With the setting of the sun, the lonely country road ahead now stretched out into the darkness. Our car stood poised on the roadside waiting to lunge into the dark night, but before we could reach it, well-wishers gathered around to dissuade us from traveling.
That morning I had chauffeured Radhanath Swami to this place, an isolated village near Nasik. After spending the day in a spiritual gathering, now we were headed to Mumbai.
“Long night-drives could be dangerous; it’ll be better if you start tomorrow morning,” a well-wisher declared. Someone else added in a menacing tone, “Daruk looks too tired. It’s unlikely that he can refrain from a nap while at the wheels. Better for him to rest tonight and drive tomorrow.” Radhanath Swami however was determined to return that night, and stopped his ears against this downpour of entreaties; he had meetings lined up for the next day at Mumbai, starting from early morning.
Still, he sought my opinion, “Can you safely drive now, or do you need some rest?” Another well-wisher chimed in before I could respond, “Perhaps we can arrange for another chauffer who can replace Daruk for half the way.” I declined that offer and affirmed to Radhanath Swami that I was ready for the long drive. Yet, he proposed, “If you are tired, even I can drive.” I shook my head in denial and shyly smiled.
As we put on our seat belts, Radhanath Swami gravely announced, “If we meet with an accident and I die, I don’t mind.” Startled, I looked at him. With his glistening eyes gazing into mine, he added, “But my concern is for the laptop I am carrying. If that is destroyed, my work for the society will be hampered.” Lately, I had seen him intently work on his laptop on every drive, typing out pages for his upcoming book. As we would ride down an occasional potholed road, I would peek from the corner of my eye and see him straining to focus on his work, as he and his laptop swayed in the rattling car. I often gloated at his eagerness to help the world through his writings. But the full glow of that burning eagerness was unveiled by what Radhanath Swami had just spoken—he was more eager for his writing to reach out to the world, to help the world out of its miseries, than he was eager to maintain his own life.
-Daruk
76 replies on “Radhanath Swami – The compassionate author whom I chauffeured”
Maharaj inspires every soul who comes in touch with him, myself just one of them. I would wonder how he is able to transform and touch the heart of so many people. In retrospect it dawned upon me that its not possible for a false leader to induce such transformations. His genuine humility and compassion is the key. I had an opportunity to interact with one of his dear associates and asked him one thing which comes to the forefront when he thinks of Radhanath Maharaj. I was glad and joyous to hear, “What he is from outside, is from inside as well – without duplicity.”
His every endeavor is meant to bring the conditioned souls closer to Krishna and thus helps them experience the highest joy of associating and serving the lord.
I agree with the author that Radhanath Maharaj is an amazing personality
This is true….maharaj’s each and every moment is for the welfare of society.
very nice prabhu.HHRNSM attract us like honey attracts honeybees by his every glance, move, sound, action, …
Hare Krishna,
The dedication, risks Maharaj is taking makes me feel that each and everyone of us need to practise our Krishna consciousness sincerely.
Ys,
Anjan
Amazing realization…”he was more eager for his writing to reach out to the world, to help the world out of its miseries, than he was eager to maintain his own life”.. Radhanath Swami mentions many times in his talks about pure hearted people who have deep devotion in their heart. He mentions about selfless people whose life is driven by the deep desire to please God and His people. He is truly one of them.
jai gurudev.our gurudev is ideal in all ways.He is so much concerned about iskcon.
Thank you for sharing this anecdote prabhu. It is by the selfless sacrifice of Radhanath Swami that many people’s hearts are transformed for the ultimate good. His book has wonderful lessons on practically every aspect of life. Read here http://www.radhanath-swami.info/
pen is mightier than sword!
i know about his Guru. He also used to take a great pain to write books.
Thanks a lot prabhu. HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is living example of how a pure devotee of the lord should act. You can find more abour HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj on http://radhanathswamionline.com
Thanks a lot prabhu. HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is living example of how a pure devotee of the lord should act. You can find more about HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj on http://radhanathswamionline.com
So very inspiring. To hear directly form maharaj pls visit http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info or http://radhagopinath.com
http://www.veoh.com/collection/bhakti/watch/v10581482BpWNWKq
We are fortunate to have a such great soul in our heart.
Very True Thank Prabhu !! HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is living example of how a pure devotee of the lord should act. Obeisance to his lotus feet
Radhanath swami says, just as iron is naturally attracted to a magnet, the soul of every living being is naturally attracted to God, who is like a supreme magnet. Then why do so many engage in ungodly activities?
