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Sensitivity

Radhanath Swami Accomplishes With No Casualties

Pin-drop silence filled the Radhagopinath temple hall, except for the soft yet commanding voice of Giriraj Swami. He sat cross-legged on a slightly raised seat (Vyasasana) along with Radhanath Swami, who was to speak next. The audience, numbering two thousand, sat cross-legged on the floor in rapt attention. They faced the Vyasasana that occupied one corner of the rectangular hall, close to the holy altar. The gold-leafing that embellished the ornately carved altars and altar doors reflected the golden glow from the chandeliers. Thus an all-auspicious golden hue enveloped the divine gathering.

Inches away from the Vyasasana I sat, listening. Momentarily, when my eyes drifted away from the speaker, they met those of Radhanath Swami, and found them gazing down right at me! With a movement of his index finger Radhanath Swami gestured me to come closer—he had something to say. My heart started to beat conspicuously. A wave of tension passed through my spine: I had to absorb every bit of his whisper in the first go, for asking for any clarification would mean disturbing both the speaker and the audience.

My life air circling around my ear drums, I pushed my head close enough to be able to hear his whisper. “Very politely, tell that girl not to lean against the deity’s doors.” I had heard every word clear and distinct. In quick reflex I looked towards the altar and found a lady who stood leaning against the altar doors. Making my way through the crowd, I reached her, and in all politeness pleaded, “Please madam, don’t lean against the doors. Or else, you shall ruin the gold leafing on it.” She obliged, and only when I re-occupied my seat did the four thousand eyes in the hall cease to follow me.

Sitting there I mulled over the sacred lesson I had just learnt. Often times, people emphasize just the aspect of detachment in spiritual life. Ironically, spirituality is more about attachment than detachment. A spiritualist is only detached from his/her selfish happiness. But he/she is completely attached to facilitating the happiness of God, and the happiness of those connected to God—and that includes every living entity. A temple is God’s home, and everything in it is designed for His pleasure. And to safeguard what gives God pleasure, a devotee considers that his sacred mission.

But what really hit me was that I had witnessed Radhanath Swami accomplish his mission with no casualties. He had safeguarded the happiness of even that lady who was also a child of God. He had perfectly structured his whisper. If the words “Very Politely” had featured anywhere but in the beginning of that statement, I would have definitely missed its import, given that I was high-strung at that moment. And impoliteness would have cost the lady’s happiness, and that meant casualty!

–Siddeshwar Bhat

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167 replies on “Radhanath Swami Accomplishes With No Casualties”

It is only a genuinely humble person like Radhanath Swami who can make a small one liner to carry deep imports as share by the author. Thanks Siddeshwar for sharing this wonderful exchange of yours with HH Radhanath Swami

Radhanath swami is so much concerned that he does’nt want to hurt anyone and at the same time wants to protect Krsna’s property

It’s wonderful to see how Radhanath Swami deals any kind of situation so very well. And it is also wonderful to see how his students understand his mood and apply it so very well.

This incident shows Radhanath Swami’s concern for each and every devotee & also for Lord’s property.
T

This incident shows Radhanath Swami’s concern for each and every devotee & also for Lord’s property.
T

Radhanath swami respects every living entity. This incident shows how much Radhanath Swami is concerned about other even if they are on the wrong side.

Thanks for sharing. An incredible way of Radhanath Swami to show us that how to do things with perfect balance.

How gently Radhanath Swami draws are attention not so much as to be mechanically ritualistic, but to be consciousness that everything is GOD’s creation and not be taken cheaply.

Amazing! Maharaj gives individual attention to each and every devotee irrespective of the number of people present.

How sensitive to be both Krsna’s home and his devotees.Amazing.Thank you Prabhu for sharing this.

Amazing incident which teaches us a lesson for life.. Be cautious of everything that all belongs to GOD and we must be there to safeguard them.. thanks for sharing.. JAI !!!

Radhanath Swami is so careful while telling even another persons mistake. So big lesson for me to learn. Thanks for sharing.

I am simply overjoyed on reading this. Devotees are attached to the pleasure of the Lord, use of the phrase Very politely right in the beginning, politeness as to not disturb the happiness of an innocent offender ….

Amazing! Every word and every action of Radhanath Maharaj is so well placed and with a deep significance, with multitudes of lessons for all of us. Thank you for sharing this!

Wow!! A great lesson.. Detachment from material things means attachment towards Krishna!! Thanks for sharing

Radhanath Maharaj is not only concern with the Temple hall but also the premises & staircase for him the Temple.He does with utmost care.

Radhanath Swami is so sensitive to all things (objects and people) around him. Wonderful lessons !!!

Thankyou for sharing such an inspiring incident through which Radhanath swami so subtly teaches us how to take care of the Lord’s property as well as his devotees.

Simply Wonderful !! Great souls are always sensitive to the feelings and emotions of others being very careful to put people before management execution. This is what differentiates from a rigid rule based manager!

how HH Radhanath Maharaj is so conscious that everything related to Krishna has to be respected and protected.

Radhanath Swami is very measured in his choice of words & makes sure that no one ever gets disheartened even when he has to correct the person.

What a wonderful point raised!Spirituality is not about detachment but in fact about ATTACHMENT. Attachement to Krishna and his paraphernalia.Thank you Radhanath Swami!

Being Sensitive at the same time ensuring that Critical policies are being followed can only be achieved by Great Leaders like Radhanath Swami

Radhanath swami is vast mine of good qualities. I am fortunate to get in touch with Radhanath Swami. So much to learn from him.

Hey, thanks for the great article. Honestly, about three months ago I started using the internet and there is so much nonsense out there. I appreciate that you put excellent content out that is clear and well-written. Good luck and thank you for the great article.

Maharaj is a person who lives exactly as he preaches. In this case his quality of humility and service comes to the fore.

Beautiful story. And what a lesson Radhanath Swami teaches by example – sprituality is detachment from worldly selfish things but attachment to everything thats God’s.

Wonderful! H H Radhanath Swami Maharaj teaches us where should our attachment be, by simply practicing it himself!
Thnks so much for sharing this.

wonderful!
HH Radhanath Maharaj teaches where should our attachment be, by practicing himself.
thnks for sharing this!