It was the April of 2004. One evening, after returning from a cultural program at Columbia University, Radhanath Swami sat at Bhaktivedanta Ashram, New York, conversing with his yoga students. At about 11.00 p.m., the conversation got exciting when Radhanath Swami began speaking about his early experiences with teaching bhakti yoga in North America. The amazing intensity with which he spoke and the shine in his eyes when he talked about each experience brought out the voracious appetite he has to give the precious gift of bhakti to the whole world. Each experience that he explained (although he joked and made the whole episode light!) showed me how much risk and inconveniences he took to give the pure message of Bhagavad Gita to so many souls.
Towards the end he stated in no unclear terms and with absolute intensity that helping people of the western world with bhakti was what Srila Prabhupad, his guru, really wanted. I said, “It seems so difficult to go out of the way to help others. I have tried so hard to do it…” He immediately cut me off, “Have you really tried hard enough? You have to use and really tax your brain to think out ways and means to help people with their lives. You have to take the risk. And when you take the risk, miracles will unfold. You have to become a compassionate instrument in God’s hands! That is the greatest joy! God performs miracles and you simply enjoy being the spectator of God’s miracles!”
I said, “It is so difficult even to pray to become an instrument…” He cut me off again with such intensity that I had my heart in my mouth for a moment. “That is because you are puffed up!! You have high birth, good learning, and lot of money, and you forget it’s all God given. How can you pray with intensity? You are simply puffed up, that’s all!”
The next day’s prayers felt so good, for they were perhaps the best prayers of my life; it looked like I was a little humbled by Radhanath Swami’s chastisement the previous night!
It was the rarest occasion of Radhanath Swami chastising me, or any of his students. He was imploring me to experience the happiness of selfless service that he himself experienced. But in the process, his compassionate heart erupted like a volcano, giving me a glimpse of the lava of humility that made it compassionate. I learnt one more lesson: we have to cultivate humility for our prayers to atleast touch our own hearts!
— Ramanath Subramanian, CEO, Bhakti Centre, New York City.
157 replies on “Radhanath Swami Erupts”
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience.
Maharaj will go out to encourage the spread of Bhakti cult. That could sometimes mean being strict.
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Thank You for sharing this inspiring article. Indeed its only a burning desire to share this gift of Krsna Consciousness with others that can help us fight against the strong material currents.
Once Radhanath Swami’s saw me cooking nice golden puris in the Temple Kitchen and remarked “don’t get puffed up like your puris”
You are very fortunate to have been chastised by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. Many get the opportunity to hear him, and few get instructions directly from him, but rare are those who are corrected by him so directly. Please pray for me that I too can some day please him.
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Amazing statement from Maharajah. “You have to use and really tax your brain to think out ways and means to help people with their lives. You have to take the risk. And when you take the risk, miracles will unfold. Jai Maharajah
When a pure person like Radhanath swami even chastises someone, that chastisement also acts to elevate that person.
in this incident Maharaj is teaching how one should be humble then only he can advance in Krsna consciousness
Radhanath Swami is really concerned about serving the entire world bybring them closer to God.
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wonderful explaination given by HHRM, as being humble and selfless are the two main attributes of a great spiritual leader, bhakti
wonderful experience
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One this is to understand Maharaj was chastised because he loves you…he will crush your ego”s & you become purify somehow or the other..this is wonderful
This shows the total cent-percent selfles sevice attitude and compassion of Radhanath Swami. Srila Prabhupada’s example can be practically seen through the life of Radhanath Swami.
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Maharaj teaches person according to his or her level of understanding.. JAI !!!
Radhanath Swami can be hard as thunderbolt and soft as a rose – as the circumstance demands – to help his students on their way forward.
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happiness of selfless service, that’s what is maharajas life all about. Thank you maharaj.
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This is very rare that we get mercy of real saint like Radhanath Swami in the form of chastisement. These chastisements can do wonders by killing our real enemies like lust, greed, pride and others which are very essential for making advancement oin spiritual life.
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A true dynamic eruption for a spiritual cause by His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Very inspiring one !
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In material world more we have, more we want to protect and hide from others…In Spiritual world exalted souls like Radhanath Swami want to share the love of God they have in their hearts to everyone…no preconditions!