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Compassion

For Radhanath Swami, People are above Projects

When the clock struck nine, my duties at school called me—but I ignored. Held captive by Radhanath Swami’s oratory, I couldn’t move from where I sat. As the audience that numbered in thousands drank- in every word he spoke, Radhanath Swami launched into a call for revolution. With a voice pitched high in compassion, he declared, “We must perform our duty selflessly, as a sacrifice, in divine consciousness and in devotion to God for the betterment of humanity.” Hearing that, my conscience whispered, “Continuing to hear this class, despite the call for a sacred duty; isn’t that selfish?” Yes, perhaps it was. I quietly walked out of the lecture hall to attend to my duties.

I worked as a construction engineer for the upcoming school building of the Gopal’s Garden High School. Housed in rented apartments for years, the school was now shifting to this new structure. Being a project inspired by Radhanath Swami, the school aimed to provide quality education with utmost focus on building the character of its students; and that made every service connected to this project sacred—including mine.

The students eagerly awaited the completion of the structure, and so did Radhanath Swami. Construction went full speed, demanding my presence on the site from early morning to late night. I worked even on weekends. Every morning I visited Radhagopinath temple, but came to the site much before the morning class at the temple even began.  On weekends however, since Radhanath Swami gave the morning class, I yearned to attend it. But midway through the discourse, guilt of insincerity would push me out of the lecture hall.

One day Radhanath Swami visited our site. Flanked by trustees of the project, he surveyed the building. Towards the end—to everyone’s surprise, including mine—he broke out of the elites and walked towards me. Did he know me?

“So, do you work here?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Do you work on weekends too?”

“Yes, I have to.”

“You will have to come here early everyday, except on weekends when I give classes.”

I felt a tingle climb up my spine. How did he know my heart?!!! I was just one amongst thousands that attended his classes, and yet he knew of the ambivalence I was thrown into every weekend.

Apart from the mysticism that hovers about this episode, I was deeply touched by the humaneness of Radhanath Swami’s personality. For him, people are way above projects. Our project was on a deadline, but he ignored it to make my weekends happy.

–Siddeshwar Bhat

 

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188 replies on “For Radhanath Swami, People are above Projects”

What a beautiful story! It shows how a bonafide guru like Radhanath Swami understands the heart of the disciple.

this is a very important statement to put people above project.. amazing. modern industry needs this a lot!

Simply amazing. Heartfelt feelings aroused in me when Radhanath Swami Maharaj clarified your doubt. Thank you for sharing.

“For HH Radhanath Swami maharaj, people are above projects”…there is no doubt about it!

a very inspiring story,any sincere service to the Lord and his devotees never go unrewarded.

All glories to Guru Maharaji. H.H.Radhanath Swamiji knows the heart of all his disciple.JAI.

Because HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj always places people above projects, he has a special place in many people’s heart.

Radhanath swami’s this quality of keeping people first and projects 2nd is what has led to development of such a wonderful community of sincere and enthusiastic devotees

Radhanath swami, being a pure soul knows very well what is there in our heart and our intention.. Thank you for sharing one more experience to make my faith stronger.

what a lesson . just one sentence has taught me a a very important lesson in life.. humans are more important than project.. thanks siddheshwar for sharing this…

Nice example of showing Maharaj mercy on his disciple and care that he takes for his disciples.

All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj

How Maharaj thinks of everybody is not just difficult but an issue incomprehensible to all. That’s the true characteristic of a leader, who despite all the worldly concerns keeps people first.

Hare Krishna.

All Glories to Srila Radhanath Swami !
Its simply another revelation how a pure devotee knows the heart of other living entities & fulfills desires! Vancha kalpa taru…!
Hare Krishna !

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of how Radhanath swami understands his disciples heart.

Inspiring, Maharaj takes our heart with every single act he does truely inspiring.

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