Few days before the launch of the ‘journey Home’, devotees and well-wishers from all over the world were excited. Resident monks and members of the ashram in Mumbai, where Radhanath Swami was staying during this period, were particularly keen that he speaks from his book in his usual weekly classes. However in none of the programmes that were building up for the book launch did Radhanath Swami mention about ‘Journey Home’. As we were intrigued by his silence on the book, we also got desperate to hear him speak some stories from his autobiography. During this period, one evening Radhanath Swami was scheduled to address over two thousand youth at a spiritual festival. A few of us decided to meet Radhanath Swami before his lecture and request him to speak from his book. He patiently heard our appeals, but said he feels shy to speak about himself. We insisted this would be a great source of inspiration and joy for all the assembled guests and devotees. Taking pity on us, Radhanath Swami reluctantly agreed to speak a little bit, provided some participants asked questions indirectly referring to the book. He insisted he wouldn’t on his own take the initiative to speak from ‘Journey Home’.
As the lecture began the hall was pregnant with anticipation of stories; none however came out. Finally, the master of ceremonies, Gauranga dasa asked the two thousand plus audience if they would all like to hear from ‘Journey Home’. As the crowd roared in unison, expectations rose. However Radhanath Swami continued to enthral the audience with his discourse, without speaking anything from his autobiography. Finally Gaur Gopal dasa and I decided upon a trick; we selected fifteen students from the crowd and fixed questions indirectly referring to incidents from the book. Soon the boys fired questions on ‘Naga Babas’, ‘Mother Ganges’, and myriad gurus. With each question the hall reverberated with laughter as it was now obvious to all that Radhanath Swami was being cornered and forced to speak on ‘journey Home’. However in all humility and with a straight face Radhanath Swami replied on the merit of each question, without once referring to the book. Although the class was ecstatic as usual, a few of us were simultaneously disappointed that he hadn’t spoken any story from his autobiography.
Later at night, after the programme, Radhanath Swami came to the ashram and relaxed; many monks including myself gathered excitedly around him. He then began to narrate in graphic detail the various stories and events related to ‘Journey Home’. He also profusely apologized to the devotees that he hadn’t spoken from the book during the class. “I am sorry”, said Radhanath Swami, “I feel very shy to speak about myself and my book. You tried your best, but I refused. I am really sorry.”
It’s amazing that Radhanath Swami hadn’t spoken most of these stories for all these forty plus years. And if ‘Journey Home’ hadn’t been out, the world would have forever been bereft of his realizations. He went through a plethora of strong spiritual impressions and unforgettable experiences as he came to India searching for God. And only because his friend, Bhakti Tirtha Swami insisted and took a promise from him, Radhanath Swami has finally told the story to the world.
Having known Radhanath Swami and observed him closely, I am convinced that his present tour for the ‘Journey Home’ book launch is with reluctance. He wants to share his story because he is convinced that’s not his story but the story of God’s grace. This is also an exhibition of his magnanimous heart; he wants to selflessly share the wealth of his heart with the whole world. Personally he remains ever humble and shy.
This is a genuine quality of a spiritual seeker. He is naturally humble and shy to speak about himself; he is always enthusiastic and keen to glorify God and other devotees. That’s Radhanath Swami for you- reluctant to share his story but enthusiastic to glorify and appreciate others.
–Vraj Vihari
121 replies on “Radhanath Swami—an Embodiment of Shyness”
Thank you for sharing the episode!
Amazing!Thank you for sharing.
This is the true quality of a Mahatma. Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience.
It is really Amazing, only real spiritual seeker like Radhanth Swami can hide his realization out of shyness, otherwise generally people want to talk/boast about whatever semmingly amazing or even not so amazing they came acrooss.
Thank you very much for sharing. Great devotees like Radhanath Swami always feel happy to glorify God and the devotees but not about themselves
Greatness is not a measure of accomplishments and arrogance but of humility in accepting God’s grace.
Thankyou so much for sharing this wonderful experience.
Maharaj has always led his life to be an example to his disciples. As he would like to inculcate Humility and shyness in all his disciples, he has these qualitites in abundance and lives by it. Jai Maharaj!
Radhanath Maharaj is awesome. So much success yet so much humility. Thanks for sharing these experiences with Maharaj.
All glories to Bhakti Tirtha Swami, because of whome we all got to know this hidden trasure of genuine spiritual seaker realizations and Lord’s Grace.
i am just enthralled at every new posting here – it just gets better and better. i think we are very very fortunate to hear & read the inspiring life of Radhanath Swami.Many thanks to all for sharing these beautiful experiences.
