In 1998, I often rode Radhanath Swami from an Ayurvedic Clinic in suburban Mumbai to Bhaktivedanta Hospital. He seldom spoke during these journeys, for he would be exhausted after his treatment at the clinic.
On one ride something interesting happened. He was nonchalantly fingering the vehicle’s cassette player and accidently pressed the play button. And guess what? Emerging from the silence, Radhanath Swami’s voice filled the car: the player had Radhanath Swami’s lecture tape in it.
He let it play. After a while, as we soared through the highway, Radhanath Swami reclined on his seat and apparently fell asleep. The mesmerizing lecture played on, every word of it surcharged with the power of devotion. Whenever it sparkled with wit, I peeked from the corner of my eye. And each time I saw Radhanath Swami smile. His eyes were shut, but he was awake and listening.
At the end of the two hour ride, the car halted at the entrance of Bhaktivedanta Hospital. A small group had gathered there to welcome Radhanath Swami and many stood with garlands in their hands. Radhanath Swami opened his eyes, saw them waiting, and closed his eyes again. The lecture played on. Outside the car, people exchanged confused glances. Why was Radhanath Swami not coming out?
Time ticked slowly. After ten minutes the lecture ended. Radhanath Swami opened his eyes. He sat straight. As he opened the car door, turning to me he said, “Good class! Wasn’t it?”
Something I had read about the sage Kardama in the Vedic text Srimad Bhagavatam sprang to my mind.
Kardama Muni, being a saintly person, was living in a humble hermitage, but when he saw the palace constructed by his yogic powers… he himself was astonished. That is the way of a God-gifted person. … When a yogi’s power is exhibited, the yogi himself is sometimes astonished.
I had just witnessed a Bhakti Yogi being astonished by the exhibition of his own power of Bhakti.
– Prakash Nanjudiah
150 replies on “An Exhilarating Moment With Radhanath Swami”
A bhakti yogi is as simple as Radhanath Swami & is empowered by the Lord to do wonders.
Completely absorbed in one action, hearing the lecture. Radhanath Swami is helping everyone to understand the importance of hearing lectures, Krishna katha.
Radhanath Swami always gives credit to His spiritual master and Krishna for what ever He had done. The comparison of Radhanath swami listening to his own lecture in the tape with Kardma Muni creating a great palace is really nice one.
Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful incident.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful realization! All glories to Radhanath Swami.
The mood of Radhanath Swami is always a learning experience, in this case he is showing no matter what the circumstance when one is hearing a spiritual lecture the absorption must be total.
Radhanath Swami’s character and teachings perfectly exhibit that of a true yogi
Very unbiased view of his own class by Radhanath Swami :-).
Classic example of his common teaching that we are not the doer and Krishna ,Krishna’s name and past time are non different.
Radhanath Swami inspires everyone by his example…!!
Maharaj is a true yogi and never take any credit for himself but always glorifies his spiritual Master.This is a Pramapara and teachings of chaitanya mahaprabhu.
This is exactly like how his Guru Maharaj A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada used to listen intently when his books were being read because he used to say that it is KJrishna Himself who is writing the books and he was just an instrument.
A pure devotees every action teaches others. Every moment a pure devotee is thinking about Krishna. whether in pain or in pleasure.
Radhanath Swami showed by example what is true attraction to krishnakatha. To hear his own class with such deep absorption – Amazing
It is said that when a self – realized person speaks, th Lord speaks through him. This is evident from this experience with Radhanath Swami.
nice event. liked it.
Maharaj is teaching through his examples that if we are humble then we never see I am the doer but Lord is the doer and I am only the instrument
A pure devotee is always immersed in krishna katha only on a few occassions we are able to witness this.
radhanath swami is atrue emblem of a bhakti yogi
The Form,Activities and Past times of the LOrd Krishna are Absolute and if the sound vibrations are from the Pure Devotee, these are always fresh and nectarian to hear. Even when Maharajah was listening to his own lecture, he relished it.
I am amzed by the ability of Radhanath Swami to be absorbed in the topics related to Krishna .He relishes it every time .THis is what i must achieve over the years .Please bless me .
this is another aspect of humility. Thanks Swami ji for teaching by your own example.
A true and a genuine saint…Radhanath Swami
thank u for sharing
Thanks for sharing this. It also gives me idea how much we should be careful & attentive in Radhanath Swami Maharaj classes.
Thanks for sharing. Radhanath swami’s lectures are actually mesmerizing and deep. I found his lectures and more abt him on:
http://www.radhanathmaharaj.net/
http://www.radhanath.com/
http://www.radhanath-swami.net/
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful experience.
thank you very much for sharing your experience with HHRadhanath Swmai maharaj
A true saint is always absorbed in Krishna katha
Wonderful article! It explicitly conveys that the Lord Himself speaks through His pure devotees
amazing!!
Thank you for sharing, Haribol!!!
All we can say its So Amazing!
Thank you for sharing your this pastime and the associated realisation!
Just so child like innocence..completely free from any kind of artificiality..thank you for sharing this.
Thank You for Sharing
incomprehensible!!!…..we can only sit back in wonder.
Wonderful narration. Thank you very much for sharing. I am remebering simiar incident: I heard long back that when Srila Prabhupad reading his won literature, one of his deciple asked why he is reading his won books, then Prabhupad replied that those literature was return by Krishna using him as an instument, and he wants to relish that. This incident reveals that Radhanath Swami is reprasentative of Srila Prabhupad.
jaiiii… hari bol.. A good passtime. HH Radhanath Maharaj ki jai
Very Sweet article. Thank You Radhanath Swami:)
There is no doubt that Radhanath Swami is a great Yogi. Every moment with Radhaanth Swami is a learning experience. Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience with Radhanath Swami.
Beautiful. I love this site because it brings us all so close to him and enriching us by telling us such intimate stories.
His Holiness Radhanath Swami is an instrument of Lord. Thats why he is in awe of a display of Lord’s powers albeit through his medium. He is a perfectly God conscious person for he never fails to remember his position as an instrument of Lord. This is humility – to know your true position.
dood passtime,thnx
wow! thank you for sharing that!
Radhanath Swami’s lectures are very captivating & carries a deep spiritual realization within. No wonder he was also overawed by his own lecture!! 🙂
thanks for sharing the wonderful incident
Thanx for sharing such wonderful and overwhelming experience with Maharaj.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with a nice example. Due to his immense love for the Supreme Lord, the nectarean words flowing from his mouth possess the potency to attract the entire world including himself.
HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki Jai!
THis is a beautiful narration. Thank you so much for sharing..
Haribol, this was a very sweet passtime. Would love to read more. Plz keep them coming.