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Radhanath Swami’s Trancendental Ploy

Through the train window I watched as the plains of Andhra Pradesh Sate, India, spread out before me. Hot air wafted in from there, worsening the sweltering heat inside the compartment.  Austerities of the pilgrimage have already begun. I sighed.

It was the summer of 1988, when I was a budding spiritualist. Though uncertain if spirituality (especially its austere side) was really my cup of tea, I had plucked up enough courage to be on this pilgrimage. My elder brother Dhaval, a practitioner of bhakti yoga since 1984, was my inspiration. Now on this train heading to the holy town of Jagannath Puri he sat next to me, while Radhnath Swami and the president of ISKCON Chowpatty sat on the seat opposite, facing us.

I kept my attention outside the window; Dhaval read a book; Radhanath Swami and the president conversed.

“When brothers take to spirituality, who makes swifter advancement, the elder or the younger? What do statistics say?” the President asked Radhanath Swami amidst their conversation, that had now sucked my full attention. I peeked from the corner of my eyes and found Dhaval also distracted into it. We awaited Radhanath Swami’s response.

“I don’t know about statistics.” Casting a glance at the brothers sitting in front, Radhanath Swami continued, “But in this case it is the younger.” Struggling to be modest, I restrained my gleeful smile.  My mind that reeled with thoughts of austerities moments ago, now resolved to nudge higher in bhakti yoga. I didn’t look at my brother to avoid embarrassing him. Yet,I felt sorry for him. He had been slogging for over four years, yet I had …. 😉 !!! Then on, the pilgrimage was an ecstatic experience, and so was practice of bhakti yoga.

After years of practice one begins to understand the nuances of spirituality. So now when I look back, I can imagine Radhanath Swami winking at my brother after making that comparative statement. Certainly, my brother was, and still is, far more spiritually advanced than I. That statement was only a transcendental ploy to encourage me. And my brother perhaps, was also a part of  the crime.

Snehal Narendra Dalal

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103 replies on “Radhanath Swami’s Trancendental Ploy”

Real well wisher can cheat also if that will eventually benefit us. Thank you very much for sharing.

Radhanath Swami is an expert in saying the right things to the right person at the right time. He NEVER makes a mistake.

Radhanath swami encourages and touches our heart in all of his dealings.Every thing he does is to help others advance as was seen in case of Mr. Shehal Dalal. Thank you very much Mr Dalal for sharing this touching momnets of your life with Radhanath swami.

Radhanath Swami’s only concern is to see that we devote our heart & mind completely in the service of God. Whenever he sees us falter or lacking in enthusiasm, he gently encourages us through an expert choice of words.

so inspiring to hear such affectionate dealings with Maharaj, he is amazingly empowered to deal with situations and put things beyond matter.

What a beautiful story shared by Snehal. Thank you.
And Radhanath Swami is so inteligent. He really knows what to speak before anyone and he is an expert in pleasing multiple people in a single statement. He can ‘Please All the People All The Time.’

A Spiritual master can read the heart of his disciple and he knows how to make him advance in Krishna conciousness.Jai Gurudev!!!

Subtle understandings of Maharaj are inconcievable. His words are with full of love. compassion and encouragement for people.

Radhanath Swami’s is always looking at ways to encourage help people on the Spiritualplatform; the only way to bring true/lasting happiness in peoples lives!

Maharaj’s comment is very encouraging for a neophyte devotee since newcomers are little unsure about their capability as far as ‘bhakti’ is concerned.

Maharaj’s comment is very encouraging for a neophyte devotee since newcomers into Bhakti are little unsure of themselves.

very amazing article and it goes to show the quality of spiritual humor that HHRM carries with him all the time, regards, rajesh karia

Maharaj is a perfect master who knows which tricks are needed which time.. His final motivation is Always to help everyone go at least one step forward to the Lord. Thank you for sharing..

This is just so sweet. A wonderful pastime between Radhanath Swami and his disciples. R u referring to Dr. Dhaval Dalal???

Radhanath Swami always wants the best for us. And he also manages to find the best way to achieve that!

Maharaj has a different style of teaching most important lessons to his dear ones. This is a really nice incident. Thanks for sharing. Jai !!!

Everything is fair in love and war. Radhanath Swami loves GOD and is at war with all kinds of manifestations of a GOD-less society. Thus, all his acts to these two ends are beyond the purview of the fallible tenets of mundane morality.

Any question of this type if put to us may be seen as embarressing to answer, but to a pure hearted and spritual person like Radhanath Swami its an opprotunity to take the condition soul closer to Krishna.

Thank you very much for sharing such a wonderfull passtime. All glories to HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja.