Few days before the launch of the ‘journey Home’, devotees and well-wishers from all over the world were excited. Resident monks and members of the ashram in Mumbai, where Radhanath Swami was staying during this period, were particularly keen that he speaks from his book in his usual weekly classes. However in none of the programmes that were building up for the book launch did Radhanath Swami mention about ‘Journey Home’. As we were intrigued by his silence on the book, we also got desperate to hear him speak some stories from his autobiography. During this period, one evening Radhanath Swami was scheduled to address over two thousand youth at a spiritual festival. A few of us decided to meet Radhanath Swami before his lecture and request him to speak from his book. He patiently heard our appeals, but said he feels shy to speak about himself. We insisted this would be a great source of inspiration and joy for all the assembled guests and devotees. Taking pity on us, Radhanath Swami reluctantly agreed to speak a little bit, provided some participants asked questions indirectly referring to the book. He insisted he wouldn’t on his own take the initiative to speak from ‘Journey Home’.
As the lecture began the hall was pregnant with anticipation of stories; none however came out. Finally, the master of ceremonies, Gauranga dasa asked the two thousand plus audience if they would all like to hear from ‘Journey Home’. As the crowd roared in unison, expectations rose. However Radhanath Swami continued to enthral the audience with his discourse, without speaking anything from his autobiography. Finally Gaur Gopal dasa and I decided upon a trick; we selected fifteen students from the crowd and fixed questions indirectly referring to incidents from the book. Soon the boys fired questions on ‘Naga Babas’, ‘Mother Ganges’, and myriad gurus. With each question the hall reverberated with laughter as it was now obvious to all that Radhanath Swami was being cornered and forced to speak on ‘journey Home’. However in all humility and with a straight face Radhanath Swami replied on the merit of each question, without once referring to the book. Although the class was ecstatic as usual, a few of us were simultaneously disappointed that he hadn’t spoken any story from his autobiography.
Later at night, after the programme, Radhanath Swami came to the ashram and relaxed; many monks including myself gathered excitedly around him. He then began to narrate in graphic detail the various stories and events related to ‘Journey Home’. He also profusely apologized to the devotees that he hadn’t spoken from the book during the class. “I am sorry”, said Radhanath Swami, “I feel very shy to speak about myself and my book. You tried your best, but I refused. I am really sorry.”
It’s amazing that Radhanath Swami hadn’t spoken most of these stories for all these forty plus years. And if ‘Journey Home’ hadn’t been out, the world would have forever been bereft of his realizations. He went through a plethora of strong spiritual impressions and unforgettable experiences as he came to India searching for God. And only because his friend, Bhakti Tirtha Swami insisted and took a promise from him, Radhanath Swami has finally told the story to the world.
Having known Radhanath Swami and observed him closely, I am convinced that his present tour for the ‘Journey Home’ book launch is with reluctance. He wants to share his story because he is convinced that’s not his story but the story of God’s grace. This is also an exhibition of his magnanimous heart; he wants to selflessly share the wealth of his heart with the whole world. Personally he remains ever humble and shy.
This is a genuine quality of a spiritual seeker. He is naturally humble and shy to speak about himself; he is always enthusiastic and keen to glorify God and other devotees. That’s Radhanath Swami for you- reluctant to share his story but enthusiastic to glorify and appreciate others.
–Vraj Vihari
121 replies on “Radhanath Swami—an Embodiment of Shyness”
Thankyou for sharing!
Its wonderful how such a world-renowned, successful preacher can still maintain his innate, natural qualities of simplicity and humility. That is the uniqueness of Radhanath Swami.
gr8 pastime
thank you very much for sharing
very sweet
Humility is one of Radhanath Swami’s most attractive qualities—he just doesn’t have any value for himself, even though everyone around him think he is invaluable.
thank you for the post
Thank you very much for sharing this. H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a symbol of humility. He only wants to give God’s love.
Radhanath Swami’s each and every act teaches something. Even when he is silent, that is also full of meaning. Thank you for sharing this.
The scriptures say, to understand the heart a great soul isn’t easy, for it is too deep.
Thank you very much for posting..
Thank you sharing such a wonderful experience about the great monk Radhanath swami maharaj
Radhanath Maharaj is very Humble. Thank you very much for posting.
