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”
Nice story.This is how the spiritual world works.No envy,no greed, simply to please The Suprme personality of Godhead.It is by grace of HH.Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj we could hear about Maharaj’s journey from Chicago to Sri-Sri RadhaGopinathji temple.Thank you for sharing with us.
Very inspiring story…this shows that the relationship between spiritual master & the disciple is always eternal…..
Many thanks for this beautiful story.
Thank you very much for sharing this story. H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a true friend. He spent several weeks besides H.H Bhakti Tirdha Swami Maharaj before his departure to the spiritual world. This is a guesture by H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj to his true friend.
thanks for sharing.
its really nice that Maharaj kept up his promise of his dear friend, and excelled it
Hare Krishna! Thank for sharing such a nice article. This story shows intense love and affection of Radhanath Swami towards Bhakti Tirtha Swami.
This is not only honoring a friend’s wish, this is love in its purest form. This was a taste of Vaikuntha on earth. We are so fortunate to have witnessed this. My most humble obeisances to both Swamijis.
Awesome
Just by looking at the picture given in the article we can make out the deep love & friendship between HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami maharaj and Radhanath Swami Maharaj. What a great lineage that we are connected to. Let me never forget it and never let it down.
amazing actually pr ji very lucky to recieve such a causeless mercy of HHRNSM and HHBTSM
Very amazing story, shows cuasless mercy of Maharaj and his loving relationship with HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj.
This is one of the most amazing stories on this blog. It reveals how a guru knows the disciple beyond one life. When the guru takes responsibility of a disciple, he comes back again and again till the disciple has returned Back Home – To Godhead. These personalities are around us.
Yet another endearing quality of Radhanath Swami
Very nice! Pure souls like HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami and HH Radhanath Swami are eternally connected to Krishna in loving relationships and they only act according to the Lord’s will.Thanks for sharing.
This is causeless mercy, thank you for sharing this incredible experience.
The love that exists between divine souls go beyond all the physical barriers and even time, and the separation from the beloved increases with time. Thankyou…
Very inspiring pastime
a very inspiring event which boosts us to think that in this age of computing where our basic nature is rooted out there exist a hope to get out of all miseries altogether by the mercy of lord
amazing story
O my god, this does not happen in too many people’s lives. u r most fortunate that u have got blessings of 2 spiritual masters!
Such incidents show Radhanath Swami Maharaj’s sensitivity and respect towards every relationship in life – be it friends or guru disciple.
Very heart touching story it is. Thanks for sharing it.
Very touching!
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Only great fortune has been bestowed upon somebody whom Maharaj calls up and seeks to offer initiation.
Hare Krishna.
really heart touching
This is really significant. Initiations aren’t easily given. Radhanath Swami took his friend’s wish very seriously. This is real friendship.
You are a very very fortunate and pious person. The only other time I have heard a guru asking the disciple is HDG Srila Prabhupada and HH Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj and HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj.
When I first saw the video of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaj, I wanted to meet him in person and talk to him. Unfortunately, we are bereft of his physical presence.
A Saintly person can see through in & out
Very nice story…..how amazing is the friendship of Radhanath Swami…..
It is very inspiring to see loving exchanges between these two pure devotees.
very nice story….thanks for sharing
Simply amazing!
Everything is arranged by Krishna.
This is true friendship
Amazing post very touching and inspirational. Thank you very much
Hare Krsna, How fortunate!
great. this is a real eternal friendship
All are instruments in the hands of Krishna. All glories to Bhakti Tirtha Swami and Radhanatha Swami.
Such amazing friendship.
The mercy of a pure devotee flowing down through another pure devotee. What an amazing story.
Very Heart touching & inspiring story of Loving Spiritual friendship between two saintly personalities.Amazing!
Thank you very much for sharing.
Thank you prabhu ji for sharing. You are really very very fortunate. Radhanath swami maharaj ki Jai.
Beautiful interaction of love between great souls……
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Maharajah’s causeless mercy is amazing.
great….
It’s amazing to see, know the qualities of H. H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj and His disciples.
As I understand, the initiator (Guru) takes a lot responsibility when he initiates someone. Here is a person who was willing to do so for a unknown person, just for his friend. This is unbelievable.
HH Radhanath Swami honors, respects and serves all the living entities, what to speak of great souls like HH Bhati Tirtha Maharaj.