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Simplicity

Management vs. Human Relationships

This happened in the month of April 2005 on the day that Radhanath Swami was about to leave for his western preaching tour. Since he was  scheduled to be away for at least 6 months , I put together a list of eight points concerning temple management that I needed Radhanath Swami to decide upon before he left. I then called up his secretary and told that I needed to meet Radhanath Swami, any time that was convenient for him, for half an hour. I did this in the morning, feeling pretty sure that at least some time during the entire day Radhanath Swami would give me some time.

The day dragged on. Radhanath Swami throughout the day was meeting devotees who wanted to say good bye to him and was happily spending time with all of them. I called up Radhanath Swami’s secretary in the evening, about an hour before Radhanath Swami’s scheduled departure to the airport, and inquired from him anxiously whether Radhanath Swami was finally free. The secretary told me that there were half a dozen devotees in his room and if I wanted I could come and wait outside the room.

This is what I did…I rushed to Radhanath Swami’s room and from the corner of his eye Radhanath Swami saw me and nodded, indicating I should wait. Finally, all the devotees left and there was just me and Radhanath Swami; and twenty minutes were left for Radhanath Swami to leave to the airport.

After prostrating myself I was about to begin, when Braj Bihari Prabhu from Vrindavan, who heads ISKCON Resolve, entered the room. Radhanath Swami immediately got up, welcomed him with a bear hug like a long lost friend, and both of them sat down and went on chatting—completely oblivious of me. I was frantically looking at the watch with every minute passing by, and was gently sweating. Radhanath Swami continued to talk to Braj Bihari Prabhu as if he had all the time in the world, inquiring about everything concerning Braj Bihari Prabhu’s family, services, etc., until finally Braj Bihari Prabhu seeing my restlessness, remarked, “You both must be having a lot of things to discuss about…sorry for barging in like this.” And then he was gone…Now, just ten minutes to go and eight points to discuss…I started blurting out and Radhanath Swami nonchalantly answered all my points.
Anyways, having got my answers, I paid my obeisance once again and prepared to leave. Just then Radhanath Swami said, “I am seeing Braj Bihari Prabhu after a very long time and he specifically came to say me goodbye. My spending time with him was more important then your managerial questions, which are important but not as important as spending time with him. Anyways, if you get stuck on any issue, send me a mail or call me up.”

I came out from the room thoroughly crushed and humbled. Radhanath Swami gave more time and importance to a devotee who had come from far to meet him than to a ‘big’ manager. I understood that human relationships were far more important for him than management was.

Krishnan Iyer, Finance Officer, Radha Gopinath Temple.

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185 replies on “Management vs. Human Relationships”

Yes, Radhanath Swami has always given more importance to people over his projects. That is a major reason for his success.

Its an eye opener to understand that Swamiji gives so much importance to matters we take casually. Thank you for sharing this experience.

In the eternal world, there is no need of management. But its full of relationships! Radhanath Swami is preparing us for eternal culture.

Radhanath Swami SETS STANDARD FOR EVERYTHING, i hope some day I can also understand the importance of people around me, coz all that we do are for them only. Radhanath Swami KI JAI….

Thank you for sharing this eye-opener incident. We modernized humans unfortunately pay more attention to machines than human relationships as a result of which we fail to grasp the essence of bliss – personal relationships centered around god.

People are more important than things, just as spirituality is more important than material life. Radhanath Swami illustrates this point in a very profound way.

THis is a very true illustration of how Radhanath Swami is personal and rates realtionship above all things

we are under the world view that we come first, but the true view is that the devotees come first.

shows how maharaja not only is concerned with personal dealing rather than management, but how he selflessly was serving and entertaining guests until the final minute of his mumbai visit. he is like this every where he goes…

Thank you prabhu for sharing this incident in your life with Radhanath swami which explains imporatnce of relationships.

Radhanath Swami, through his personal example, is teaching his followers to understand the true meaning of relationships…..very very inspiring…..

Developing genuine loving relationships is more important than merely administrative tasks considering people are resources to be used rather than souls to be served. Radhanath Swami teaches this through his own example.

Radhanath swami is teaching here a wonderful lesson on being attentive to Human Relations

the Life of Radhanath Swami teaches us so many lessons. He is a true saint coz he practices what he preaches.

Actually if we are little observant we see that every activity of Maharajah is meant to teach us that way he want to cultivate his disciples.

Rqdhanath Swami shows ultimate concern for others and permanantly establishes sweet relationships with whom ever He meets. This is possible only because Radhanath Swami sees every one as a part and parcel of God.

Radhanath Swami is so great that even if he dose not have time for himself, he still takes out time for those who love him by their whole heart.

Thank you for sharing your experience. its very inspiring to hear more and more about Radhanath Swami

What an amazing realisation – I pray that I am able to remember this instruction of Radhanath Swami and implement it during appropriate times.

Radhanath Swami because of his loving and caring nature is unique. No wonder he has developed one of the finest, most loving and caring communities of the world.

What an exemplary incident. Thanks for sharing prabhuji. This shows what’s the importance of human relationships.

Even top management leaders can learn from this small incident. Thank you Radhanath Swami for showing what priorities are!

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