In 1990, I again visited Vrindavan, a holy place in North India. I had been there fifty-odd times before and knew its every nook and corner. Things changed little with time in these relatively remote places. So, even on this visit everything looked familiar, but with Radhanath Swami accompanying me, everything felt mysteriously different. His discourses, his devotional songs and his very presence seemed to unveil the hidden spirituality of that holy place. Everyday we traveled on foot, from dawn to dusk, visiting different places in Vrindavan: temples, hermitages, holy shrines and forests. Witnessing his devotion for Vrindavan, I was humbled: for the first time I realized that a holy place went deeper than its mere geography.
— Ashok Parikh, Stock Broker
133 replies on “On a Pilgrimage with Radhanath Swami”
It is said that we should visit and see a holy place only through the eyes of a genuine sadhu. This is what happened to Ashok Parikh.
Radhanath Swami carries Vrindavan in his Heart. So wherever he goes, he carries Vrindavan with him. I just imagine, how wonderful it must be with him physically in the Holy Dham of Vrindavan? Vrindavan in Heart and Vrindavan outside.
Only a sadhu like Radhanath Maharaj could reveal the importance of holy places
The presence of a holy man like Radhanath Swami can make a huge difference in the experience of a holy place and this anecdote about Radhanath Swami is testimony to that.
We can understand the importance & glories of a holy place only through the words & association of a true sadhu. What greater fortune can one have than this!
Radhanath maharaj’s autobiography, “Journey Home” also mentions how he got so attached to the place Vrindavan and how somehow or other he couldnt leave the dham so soon. Its all Lord’s mercy on him that he knows vrindavan so well, very well said by Ashok, way beyond the “geographies” of the place.
Thank you for sharing your deep appreciation for Swamiji.
My desire to meet him increases with each incident I read that his followers share about him.
It is said that we should go to the holy places to associate with sadhus there, because they can reveal the dham to us. Radhanath swami is a true revealer of the dham, being a resident of Vrindavan himself
Wonderful, the association of sadhu makes the difference.
Seeing the holy dham through his eyes, changes our vision from material to spiritual.
Thank you Maharaj.
Holy dham can be revealed only by a self realized soul
Radhanath Swami makes us see Vrindavan through his spiritual eyes. That is why a trip to any dham with Maharaj always feels refreshingly different & exciting.
Reading the experience of Mr.Ashok Parikh who mentions that he had been to Vrindavan 50 odd times before meeting Radhanath Swami and felt the difference in his next visit to Vrindavan with Swamiji, I wish to experience the same.
radhanath swami filled the gap with purity and transcendental pleasures in this visit,
It is said that a moment association with a geninue Sadhu is like visiting the holy place because he carries the mood in his heart.
Witnessing and appreciating the holy dham like Vrindavan in the association of a sadhu like Radhanath Swami will bring transformation to one’s heart
Visitng the holy places with Radhanath Swami is magical. His personal absorption just draws one and all.
Visiting holy places as mere tourist spots or because it feels nice or may be for some special favor these are common reasons for visiting them.But when you have a pure soul like Radhanath Swami as your guide the whole vision of the holy dham changes and you realize the Lords Majesty and relish his leela’s
That’s why Radhanath Swami emphasises visiting the holy places in the company of devotees.
We cannot see & appreciate a holy dham with our mundane senses……only a pure devotee like Radhanath Swami can reveal the holy dham…….
I have read in the book Journey Home by Radhanath Swami that he was just amongst the only two Westerners in Vrindavan during the mid sixties. It is really amazing that he still cherishes being in Vrindavan. Looks like you are a very lucky person to have his guidance as early as 1990
a holy place can be seen only through spiritual eyes bestowed by the mercy of a pure devotee like maharaj…
thanks for sharing ur realisation.!
From personal experience I can say that wherever Radhanath Swami is, he creates an atmosphere of being in Vrindavan. So what to speak of being in the holy land itself!!
we can only actually see holy places only through the eyes of a true sadhu
Oh, 1990…..my God amazing…How can a person go to the same place for 20 years. It seems like both Vrindavan in India and HH Radhanath Swami are interesting place and personality respectively. I have heard that we can see the real Vrindavan thru ears ! Wow. I am eagar!
It is said that all the holy places reside in a true sadhu. Therefore only such a sadhu can reveal the importance of holy places. Thank u prabhu for sharing such wonderful experience.
Maharaj revealed the spiritual place through his presence.
It just proves that we can see the divine abode of lord only when revealed through the pure devotees of lord.
Yes prabhu, as correctly said by Mr. Mafatlal, going to Vrindavan alone with family and with a spiritual family of Radhanath Swami is a huge difference!!!!
The true essence of a holy place can be witnessed only through the eyes of a pure sadhu like Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Only with pure souls like Maharaj, one can get benefitted during the Yatras
There is Vaikuntha where there is Krishna or His representative. Wherever Maharajji is present, that place is always blissful. Jai.
Such is the value of a person. There is a statement my Sita Devi: where there is Ram (even in the forest) there is heaven and where Ram isn’t (even if it is a palace) it is hell. While Vrindavan is holy place, but in the presence of Radhanath Swami, it reveals its purity, potency and sweetness to those fortunate to be in his company.
Just as a lens filters our view of the world, Radhanath Swami filters out the unimportant and focuses us on the real Vrindavan.
Just as a lens filters our view of the world, similarly Radhanath Swami filters out the unimportant and lets us see the real Vrindavan
One has to see the holy place through the eyes of a saint who reveals the sanctity and purity of the place for us. Otherwise it may seem just like any other ordinary place.
Once a very senior devotee and deciple of Maharaj told me that Maharaj carry Vrindavan in His Heart….Hopefully Krishna will bless me so that I could be part ot Yatra lead my Maharaj….
It’s very nice article. Only in the association of sadhus we can understand the Holy places.
thanks Prabhuji for sharing it said that you cannot see the dham with your matterial eyes you need pure devotee to come and show the dham
Wherever a person like Radhanath Swami is present, that place becomes a sacred place.
We can see the Holy Dham only through the eyes of Holy People….!!! Thanks to Radhanth Swami..
Radhanath swami carries Vrindavan in his heart. One can never understand the importance of holy dham without the association of spiritual master.
A pure devotees heart is Vrindavan!
True………..Holy Dham is revealed by the Pure devotees…..
Hari Bol….Vrindavan revealed by Maharaj
Power of association of Pure Devotees reveals unlimited spriritual welath that opens the door to Krishna through the path of holy dham.
really nice experience..and its a fact that when we visit the dham without having pure devotee’s association..its just travel visit
Very nice experience. A submissive aural reception to a realized soul reveals deeper and deeper truths. I am eager for such an opportunity.
Thanks for this nice experience.