On the last day of my editing service for Radhanath Swami, he went through the draft that I had written about the glorious service of Hanuman to Lord Rama. After refining it, he called me to have a look at it. In his own inimitably sweet and humble way, he asked me, as he had asked often during the last fortnight, “Is that good?”
As I read the changed draft, I marveled at how the text seemed to have come alive. Radhanath Swami’s excellence at descriptive writing has few parallels; he is a genius at describing events and emotions, places and people. Indeed, an early review of The Journey Home by the author Joshua Greene stated quite insightfully: “This book is a testimony to the power of words to express the affairs of the heart.” Of course, I would ascribe the power not just to the words, but also to the person whose heart is so sensitive to experience subtle emotions and whose words are so dexterous to express them.
When I finished reading the revised, nay enriched, text, I turned to Radhanath Swami and said, “This is beautiful. What I had written was like a report, but you have made it into a drama.” Radhanath Swami started smiling not so much because I was praising him, but because the glory of the bhakti of Hanuman had successfully manifested thorough his pen (or, shall we say, his keyboard). The selfless spiritual nature of his pleasure became apparent to me through the entirely unexpected but enchantingly unforgettable event that transpired next.
But before describing that event, I need to share a little background about Hanuman’s bhakti. When Hanuman returned to Lord Rama after performing unparalleled heroic feats in his service, the Lord being overwhelmed with gratitude offered his gallant servant the best that he could in those circumstances. The Lord offered Hanuman his own embrace, which was for the servant-hero the greatest of all gifts. This endearing exchange was expressed in eloquent and heart-rending language by Radhanath Swami and so I said to him, “Especially when Lord Rama embraces Hanuman, the emotions are coming out so sweetly over there.”
Radhanath Swami’s smile became broader and he said, “Then I will embrace you.” I was delighted to receive his long and sweet embrace. And as I thought – a bit self-indulgently, no doubt – that he was pleased with my service of editing – probably in some small way as Lord Rama was pleased with the service of Hanuman, my joy knew no bounds.
Later, as I reflected on the incident, the grave message that Radhanath Swami had communicated through this sweet exchange eventually registered in my dull mind. As devotees, we understand that the loving dealings between the Lord and his devotee are not just sentimental tales for pious entertainment or sweet stories from a bygone era. They are eternal realities in the spiritual realm which sometimes manifest to our perception as dramatic narratives in universal history. So as devotees, our goal is not just to relish their literary eloquence, but to experience their devotional essence –and to share that divine essence through our writings. Radhanath Swami was relishing Rama-lila at that exalted devotional level and, as my spiritual mentor, he wanted me to rise from my literary-intellectual level to that divine level. And so he embraced me – to give me an experience of his sublime love and to gently prod me to rise to the pure devotional level where I could constantly relish that divine love. I pray that the sweet memory of Radhanath Swami’s embrace – and the grave lesson taught through it – constantly illumine my hear and life.
Chaitanya Charan Das
148 replies on “Radhanatha Swami’s Embrace”
Wonderful experience and realisation. Thankyou for sharing.
Amazing!
Wonderful realization by the author
“Radhanath Swami was relishing Rama-lila at that exalted devotional level and, as my spiritual mentor, he wanted me to rise from my literary-intellectual level to that divine level.”
Radhanath Swami Maharaj’s loving exchange with his disciple is so lovely!
Very nice dealings by Radhanath Swami. Thank you very much for sharing the same.
Thank you very much for the deep insight which helped me understand Radhanath Swami little more.
It is the compassion of great souls like Radhanath Swami that we can experience what humbleness means
Priceless reciprocation !!
Radhanath Swami has wonderful and sweet ways of expressing his love and appreciation and he tucks in one or two lessons in that exchange.Chaitanya Charan Prabhu is very fortunate to have received this gift from Radhanath Swami.
The embrace of great souls like HH Radhanath Swami will ensure perfection of our life and make us realise our natural constitutional position of Eternal, Knowledge and Bliss.
This brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing such a deep intimate experience with us.
This article is marvelous and thanks goes to chaitanya charan prabhu for sharing it in his own way of writing and also thanks to HH Radhanath swami for making such a deep impression in the heart of the author
Just like Lord Rama, his loving devotee Radhanath Swami has the quality of unlimited gratitude and true compassion!
All glories to Srila Radhanath Mh!
Thanks to his HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj for revealing the most glorious pastimes of the Lord with loving and devotional feelings.
Jai.. such a memorable incident in life of a disciple.. very touching.. thanks a lot for sharing..
Pastimes of the Lord come alive in front of the eyes when described by a person Bhagvat like Radhanath Swami.
What a wonderful exchange..>!
Spiritual life is full of loving exchanges, and we see a very profound example in this incident.
Glorious is that disciple (like Chaitanya Charan das) who has such a spiritual guide like Radhanath Swami, and Glorious is that spiritual preceptor like Radhanath Swami who has such an exalted disciple like Chaitanya Charan das.
thank u for sharing
Radhanath Swami is very kind.
Nice article….thanks for sharing it…..
Very nice incident. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing this wonderful incident with Radhanath Swami.
A true saint like Maharaj represents the qualities of Lord who reciprocates with His devotee millions of times more than the service rendered by the devotee. All glories to Maharaj! All glories to Caitanya Caran Prabhu!
i never thought in this light when i was embraced by Maharaj. Thank you Caitanya Caran prabhu for waking me up to this fact.
Maharaj’s embarce is such a purifying tool, as it leaves the heart so blissfully satisifed for a long time.
Very fortunate souls get the embrace of such a great saint like Radhanath Swami.
I liked the statement “the loving dealings between the Lord and his devotee are not just sentimental tales for pious entertainment but eternal realities in the spiritual realm which sometimes manifest to our perception as dramatic narratives in universal history.” Without hearing from a realized soul like Radhanath Swami we could never understand the devotional essence of these pastimes. Thank you for sharing this incredibly sweet nectar.
The reward in the form of the embrace of the Lord or His dear-most order-carriers is the biggest one can ever imagine to obtain. Radhanath Swami very mercifully bestows one on one of his extremely dear disciples.
His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj Ki Jai.
Wonderful realisation.
Thank so much for sharing.
Very nice. Thank you for sharing
Ordinary gestures of great souls can be of extra ordinary nature.
Hari Bol!
Thank You for sharing.
Beautiful exchange of devotional love between Radhanath Swami and Chaitanya Charan Prabhu.
Wonderful article.
Radhanath Swami’s narrations of the Ramayan is also so very heart-melting. He brings out the whole Ramayan live in front of you.
The beauty in Radhanath Swami’s descriptive writing is that he brings the words come to life which not only he can relish but also other’s can relish too …
Maharaj is really sensitive in understanding and describing the emotions of various personalities in scriptures. He also wants devotees to understand the knitty gritty of bhakti & not just perform it superficially.
Radhanath Swami’s embrace is a symbol of pure love and genuine care. Its not just sentimental, but it translated into practice through his service and such reciprocation with devotees.
Wonderful loving experience.Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you Prabhu for sharing this.
very nice incident
Very inspiring pastime.
Radhanath Swami ki jai
Thank you Prabhu for sharing this nectar. We are hungry for more…! Hare Krsna.
A sincere heart attracts saints’ mercy. The author’s sincerity is highlighted by the fact that he got Radhanath Swami’s embrace.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful encounter with your spiritual master
Radhanath Swami Maharaj inspires us to become better!