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.
145 replies on “Radhanath Swami — Our Star”
HHRNSM is very humble and a pure spiritual soul, wonderful exchange, haribol, rajesh karia
HHRNSM is always absorbed in seeing the Lord as the center of everything, haribol, bhakti
Radhanath Swami is humility personified and is uncomfortable with praise and admiration. Further, he also guides his disciples to be seekers of the essence.
Everyone wants to be a star. Here is a real super star, who wants to give up that position, so that devotees can focus on the Holy name. Radhanath Swami ki jay!!!
Recently in SI Yatra at Kanyakumari I had the fortune of doing Japa in the holy association of His Holiness Radhanath Swami on the sea shore at Kanya Kumari which was a wonderful and amaging exprience to me. I can never forget that experience I do not have any words to express that feeling.
HH Radhanath Swami does not want to become cynosure. This is the greatness of a great soul.
It is such a contrast that in the outside world everyone wants to have fans and popularity but in spiritual life saints like Radhanath swami do not have any sense of longing for admiration and fan following.
We make elaborate arrangements to gratify our longing for a moment of attention even from a nobody and here is Radhanath Swami who has ALL the attention of the best of people, and He wants to give it up, bcos it comes in the way of their focus on chanting.
Radhanath Swami leads a life of ‘Simple Living and High Thinking’
Radhanath Swami perfectly fits the definition of a humble person- ” To not be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others”.
Radhanath Swami out of humility asked all to focus on the holy names or Krishna instead of him. Krishna out of love glorifies his devotees and makes him the Star of our hearts. Just meditating on these loving exchanges out hearts are cleansed and purified.
Radhanath Swami has his personal sadhana and we must respect that too.
Thanks for sharing such an wonderful experience.
Here Radhanath Swami is teaching us that we should make Lord Krsna and His Holy Name the center of our attention and not him-our spiritual leader. This is contrary to the general behaviour of leaders in the outside world who like to hog the attention of people all to themselves.
So touching incident. Really Radhanath Swami is so humble by nature.
This incident relates very clearly that Radhaanth Swami always wants the Lord to be the centre of attraction and attention.
That is exactly how a Spiritual Master is a transparent via media to Krsna. Such a Spiritual Master does not want others to see him or adore him. He just wants to humbly remain a via media so that others can see Krsna through him.
Very beautiful narration – once again highlighting the star – Radhanath Swami.
H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is an ideal example for humility.
swamiji is really a true star
Very Insightful and Inspiring too – Thanks a lot Prabhuji for sharing this nectarian experience.
thank u for sharing
Very well written! Thank u for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this experience from the life of Radhanath Swami.
Radhanath Swami is a true example of selfless service.
It is essential to regard another’s personal space.Maharaj is truly humble in considering himself one among the multitude.Thanks for sharing.
Radhanath Swami is a real saint who never wants to be highlight whatever the situation may be. His character is an emblem of humility and even if can adopt a little part of his nature, our lives would be a success.
This experience leaves one totally speechless……Radhanath Swami’s humility is vreally exemplary…..
No words can suffice to explain the humility that Radhanath Swami has. A true shining star!!
Thank you very much for sharing
thank you for this glimpse into life with Maharaj. so sweet and it is so helpful to meditate on!
thank you for this glimpse into life with Maharaj. so sweet and it is so helpful to meditate on!
HH Radhanath Swami is very humble. He dosent like any kind of attention for Himself. Everything for His Guru and for the Lord.
Radhanath Maharaj is very humble. Thank you very much for sharing the same.
radhanath swami Maharaj is really humble that he never wants to be highlighted.
HH Radhanath swami maharaj always teaches by his example that genuine sadhu always points towards God and not himself. thank u very much for sharing such a nice incident
true spiritual teacher never expects any reward or appreciation even if he is capable of, that is radhanath swami,
Through this incident Radhanath Swami is also teaching us how we should not try to become center but we should always keep Lord in the center. Thank you Radhanath Swami for teaching this very important lesson.
The sharing tells that Radhanath Swami is not comfortable in limelite & prefers to be more simply situated. This is the quality of a humble person.
Very beautifully narrated. Shows the deep humilty of Radhanath Swami.
A great quality of a pure soul, Tranad api Sunicena…Walks as his Talk
Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a very wonderful inspiration for all his disciples & followers.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj is so humble!
Thanks for sharing your experience……..
Radhanath swami’s unassuming nature is what makes him so great
HH Radhanath Swami is the epitome of this great quality, Humility”. HH Radhanath Swami always wants to give credit to others.
Practical display of humility. its not something we think before we act. its a natural state of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Maharaj is humility personified.You will always remain wonder struck with any of the experience one has with the presence of Maharaj.
Hare Krishna
Thanks you for sharing this.
It is a very clear example of how humble Radhanath Swami Maharaj is. He never like it when the spot-light is on him. He has always wanted Lork Krishna (the holy name in this case) to be the center of attraction.