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”
wonderful Radhanath Swami
such a sweet story! thank you!
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.
Yes, HH Radhanath Swami is an expert Guru 🙂
We are here to suffer, this concept is so difficult to accept. Radhanath Swami explains the reason for this so explicatively, and we can see life in a very different way and work towards spiritual progress.
Radhanath Swami is unassumingly beautiful.
Anything which reminds us of the Lord, His abode, name and other paraphernalia is always auspicious.
Even the painful experiences are registered as sweet memories when it is connected to the sweet Lord by His loving pure devotee – Radhanath Swami. Thank you so much.
nice
Wonderful story. Maharaj is like an expert doctor, he knows which medicine to administer at what time.
Amazing..how Maharaj can only see the good in everything
very nice pastime thanks for sharing this . maharaj is very alert n k.c in evry aspect of life.
I have never heard of Radhanath Swami critisizing anything other then the tendency we have to become independent of God…
When you have a love of great devotees like Radhanath Swami, all the pain turns to pleasure
Maharaj is very affectionate. Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience.
Thank you for sharing.
Radhanath swami..administered in a superb way..thanks
Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful experience. H.H.Radhanath Swami makes everyone to understand that even pains in the holy place are like sweet memories because of the presence of Lord
Radhanath swami is amazing
very inspiring
Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful experience
wonderful experience, thanks for sharing.
thank you
an expert transcendentalist like Radhanath Swami knows how to give a spiritual touch to each activity.
Thank you
very nice experience with the monkeys & what a lovely explanation by Maharaj
Vidhi prabhu is very strong. all glories to radhanath maharaj and Vidhi prabhu
Thanks for sharing these wonderful realizations with HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Radhanath Swami sees no difference in a holy place and things related with it. He considers each item to be connected to the Supreme Lord and therefore it has to be all Auspicious.Such a a profound belief.Amazing!
We may not be able to understand the true nature of tribulations one may undergo in spiritual life. Only great saints like Radhanath Swami can lift veil and see beyond the curtain and understand its real purpose and can guide us if we approach him accordingly with a humble heart
Maharaj knows perfectly the psychology of a child and an adult, and can handle delicate situations like these so adroitly. Hari Bol!
Radhanath swamis genuine purity makes his exceedingly expert at everything.
This is indeed a touching story which throws insight into Radhanath Swami’s thought process.
great story
Radhanath Swami exactly knows what we need to come closer to GOD. Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience.
Thanks Maharaj for this wonderful insight.There is a truth in what he said which an ordinary soul would easily miss.HH Radhanath Swami is exceptional and is endowed with spiritual vision.
Thank you for sharing.
Radhanath Swami has the art of making you feel blessed even in the worst of the situations.
Very sweet & deep
very inspiring…thk u 4 sharing..
Wow so inspiring to read. All glories to Radhanath Maharaj!!
Thanks for sharing such nice incident. Radhanath Swami knows exactly when and how to administer the medicine
Nice story to inspire all of us. It’s really a fortune to get guidance like Radhanath Swami.
wonderful how Radhanath Swami each incident as Krishna’s Mercy
WOnderful…a perfect father-like leader for the congregation
Wonderful path maker
Radhanath Swami specializes in seeing brighter side in case of any situation and encourages all to do that. Thank you Maharaja.
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………………..Thank you mother for sharing this nectar.
Very inspiring story.
jay!!
Thank You Radhanath Swami Maharaj for the wonderful experience sharing.
radhanath swmai is an expert teacher