In India, Vaishnavism, the path of devotional service to Lord Vishnu, is upheld by four authentic traditions—the Brahma Sampradaya, the Rudra Sampradaya, the Sri Sampradaya and the Kumara Sampradaya. Their teachings, though varied, overlap in essence. Whilst the neophyte spiritualists get distracted by the differences to the point of bigotry, the advanced spiritualists focus on the essence and consider the differences ‘the spice of spirituality.’
Recently, in December 2010, Radhanath Swami was in Sri Rangam, in South India. Though himself a follower of Brahma Gaudiya Sampradaya, a sub-branch of the Brahma Sampradaya, he had taken five thousand of his followers on a pilgrimage to this spiritual sanctuary which is considered the head quarters of the Sri Sampradaya.
Brahma Sampradaya and Sri Sampradaya, the two streams of Vaishnavism! Whilst his followers groped for their confluence intellectually, Radhanath Swami floated in the confluence—being inspired divinely.
One afternoon, at Sri Rangam, Radhanath Swami spent a half hour in front of the main altar of Sri Rangam temple. On the altar reclined a stone figure of the deity Ranganath, Lord Vishnu, adorned with embroidered silks and glittering with gold and precious jewels. In majesty, the priests of Sri Sampradaya worshipped Ranganath, the Lord of Vaikuntha. Since the followers of Brahma Gaudiya Sampradaya prefer to see the Lord in his form of Krishna, the cowherd boy of Vridavan, adorned primarily with flowers and leaves and worshiped in simple devotion, I wondered as to what transpired in Radhanath Swami’s consciousness.
Later that afternoon, Radhanath Swami took a bath in the holy Cauvery River and then returned to his room. In the evening, when he emerged out, the smile that bloomed with divinity on his visage was conspicuous. As I escorted him to the gigantic pandal tent where he was scheduled to discourse, he disclosed to me the pleasure of his heart, “As I was taking bath this afternoon, I spontaneously was singing aa jaoo giridhari (Oh Krishna, the lifter of Govardhan hill, please come!) Lord Ranganath inspired in my heart loving separation from Vrindavan.”
–Nityananda Das
105 replies on “Radhanath Swami at the Confluence”
The endeavours of Radhanath Swami to bridge the ‘perceived’ differences between Brahma Gaudiya & the Sri Samprada is indeed very laudable. He has very emphatically demonstrated that the essence of all bonafide spiritual paths is to develop bhakti – true devotional service to God.
Lord reveals himself to his His pure devotees like HH Radhanath Swami:)
The author of this post is truely blessed to have witnessed the actions oF such a great personality. Thanks for sharing.
Radhanath Swami is really a very pure devotee of the Lord.
The Lord reciprocates according to our surrender – no wonder that the Lord reciprocates so directly and intimately with Radhanath Swami
Radhanath swami is very pure devotee whoes heart always resides in Vrindavan.
JAI.. maharaj is teaching us the essence of everything.. love GOD !!!
Some of us were fortunate to witness the SANGAM at Sri RANGAM
thank you prabhu for sharing this incident about Radhanath Mahraj that what a bliss it is to dive deep in the essence ,
Interesting to see the confluence of Sri Sampradaya and Gaudiya Sampradaya.
wonderful article and beautiful reciprocation between the Lord and his pure devotee HHRNSM, haribol, bhakti
It is truly said by great sages that HHRNSM is actually a Vrijawasi and is from Vrindavan but was born in the western countries so that he could spread the message of the Lord there, and HHHRNSM’s heart is always with Vrindavan, haribol, rajesh karia
Too good! Just how much love Radhanath Swami carries for the Lord of his heart – Krishna! How by seeing one form of Krishna – Ranganath – he intensely longed for the form of Krishna! This is just too high a spiritual phenomenon for me to understand, but nevertheless, my heart is full of joy just hearing about it.
Very nice.
Thanks for sharing us.
It is said that if we want to find Krishna, we should search him in the heart of a pure devotee. Radhanath Swami always carry Krishna in his heart
Actions and thouhghts of pure devotees like HH Radhanath Swami are way beyond our comprehension.
Thank you fr sharing this inspiring experience with Radhanath Swami.
This is special of the author to to observe it so minutely and present the mood of Radhanath Swami
Amazing. Maharaj demonstrate what is he says. Thank you for sharing…
Thank you very much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing mood of Radhanath Swami
Radhanath Swami is completely absorbed.
Krishna is reciprocating with Radhanath Swamis love its so nice to hear such glorious experiences of Radhanath Swami
Radhanath Swami is great
Radhanath Swami is simply amazing
Wonderful exchanges of sentiments.. Radhanath swami Maharaj is true saint who looks only for essence.
Pure loving devotional service as exemplified by Radhanath Swami is the essence of both the sampradayas.
wonderful pastime!
Radhanath Swami Maharaj carries Vrindavan in his heart!
Maharaj is always very inspiring and exemplary
Amazing episode!! Thank you for sharing!
Radhanath Swami is teaching us valuable lesson through his own examples.
There is no path like devotion to God. It fills the heart with unbounded joy.
wow.. it’s true.. pure soul always finds essense
Pure devotees like Radhanath Swami always see Krishna in their heart….
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story displaying the amazing devotion of Radhanath Swami for Lord Sri Krishna!
Thankyou for spoting this wonderful article. A seeker to God finds God everywhere and is not superficial in his search!
From Radhanath Maharaj’s example we have to learn that spirituality has to followed in essence.
Hari Hari
Radhanath Swami Maharajs love for Krishna attracts everyone!
I was fortunate to witness this loving exchange for that I am ever greatful
Radhanath Swami is amazing.
Wondeful experience with Radhanath Swami. Thanks for sharing it.
Haribol, A very pleasing article about His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
It was inspiring to see how these two traditions of va
It was inspiring to see at SriRangam how these two traditions of vaisnavism embraced each other with respect and honor and appreciating each others principles which eventually is centered around Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thanks for sharing.
As rightly said in the article, neophytes stress on differences. But genuine spiritulists like HH Radhanath Swami focus on commonalities of the 4 Paramparas to brdge the “GAP” rather than widerning the “Gaps”.
Radhanath Swami is wonderfully teaching how to seek the essense instead of worrying about the differences.
Lord Ranganath ki jai!! All Bonafide Sampradaya ki jai!! Oneness in spiritual endeavors ki jai!!
It is so true that how Brahma madhva sampradaya and sri sampradaya have in common. Thank you so much for sharing.