India, a land of billion plus, has an obsession with cricket; not the grasshopper you know that produces a rhythmic chirping sound. This cricket is a game played between two teams with balls and bats. Although hardly a dozen countries in the world play cricket, Indians pride in being one of the best in the world and almost every Indian is glued to his television when India plays an international game.
Radhanath Swami is well aware of this distraction for sincere spiritual seekers in India. Once we arranged his talk on ‘Cricket’ during the peak world cup season. The topic promised to attract thousands of youth to our centre in downtown Mumbai. As the day approached, our community was abuzz with excitement. All wondered what Radhanath Swami would speak on this subject, for cricket awoke intense passion amongst the youth.
In the afternoon, a few hours before the event, Radhanath Swami called me to his room and asked about the game. He didn’t know any details about the sport, except that Indians go bonkers when matches are played. He keenly inquired about the intricacies of the sport and desired to know what aspect of this game would be a relevant theme to discuss in the evening. I spoke on how many top cricketers had been exposed in match fixing scandals and bribe taking. This had bought lot of disrepute to the game. I expressed that he should speak on the theme of ‘greed’ and ‘character’. He liked the idea and promised to address this issue.
An hour before the event, I couldn’t contain my excitement; I too had an obsession for this game before I took up to spiritual life seriously. Many cricket scandals and the dark side of its players was well known to me. I rushed to Radhanath Swami’s room and told him that I would like to share some very serious stories that would help him address the issue better during his talk. Immediately he showed interest and took out his notebook and pen. He then asked me to narrate the stories. I began the tale of famous players who fell to greed, and I was enjoying speaking these stories. However I observed that as I was enthusiastically narrating, Radhanath Swami was intensely gazing at me. At one point I became nervous, wondering why he is concentrating so much on each word that I was speaking. Nevertheless I rambled on for a long time.
After finishing, I honestly said, “If you speak these stories, the audience would be shaken to the core.” He paused, reflected deeply, and soberly replied, “To be very honest, I am not sure if I will speak these incidents. I would want to focus on the spiritual theme of character and need to overcome greed.” Then he continued, “But I am not going to forget these stories. These are very instructive to me personally. I shall take note of them for my personal life. We have to learn lessons from these mistakes and be humble while serving others” Then he thanked me, “You have done me a great favour by instructing me on the dangers of greed. I pray we are protected from this deadly vice.”
I left the room in a daze; I was earlier hoping the talk would shake the audience, but here I was shaken to the core. Most of us in the ashram had been excited about the event, but Radhanath Swami was taking this as yet another opportunity for reflection. He sees every event in life as a learning lesson. I too learnt a valuable lesson that evening; as teachers of spiritual science, we should be more eager to internalize and imbibe lessons in our own lives before being enthusiastic to share with others. ‘Physician heal thyself’, and a teacher teach thyself. Thank you Radhanath Swami, for showing us by your personal example that practice is better than precept.
–Venugopal Acharya
59 replies on “Radhanath Swami and Cricket – part 1”
Very inspiring article.
“As teachers of spiritual science, we should be more eager to internalize and imbibe lessons in our own lives before being enthusiastic to share with others”. I really appreciate this point. Thanks to the author for revealing this truth.
A preacher should be Honest and exemplary. All glories to HH Radhanatha Swami Maharaja.
Thank you very much for sharing such an inspiring article with us. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
Very beautiful instruction. We need to personally follow and set the example.
Very interesting how Radhanath Swami learns lessons and has realizations from every incident in life. That’s the quality of a true spiritual master – humility with always the spirit of how he can serve others. thank you for sharing this episode which brings out Maharaj’s inherent character.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article.
Thanks for sharing it.
Amazing lesson. Thank you very much for sharing.
Thank you very much for sharing this incident ,a great lesson to learn…
Very nice. Thank you
Thanks for sharing the incident and the lesson behind it!!
Radhanath Swami Ki Jai !
Exciting.. An Acharya teaches by his own example.
Radhanath Swami’s humility is very inspiring & motivating.
Radhanath Swami Ki Jai
Radhanath swami sees every event in life as a learning lesson.
Very heart touching story. I like this site like anything so much things to contemplate upon in owns life. I am also deeply touched by the act of Radhanath Swami that how practice is better than precept.
This is a deep lesson taught by Radhnatah Swami. Thank you for sharing this wonderful lesson learned by you with us. I pray that I can also learn from this
Wonderful practical understanding given Radhanath Swami. We should focus on removing negativity rather on person reponsible for it
Prabhuji not just you are shaken I feel even the readers are equally affected by the simple heartedness of Radhanath Swami Maharaja.
Very inspiring article…..One need to think on how can I improve myself ….
This is really very instructive article. Prior to preach others one must internalize those teaching in his own life.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Swamiji’s every action teaches us a lesson…..great….thanks for sharing
nice lesson to adopt…,
Radhanath Swami Ki Jai ..
Radhanath Swami Ki Jai _
very nice article.
This is very inspiring. Unless one’s sadhana is good, he can not preach effectively.
I m enchanted to read this incident… it gives me conviction that spirituality makes your life balanced as you learn to treat various situations with single pointed focus of learning and making endeavor in giving real truth to everyone…. Thanking for sharing this article…it has the humor which would bring smile on faces of all it’s readers…!
Very nince article. Thank you very much for sharing the same.
radhanath swami always teaches by his own example.simply great
Thanks to mr Acharya for sharing this wonderful incident in the life of Radhanath swami, importance of applying good things to our life first and then preaching, charity begins at home.
Thank you very muh for sharing such valuable lession which we can apply inour lives.
nice one
Thank you for sharing this experience. Radhanath Swami is a true teacher and practitioner of what he teaches.
amazing lesson. Yes, we should first try to imbibe the lessons rather than preach and also take every event as learning opportunity in our lives
Hare Krishna
His Holiness Radhanath Swami has shown by personal example to be humble by listening to the devotee which we can imbibe in our own lives to serve the lord and his devotees.
Thanks for sharing.. so instructive.
Very nice article. Will try to see what is the message i can learn with the incidents happening with me and around.
Wonderful article to learn around us.
amazing story
teacher teach thy self – nice conclusion drawn by you prji. Thank you for sharing your incident.
Great lesson to be learn from this.
Sincere souls like Radhanath Swami are always looking to perfect themselves more and more. We have so much to learn from them.
Very interesting. Thank you very much Radhanath Swami for this.
Thank you for sharing this amazing incident.
V Inspiring article..
Very interesting and aspiring article. Thank you for sharing.
Very very inspiring incident. Radhanath Maharajs simplicity and purity has made a deep impact within my heart. Thank you your Holiness.