Three weeks after I had joined the monastery in Mumbai, our group leader arranged a meeting of the newly joined monks with Radhanath Swami. We were over a dozen new members and were enthusiastic to serve. We had often heard Radhanath Swami emphasize that humility is most pleasing to God, and we should always render humble menial service. As the meeting progressed, Radhanath Swami enquired from us the nature of our services and the realizations that we had gathered over the past few weeks. One young monk enthusiastically spoke about his service to Radhanath Swami, “You’d be pleased to know that I am cleaning toilets daily for over two hours.” Radhanath Swami had in the past spoken at length about the humble services of Mother Teresa and St Francis, besides many other Vaishnava saints. The young monk obviously thought Radhanath Swami would be impressed by such services. However Radhanath Swami maintained a grave composure and shook us by the depth of his understanding. “One can even be proud of cleaning toilets”, said Radhanath Swami, “humility is not determined simply by the services we render but in what consciousness we perform them.” Later he also spoke on how one can get ‘proud’ of his humility. “This can happen”, said Radhanath Swami, “if we think that I am rendering the most menial service and therefore I am better than others.”
Radhanath Swami’s understanding of humility is profound. He is never impressed by the externals of spiritual life. Radhanath Swami holds humility as a sacred expression of the offering of our heart; it’s not simply a formality or a ritual. For Radhanath Swami, humility is the essence of bhakti; it’s also the substance he’s made of. I am grateful to the Lord that I often get to hear his classes, and thereby get a glimpse of his wonderful, devotional heart.
— Vraj Vihari
158 replies on “Being ‘Proud’ of Our Humility”
Very inspiring story of Radhanath Swami where he has define the real meaning of humility.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj is humility personified!
Thank you for sharing the wonderful experience
Thank you prabhuji with enlightening words of Maharaj on humility this cleared my vision. Haribol!!
Thank you so much for reminding us by this wonderful incident.
Radhanath Swami is one of the most humble persons i ever met. He also gives inspirational lectures about humility. His day to day activities also teaches us a lot as they as lessons themselves
Really very inspiring. Radhanath Swami, so much in depth understands the nature of person’s heart.
Thankyou Prabhuji for sharing such a beautiful incident about our beloved Guru – Radhanath Swami
Very True Prabhuji. We all are much mcuh grateful to Lord for giving us the opportunity to hear from Radhanath Swami. We are very fortunate to receive such deep understandings of these great qualities from Radhanath Swami, who himself genuinely practices before preaching.
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Haribol, The Understanding of Maharaj is simply amazing.
Hare Krishna.
Practice before preaching is the principle. Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai.
So true, but so hard to live .
“humility is not determined simply by the services we render but in what consciousness we perform them.”
Please Maharajah bless us so we can learn to live it in our lives.
Radhanath Swami goes to the root
Radhanath Swami has a truly indepth understanding of humility
Hari Hari
Radhanath swami’s lessons are really life changing
A true saint like Radhanath Swami can see through you & know your heart.
This is so subtle & true….thank you
Radhanath Swami looks at genuine service attitude, not someone who speaks about his services.
Amazing topic!
Radhanath Swami always stresses on genuine humility and this he teaches the best through his personal example.
Thank you vraj Vihari ji for sharing this wonderful interaction with swami ji. this helps us to stay on track or come back to track if got deviated.
Very profound. Thank you very much for sharing this.
This is a very instructive episode! Radhanath Swami has brought out the subtleness of being proud in doing even menial service.
Amazing!
Radhanath Swami’s humilty is truly exemplary for everyone to follow………..
True humility
Radhanath Maharaji is humility personified. Thank you for sharing.
Radhanath Maharaj is humility personified. Thank you for sharing.
wow, humility, what way explained by maharaj! simply superb!
“… it’s (humility is) also the substance he’s made of…”. This is a realisation shared by all those who come in contact with Radhanath Swami.
Radhanath Swami is himself showing humility quality .
“One can even be proud of cleaning toilets” – too good :))) very true also!
Thank you very much for sharing this.
Radhanath Swami’s statement that humility can bring pride a shokcing revelation … this will always remind us how important our consciousness in doing any service is. Thank you.
Very nice teaching. Thank you very much for sharing the same.
Time and time again Maharaj has stressed on humility by telling us to be more humble than a blade of grass. This is the cornerstone of his instructions and he lives by this code. Hari Bol!
Radhanath Swami never deals on superficial level. He goes deep in every aspect of devotional service. Thank you Radhanath Swami for letting us the pitfalls on the path of devotional service.
The more we hear from Radhanath Swami, the more we understand that all qualities & virtues have to come from deep within as an expression of the heart and not just superficial words or acts.
“Depth” – of Humility that’s what we can think about from this wonderful lesson by Radhanath Swami who not only clears out all our misconceptions but is a living example of Humility much more than what a dictionary meaning and explain.
Profound lessons to learn. Thanks Maharaj.
Radhanath Swami is teaching how humility is the essence of bhakti.
It may appear to be a lofty subject matter but when a humble person like Radhanath swami speaks on the subject we get hope of following it .
The very fact that we can be proud of our humility as pointed by HH Radhanath Swami clearly indicates how subtly our false ego can act without our awareness that there is something as false ego present in us.
Radhanath Swami always stresses on true humility. His students have also imbibed the same mood and thus have become source of inspiration for all.
just amazing and so very impact ful, haribol, bhakti
nice article on humility, a must read realization with HHRM, thanks for sharing with us, rajesh
Thank you Vraj Vihari Prabhuji for sharing nice experience with Radhanath Swami.Though difficult to adjust our consciousness while serving we must try our level best and paray to Guru and Shri Krishna.
So true! We are few of the lucky souls who have got the oppourtunity to hear the wonderful and inspiring lectures of Maharaj.
Radhanath Swami always stresses on the importance of being humble not just as external practice but genuinely and sincerely from the heart.