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
103 replies on “Radhanath Swami’s Trancendental Ploy”
HH Radhanath Swami was just playing. But because he wanted to inspire a sincere seeker to progress ahead in spirituality, the whole activity got transformed into transcendental play. Thanks for sharing.
cheating for Higher cause by Radhanath Swami. Amazing.
Very nice story!
Thank u for shearing with us such a buetiful pastime.
Wonderful narration. Very inspiring for me to be humble and cooperating.
Simply fantastic story! What a ploy? Amazing!
Radhanath swami has deep convern for every one and thus wants to ecourage all in their pursuits to become a spiritualist.
Radhanath swami Maharaj is expert in extracting the best from his students through his love.
Radhanath swami has amazing way of knowing what we lack and encourages us by providing just that
vey nice!!
I know the writer and am sure the he himself must be making such ploys – only ofcourse to encourage one in KC
amazing sense of humor and wit Radhanath Swami has. Probably that comes out because of his sevice attitude
Radhanath Swami is amazingly witty – inspiring a person to advance faster in his spiritual life, by use of witty compassion.
WOW… Amazing!
Simple yet mature encouragement from Radhanath Swami. Very nice !!
Blogging keeps me sane. Keep up all the work. I too love to blog. I found this one to be very informative 🙂
Radhanath Swami always tries to encourage every person in his spiritual quest in whatever way possible
Thankyou for posting!
Radhanath Swami’s witty answers have very deep meaning which only time will manifest…..
Each action of Radhanath Swami is enthusing others as he is very much enthused in Krishna Consciousness. all glories to Radhanath Swami.
Thank you for sharing this personal episode you had with Radhanath Swami.
Thank you for sharing.
This story is simply excellent to hear!!!!
Mr Dalal, Radhanath Swami has a way of motivating and I am so happy to hear what he did to motivate you.
very nice story and encouraging also.
Real Sadhu is witty enough in times of need to turn conditioned souls towards the Supreme Lord
Radhanath swami encourages everyone to increase their enthusiasm.This is another such incident.
Hari bol Sridama prabhu…nice story, thanks for sharing.
Radhanath maharaj is really very encouraging to each and every one
Radhanath Swami , you are really an expert at saying just the right thing to encourage a person. Thank you so much for being such a nice leader.
What a loving exchange! By such transcendental ploys, Radhanath Maharaj wins everone’s heart!
such an enlightening way to inspire in spiritual life!!!
you’re very talented.
Amazing how maharaj can provide the inspiration for us to perform best.
Too good!
All Glories To.H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj
What an wonderful Experience.
Thank You for sharing this.
Hare Krishna
What come may, Radhanath Swami is able to melt and change the hearts of even those who have never met his before. No one can do other than those who have got special empowerment directly from Lord Krishna.
Maharajah is amazing in inspiring people to advance in spiritual life. Very interesting story. Thank you for sharing.
H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj nicely encourages every one just as needed. Maharaj ki jai.
Radhanath Swami encourages everyone by his sweet words. It is that the Lords does not allow the words of his Pure devotee turn out to be false. So such words are always welcome !!
Nice.
Radhanath Swami is so expert in encouraging everyone somehow or other by his amazing presence of mind.
Wonderful…. HH Radhanath Swami really tricked you closer to Krishna…
Wonderful Radhanath Swami… Each and every single activity that maharaj does is simply wonderful in a way that it helps others become serious in their own devotional life. Great people cheat for great cause…
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really liking this weblog, and hope this, as well as the excellent article some other people have written, will help people
Radhanath Swami inspired these two brother and they are continuing to inspire many all over the world. That wonderful!!!
Transcendental ploy used by Radhanath Swami for transcendental purpose. The ploy has such wndeful fruit
A very nice play for a spiritual cause by His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Very sweet ploy – Thanks a lot Prabhuji for sharing the nectar