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Radhanath Swami at the Confluence

In India, Vaishnavism, the path of devotional service to Lord Vishnu, is upheld by four authentic traditions—the Brahma Sampradaya, the Rudra Sampradaya, the Sri Sampradaya and the Kumara Sampradaya. Their teachings, though varied, overlap in essence. Whilst the neophyte spiritualists get distracted by the differences to the point of bigotry, the advanced spiritualists focus on the essence and consider the differences ‘the spice of spirituality.’

Recently, in December 2010, Radhanath Swami was in Sri Rangam, in South India. Though himself a follower of Brahma Gaudiya Sampradaya, a sub-branch of the Brahma Sampradaya, he had taken five thousand of his followers on a pilgrimage to this spiritual sanctuary which is considered the head quarters of the Sri Sampradaya.

Brahma Sampradaya and Sri Sampradaya, the two streams of Vaishnavism! Whilst his followers groped for their confluence intellectually, Radhanath Swami floated in the confluence—being inspired divinely.

One afternoon, at Sri Rangam, Radhanath Swami spent a half hour in front of the main altar of Sri Rangam temple. On the altar reclined a stone figure of the deity Ranganath, Lord Vishnu, adorned with embroidered silks and glittering with gold and precious jewels. In majesty, the priests of Sri Sampradaya worshipped Ranganath, the Lord of Vaikuntha. Since the followers of Brahma Gaudiya Sampradaya prefer to see the Lord in his form of Krishna, the cowherd boy of Vridavan, adorned primarily with flowers and leaves and worshiped in simple devotion, I wondered as to what transpired in Radhanath Swami’s consciousness.

Later that afternoon, Radhanath Swami took a bath in the holy Cauvery River and then returned to his room. In the evening, when he emerged out, the smile that bloomed with divinity on his visage was conspicuous. As I escorted him to the gigantic pandal tent where he was scheduled to discourse, he disclosed to me the pleasure of his heart, “As I was taking bath this afternoon, I spontaneously was singing aa jaoo giridhari (Oh Krishna, the lifter of Govardhan hill, please come!) Lord Ranganath inspired in my heart loving separation from Vrindavan.”

–Nityananda Das

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105 replies on “Radhanath Swami at the Confluence”

Radhanath Swami’s emphasis on the essence was on of the keys lessons I learnt in the same Yatra of 5000 devotees.

What a wonderful confluence of 2 great sampradayas you all witnessed…….wish could be there…..

Its very difficult to understand the devine mood of great saints like HH Radhanath Swami.

It was was memorable day for both Sampraday, Radhanath Swami teaches us the real essence of Bhakti.

A spiritualist seeks the essence, and is always on the lookout for how everything is ultimately related to GOD, and works tirelessly toward re-establishing that lost relationship. Thus, for a true spiritualist like Radhanath Swami, there is none to hate or to discriminate against, but only to be loved and shower compassion upon.

Maharajah’s realization pleases the heart and give us the opportunity to feel his love for Lord Krishna.
““As I was taking bath this afternoon, I spontaneously was singing aa jaoo giridhari (Oh Krishna, the lifter of Govardhan hill, please come!) Lord Ranganath inspired in my heart loving separation from Vrindavan.”

I was fortunate to have been part of the yatra. I was also amazed but very happy to see the felicitations that were bestowed upon Maharaj by the Sri Sampradaya. Maharaj sees Krishna everywhere, and so this article is so appropriate.

Thanks a lot Prabhuji for sharing this nectarian realization with HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj.

Radhanath Swami is fully realized and he knows that whatever previous Acharya’s says in in all four Sampraday are different prospectives of same truth.

Hariiii bol. Thank you soooo much for sharing this wonderful incident of Radhanath Swami Maharaj.

I liked the statement “Whilst the neophyte spiritualists get distracted by the differences to the point of bigotry, the advanced spiritualists focus on the essence and consider the differences ‘the spice of spirituality”. No doubt that exalted souls as Radhanath Swami are in the 2nd category of advanced spiritualists who always seek the essence.

Its true that neophyte devotees get distracted by apparent differences in various sampradaya, advanced & matured devotees relish the esssence. Maharaj has taught this principle here. Thank you Nityananda pr for sharing this pastime.

Thank you so much for revealing Maharaj’s heart…as I saw him at Sri Rangam on his way to take darshan of Lord Ranganath, I really pondered on the nature of his consciousness…the revelation through this anecdote has really touched me.

The way great saints always focus on the essence of the religion and not get diverted by the externals is amazing. Radhanath Swami Maharaj being an illustrious example of this fact!

It was an amazing experience. Radhanath Swami’s heart is always in Vrindavan, wherever he may be.

Thank you very much for sharing this. I consider myself very fortunate to have been part of the this yatra. I was also amazed and very happy to witness the felicitations that were bestowed on Maharaj by Sri Sampradaya leaders. Maharaj sees only Krishna everywhere.

A neophyte spiritualists get distracted by the differences to the point of bigotry whereas the advanced spiritualists focus on the essence and consider the differences to be the spice of spirituality. Exalted souls like H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj always seek the essence.

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