Nobody knew me better than 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 and a tear streaked down his ebony cheek. “Promise me,” he said, “here on my deathbed, that you will write the story.” A few weeks later, on June 27, 2005, he passed from this world. This book is my attempt to honor his wish. –from Radhanath Swami’s Autobiography ‘The Journey Home’
Even before I knew much about spiritual life, destiny made me experience the friendship and love that Radhanath Swami and Bhakti Tirtha Swami shared with each other.
I had just started to frequent Radhagopinath temple. One Sunday, during the weekly discourse that’s attended by thousands, I found an Afro-American sharing the stage with Radhanath Swami. He spoke with exuberance and filled my heart with spiritual inspiration. After the program, I too stood in line to have a personal audience with this new Swami, whose name I came to know was Bhakti Tirtha Swami.
No sooner had I knelt before him that he proclaimed, “You should take initiation”. I was jolted. Though it was an honor to take initiation, and though I had a desire to take initiation, I knew I wasn’t qualified. One had to chant a prescribed number of rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra on prayer beads for several years before one could even think of getting initiated. But before I could put forth my thoughts, Bhakti Tirtha Swami had repeated several times, “You should take initiation”, and every time he said that he indicated that I should take it from Radhanath Swami. As I struggled to adjust with this dream-like situation, Radhanath Swami leaned over to me and whispered, “Who is your counselor?” It was just a week ago that the temple management had recommended my name to a spiritual counselor who would be advising me in how to progress spiritually. I told his name to Radhanath Swami, and quickly walked away, out of the uneasy situation.
A few days later, my counselor called me, “Would you like to take initiation?” Again I was jolted, but this time I knew a reply, “Yes, of course.” As the conversation proceeded, I came to know that Radhanath Swami had contacted my counselor and expressed his desire to give me initiation if I desired to take. Radhanath Swami wanted to give me initiation, though I wasn’t qualified, simply because he wanted to honor the wish of his friend Bhakti Tirtha Swami.
Soon, I was initiated.
–Krishna Das (name changed)
192 replies on “Radhanath Swami honors a friend’s wish”
A very nice pastime. Thank you very much for sharing.
Wonderful episode!! Blessed by two great souls!
Amazing pastime.
Amazing pasttimes
thankyou
haribol!!!!!!!!! very fortunate to reciecve the mercy.
A pure devotee can see through and know the heart. They have Xray vision!!! Devotional life in not the matter of seniority but sincerity!! H H Bhakti Tirtha Swami saw that sincerity and picked up this soul to be placed at the feet of another pure devotee- H H Radhanath Swami. Jai Ho!!! Really inspiring. Thanx for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful incident. Such incidents nourishes our faith
touchy…
Wonderful passtime of two great spirit souls and their love and respect for each other is amazing, haribol, rajesh karia
Wonderful story thanks for sharing this spiritual passtime with all of us, haribol, bhakti
Amazing!
HH Radhanath Swami honors and respects every relationship and truly gives justice to them.
This is true friendship
wonderful relationship!
Thank you very much prabhu for sharing this pastime. This pastime shows how devotees’ mercy is our hope and by devotees’ mercy we can get things which we do not deserve. Thank you for reminding me this. We can thus learn importance of service to devotees.
Thank you for sharing this amazing story.
A deeply amazing experience. Radhanath Swami’s love and surrender for his dear God brother is clearly visible.
Radhanath swami always deal for the pleasure of his God brothers…he says earning he blessings of the great souls should be the goal of our life!
Amazing incident, this shows the purity of such elevated yogis in the path of devotion. thanks for sharing and the inspiration
A truly wonderful tale that tells us about the bond of friendship that Maharaj has. Thank you for sharing it. Haribol!
a great exchange.
thanks.
pure devotees dont see externals they see sincerity.
Very Amazing !
Wondeful exchange.
if we are really sincere in our service Guru will aproch us!!
So lucky to have the mercy and blessings of 2 great souls
Thanks to Bhakti Tirtha Swami, we now have an all-time-classic book – The Journey Home!
This past time shows Maharal’s love for his dear most friend HH Bhakti Thirtha Swami Maharaj.Heart Touching Past time.Thank you very much prabhuji
So amazing… honoring friends request in any case..
hari bol. What an amazing experience
great pastime of great souls
Mercy always flows through Vaishnavas.
amazing….
thank you maharaj
Because of the mercy of the great souls it can happen. Very wonderful !!!!!! Thank you for sharing.
I always wanted to be part of such sublime relationships. Thanks Radhanath Swami and Bhakti Tirtha Swami.
Really wonderful, true story.thank you for sharing this incidence
This is a great article. Thank u so much for sharing this article
THis is a very nice article
very nice article … Thank u very much for sharing this…
HH Radhanath Swami and HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s Friendship is worth appreciating and it can inspire anybody and everybody
it is perfect example how a vaishnava brings the souls and connect them to Krishna through spiritual master
great………
Very touching article. Inspiring too.
Hare Krishna Thank You for sharing this article/
Thank you for sharing a very nice article
Very inspiring
Thank you very much for sharing this.
I remember the 6 hour long talk Radhanath Swami had given on Bhakti Tirtha Swami. It was a once in a ligetime occasion.