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Radhanath Swami, The Himalayan Ascetic

Radhanath Swami, The Himalayan Ascetic

As I emerged out of the haven, my blanket, into the frigid dawn, my thoughts rushed to management. Those thoughts occupied my mind during the day, and sometimes even during the night: I was the manager on this pilgrimage to the Himalayan town of Hrishikesh, and the facilities were inadequate by Mumbai standards. The guesthouse in which we stayed didn’t even provide electric-geysers in their bathrooms. A man living some distance away made-up by providing steaming water in steel buckets for small donations. So first thing in the morning,

I had to arrange for hot water from him, for some fellow pilgrims—a few medicos and Radhanath Swami—who preferred an early morning bath. Since Radhanath Swami woke up earlier than the rest, I had failed to provide him with hot water so far during the pilgrimage. So today, I was up early, at three o’ clock, perhaps before him. I hurriedly fetched a bucket of hot water from our geyser-man, only to find Radhanath Swami in fresh clothes, after his cold-water bath.

Many such incidents made me distraught with guilt for not providing sufficient facilities for Radhanath Swami. Towards the end of the pilgrimage I approached him and apologized for all inconveniences. He consoled me by telling that I had tried my best. Then, as he stood in the guesthouse lawns with the Himalayas providing for a backdrop, in the spirit of a true Himalayan ascetic, he added, “My life is meant for inconveniences.”

At the time I failed to understand the full import of that statement. But in the last twenty five years I have observed how Radhanath Swami, living with that understanding of a selfless ascetic, never fears to take on inconveniences, one after another—exclusively for the benefit of society

Dr. Ajay Sankhe.

Pediatric Consultant, Bhaktivedanta Hospital.

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46 replies on “Radhanath Swami, The Himalayan Ascetic”

This is really touching – accepting inconveniences for self is easy but for others is difficult.

Radhanath Swamis strength is that he is conscious ALL the time – whatever he does, says is so genuine as it comes from his pure heart. In his world there is no place for duality. Radhanath Swami ki jay.

The very first time i read Maharaj’s book, was the time i cried in ecstasy. Especially after seing Maharaj’s sincerity, Mother Ganga revealed to him, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, the Yuga Dharma for this age. This gives me more conviction and deepens my relationship i have with my most respected Guru Maharaj, HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. I also frequently visited a website about his information on http://radhanathswami.com. This gives me more insight into Maharaj’s pure devotional service attitude towards his beloved Gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada

This is the true quality of Sadhu (a saintly person). Takes all inconvenience for the benefit of the society.

Thank you Dr. Ajay for giving the defination of selfless ascetic according to Radhanath Swami -“One whose life is meant for inconveniences”, by which he lives till this date!

Journey Home by Radhanath swami will help each and everyone to understand the importance of self realization that brings to the spiritual platform. It seems very difficult to imagine that a young boy traveling thousands of miles to get spiritual enlightenment.

Thank you Dr. Ajay for the definition of a true selfless ascetic – “One whose life is meant for inconveniences.” given by His Holiness Radhanath swami! Truely he lives by this definition till this date!

HH Radhanath Swami’s life is source of inspiration for so many boy and householders. He has been teaching this principle of tolerating inconveniences by his own example. Very rare to see person’s like HH Radhanath Swami.

I can’t imagine taking cold water bath….freezing water of Himalayas is next to impossible. Radhanath swami has such high standards that I feel humbled just to know them

This behaviour of HH Radhanath Swami is very touching , on one side he is ready to do tapasya and not become proud of it at all .

Only a selfless soul like HH Radhanath Swami can welcome inconveniences in his life for the welfare of others.

Radhanath Swami proves that accepting inconvenience in the service of Krishna is pleasing Krishna. He states often that accept inconvenience for one’s own purification and for the pleasure of Krishna.

Radhanath Swami is willing to go through any kind of inconviniences, yet be greatful in all situations.

This Swami appears to be an interesting person… taking-up many inconveniences for the sake of others.
If the motivation to do so is GOD, I would say I have never before come across such a GOD conscious person before in my life.
Kudos to the Swami for setting forth such an exemplary behaviour.

This is the attitude of a true saintly person.HH RADHANATH SWAMI, following in the footsteps of the predeccessor Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas is carrying the same spirit.Like once Mrs. Sumati Morarji asked Srila Prabhupada that he was so old & he was planning to go to west to preach the message of Bhagavat Gita. She told that Pranhupada may die there. And HDG A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada replied he would like to die in the battlefield while fighting, if I remember correctly. And that is the true vaisnava spirit.

A very nice article and an inspiring one for people who really want to take up inconveniences in a positive way. His Holiness Radhanath Maharaj KI JAI

Very rarely seen the leader of any spiritual or for that matter any other organisation taking so many inconveniences. People at the top tend to take service from and try to take full advantage of their position unless one is a pure devotee like Radhanath Swami.

Radhanath Swamy is ready to take all type of inconveniences for himself. Same time he wants to provide all facilities to other devotees

HHRNSM is so humble and gentle at heart and is always willing to accept in-conveniences, haribol, rajesh karia

HHRNSM is so humble and gentle at heart and is always willing to accept in-conveniences to himself, haribol, rajesh karia

As the auhor has correctly pointed out, Radhanath Swami`s truly is full of selfless service & exemplary teachings for one and all…Thank you for such a nice post

“My life is meant for inconveniences.”….
Very inspiring statement.

Thank you so much prabhu for sharing wonderful nectar.

Radhanath Swami is completely sold out to the service of his Guru & Krishna. Thanks for sharing this beautiful article.

selfless compassionate nature of great souls very difficult to comprehend…
who else but the likes of Radhanath Swami can say “My life is meant for inconveniences”…

Radhanath swami is taking so many inconveniences for providing the spirtual life for many people in this world. Thank you for sharing this wonderful incident.

Radhanath Swami teaches by his own example the principles he preaches so that we all can become sincere in serving GOD & His devotees, especially the principle of humility,tolerance,gratitude,etc!
Thanks for sharing it !
Hare Krishna !

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and your personal experience observing Radhanath swami from last twenty five years.

everybody thinks only of pleasure in life but Radhanath Swami so easily accepts that his life is meant for inconviniences, that makes him stand apart

Love for Krishna is so prominent in Maharaj’s heart that any inconvenience just fails to stop him from serving.

Radhanath Swami Maharaj so beautifully exemplifies the power of accepting inconveniences for the benefit and welfare of others. Maharaj’s entire life has been a beacon of light for the whole world!

one of the most inspiring pastime of Radhanath swami.
Being in mumbai (where hardly there is any cold) i can never realise what does it mean by taking bath in himalayan foothills at Rushikesh early in the morning 3o’clock with cold water.