This happened years ago, when my daughter Vidhi was small. We were on our pilgrimage to Vrindavan with Radhanath Swami and thousands of devotees from Mumbai.
One day, as we circumambulated the Radha-Damodar temple in the seva-kunj area of Vrindavan, my daughter spotted a monkey who sat at the rear of the temple munching on his lunch; he looked cute and harmless until, Vidhi caressed his back. Suddenly, the monkey sprang on her. He dug his pointed teeth into her hands, ripped off a mouthful of flesh, and darted away—leaving behind a bloody trail. I rushed Vidhi to a doctor. After a stitch and a bandage, we decided to fly back to Mumbai the next day, for Vidhi needed to recuperate.
“If this is what happens on coming to a holy place, I will never come back again,” Vidhi said to me that evening, as she grimaced. Her tender faith was throttled. I fell short of words for a reply.
Next morning, before we left for Vrindavan, we encountered Radhanath Swami on the roadside. He already knew what had transpired. He looked towards Vidhi, who was visibly distraught. “Do you know why it happened? Because you are very sweet and your heart is as soft as butter. Even the monkeys cannot resist eating you.” A smile blossomed on Vidhi’s face, and she looked down shyly to hide it.
It was several weeks before that crevice in Vidhi’s hand filled-up, but it left behind a scar. I thought of going for a cosmetic surgery. Radhanath Swami, though, had a different opinion. He told Vidhi, “Don’t do it. This scar represents the mercy of the holy place which you can carry for the rest of your life.” Vidhi happily agreed and still is ornamented with those scars.
Yes, anything we undergo in a holy place, though apparently inauspicious, is the special grace of the Lord. This the scriptures say, and the holy men ascertain to be true. But Radhanath Swami had revealed it to Vidhi only when the time was ripe. In Vrindavan, when her hands burned in pain, that truth would have acted like salt and pepper on her sore. She needed something ‘sweet’, and Radhanath Swami had administered just that.
An expert guru is not just one who knows the truth, but one who knows how to administer it according to time place and circumstances.
– Mrs Kamal Arora
172 replies on “Something Sweet for the Burning Wound”
It seems that Radhanath Swami is able to open one’s heart by his warmth and care, and then administer the philosophy with a conviction & faith that penetrates our being deeply and wholely.
Very Good
Wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing.
Such sweet anecdote!
Maharaj really teaches us how to preach as per time, place & circumstances.
Thank you very much for sharing. Radhanath Swami makes everyone and presents them the real truth in it
Very nice, Thanks for sharing.
Heart touching lesson. Thank you very much HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja
Amazing!! Thanks for sharing this. I really liked Maharaj’s reason for not going for cosmetic surgery. His answer to Vidhi was perfect for the circumstance.
The sweetness of Radhanth Swami in dealing with everyone is reflected here… who can forget his kindness?
So rightly said, Radhanath Swami so gently handles every situation. That is a bona fide spiritual master!
Very sweet incident. The apparent pain was transformed into love for Vrindavan dham by Radhanath Swami
Beautiful incident… How Radhanath Swami Maharaj gives the right thing at the most opportune time is enlivening to note!
Wonderful incident. Radhanath Swami teaches how to see Krishna’s Divine Hand in every incident of one’s life.
thank you for sharing
Radhanath Swami Maharaj says what is perfect for every person.
Amazing.H.H Radhanath maharaj ki jai.
Very beautiful incidence thank you very much for shairng the same.
Amazing story and realization. Thank you.
Good one. Thanks for sharing.
wonderful
It takes great faith to let a scar remain on your body despite having a way to erase it. Hats off to Vidhi and to her worship-able Radhanath Swami.
Radhanath Swami sees all the inhabitants of the holy dham with a spiritual vision.
Maharaj is a true guru.. thanks for sharing this.. JAI !!!
Radhanath Swami knows what to speak exactly to whom and when so that the next person is inspired.
Radhanath Swami has amazing knack of speaking right thing at right time, enlivening and enlightening every one!
Radhanath Swami’s expertise extends to every area of relationships.
Thank you mataji for sharing your daughter’s experience with Radhanath swami maharaj.
Radhanath swami is simply amazing
So touching.Maharaj handled Vidhi so beautifully.
What a wonderful way to teach someone about such a deeper topic like glories of the holy place.
Radhanath Swami is an expert in dealing with all, and satisfying each one of them.
Truly amazing!!!
In gravest of situations Radhanath Maharaj’s soft words can melt anyone’s heart.
Amazing. Thanks for sharing this.
Very touching.. thanks a lot for sharing.
Radhanath Swami’s maturity in dealing with delicate situations is so evident here!
Radhanath Swami so nicely understands the heart of people of different age groups. At some place we see him understanding the feelings of Mother of a celibate, although he himself is a renunciate.At another place, Radhanath Swami is encouraging young group to take to Devotional Service. Radhanath Swami is really a amazing person.
Radhanath Swami has a vision and I request the parent out here to go by it
Radhanath Swami is really expert teacher and teaches and encourages everyone through his every interaction. Thank you for sharing so nice experience.
Thankyou for sharing this wonderful incident which really reveals the mercy of the Holy Dham.
So sweet!
Yes… An expert guru is not just one who knows the truth, but one who knows how to administer it according to time place and circumstances.
Radhanath Swami is an expert and knows the feelings and emotions of people.
Radhanath Swami always gives a deeper impression than the greatest burning wounds which would take backstage becuase of the mercy shown by him.
Beautiful….According to time, place and circumstance the message is given nicely by Radhanath Swami
Radhanath Swami can aptly deal with people of all ages.
Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful experience.
radhanath swami always gives a transcendental understanding of any situation
Radhanath Swami really specialises in dealing with people properly……
True saints knows how to maintain the faith of every one.
Is it this what they call Spiritual Intelligence?