26 November 2009. It was 4:59 a.m. when Radhanath Swami, visibly tired, entered the Radhagopinath temple hall for the morning prayers that would begin in a minute. He hurried towards the deity of his Guru Srila Prabhupada to pay his obeisance.
The last few days had been particularly hectic for Radhanath Swami due to spiritual get-togethers that went till late in the night. I could see how much of an effort it was for him to come for the morning prayers. Today, I could not control myself and I approached Radhanath Swami and blurted, “Why do you push yourself so hard and come for the morning prayers everyday?” He smiled and replied “Because I feel really unhappy when I do not come.” I burst out “But I feel so unhappy to see you in the morning prayers. And I feel really happy when you do not come, knowing that you are
taking your well deserved rest. Please do not push yourself so hard.”
“Thank you so much for your genuine concern.” He then laughed loudly, his shoulders heaving, and continued, “However, better that you become unhappy rather than me becoming unhappy.” I retreated, completely defeated.
Attending morning prayers is crucial for one who is serious about progressing in bhakti. But for one who has reached perfection, whose life itself is a prayer, of what value are these regulations? Yet, Radhanath Swami derives happiness in stretching himself, as far as possible, to inspire his followers through his personal presence in the morning prayers.
— Krishnan Iyer
174 replies on “Radhanath Swami’s Happiness, in Tolerance.”
Thank you very much for sharing.
Thank you very much for sharing this experience. This will act as a guide for me in attending morning prayers more sincerely…
thank u
Thank you p
Thank you for the inspirational incident. Great souls always lead by example
Maharaj Practically demonstrate how important it is to attend morning prayer.
In awe !
Thanks a a lot for sharing. its a nice one.
Radhanath Swamis exemplary example is a guideline for us to take our spiritual sadhana seriously.
very wonderful expereince with HHRM, thanks for sharing with us, haribol, bhakti
a mark of a true spiritual visionary when it coms to convincing his devotees, haribol, rajesh karia
An Acharya who teaches by His own example.
Thank you swamiji.
thank you for sharing
Radhanath Swami peaches by his own example…which is very difficult but most effective way to inspire others!
He practises what he preaches and his discomforts hold the least priority.
THanks Prabhu for sharing this. Yes Maharaj teaches us through his personal example , although he has reached the perfection.
A very inspiring article of His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Thank you very much for sharing
Very inspiring article.
Thank you so much prabhu for sharing us.
its amazing example (some times painful though) to see how much Radhanath Swami strives and sacrifices to train devotees…
very inspiring
Radhanath Swami extends so much for the benefit of all us & to teach us by his most exemplary example!
Thank you very much for sharing it !
Hare Krishna !
Thank you prabhuji for sharing this wonderful experience.Radhanath swami shows from his life how we should be.