Radhanath Swami, The Himalayan Ascetic

Radhanath Swami, The Himalayan Ascetic

Radhanath Swami, The Himalayan Ascetic

As I emerged out of the haven, my blanket, into the frigid dawn, my thoughts rushed to management. Those thoughts occupied my mind during the day, and sometimes even during the night: I was the manager on this pilgrimage to the Himalayan town of Hrishikesh, and the facilities were inadequate by Mumbai standards. The guesthouse in which we stayed didn’t even provide electric-geysers in their bathrooms. A man living some distance away made-up by providing steaming water in steel buckets for small donations. So first thing in the morning,

I had to arrange for hot water from him, for some fellow pilgrims—a few medicos and Radhanath Swami—who preferred an early morning bath. Since Radhanath Swami woke up earlier than the rest, I had failed to provide him with hot water so far during the pilgrimage. So today, I was up early, at three o’ clock, perhaps before him. I hurriedly fetched a bucket of hot water from our geyser-man, only to find Radhanath Swami in fresh clothes, after his cold-water bath.

Many such incidents made me distraught with guilt for not providing sufficient facilities for Radhanath Swami. Towards the end of the pilgrimage I approached him and apologized for all inconveniences. He consoled me by telling that I had tried my best. Then, as he stood in the guesthouse lawns with the Himalayas providing for a backdrop, in the spirit of a true Himalayan ascetic, he added, “My life is meant for inconveniences.”

At the time I failed to understand the full import of that statement. But in the last twenty five years I have observed how Radhanath Swami, living with that understanding of a selfless ascetic, never fears to take on inconveniences, one after another—exclusively for the benefit of society

Dr. Ajay Sankhe.

Pediatric Consultant, Bhaktivedanta Hospital.

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44 Responses to “Radhanath Swami, The Himalayan Ascetic”

  1. June 4, 2010 at 8:13 am
    Ved Prakash

    This is really touching – accepting inconveniences for self is easy but for others is difficult.

  2. June 14, 2010 at 6:43 pm
    Nalini Matu

    Radhanath Swamis strength is that he is conscious ALL the time – whatever he does, says is so genuine as it comes from his pure heart. In his world there is no place for duality. Radhanath Swami ki jay.

  3. June 22, 2010 at 1:16 am
    Nausheel Unnadkat

    The very first time i read Maharaj’s book, was the time i cried in ecstasy. Especially after seing Maharaj’s sincerity, Mother Ganga revealed to him, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, the Yuga Dharma for this age. This gives me more conviction and deepens my relationship i have with my most respected Guru Maharaj, HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. I also frequently visited a website about his information on http://radhanathswami.com. This gives me more insight into Maharaj’s pure devotional service attitude towards his beloved Gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada

  4. June 23, 2010 at 11:35 am
    pal

    Beautiful article.

  5. June 23, 2010 at 11:40 am
    nikhil wadhwa

    Radhanath Swami exemplifies the principles of austerity and toleranace.

    Radhanath Maharaj is on facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Radhanath-Swami/51051167747

  6. June 23, 2010 at 1:39 pm
    Jitendra Chudasama

    This is the true quality of Sadhu (a saintly person). Takes all inconvenience for the benefit of the society.

  7. June 24, 2010 at 4:33 am
    Rashmi

    Thank you Dr. Ajay for giving the defination of selfless ascetic according to Radhanath Swami -”One whose life is meant for inconveniences”, by which he lives till this date!

  8. June 24, 2010 at 4:38 am
    Rashmi

    Thank you Dr. Ajay for the definition of a true selfless ascetic – “One whose life is meant for inconveniences.” given by His Holiness Radhanath swami! Truely he lives by this definition till this date!

  9. June 24, 2010 at 8:22 am
    Jagabandhu

    Journey Home by Radhanath swami will help each and everyone to understand the importance of self realization that brings to the spiritual platform. It seems very difficult to imagine that a young boy traveling thousands of miles to get spiritual enlightenment.

  10. June 24, 2010 at 3:35 pm
    annapurna

    the stories are really touching.

  11. June 24, 2010 at 3:42 pm
    annapurna

    for more real experiences of maharaj please read” http://www.radhanathswami.co.uk

  12. July 6, 2010 at 4:11 am
    nilesh pawar

    he easily thought after sincere surrender life is blissfull

  13. July 11, 2010 at 4:23 pm
    Yogesh Valhe

    HH Radhanath Swami’s life is source of inspiration for so many boy and householders. He has been teaching this principle of tolerating inconveniences by his own example. Very rare to see person’s like HH Radhanath Swami.

  14. July 14, 2010 at 10:22 am
    Vandana

    Thank you for sharing

  15. July 14, 2010 at 11:11 am
    Manoj

    I can’t imagine taking cold water bath….freezing water of Himalayas is next to impossible. Radhanath swami has such high standards that I feel humbled just to know them

  16. July 27, 2010 at 7:12 am
    Swapnil

    This behaviour of HH Radhanath Swami is very touching , on one side he is ready to do tapasya and not become proud of it at all .

  17. July 30, 2010 at 4:57 am
    Veena

    Really very touching article!!

  18. July 30, 2010 at 11:14 am
    Sumit

    A touching story with Radhanath Swami.