We have heard and seen interviews of so many persons their story gets splashed all over the news because the have made it big according to the general perception of evaluation through wealth, fame, power etc. Radhanath Swamis story of rags to riches is not about that sort of accumulation it is about a pure soul and his service to the Lord and that too without an iota of pride.
thats the nature of radhanath swami. he will never ever take credits for anything in his life. at the same time he is so simple that he can share something personal even with a newcomer.
Humility is that glittering jewel that decorates this very personification of selfless love of God called Radhanath Swami
Great souls like Radhanath swami give their whole life for others without expecting even any glory in return. Such is their humility.
Someone has rightly said this about Radhanath swami’……. ”Radhanath Swami is determined to be humble. ”
Our sincere & heartfelt thanks to HH Srila Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaj for inspiring Radhanath Swami to share his experiences & realisations with everyone…….
Humility is one of the most important jewel of the devotee of the Lord. Radhanath Swami is personification of this quality.
Radhanath Swami always teaches about humilty and here we see that he even practices it in his life as if it is his second nature. Radhanath Swami walks his talk.
In fact for someone so humble it is an austerity to reveal to everyone his inner most realizations.
This behavior of Radhanath Swami brings out his quality of compassion where he goes into personal inconvenience (like embarrassment)just for the sake of others.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful account of Radhanath Swami’s shyness.
For a person to be sober and reluctant to bask in the glories of his accomplishments after getting rave reviews on having produced such a brilliant piece of spiritual literature, points to but one thing- he is practicing his most cherished quality of humility. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
A very nice article.Radhanath Swami always like to glorify God and other devotess.The most apreciative quality of a person seeking spiritual life and giving valuable guidence to others.Thanks for sharing.
It is said when you adore a person you somehow secretly want to imbibe some of his qualities. Similarly, Radhanath Swami is simply adored by thousands of his followers and one of his qualities which we are all seeking to learn and imbibe is his most wonderful quality of Humility
Because of the request of HH Bhakti Thirta Maharaj, world came to know about the rich realizations that Radhanath Swami was storing in his heart
Radhanath Maharaj did not give in inspite of repeated attempts. Thank you for the posting.
Very nice and inspiring to see the real mood of humility and shyness exhibited.
In all lectures of Radhanath Swami he talks about Humility and it leaves a great impect on the mind of the listner becouse he lives by this principle.
This book “Journey Home ” is the courtsy and blessing of his god brother to the society.
Really if this book would not have come we would have never known with whom we are associating, Radhanath Swami indeed is from a different world and came only to call us there.
‘Not expecting respect for oneself and always giving respect to others…’ this is the quality of humility and Radhanath Swami is personification of humility.
this is an eaxmple of guru mahraj’s humility. thank you for sharing.
HHRM is a strong pillar of humility and patience, very wonderful experience and thanks for sharing with all of us, haribol, bhakti
Maharaj is the most humblest of human beings that we may ever come across, hari hari, rajesh karia
Thank you for sharing it, it has really increased my respect and appreciation for Radhanath Swami
The story reveals the genuine humility expressed by Radhanath Swami when it comes to his own glorification & for others he glorifies them as if he has thousand mouths.
It’s really so amazing.. not to advertise oneself even if others want it. Radhanath Swami is truly humble and shy.
Truely a wonderful narration of humble qualities of Radhanath Swami. The natural qualities of humility and shyness to talk about himself make Radhanath Swami a spiritual leader of the likes of Prahlad Maharaj and great saint of all times, Narada Muni, who always glorify the Lord and never talk about themselves.
Its only the mercy of the Lord that Radhanath Swami wrote his incredible autobiography. Otherwise our lives would not have been what they are today!
Thank yoou for sharing
This is really amazing and ture quality of a saint
Wonderful articles.
This article shows how Maharajah is genuinely humble and very unwilling to accept any glorification for himself.
Its a great fortune that Radhanath Swami shares his life experience with us, inspite of his very humble nature.
Thank you for sharing this. Radhanath Swami has written in such a detailed manner about various incidents in this life, that one feels as though that incident is happening once again.
Maharaj defines humility… I sometimes wonder what we all would have missed in life if The Journey Home Book was not written by Maharaj…
Radhanath Swami is very humble
Thank you for sharing.