Once Radhanath Swami and his dear friend, Devamrita Swami were scheduled to give a talk on cricket. Although the world cup season was on, and most Indians were busy watching cricket, the temple courtyard was packed with thousands of youth. The audience was eagerly anticipating an exciting talk by two American monks on a sport that Indians are crazy about.
As both the speakers sat on the chairs, Gauranga Dasa, the master of ceremonies, introduced both of them. Then he picked up a coin from his pocket, and revealed how a game of cricket begins. Each cricket match begins with the two captains of the respective teams walking to the centre of the field and tossing a coin. One of them calls out ‘heads’ or ‘tails’, and on winning the toss, the captain decides how the game would begin. “Similarly”, Gauranga Dasa announced, “amongst the two distinguished speakers this evening, who would speak first shall be decided after tossing the coin”. He then turned to both of them and asked, “What would you prefer, heads or tails?” Spontaneously, without blinking an eyelid, Radhanath Swami replied, “Tails of course, I always like to be a tail. I can’t be the heads”. Sitting close by and hearing this instant response, I was amazed. Radhanath Swami often teaches in his classes on the need to be a servant of all, and on the importance of helping others go ahead in life and achieve success. He always shuns materialistic competitive attitude, and this principle is so deeply internalized by him that even during an insignificant coin tossing, he was conscious of being the ‘tail’ or servant of others.
–Venugopal Acharya
37 replies on “Radhanath Swami and Cricket – part 2”
An Acharya teaches his students by his own example
Steady mind. Always allowing others to go ahead to get something and remaining at the last is very much pleasing Krishna.All glories to HH. Devamrta Swami maharaja and HH. Radhanatha Swami Maharaja.
jai ho
Very informative lesson to be learnt. Radhanath Swami’s humility is amazing! We have to learn a lot from these great souls!
Thank you Siddeshwar ji for sharing this valuable incident from the life of Radhanath Swami which clearly shows his absolute humility and simplicity inspite of his huge fan following.
Great story and very personal. Very much instructive and motivation to have that intense feeling of humility within one’s heart. Thanks for sharing
This humility of Radhanath Swami is one of his many divine qualities which has attracted so many followers towards him. And yet he continues to be humble in spite of having so many followers.
Swamiji’s humility is unparalleled…..
Thank you for posting this simple yet amazing nature of Radhanath Swami.
Many thanks for posting this incident involving radhanath swami.
Radhanath Swami is very humble person. He teaches by his examples.
The great lesson to learn.
Thank you for sharing… Very important lesson.
So amazing.. really Radhanath Swami practices what he teaches… thanks for sharing
The story shows the natural humility of Maharaj. Thanks for sharing.
One can fake somethings for sometime but cannot show it all the time. One who truly lives by the principles, his choices in every walk of life are based on that. Amazing Maharaj for teaching wonderful lesson
What a nice lesson given by Maharaj.
We should never try to become heads.
hh radhanath swami maharaj always sets the best example by himself, he is what he is, very inspiring…,
Wonderful
This shows a mood of a true devotee, who likes to be a servant of all.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj demonstrates his unlimited humility through all situations.
Wonderful incident. Radhanath Swami is really a great Acharya who teaches by his own actions small or big.
This explains the humility of Maharaj. All glories to H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
wonderfuly presented
Wonderful incident with Radhanath Swami where he showed his humble heart as always.
Radhanath Swami is simply amazing even in his simple dealings he teaches such profound teachings.
Great souls like Radhanath Swami are an epitome of humility.
Great Teaching !!!
Swamiji is exemplary in nature
Very instructive! We should learn the art of humility from great souls like Radhanath Swami.
great lessons to learn at every moment from the life of a great spiritual leader like radhanath swami
Natural humility
really heart touching, womderful teachings by HH RNSM.
really heart touching, womderful teachings by HH RNSM.
Wonderful. Every incident I hear about Radhanath maharaj enlighten me from the inner core of my heart.
hari bol thank you for sharing such a nice instuctive pastime.
Radhanath swami is pure devotee of the Lord. The quality of humility is naturally there