I was visiting Baroda, when one night I received a call from Mumbai, “Shila is very sick and is admitted in the hospital.” Pressing engagements held me from visiting her. Three days later another phone call informed me of her death. I buried my head in my hands, grief-stricken. Read more …
Our first pilgrimage to Vrindavan was in the winter of 1986; we numbered 22, all novices, and Radhanath Swami was our transcendental tour guide. It was a three day tour. We visited temples on the first day, circumambulated Govardhan Hill on the second, and visited Barsana and Nandagaon on the third. Read more …
“Great leaders get people to think more of themselves, not more of the leader.”
Radhanath Swami is a brilliant orator. Thousands all over the globe, and especially in India, hear his recordings regularly to nourish their spiritual lives. Many openly admit their addiction to Radhanath Swami’s lectures—and I am one amongst them. You can spot me in the front row whenever Radhanath Swami discourses at Radhagopinath Ashram. Read more …
I sat in the temple hall, facing the altar and chanting on my prayer beads. As streams of the faithful flowed in and out of the temple, Radhanath Swami stood in front of the altar, praying. Read more …
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. Read more …