Chiksoli is a remote village thirty kilometers from Vrindavan–externally a sprawling mass of poverty, but internally a treasure-house of pure devotion. It is the birth place of Chitra Sakhi, one of the eight confidential associates of the divine couple Radha-Krishna. In November 2008, during a pilgrimage to Vrindavan, I was at this place with Radhanath Swami.
Back in 1971, Radhanath Swami had first visited these holy villages surrounding Vrindavan during his spiritual quest. Though he was a sincere spiritualist even then, he was unknown to most of the world. But now in 2008, he was a world renowned spiritualist with thousands of followers.
One day at Chiksoli Radhanath Swami visited a mediocre family he knew since 1971, for lunch. I accompanied him. In the kitchen an old lady squatted on the floor besides the choola, traditional stove that’s fueled by firewood. She rolled dough, as a pan heated up on the fire. Meanwhile, Radhanath Swami after receiving a warm welcome freshened up with a bath and a change of clothes. He then sat cross-legged on the kitchen’s mud floor and thali, lunch plate, was served out before him. Vraj Rotis, hot and fluffy, after baking on the pan, landed on Radhanath Swami’s plate, one after another. Radhanath Swami consumed them with a gusto I had never witnessed before, though I have accompanied him for lunch at several palatial bungalows of down-town Mumbai.
Baking a roti on the pan the lady spoke, as if thinking aloud, “Aap bilkul badle nahi.”(You haven’t changed at all.) She went on to explain how Radhanath Swami was still as simple as he was in 1971. But for me, who hadn’t seen him here in 1971, Radhanath Swami seemed—through this entire visit—an overgrown child who had returned home.
Recently, on 16 December 2010, someone brought rotis from Vrindavan to Mumbai, for Radhanath Swami. Though it reached his lunch table after two days, Radhanath Swami remarked, “The rotis are the best. Every other preparation is a distraction.” Again, I sensed that his heart is always at his home, in simple Vrindavan.
–Damodar Dulal.
156 replies on “When Radhanath Swami Seems an Overgrown Child”
Thank you maharaj very much for always being the topmost example.
Thank you for sharing this
Radhanath swami is so deep.
Radhanath Swami Maharajs sense of respect for everyone is so deep.
Radhanath Swamy Maharaj has very deep apreciation and affection for anything related to Vrindavan.
great thank you for sharing
Jai !! It gives insights into Maharaj’s personality.
a very touching story
A true spiritualist is always child-like in his demeanours, which in turn reflects his simplicity of heart.
HH Radhanath swami is always in Vrndavan mood…a vrajvasi
very nice article.
Thank you for sharing this incident which shows Radhanath Swami’s simplicity and love for anything or anybody connected to Vrindavan.
Radhanath Swami is a real VRAJAVASI, whose heart is always there in Vrindavan.
It is rightly said by the wise that “in heart of a pure devotee Lord always resides”.Pure devotees like Radhanath Swami are always thinking of the Lord and his accompanying parapernalia like Holy places as Vrindavan.
A true lover of GOD is always simple at heart.
Very inspiring – Thanks a lot Prabhuji for sharing the nectar.
Very nice and inspiring atricle.
Thank so much for sharing.
mahraj is alwaya in vrindavan mood.
A simple heart full of love, satisfaction and compassion…!
An amazing incident
Wonderful Incident..Thank you for sharing
Amazing ! Prabhu. Thank you for sharing.
This is an amazing article. H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a true vrajavasi.
Vraj Rotis !! yummy:)
A heart touching story. Thank You
When things are done with a deep understanding with heart involvd – then the actions are always consistent. However actions done as per surrounding – just to accomplish some selfish desire – there is no consistency in behaviour.
Here we see a simple Vrajvasi lady remarking Radhanath Swami not to have changed from 1971…shows how he is of substance/character deep , externally polished in every action/ettiqutte, with the most beautiful expression of the heart
A wonderful heart touching incident which clearly shows the simplicity of true saint – HH Radhanath swami
Maharaj’s devotional qualities are exhibited in each and every of his action…such a heart touching incident, thank you prabhu for sharing it…
Vrindavan Dham ki jai, Radhanath Swami ki jai
Thankyou for sharing such a beautiful incident with Radhanath Swami
Radhanath Swami understands the true essence of Vrindavan dham. His bhav is certainly above the most of us
Radhanath Swami’s simple heart is his ornament.
Radhanath maharaj have so much love for Vrindavan and Vrajavasis
Simple, humble and truly a receptive soul to Lord’s grace.This incident is a testimony to his greatness.
Maharaj is simple, humble and truly a receptive soul to Lord’s grace.This incident is a testimony to his greatness.
H.H Radhanath Swami is so simple in heart and he only sees the service and he is always greatful for any little service rendered.
very inspiring and touching passtime
A real spiritualist is child-like in his demeanours, which is a sign of his simplicity. All glories to Maharaj.
Thank you very much for sharing
Radhanath Swami’s heart is always a young child, simple like villagers of Vrindavan.
Such a true spiritualist can easily make out the devotion gone into the preparation. He doesnt look for glamorous preparations but the devotion invested into the preparation.
This is so beautiful…thank you
HH Radhanath Swami has a very simple heart. And all he wants from all of us is to be “ONLY SIMPLE”. Donno when we are going to establish that mood of being simple
many millions of thanks for sharing this heart-melting experience.
This story shows that Radhanath Swami is having deep affection for Vrindavan and the simple food.
This article shows his deep love for brajvasis and his simplicity despite so much of fame.Amazing quality.Thanks for sharing.HH Radhanath swami maharaj ki jai.
Radhanath Swami is just made of pure love and nothing else.
Just like Lord Krishna accepted the simple food in vidura ‘s house by neglecting royal food that was offered by Durdhona Maharaj also satisfies with the simple food offered by the vrindavan people.
many thanks for sharing this amazing article.
HH Radhanath swami is always simple and teaches us by his example. HH Radhanath swami ki jai.
Very Inspiring article. Shows the simplicity, devotion & love of Radhanath Swami for the most holiest of all abodes Sri Vrindavan Dham