Radhanath Swami’s Jouney Home has inspired countless people from across the globe to start their individual journey home – back to Godhead. It has a profound impact on every reader. One of my neighbours, who was a chain-smoker earlier, gave up smoking after reading Maharaj’s book. He was very captivated by Maharaj’s personality – his humility, sincerity, austerity & simplicity. Thank you Maharaj for having shared your spiritual journey with us lesser souls. You have made us realise the true essence of life – always remember Krishna & never forget Krishna.
thank you very much for sharing this past time . you are making all of us feel fortunate with nectariane qualities of Radhanath swami maharaj
Radhanath Swami’s humilty is par excellent……..thanks for sharing this experience…..
a person caught in selfishness always want to glorify him and his achievements, but a pure devotee is always alert of self glorification and wants to run away if any body glorifies.
Radhanath Swami exemplifies genuine humility where he doesn;t want to talk about himself but about the Lord and His devotees. LIke C.S. Lewis has said: Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.
Shy but bold – thats what Radhanath Swami is.
I am just the opposite. Even without being asked I love speaking about myself and incidents that took place in my lifetime. This episode has opened my eyes. Hence forward, I will try to follow in the footsteps of my Spiritual Master. A good lesson to learn. Thanks a lot for sharing.
As I hear more and more about Radhanath Maharaja and from Radhanath Maharaja, I realize more and more how much more divine qualities he has!
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Yes. Actually Radhanath Swami should have written this book 20 yrs ago. He could have preached with so much more strength, then.
This experience that you have shared is humbling in the extreme. It is only through God’s mercy that I have got the opportunity to learn and grow in the teachings of Radhanath Swami. Radhanath swami ki Jai!
Thank you very much for sharing this beautiful story about the wonderful qualities of Radhanath swami. The world would be a wonderful place to live, if everyone followed in the footsteps of Radhanath swami
Radhanath Swami Maharaj is so kind & humble!
Hare Krishna.
Thank you very much for narrating this incident.
Maharaj exhibits great humilty under all circumstances.
I had tears in my eyes reading this article. HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is embodiment of humility, a living example of the verse trinadapi sunicena.
Thanks for sharing this article. This article is one more example of Radhanath Maharaj exemplifying Vaishnava qualties.
This is a quality of highly saintly person. Radhanath Swami ki JAY!!!
Radhanath Swami truly is an personification of Humility & a great Acharya….Thank you for sharing this episode
Radhanath Swami is a myriad combination of the most amazing qualities. I remember on similar lines the told me that he does even like to hear kirans that are sung by him – he feels very odd. This is genuine humility.
A true Saint! Krishna’s gift to us!
Radhanath swami’s humility is beyond our own conceptions
thanks a lot for sharing this incident.. this really shows the real spirit of Maharaj.. JAI!!!
thanks for sharing with us !! Hari Hari Bol
One could understand from your experience, how wonderful that class would have been. Radhanath Swami Maharaj never talks about his glories, he always give the credit to Guru & Gauranga.
Thank for sharing this incident. He is an embodiment of shyness and humility
What I can say..too small to Glorify.. Radhanath is a humble personified personaility. Its my dream that someday i can serve him personally …for now , i can follow his instructions
What humility!!!
Radhanath Swami is a very humble person and encourages all of us to adopt humility in our day to day dealings with other devotees.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article…
thanks a lot to author for sharing this wonderful experience of Radhanath Swami Maharaj. This revealed to me as to how much humble is Radhanath Swami Maharaj, that despite going through all the sufferings he does not even like to mention them, even after so many people tried their best to make him do so. 🙂
Earlier once a thought came to me as to why there needs to be a world tour and all to promote the book, but this incident very much corrected my mindset. thank you very much again.
Very Touching and Highly Inspiring – HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is an embodiment of Humility – Thanks a lot Prabhuji for sharing this beautiful story.
Radhanath swami is the embodiment of the verse “Trnadapi sunichena………..”
That has been and will remain a hallmark of his personality. And its amazing how Krsna reacts to such beautiful shyness of his….He makes him much more renowned and bless him with much more fame and glory only to induce millions to take up the supreme shelter of Krsna.
Radhanath Swami’s shyness is also Krishna Conscious or God centered because of his genuine humility.
Genuineness of Radhanath Swami’s heart melts other’s hearts!!
THANK U for sharing this pasttime of Guru Maharaj .
A very inspiring passage
It takes genuine humility in order to do wha Radhanath Swami did.
true nature of a Mahatama.
Really inspiring and thought provoking. Thank you so much for sharing.
Radhanath Swami feeling shy in telling about himself but feeling pleasure to tell the glories of the Lord and his devotees