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Sensitivity

Radhanath Swami and the Turtles

The rising sun god stole a glimpse, through the stained glass windows, into the temple interior, where Radhanath Swami sat meditating. Then he proceeded upwards along his orbit. Perhaps he too, like many of us, ached to see Radhanath Swami in our ISKCON Nasik temple. Radhanath Swami had been promising to grace us with his presence, but his busy schedule had never allowed him to, for years. . Now, finally in his presence, we felt blessed.

After his japa, mantra meditation, I took Radhanath Swami around the temple; inspired by him I had taken charge of this temple and had recently renovated it. He observed everything keenly, as he always does, and with an air of appreciation. He especially seemed to like the fountain in front of the altar. Excited, I chimed in, “Apart from the fishes, there are two turtles in there.” Radhanath Swami peered into the pool of water at the base of the fountain, “Live turtles?”

“Yes, live turtles.”

“But turtles are not like fishes.” Worry washed across Radhanath Swami’s face, “They are not supposed to be in water all the time. How will they survive without a place to rest?”

“They do rest on the water pipelines that are laid for the fountain,” I tried to assure him.

“It will be nice if you could make a small island in that pool. Then the turtles can rest comfortably. They are now the Lord’s associates and have to be properly taken care of,” Radhanath Swami swung his hands towards the deities on the altar, accentuating his point. He went on to ask questions about what we fed them, whether they liked the food etc.  It was as if his every other major project around the world lay eclipsed behind this newly found one: the happy-turtle-project.

During his one day stay, he brought forth the issue of the turtles atleast ten times. Towards the end, he summarized what he felt of his visit, “Everything about the temple is impeccable and exquisite, and I am highly impressed. But the only thing pinching my heart is the discomfort that the turtles have to undergo in that pool.” And just before his departure to Mumbai, he told me, “Remember what I told about what should be done for the turtles? Do let me know when you have done something for them.”

I got an island made for the turtles in the next 24 hours and sent a message to Radhanath Swami through his secretary: Because of your concern and love for them, the turtles are peacefully sitting in their new haven. When I look at them, they seem to be thanking you from the core of their little hearts for making this arrangement for them.

–Sikshashtakam Das. Temple President, ISKCON Nasik.

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148 replies on “Radhanath Swami and the Turtles”

Simply amazing. This is Selfless, Genuine care and concern of Radhanath Swami. Thank you for sharing.

Like Sivanand sen took care of Dog who was travelling with rath yatra party considering him a devotee ,in same way Radhanath Mahraj had concern for this turtle

I thank the supreme almighty lord to have given us this rarest opportunity to be in the wonderful association of a great soul such as Radhanath Swami who truely is a saint who shows compassion equally to all living entities without any discrimination.

Simply Amazing to see Maharaj love and care for every living being who is directly or indirectly related to Krishna. Thank you very much for sharing this article

Such a great spiritual leader showing so much concern for mere turtles! This shows the greatness of Radhanath Swami in his simplicity.

Wonderful…Attention to details is the sign of love….and Radhanath swami is teaching us this from his evident example.

Just wonderful! Imagine if the world was filled with such saintly personalities with this vision.

What compassion, even for turtles! Radhanath Swami so perfectly exemplifies the humble sage mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita (5.18), who by virtue of his true knowledge, sees with equal vision all living entities – be it a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog or a dog-eater [outcaste].

Fortunate are the souls who get Maharaj’s shelter and what to speak of the turtles which got all the attention, love and compassion of Maharaj.Maharaj is an island of compassion.

this is such a wonderful pastime of maharaj that shows that a saintly person from the very core of his heart is very my concerned about the welfare of every livivng entity. hare krishna!!!

They are now the Lord’s associates and have to be properly taken care of- Radhanath Swami

Thank you very much for sharing this. H.H Radhanath Maharaj shows compassion to all living beings equally. In a similar case in Udipi, he had chanted Harinam in the yeras of a puppy dog about to die. This is real compassion.

Simply amazing it’s shows that Radhanath swami is very much concerned about the welfare of every living entity and realize them as part and parcel of Lord.Thank you very much for sharing.

Really awesome…Radhanath Swami shown how we must be caring & compassionate about each living entity as they are part & parcel of Supreme Personality of godhead ..thanks for sharing

A realized soul is concerned about all living entiries knowing well all of them are part and parcek of God.

This is a saint! Concerned about material and spiritual welfare for all – literally all.

Great souls like Swamiji are sensitive for welfare of minutest & insignificant creatures like turtles……great experience

Seeing a soul in all creatures, requires a pure soul ,Radhnath Swamis care and concern for all of Gods creation becomes more evident from such examples, Haribol Prabhuji for sharing this wonderful learning.

Radhanath Swami has genuine concern for each and every soul that can make him so much concerned about turtles whom we normally would not care to give more than a glance or two.

Radhanath swami is so much concerned about every little thing around like in this case the turtles,this shows how loving and caring he is to every living entity existing. Thank you for sharing this article. This article teaches a very wonderful and important lesson .

Mnay times people who keep pets such as dogs,fish,parrot do not think of their comforts , and see them only as source of their enjoyment. but swamiji tries to serve each and every living entity.

It’s difficult to understand the compassion Radhanath Swami Maharaj has for everyone. His loving concern for the turtles shows it all. Maharaj, all of us feel completely protected and sheltered by you.

The Turtles are very fortunate to get the attention of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. The greatness of great people like Radhanath Swami is that they give attention to the most finer things which others would have missed.

Maharaj genuinely has compassion for every living creature. He genuinely cares for everyone. That is why everyone loves him.

This brings tears to my eyes.Radhanath maharaj is so deeply concerned about the welfare of all living entities

Attention to details is a sign of deep surrender and sincerity; in the case of Radhanath Swami, it is a sign of his absolute surrender to serve GOD.

All GLories TO H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj

Unexplainable. We, who may otherwise have without even the smallest of concern neglected thinking it to be an insignificant thing, rather it would have not even got into our consciousness, it became so important to Maharaj that he ensured we dont let those little creatures get even little trouble.

Hare Krishna

Amazing, how much the discomfort of Turtles pinched Radhanath Swami’s heart. This is only possible because he has realized that every living entity is part and parcel of Krishna.