One night in Mumbai, I got a call from Radhanath Swami. He was amidst his North American book tour, to promote the US trade release of his autobiography The Journey Home. Visiting most major cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Dallas, Houston, and Vancouver, he also gave media interviews for radio, television, newspapers and magazines.
Sitting thousands of miles away, I felt excited about the whole affair. I asked him how he felt. “How’s it going Maharaj?” (Admirers often address Radhanath Swami as Radhanath Maharaj)
After a brief silence, I could hear his soft voice, “You know Jagannath Kirtan… do you remember the photo of the cave I lived in Rishikesh, while on my spiritual journey?”
I had worked on the design and layout of his autobiography The Journey Home. I remembered that photo distinctly.
“One side of me wants to go and hide in that cave right now,” said Radhanath Swami.
I felt special. I had heard his heart speak.
It wasn’t for popularity or self-aggrandizement that he was on a book tour. But that was the price he had to pay to reach more people with the wisdom he had gained through his travels.
He shares in his autobiography the reason he wrote the book. It was upon the request of a life-long friend who was on his death bed:
Nobody knew me better that Bhakti Tirtha Swami. He knew the details of my quest and also my hesitation to write about them. One day he clasped my hand, gazed into my eyes and said, “This is not your story. It is a tale about how God led a young boy onto an amazing journey to seek the inner secrets that lie within all of us. Don’t be miserly. Share what has been given to you.” His voice choked up and a tear streaked down his ebony cheek. “Promise me,” he said, “here on my deathbed, that you will write the story.” A few days later, on June 27, 2005, he passed from this world. This book is my attempt to honor his wish.
—Jagannath Kirtan
55 replies on “A telephonic conversation with Radhanath Swami”
We are extremely fortunate to be blessed by the association of a humble soul like Maharaj…He is inspiring us not only by his words but also by his examples. By reading your book only thousands have become devotee Maharaj. Thanks for writing the book!!
Amazing friendship!
Radhanath Swami is humility personified. He gets so much admiration from his followers, but he is always humble.
Subtlity keeps growing even in sacrifices—It wasn’t for popularity or self-aggrandizement that he was on a book tour. But that was the price he had to pay to reach more people with the wisdom he had gained through his travels.
Radhanath Swami is an epitome of humility and sacrifice. He sacrifices his time, health and life to give Krishna Consciousness to people all over the world. Thank you so much Maharaj!
Anyone who knows Radhanath Swami will agree that he is a Humility personified !!
From this incident it’s quite clear that Radhanath Swami is really genuine and doing so much hardwork just for othre’s benifit. Thanks for sharing.
Materialistic people run after fame & popularity, Swamiji is so humble that he doesn’t want any fame & instead prefer to stay in a cave……his behaviour is very ideal for everyone to follow……
fortunate soul!!
One should be fortunate to follow the footsteps of Maharaji.
Thanks to Jagannath kirtan pr to share this experience with Radhanath Maharaj. This brings out how humble Radhanathe maharaj is and also tells us the real purpose he wrote his autobiography- not for popularity but to reach more and more people.
Radhanath swami is so humble and caring. It is the greatest opulence to be able to hear his classed and learn from them.
Thank you very much for sharing this.
lot to learn from maharaj. he never wants any glorification or appreciation. he is always in mood of servant of servant
Heart touching! So much to learn
True saints like Radhanath Swami never desire to become popular and have many followers.
Radhanath Swami is truly a highly saintly person who is inward looking rather than seeking external happiness
hari bol….very nice article
going to the roots!!!
Radhanath swami’s teachings make us settled even in turbulent conditions..
Radhanath Swami is humility personified
One who xxxxxxxxx, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, xxxxxxxxx, who doesn’t care for any residence, (Bhgvadgita 12.18,19)
This is what is nature of Radhanath Swami
Thank u so much for sharing..Haribol!!!
thank u so much swamiji , i m very grateful to u
Radhanath Swami’s real nature is to keep himself away from fame, glory, prestige. It is only the desire to please his dear friend, he undertakes such a austerity
no words, Truly exalted person.
wonderful insites not to b seen by common people. Thank u swamiji for yr valuable time
very heart touching story of radhanath swami.
Great Souls live for others.
Truly Maharaj’s humility and desire to constantly distance himself from profit, pride, adoration, distinction and fame are awe inspiring.
There are lot of things to be learned from Radhanath Swami. Thank you very much for sharing the same.
Radhanath swami’s humility is like a jewel which attracts everyone.
We are so fortunate to witness the product of friendship of two great saints.
Because Radhanath Swami Maharaja is so humble and simple that’s why so many people respect and honor him genuinely.
We can learn about friendships from H.H Radhanath Swami
– Sandeep Kamat.
Amazing experience….thanks for sharing
It is a divine arrangement through HH.Bhakti Tirtha Swami that we could hear and understand THE QUEST OF A sincere seeker of spiritual life or truth.Otherwise we would have remained unknown to the so many stories which our beloved Spiritual Master underwent which will help us remain determined in our spiritual practice.Thanks lot for sharing with us.
amazing realisation , only a swami can speak like this . All glories to u swamiji
wonderful , Radhanath Mahraj’s true humility , how he is teaching us ,so amazing, he walks his talk
Amazing! All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
HH Radhanath Swami ki jai..
Thanks for sharing this special, heartfelt exchange with Swamiji…
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story revealing the humble nature of Radhanath swami.
This article proves why Radhanath Swami Maharaja is a great soul !!
Humility is a really divine virtue common to great souls.
Wonderful, very inspiring experience.
Thank you so much for sharing.
All Glories to HH Radhanath swami maharaj
thnak you for sharing this secret behind the book
We are so lucky to have the good fortune to be associated with Radhanath Swami who has dedicated his entire life to preaching without consideration for his own comforts or health. That is the quality of pure souls!
This narration of Radhanath Swami’s reminds one of the sacrifice of Bharat in Ramayana. He wants to give the message of God to everyone, especially in the western world, but is not attached, or even want, the accompanying fame of a great author.
Thanks for sharing. Very inspiring .