“I never get to do what I want to do”
By It So Happened on April 9, 2012 | Category: Miscellaneous | Tags: Connaught Place, Radhanath Swami, spiritual quest, The journey home | 142 CommentsVehicles honked and spewed out black clouds of exhaust. Pedestrians peacefully crossed the busy street, zigzagging through the sluggish traffic. Malls, swarming with customers, lined the sidewalk. We were at Connaught Place, one of the largest financial, commercial and business centres in New Delhi.
As our car headed towards Hotel Lalit, Radhanath Swami from the rear seat reminisced, “During my spiritual quest, whenever I passed through New Delhi, I stayed at the Hanuman Temple here, at Connaught Place. I stayed in the company of sadhus.” I was all ears. It was one of those special moments when the Swami candidly shared from his travels through India. Radhanath Swami continued, “It is my desire to walk through these streets again.” After a thoughtful pause, he added, “Somehow I never get to do what I want to do.” Hearing that, I felt pained.
Being his secretary, I took it as my duty to find a free slot for him during our 2-day stay in the nation’s capital, a slot sufficient for a walk through Connaught Place. The first day, today, was dimming into twilight, and Radhanath Swami’s weary body needed an early rest. The next day, March 2, at 9:00 a.m., Radhanath Swami was scheduled to deliver the Key note and Inaugural address at the All India Management Association’s (AIMA) second World Marketing Congress. I supposed that Radhanath Swami would be out of the conference hall by 11:00 a.m. Since our flight was at 2:00 p.m., there was a free slot, sufficiently big.
The next day things didn’t work out as I had planned. By the time the Swami got out of the conference hall, it was late; we had to rush to the airport. Our next destination was Rishikesh, where he was invited for several talks at the International Yoga Conference.
In Rishikesh, inquisitive, I further explored Radhanath Swami’s connection with Connaught Place in his autobiography The Journey Home. Apart from what he had disclosed in the car, I discovered one more connection—an intimate one. That was the place he first saw a painting of Lord Krishna. The passage in The Journey Home read,
Designed by the British, Connaught Circus was laid out in an immense circle surrounding a spacious park. Exploring the enclosed walkway, my attention was drawn to a hand-painted sign that read, “S.S. Brijabasi and Sons Religious Artwork.” Stacked on the sidewalk were hundreds of 8 x 10 prints. ……For about an hour I sat on the sidewalk searching the selection. Among the pictures was a beautiful woman with eight arms holding swords, choppers, and spears and riding on a lion, then a fantastical, somewhat pudgy man with the head of an elephant who was sitting on a mouse……..I came across a magnificent monkey, wearing a crown, whose eyes shone with devotion……….As I rummaged deeper through the stack of prints, I discovered a person with a dozen heads, each of a different species and multiple arms………
Suddenly, from out of the stack of prints appeared a personality that attracted me like no other. He had a bluish complexion, wore a peacock feather in his crown, and played a flute while posing gracefully beside a river. Behind him a white cow stared lovingly and a full moon bathed an enchanted forest in pearly light. Spontaneous tears filled my eyes. The person in the picture seemed to fill my very soul. Why was this happening to me? I felt him calling me. But how? It was only a painting, and of a fantastical person I didn’t even know. His name was written on the bottom in an ancient alphabet I couldn’t read.
I gave whatever money I had to the shopkeeper, but it was not enough. He smiled and gave me the picture anyway, a picture that I would not part with during the rest of my travels. Who was this person in the image? For a long time, that was to remain a mystery.
As I read, tears filled my eyes, and my determination to help him take a walk through Connaught Place heightened.
After a 4 day stay at Rishikesh, on March 7th as I packed bags for our return trip to Mumbai, Radhanath Swami raised the topic of Connaught Place again. While returning, we had to change flights at Delhi, and there was a gap of 3 hours between landing and the next take-off. “Will it be possible for me to visit Connaught Circus during that gap?” Radhanath Swami asked. “I will work out the logistics and let you know,” I replied. I hurriedly called a contact at New Delhi. He said it was possible. It was planned that while I waited with the luggage at the Delhi airport, Radhanath Swami would collect the Metro Rail ticket from my contact waiting outside, take the half hour train ride to Connaught Place, walk through the streets there, and then return.
