Going out for Lunch with Radhanath Swami
By It So Happened on November 16, 2010 | Category: Gratitude | Tags: paraphernalia, pilgrims, Radha Gokulanand Temple, Radhanath Swami, Vrindavan | 128 CommentsIt was 22 November 2004, Vrindavan, India. The Fogla Ashram Guesthouse, where I stayed, had swarmed with Radhanath Swami’s followers for the past two weeks. Now the pilgrimage was over and only Radhanath Swami and his personal entourage—Nityananda, Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Vasudev and I—stayed back. Radhanath Swami was now recovering from his extreme exhaustion; being the pilgrimage guide for four thousand, he had been over-stretching himself.
As noon approached, Radhanath Swami drove off to Radha Gokulanand Temple along with Nityananda and Sri Krishna Chaitanya, for lunch. It was in response to a loving invitation from the head-priest Nitai Prabhu, who knew Radhanath Swami since the early 70s when Radhanath Swami had first visited Vrindavan. Nityananda, the acting secretary of Radhanath Swami, had earlier asked Vasudev and me if we too wanted to join in for the lunch. But since Radhanath Swami hadn’t asked us personally, we weren’t sure and had declined.
Back at the guesthouse, our stomachs rumbled. For the past two weeks, piping hot Prasad, sanctified food, was cooked and served right here in the guesthouse complex for the pilgrims. But now we had to search for a food booth in the scorching sun. Monkeys that squatted on the compound walls seemed to share our melancholy; they too hadn’t been out for a while: sneaking into the makeshift kitchen that was erected in the complex, they had been getting plenty.
As we prepared to walk out, the car that had taken Radhanath Swami returned. The driver informed that halfway to the temple when Radhanath Swami realized our absence, perhaps when he turned back to look at the passengers sitting in the rear, he halted the car. He then sent the car to pick us up and decided that he would walk the rest of the way—under the sun that now beat down on Vrindavan.
We reached the temple on time to have lunch with Radhanath Swami and the others. Later, when the head priest Nitai Prabhu came to the door to see us off, he handed a parting gift to Radhanath Swami, some remnant paraphernalia of the Lord, something inexpensive by worldly standards. Spontaneously, Radhanath Swami braced it to his chest in joy and gratitude. At this, Nitai Prabhu remarked to Radhanath Swami, “This goes to show the devotion that overflows in you. Most influential men who come here hand over such gifts to their secretary—instantly—perhaps never to have a second look.”
–Damodar Dulal.
dr yuvaraj bhosale
thanks radhanath swami
Pawan Sabharwal
An example of genuine care and attention …
nitin
Such a nice way of reciprocation of receiving Gifts and also reciprocating with devotees and taking pain for himself. Radhanath Swami leaves by the principle he preaches of humility and gratitude.
Rasaraj das
The perfect master..
Ravi
There is lot to learn from personal behaviour of Radhanath Swami…….very exemplary behaviour…..
shoba
Very heart touching incident.
Vinay Malani
Radhanath Swami’s love & concern for his disciples is very deep. Also, his genuine warmth & affection for other Vaishnavas triggers spontaneous loving reciprocation from them.
kisori dalal
your actions speak what is in your heart
rohit
Amazing.!
SONALI SHIVHARE NAMIRANIAN
Wow!!
anand
such inspiring story. Thank you maharaj!
Srivatsan
Radhanath swami fully reciprocates with everyone.
Shra1wiz
This happened in Jagannath Puri also right. Radhanath Swami walked in the hot sun only to leave the car for this guests. His humility is reminding me so very much of Srila Sanatana Goswami!
nawal sood
thank you very much for sharing
rajendra desai
with every such example our service towards guru & gauranga should increase
Naveen
All glories to Radhanath Swami
Vinay Rachh
Radhanath swami is an amazing personality.
Priyanka
Thank You Radhanath Swami!
Pradeep Kumar
Such humility and taking care nature of Radhanath swami have won the hearts of million. Thanks for sharing this.
sharda gokarn
Heart touching article. Thanx for sharing
T.Sita Ramaiah
Thank you very much for sharing this. Every incident with H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj being shared shows the devotion of Maharaj and his concern for the devotees.
srikanth
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai
bhakti karia
HHRM is a very humble spiritual soul, haribol, bhakti
rajesh karia
HHRNSM is always caring for his devotees and their comfort, Maharaj ki Jai! rajesh karia
Vidya Patham
Thank you for sharing these very personal and instructive experiences you had with Radhanath Swami.
Yogita Jagannathan
Radhanath Swami si so concerned about each and every one of his disciples. Even though he has thousands of disciples, he never fails to pay attention to everyone.
Manoj Chawla
Its so amazing that within the same incident Radhanath Swami shows how he was deeply concerned for his disciples and at the same time he shows how grateful he is when accepting spiritual gifts from his friends and well wishers.
Vishal Kaushal
Radhanath Swami not only speaks of pure devotion but we can see in so many instances like this that how his own heart is full of devotion.
Arjun K Ramachandra
Very touching incident! Radhanath Swami never assumes the role of a boss, he is always in the mood of a servant even of his disciples.
Siddharth
All glories to Radhanath Swami
vani
Your care & concern for others touches everyone’s heart,Maharaj.
madhura
Thanak you for sharing this wonderful experience with Maharaj.
Srinivas Acharya Das
All glories to His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Manasa
Thank you very much for sharing
Sagar Wadekar
JAI.. Maharaj is so caring for people around.. thanks a lot for sharing..
Nausheel Unnadkat
Radhanath Swami shows us how to have genuine love, gratitude, humility and affection, with the basis that we are servants of God. So whatever we receive is the causeless mercy of the Lord.
dryuvaraj
Radhaanth swami honours the lords paraphelia in the same respect as he has for the Lord
Anup Shah
Radhanath Swami cares a lot for everybody! Thankyou for posting!
Nilesh
Thank you very much Prabhuji for teaching a valuable lesson by expressing this passtime of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja
Balaji
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with Radhanath Swami.
ankur sharma
maharaqj is very sensitive and conscious of others.
Phani
Thank you for sharing the glories of HH Radhanath Swami.
sunil
HH RNS Maharaj is very concerened of others and appreciates even a small thing with so much of love and devotion. HH RNS maharaj ki jai
Sheetal Maheshwari
Radhanath Swami’s love & concern for each one around him far supercedes his personal comfort and schedules.
Ram Mohan
Radhanath Swami Maharj is so loving and caring… He truly worships everything connected to Krishna.
Dhananjay
Very nice.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai
suresh
Hare Krishna. Thank you for sharing
Das
Wonderful pasttime. Jai !!
umesh sarda
Radhanath Swami Maharaj has such a deep concern for all the people and shows by example how to respect spiritual objects.
Jagdish Majethiya
Very Inspiring – Thanks a lot Prabhuji for sharing the nectar.