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”
This article depicts that humility is the inborn nature of Radhanathswami.
This is wonderful article to understand wht humility exactly means.
Radhanath Swami holds humility as a sacred expression of the offering of our heart; it’s not simply a formality or a ritual- H H Radhanath swami
Radhanath Swami maharaj teaches us wonderful lessons on true humility. this example exemplifies maharaj’s profound understanding of humility.
Maharaj is a truly amazing personality.
Radhanath Swami is a true spiritualist in whom there exists not a trace of hypocrisy! We have to hear from such great souls and observe them to learn how to imbibe this sacred quality of humility. The whole world is gearing us to be arrogant and proud while humility defies the law of this world!
thank u
Thanks a lot for sharing such a wonderful insight.. JAI !!!
Thanks a lot Prabhuji for sharing this very instructive realization with Maharaj.
Its true maharaj,i had difrrent understanding of humility but maharaj you gave us real meaning of humility.thank you very much swamiji.
False ego is so subtle, we become proud of humility also! Its only some one who is free of false ego like Radhanath Swami who can find it disguised in various waiting to pull us down and help us progress on spiritual path…
Yes, its perfect so for this presently I am incapable and require your belessings Radhanath swami maharaj.
Thank you very much for sharing
Radhanath Swami – the emblem of humility and simplicity, coaxing his disciples to achieve the same ideals.
This experience and many such others show that humility is indeed the substance Radhanath Swami is made of. That is why he can so efficiently demand it in his followers.
Humility is the crown jewel of Radhanath Swami Maharaj personality
What an insight! thank you!
Without the help of Sadhus like Radhanath Swami we cannot understand the aspects of Spiritual life. Thank you maharaj…
Jai ho…
very inspiring
Indeed humility is the substance Radhanath Swami is made of
Radhanath Swami teaches an important lesson not by words, but by example. He is supremely humble…..
Maharaj clearly said, Even while doing menial service, one should not be prould.
Truly humility is something that cannot be imitated. It is truly a state of consciousness.
Thank you Radhanath Maharaj for sharing these instances that brings life to life
Humility is an inherent quality in Maharaj who can easily see through the reality behind the facade.He is right in pinpointing that one can become proud of humility as that is not a good sign for spiritual progress.
A great lesson on humility by Radhanath Swami Maharaj. Thank you maharaj.
Never to be proud of one’s own humility, wonderfully explained by His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj
thank you Radhnath Maharaj for constantly reminding us about the importace of being humble in our spiritual lives
Thank you Prabhuji for sharing this amazing incident, it provides clarity on what’s humility!
By this H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is clarifying what is real humility.
Thanks for sharing.
Maharaj has explained very clearly that consciousness is the main thing and all our service, behavior and Bhakti should be with right consciousness.
Thank u for sharing, from every article we get to learn something from Radhanath Swami.
Thank you vfery much for sharing
Truly a deep understanding…
Very inspiring one !.
HH Radhanath swami maharaj’s every instruction is a nectar, if we implement in our lives we will get benefeted.
Maharaj is personified ‘humility’.
Thank you so much prabhu for sharing us.
Maya can trick in anyway. She can make one even proud of ones (imagined) humility. If it were not Radhanath Swami, then we would never have known about all these gameplans of maya.
Being proud seems to be natural for one who is conditioned in this material world, however hard we try on our own we cannot get out, only exalted souls who are free of false ego can detect and help us!
What a wonderful article !!!
Truly Amazing.Radhanath Swami thinks so deeply of everything.It is only when we hear from him constantly will we get some strength to imbibe some of his great qualities in ourselves.I bow down to this great soul.Thanks so much Maharaj
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. The above statement describes Radhanath Swami completely.
Radhanath Swami is practitioner of true humility , he is personified humility. He is real acharya.
Thank you so much for sharing us.
wonderful!
With the association of great souls like Radhanath swami one can get perfect training in all fields of spirituality.
Radhanath swami have great concern for others progress.
instructive and practical
That goes really deep. Radhanath Swami mentions that humility is not a matter of intellectual adjustment but actually feeling oneself unqualified from the core of our heart. It is the basis and foundation of true devotion.
Maharaji explains very nicely that whatever service we do it should be in the right consciousness and in the proper mood and should not be proud of it.
Thank you very much for sharing this. Pride is so subtle and is so nicely explained by H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Humility is a principle Radhanath Swami lives by