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Humility

Radhanath Swami — Our Star

In the overcrowded prayer hall of Radha Gopinath Temple, I sat on the floor softly chanting the Hare Krishna mantra on my prayer beads. My murmur merged with the murmur of thousand-odd others to fill the ether with the buzz of the anthem— Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Usually devotees sat in small circles of eight or less during this prayer period from 5.45 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.  But today, there were thousands of pilgrims from far and wide, and they all sat chanting the mantra with their visions converging on Radhanath Swami, their spiritual star, who sat cross-legged on the floor in one corner of the prayer hall. (And fortunately, I was sitting close to himJ.) Immersed in mantra meditation, his eyes shut, and his erect body gently swaying to and fro in spiritual ecstasy, Radhanath Swami at first seemed oblivious to his surroundings.

Suddenly, however, amid the prayer session, Radhanath Swami shifted to a different spot to continue his mantra chant. A devotee who sat close by whispered into my ears, “Perhaps the ceiling fan spinning overhead was bothering him. Why don’t you turn it off, so that we can have him sit closer to us once again?” I walked to the switch board and turned off the overhead fan.

No sooner had I returned to my place than Radhanath Swami called me with a hand gesture. “Why did you turn off the fan?” he asked. In the silence that followed, I sensed he anyway knew the answer. “I didn’t change my position because of the fan,” he clarified. “I shifted here because I can’t tolerate everyone looking at me. Please, why don’t you ask everyone to sit in circles and focus on the mantra, rather than focus on me?”

It dawned on me—he was not bothered by the fan, but by his fans.

I had to take the brunt of displeasure of the devotees who now reluctantly formed little circles, turning their vision away from their spiritual star—who always felt discomforted when looked upon like a star.

–Siddeshwar Bhat.

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145 replies on “Radhanath Swami — Our Star”

Radhanath Swami always wants his disciples to concentrate more on chanting n krishna than him. this is wat makes him so special

This shows how innocent and sinmple he is by heart. An igoistic person is always hankering for glances of people. they take it as a sign of great proud.

Radhanath Swami altough a spiritual superstar with worldwide fame wants to shine just for pleasure of Lord and his devotees

Yes though Radhanath Swamiji is real sta,he is for others and not for himself.In pune yatra also (2008) I noticed Swamiji turning camera away from him and directing towrads devotees performing kirtan in pandal.Thanks for sharing with us.

wonderful experience, HHRNSM is an true example of simplicity at its best, haribol, rajesh

there is absolutely no trace of shyness when HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is speaking about Krishna or His devotees attracting multitude of people; but when it comes to himself, Maharaj never wants to be the center of attraction

Radhanath Swami in such humble way – so expertly corrected his students to focus on the vedic mantra – quite contrary to all the so called Spiritual leaders today – who push themselves every were – to the extent that some even change vedic mantras to add and delete as they like!

Very fortunate to see such a living example of person fully following vedic teachings in thought, words and deeds

thank you for sharing this incident about Radhanath mahraj , mahraj never wants anything for himself or to be object of attention of others ,if he does anytime ,that also only for pleasing Srila Prabhupada ,

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful incident of Maharaj being so humble & showing how to chanting

Maharaj, while people in this world try to imitate GOD & try to attract attention of others towards them, you actually avoid being in limelight & teach us pure devotion to the Lord gives more happiness then name, fame & appreciation in this world. Thank you for teaching us so humble yet wonderful lessons.

Every act of Radhanath Swami Maharaj brings our hearts more and more close to him. Thanks Maharaj for creating deep love and faith in us.

Thanks for sharing this about Radhanath swami, who is ever setting such a wonderful example for sincere spiritual seekers.

Radhanath Swami is very much focused on welfare of devotees. That is why he is asking them to focus on mantra during japa time.

fantastic lesson to be learnt from Radhanath Swami under any circumstances concentrate on chanting the holy name

Radhanath Swami is humility personified & doesn’t want any glory, recognition. He simply desires to serve ! All Glories to Radhanath Swami Maharaj!
We are very fortunate to get his association !
Thanks for sharing it !
Hare Krishna !

Such feeling of being lower than the blade of grass can only be exemplified by such great personality like Radhanath Swami himself.Hare Krsna !

“Giving all respect to others and expecting none in return” maharaj leads by example

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