath Swami is spearheading the movement.

    View Comment
  22. Radhanath Swami Maharaj cares for the world!

    View Comment
  23. Swarnavalli Suresh

    Radhanath Swami ki Jaya

    View Comment
  24. All glories to mother India!!!!!

    View Comment
  25. Radhanath Swami Maharaj is leading such nice initiatives & remind us about the importance of holy land India.

    View Comment
  26. True Indian- Radhanath swami

    View Comment
  27. May the words of Radhanath swami come true

    View Comment
  28. Radhanath Swami is so true in his message

    View Comment
  29. I agree with the first comment. Radhanath Swami is indeed a pure devotee of God.

    View Comment
  30. santipurnath das

    very inspiring

    View Comment
  31. Radhanath Swami has rejuvenated so many Indian souls for the upliftment of the social culture to conform to the rules/regulations of the vedic culture. This is one of his amazing controbutions to India. “Barsana Eye camp”, “Food for life” and many other programs that he has pioneered are serving the Indians.

    View Comment
  32. The real Indian

    View Comment
  33. Radhanath swami is inspiring us to have faith in our own culture

    View Comment
  34. Yogita Jagannathan

    Yes, when we read Radhanath Swami’s book “The Journey Home” and his promise to the Sikh officer at the border, we realise how much love he has for this country – which is the motherland of spirituality. Especially the ways in which he has more than fulfilled his promise is simply mind boggling.

    View Comment
  35. Only a true saint like Radhanath Swami can lead to such a transaformation of heart that the doctor decided to stay and serve the needy in India, thank you very much Radhanath Swami!

    View Comment
  36. Thankyou Radhanath Swami for reminding us our roots and not get attracted by those broken pieces of glass and to dedicate our lives for the cause of spreading the Love of God.Thankyou Maharaj.

    View Comment
  37. Very True.
    “Indians are tossing aside the most valuable diamond of spirituality to pick up the broken pieces of glass of materialism”.

    Maharajah because of your love and guidance you have changed the spiritual face of India specially among young generation.

    View Comment
  38. many thanks for sharing the glories of swamiji

    View Comment
  39. Indian Government must present a special award to H H Radhanath Swami for all he has done for this country.

    View Comment
  40. Radhanath Swami Maharaj has set the example of true selfless service!

    View Comment
  41. It is really heartening to see that under guidance of Radhanath Maharaj, so many qualified doctors & other professionals are now trying to serve the poor & country rather than going to the west for earning more.
    Though I am an Indian, honestly i do not have as much concern for my countrymen as Radhanath Maharaj. He has concern for Indians because though India is so rich spiritually, Indians are forgetting this fact & trying to ape the western countries.

    View Comment
  42. Indians are most closest to vedic culture and vedic culture gives the highest access to God… Radhanath Swami has so much blessed Indians by giving us the taste of returning to our roots of vedic culture and saved us from a very dangerous situation…

    View Comment
  43. Radhanath Swami’s entry into India was a harrowing incident, even reading about it.

    View Comment
  44. Radhanath Swami really fulfilled his promise

    View Comment
  45. Shyam Bihari Das

    This is so true, as I too am one that came to the West looking for success. Since I was blessed with Krishna Consciousness, there is a yearning to return to India and serve, as HH Radhanath Swami describes. However, there are so many entanglements that have to be worked out. So, my advice to all is to follow the instructions of HH Radhanath Swami, and you will be happy.

    View Comment
  46. Radhanath Swami’s vision and true understanding of Indian culture is really amazing… we are very fortunate to have Radhanath Maharaj amongst us…..

    View Comment
  47. thank you for sharing this.

    View Comment
  48. Radhanath Swami’s whole life & his service to India is glorious & unparalelled……thank you so much swamiji for fulfilling your promise to such an extent……..

    View Comment
  49. Wonderful, Truly a universal citizen

    View Comment
  50. maharaj is amazing…

    View Comment
1 2 3

Leave a Reply