Just as a piece of iron covered by dust or rust is not attracted to a magnet, the soul covered by lust, greed, envy, pride, anger and illusion is not attracted to God.
Thanks for sharing such nice story
Simply amazing. Such caring and compasionate souls are very rare nowdays!
That’s why Maharaja’s book is so deep. In my experience while reading his book , I was too going along with Maharaja on his travel to India.
Thank you very much prabhu for sharing such a inspiring story.This story gives the ‘out of the world’ experience
Guru Maharaj is truly a liberated & compassionate soul who is trying to deliver every other soul from the endless cycle of birth & death. So no wonder that he hardly cares for his own life when it comes to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Jai Srila Gurudev!
Life of selfless service …
http://radhanathmaharaj.net
This is very profound! Thank you for sharing this nectar.
Radhanath Swami …. Life in selfless service
HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is an absolutely selfless & a fearless soldier of the Supreme Lord Krishna.
HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is an absolutely selfless & a fearless soldier of the Supreme Lord Krishna
HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a param Vaishanava. His every breath is dedicated to spread the glories of the Lord & fulfilling the mission of JagatGuru Srila Prabhupada.
To know more about Maharaj, please visit http://radhanathswamionline.com
Hare Krishna
Radhanath Swami so aptly applies the yukta vairagya principle given by Rupa Goswamu and other Vaishnav acharyas.Utlising everything beneficial for Krishna and his devotees
A great exhibition of Radhanath Swami’s selfless desire to serve the people of this world!
http://www.radhanathswamiphotos.com/
hare krsna, thank you very much prabhuji for sharing this incidence. i was just reading maharaj’s lecture on compassion. its very true that he adopted this compassionate nature from sri chitanya mahaprabhu, Nityananda prabhu, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta swami maharaj, Srila Prabhupad. & he is showering his mercy on fallen souls like me through his classes, books….
thank you again.
H.H. RadhanathSwami Maharaj id truly an example to mankind.
Excellent. Thanks Prabhu for sharing this incident with us. Maharaj is not an ordinary soul. Krishna has send him as His messenger to bring as many living entities closer to Him as possible and Maharaj is not leaving a single breath go idle in fulfilling the task given to him. Maharaj, Koti Koti dandavats pranams.
Thank you prabhuji for sharing this incident. Amazingly refreshing
Once Sachinandana Swami Maharaj asked Radhanath Swami Maharaj,”What’s the secret behind your success?” Radhanath Swami Maharaj replied, “Absorption.”
One can clearly see this absorption in service… Working on book in moving car shows it to the fullest extent.
This shows how Radhanath swami has such sensitivity for everyone. Such incidents reealingly differentiate some men from others.
wow, nice to read this story of HH Radhanath Swami.
It is so amazing 🙂
such incidents reveal the true nature of his holiness radhanath swami. he is absolutely selfless and puts every living being before himself..quality of a true saint
Maharaj’s heart is always towards helping others in reviving what they have forgot, “The Krishna Consciousness”.
Radhanath Swami is so compassionate
We are extremely lucky to have such a great soul amist us who is completely selfless,fearless and concerned more for the welfare of the mankind.
we can see how HH radhanath swami maharaj is following exactly the teachings of Lord Chaitanya, and teaching all of us by his own example, he is a true acharya
HH radhanath swami maharaj is living exactly as per the teachings of lord chaitanya and teaching all of us by his example
this article is very inspiring and it shows that Radhanath Swami is very compassionate and caring
HH RADHANATH MAHARAJ SAYS ” AS SOON AS WE THINK WE ARE COMPASSIONATE , WE ARE IN ILLUSION. WE ARE JUST AN INSTRUMENT OF SHRILA PRABHUPADA’S COMPASSION, EXTRACTS FROM NECTAR DROPS
Radhanath Swami is so compassionate.
I have read the book by Radhanath Swami – The journey home. It is a very nice read.It is very different from the books available in the market.It takes you to a very different era & world .It is no wonder that Radhanath Swami worked hard , even while driving he was working on it.
Just bocz of Guru Maharaj’s compassion i am in this movement today otherwise i have no other qualification. Hari Bol!
He is so compassionate to everyone
Thank you very much Daruk Prabhu for sharing. Its heart melting, how selfless is our Guru Maharaj.
thank you.