  19. August 2, 2010 at 9:37 am
    Gaurav Bhardwaj

    Radhanath Swami is very Humble.
    Thanks for sharing.
    I found more abt Radhanth Swami on
    http://www.radhanath.com/
    http://www.radhanathmaharaj.net/
    http://radhanathswami.blogspot.com/

  20. August 5, 2010 at 6:00 am
    priya aiyar

    Only a selfless soul like HH Radhanath Swami can welcome inconveniences in his life for the welfare of others.

  21. August 10, 2010 at 2:30 am
    Kanchan

    Thank you for sharing!! Haribol!!

  22. August 17, 2010 at 12:33 am
    Paramesvara Dasa

    Radhanath Swami proves that accepting inconvenience in the service of Krishna is pleasing Krishna. He states often that accept inconvenience for one’s own purification and for the pleasure of Krishna.

  23. September 3, 2010 at 10:46 am
    B.J. ARORA

    Radhanath Swami is willing to go through any kind of inconviniences, yet be greatful in all situations.

  24. September 16, 2010 at 7:09 am
    Ab Cd

    This Swami appears to be an interesting person… taking-up many inconveniences for the sake of others.
    If the motivation to do so is GOD, I would say I have never before come across such a GOD conscious person before in my life.
    Kudos to the Swami for setting forth such an exemplary behaviour.

  25. October 10, 2010 at 1:32 pm
    Promote Clickbank Products

    Thank you for this fantastic write-up. It contains wonderful deal of info which I will need. I am bookmark your web site by my next check out.

  26. November 27, 2010 at 4:40 am
    Vinay Rachh

    very inspiring story

  27. December 6, 2010 at 11:17 am
    sagar kumar behera

    This is the attitude of a true saintly person.HH RADHANATH SWAMI, following in the footsteps of the predeccessor Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas is carrying the same spirit.Like once Mrs. Sumati Morarji asked Srila Prabhupada that he was so old & he was planning to go to west to preach the message of Bhagavat Gita. She told that Pranhupada may die there. And HDG A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada replied he would like to die in the battlefield while fighting, if I remember correctly. And that is the true vaisnava spirit.

  28. December 20, 2010 at 8:48 am
    Servant

    A very nice article and an inspiring one for people who really want to take up inconveniences in a positive way. His Holiness Radhanath Maharaj KI JAI

  29. January 11, 2011 at 7:11 am
    rajat

    Very rarely seen the leader of any spiritual or for that matter any other organisation taking so many inconveniences. People at the top tend to take service from and try to take full advantage of their position unless one is a pure devotee like Radhanath Swami.

  30. January 12, 2011 at 6:23 am
    Swapnil Gaonkar

    Radhanath Swamy is ready to take all type of inconveniences for himself. Same time he wants to provide all facilities to other devotees

  31. January 12, 2011 at 6:24 am
    bhakti karia

    very inspiring article, haribol, bhakti

  32. January 12, 2011 at 6:26 am
    rajesh karia

    HHRNSM is so humble and gentle at heart and is always willing to accept in-conveniences, haribol, rajesh karia

  33. January 12, 2011 at 6:30 am
    rajesh karia

    HHRNSM is so humble and gentle at heart and is always willing to accept in-conveniences to himself, haribol, rajesh karia

  34. January 13, 2011 at 8:23 am
    Siddharth

    As the auhor has correctly pointed out, Radhanath Swami`s truly is full of selfless service & exemplary teachings for one and all…Thank you for such a nice post

  35. March 1, 2011 at 10:04 am
    Gurrappanaidu

    “My life is meant for inconveniences.”….
    Very inspiring statement.

    Thank you so much prabhu for sharing wonderful nectar.

  36. April 11, 2011 at 3:50 am
    Karthik

    Thank you for Sharing. Very nice.

  37. April 14, 2011 at 12:32 am
    Utkarsh

    Radhanath Swami is completely sold out to the service of his Guru & Krishna. Thanks for sharing this beautiful article.

  38. May 2, 2011 at 12:07 pm
    Sunny

    selfless compassionate nature of great souls very difficult to comprehend…
    who else but the likes of Radhanath Swami can say “My life is meant for inconveniences”…

  39. July 23, 2011 at 10:23 am
    Chandrika

    I sincerely thank you for sharing this beacutiful incident.

  40. November 13, 2011 at 5:59 pm
    surekha

    Radhanath swami is taking so many inconveniences for providing the spirtual life for many people in this world. Thank you for sharing this wonderful incident.

  41. February 11, 2012 at 4:37 am
    Jagannath Dham Das

    Radhanath Swami teaches by his own example the principles he preaches so that we all can become sincere in serving GOD & His devotees, especially the principle of humility,tolerance,gratitude,etc!
    Thanks for sharing it !
    Hare Krishna !

  42. February 16, 2012 at 10:52 pm
    rekha

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and your personal experience observing Radhanath swami from last twenty five years.

  43. May 15, 2012 at 1:58 am
    riya

    everybody thinks only of pleasure in life but Radhanath Swami so easily accepts that his life is meant for inconviniences, that makes him stand apart

  44. May 17, 2012 at 5:30 pm
    Pranjal Dixit

    Love for Krishna is so prominent in Maharaj’s heart that any inconvenience just fails to stop him from serving.

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