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Radhanath Swami and the 1992 Riots

Hindu-Muslim riots broke out in Mumbai after the Babri Mosque demolition on 6 December 1992. Businesses closed. Taxis, buses, auto-rickshaws, and trains stopped running. There were murders and assassinations.

During this period, my wife and I were stranded in Radha Gopinath Temple for over ten days. The scene there was tense, as temples were likely targets for disgruntled Muslims. The resident monks strictly kept indoors, while Radhanath Swami remained concerned for all of us.

After about a week’s stay, one evening Radhanath Swami stunned me. “You are a rascal,” he said. As my mind spun in introspection, he invited me to his room for an explanation. Back at the room, he interrogated, “Are you meeting your wife regularly?”

“Yes. In the morning I meet her after the prayers and ask her if everything is Ok. Then again in the evening I ask her if she is Ok,” I replied. [Rest of the day I basked in the spiritual association of the monks, feeling that the riots was a blessing in disguise. This temple stay, I felt, was a brief opportunity to live the life of a monk, free from family hassles.]

“That is why you are a rascal,” Radhanath Swami exploded. “Your wife should perceive your care, love and protection. Otherwise she will become miserable. And then, in due course, both of you will become miserable.”

Spiced with numerous rascals, I found the magic porridge for happy family life served out before me, in minutes.  Holding up a spoonful of that, Radhanath Swami proposed, “Now, immediately, you take her to the Chowpatty beach and spend with her a half hour. Tell her how you care for her. And when you return, come back here and report to me all that you told her.”

I bustled about the temple, and finding my wife in the temple kitchen, hustled her out. She was appalled. Were the rioters coming? Saying nothing about the discussions that had just transpired, I told her we were going out to the beach nearby to spend some time together. Her eyes widened, and her expression changed to wonder. As we walked to the gate, I spotted Radhanath Swami watching us from the first floor balcony. Sweetening the secret we shared, both Radhanath Swami and I laughed heartily. And my poor wife—her wonder now transformed to bewilderment.

Radhanath Swami’s standing up there, I felt was symbolic. He watched out for riots, both communal and familial—with deep concern, compassion, and wisdom.

–Mr. Ashok Parikh.

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168 replies on “Radhanath Swami and the 1992 Riots”

Radhanath Swami knows exactly when and how much to deposit in the much needed emotional bank account!

what a long sightedness shown by Radhanath Swami Maharaj, to make the family life of the author safe from the future danger.
Despite being in renounced order, Radhanath Swami Maharaj knows the details of family life!!

Really Radhanath Swami is having great vision for each & every aspect of every ashram. How he is very much concern for welfare of his fallowers & real well- wisher of everyone.

radhanath mahraj knows how to care and he is always concerned that we are protected from maya of illusions

It’s wo wonderful how Maharaja has been personally teaching how to care for others

Thanks for sharing!!

This is most amazing, how Maharaj, being in the Sannayasa order of life knows family life better than those in the Grhastha life.
Bottom line is He is all knowing !!!

Radhanath Swami Maharaj is concerned with about his disciples in every aspect.. this makes us trust him completely

Thanks for sharing this awesome story. Radhanath Swami’s wisdom in every aspect of life is simply amazing.

Amazing!! Not only did you get the association of monks but also wisdom from Maharaj. Thanks for sharing.

Maharaj is a perfectionist in all aspects…he is full of care and compassion for everyone…he has a heart as soft as butter..

Only a completely surrendered God Conscious soul like HH Radhanath Swami can actually understand the needs of others despite himself not being ever having first hand experience of what is emotional attachment between Husband and wife.

HH Radhanath swami maharaj is teaching how to take care of family and importance of love and affection.
HH Radhanath swami maharaj ki jai.

this is the great concern of HH Radhanath Swami who inspires us to tackle the riots occurring in our mind, family or in nation.

Maharaj is a perfect teacher of life.His fortitude and wisdom is incomparable.His care and concern is very genuine.Thanks for this post.

HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj has limitless compassion and wisdom – Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful story.

This genuine love and care from Maharajah inspires his disciples to completely dedicate their lives to serve him.

thank you for sharing this wonderful episode where Radhanath Swami’s genuine compassion is highlighted

Radhanath Swami really knows what is the need for soul one of that is strong foundation of relationship. This incident shows his foresightedness for well being of his dear and for all. Thank you for sharing this experience.

HHRNSM very well understands the issues and troubles of his devotees and has the wisdom of even curing them to their best, thank you Maharaj, haribol, rajesh

beautiful experience and very touching, thanks for sharing, Maharaj ki Jai! haribol, bhakti

wonderful….a true visionary and truly compassionate soul…an inspiration for so many…radhanath maharaj ki jaya!

His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj ultimately cares for every human being is explicitly shown by a wonderful example.

All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj

What an profound experience. Maharaj takes care of his Devotees be it a Bramhachari or a Grihastha.

Prabhuji thank you for sharing this experience.

Hare Krishna

Radhanath Swami takes care of a devotee’s family’s well being is really amazing.
Alao, understanding a pure devotee (like Radhanath Mahara) thru a advanced devotee like Anand Vrindavan Pr is better than understanding on one’s own self.