We landed in New Delhi at 1:45 p.m. The connecting flight to Mumbai was at 5:00 p.m. Everything seemed perfectly as per plan. But as I dialled the number of my contact who waited outside the terminus, Radhanath Swami interrupted, “Should I really go? Tomorrow is the Gaur Poornima Festival, and I have to discourse. I might well use this time for preparing.” What could I say? For him it was duty calling again. Thousands in Mumbai would be visiting the temple the next day to attend the Birthday Festival of Lord Chaitanya. And his lecture was the sought after inspirational event for the pilgrims.
We searched for a quite place, and Radhanath Swami pored over the Chaitanya Charitamrita, the biography of Lord Chaitanya, whom the Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe to be Lord Krishna himself. At 5: 00 p.m. we boarded the flight that brought us back to Mumbai.
The next day Radhanath Swami discoursed 4 hours non-stop from the Chaitanya Charitamrita, as thousands listened in rapt attention. Later, many proclaimed this to be one of the most inspiring festivals of their life. As I listened to them, I was distracted by burning questions. When is the next time we will pass through New Delhi?!! And even then, will Radhanath Swami be able to do what he really wants to do?
Vikram Arora
Manasa
Compassion and Selfless!!
priya aiyar
It is very true that Maharaj is the greatest inspiration for a spiritual seeker.His kindness towards conditioned souls is unparalleled. Thanks for sharing.
Amit Dusane
Amazing article. Maharaj’s life is full of sacrifices.
Kalpana Kulkarni
Radhanath Swami always puts the interests of others before his own. So selfless and humble. The qualities of true guru!
Y.Raja Shekar
HH Radhanth Swami had made immense sacrifices for the real welfare of humanity.
Milind M Churi
This is how great souls always think of serving others.It is nice story to hear.
Ramnika
H.H.Radhanath Swami always serve everyone with compassion and mercy.
Anil
Sweet article keep posting
Rathushan
Thank you for this touching article.
rachna
such sweet article.. love it keep posting.
Ramnika
Wonderful article.
Ramnika
Very nice to share a wonderful article?
Ramnika
Very nice to share a wonderful article
Tallam Sita Ramaiah
Thank you very much for sharing this.
shailesh
Hare Krsna !
anand
compassion is the ultimate identity of a devotee of God
nandkishor das
simply great amazing
biswajit
Hare Krishna… Radhanath Swami Ki Jai…
madhura
Amazing article.
biswajit
Hare Krishna !
Poonam
Maharaj’s selfless attitude is so inspiring!
Ramnika
Maharaji is always ready to serve everyone with compassion.
Guruprasad
Nice article, thank you.
Tallam Sita Ramaiah
Thank you very much for sharing these nice moments.
vrushali
May Krishna fulfill all the desires of Radhanath swami’s heart!
Swapnil
Radhanath Swami’s missoin is krishna consciousness. He has sacrifised his personal pleasure for the sake of giving Krishna’s mercy to others. I bow down to him
Anagha Warade
Nice Article!
Thank you for sharing..
shailesh
Thank you for shharing ! Hare Krsna !
madhura
Thank you for sharing!
Arabinda
Great post. Thank you.
biswajit
Hare Krshna…Radhanath Swami KI Jai !
Sunny Hinduja
Wonderful!!
Anand
Radhanath Swami keeps duty to fellow being ahead of his own desires and sacrifices his desires for spiritual pleasure of others. He is such a loving spiritual personality to associate with.
Anurag
His whole life is full of such sacrifices as a compassion to others. Thank you for sharing this very inspiring story!
chandraprakassh
very inspiring , thanks vikram ji
Yateen
I have heard Radhanath Swami speaking about sacrificing for other’s pleasure and well being. Here we see him walking is talk. It is Radhanath Swami’s small and big sacrifices that has brought enlightenment in thousands lives. Thank you.
Tejas
Very inspiring article.
vilas bhujbal
Radhanath Swami’s service to humanity has always surpassed his personal aspirations
Udisha
Any place where saints visit is considered Holy…. I wish to visit the Hanuman Temple and other places where Maharaj has derived inspiration in his spiritual life!
gaurav
Amazing. Every interaction with great personalities bring forth some lesson in our life
Sumit Sharma
Radhanath Swami maharaj’s life has been full of uncertainties, but still he could cross over them just because of his humility.
Sada Nandini
Radhanath Swami has given his life in giving Krishna consciousness to others. Thank you for sharing this very heart touching story.