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Compassion

Radhanath Swami’s Disciple Shila

I was visiting Baroda, when one night I received a call from Mumbai, “Shila is very sick and is admitted in the hospital.” Pressing engagements held me from visiting her. Three days later another phone call informed me of her death. I buried my head in my hands, grief-stricken.

Shila loved Bhakti Yoga, and I was her spiritual guide. Lately, inspired by Radhanath Swami’s life and teachings, she had expressed her desire to accept formal vows of initiation from him. Since I knew Radhanath Swami well, I had dutifully forwarded her photo and her request-letter to him. Now in the Himalayan town of Hrishikesh, Radhanath Swami was reviewing the thousands of initiation requests he had received, for as soon as he returned to Mumbai he planned to award initiations. Sitting alone in Baroda, my soul cried thinking of Shila’s unfulfilled desire.

Caught-up in pressing responsibilities at Baroda, I knew I couldn’t make it even to Shila’s funeral ceremony. Hurriedly I called a few acquaintances in Mumbai to ensure her last rites went as per the Vedic protocol, for her better afterlife.

Two weeks later I returned to Mumbai. One day as I conversed with Gaur Gopal Prabhu, a close associate of Radhanath Swami, the topic came to Shila. He exclaimed, “Yes! Shila! While we were at Hrishikesh, Radhanath Swami put her photo on the altar and requested all of us to sing Kirtan for the benefit of her departed soul.” I was cast into mixed emotions of joy and wonder.

How unfathomable is Lord Krishna’s affection for his devotees! One acquaintance in Mumbai I earlier called from Baroda had rung Gaur Gopal Prabhu in Hrishikesh to ask details of authentic funeral rites. Later that day Gaur Gopal prabhu mentioned in passing to Radhanath Swami that a lady named Shila who aspired initiation from him had departed. Radhanath Swami frantically searched for Shila’s photo from the trunk-load of initiation requests he had received, and arranged for a Kirtan in her memory. And in that kirtan Radhanath Swami poured out his affection for his disciple—whom he had never accepted formally, nor met personally.

–Dr. Bhaskar Hosangadi

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197 replies on “Radhanath Swami’s Disciple Shila”

Radhanath Swami Maharaj is so merciful…We are just waiting for his arrival to Kolkata, the land of Srila Prabhupad…

very touching. After reading these kind of incidents I get more & more attached to Maharaj. He is amazing, super amazing, awesome. I can’t imagine what would have been my life without his guidance through his lectures

Very touching!I am overwhelmed by Maharaj’s compassion.This goes to show that in life and in death Maharaj’s loving hands are always upon all of us. Thanks for sharing.

Hare Krishna,
Thank you HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj for giving Srila Prabhupad’s mercy to rest of us and saving us from the clutches of Maya and Yamaraj.
Hare Krishna!
Sanatan Govind Das

Radhanath Swami’s compassion is the only hope of my life. Thank you for sharing this touching incident.

Maharaja’s compassion and love is beyond our thoughtful imagination… we can never truly know such saintly persons

hare krishna! thank you for sharing such an intimate pass time with all of us, haribol, bhakti

hare krishna! extremely heart touching and intimate pas time and Maharaj is so merciful and concerned for all devotees, ys, rajesh karia

Hare Krishna Maharaj..pamho..I really liked this article of yours.Really heart moving article..True compassion of maharaj can be feel..
yas-anshu

HH Radhanath Swami exhibits the most compassionate quality and gives immense hope for all his disciples.

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