Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was surprised that Narayan Prasad had close friendship with a Muslim, Mohammad. Richard too met him and they spoke for many hours daily on the parallels of Gita, Bible and Koran. Richard asked how come Narayana Prasad had such close friendship with a Muslim, in a country where there is so much conflict between the two religions, Hinduism and Islam. Narayana Prasad gave a wonderful reply that Radhanath Swami hasn’t forgotten till now. Narayana Prasad said, “A dog will recognize his master in whatever way he dresses. The master may dress in robes, suit and tie, or stand naked, but the dog will always recognize his master. If we cannot recognize God, our beloved master, when he comes in a different dress from another religion, then we are less than that dog.”
Radhanath Swami implores all seekers of Truth to not get bogged down by the superficial externals of religion; rather he begs all to see the underlying principles uniting all religions. Some common principles of all religions that Radhanath Swami emphasizes are ‘Love thy neighbor’ and ‘live for Truth’. Radhanath Swami says that there may be differences in religions but they are superficial. On the other hand similarities between religions are deeper. When we only focus on the rituals, institutions and mindsets of religions that differ according to the time, place and circumstances we are breeding fanaticism. The fallible human mistakes, misinterpretations and misconceptions have over the centuries obscured the meaning of real religions and caused many to go astray from the fundamental that is to unconditionally love God and all His children. Radhanath Swami has tirelessly sought to remove these misconceptions and help people seek unity on the basis of our eternal relationship with God.
Growing up with devout Christian friends, while I was myself from a Hindu family, I observed some common principles in both these religions. I observed Christians baptizing infants as well as elders either by total immersion in water or by sprinkling some water on head and chanting some prayers. Even amongst Hindus, sprinkling of sacred water and immersion in water body is a sacred ritual. Most Hindu temples have a pond of water attached and traditionally devout pilgrims would take a bath in the pond before going in to see the deity. Also rivers like Ganga and Yamuna are sacred to the Hindus and all caste distinctions and external differences are said to be dissolved when we dip in these holy bodies of water. Besides it is interesting to note that all bonafide religions consider their sacred texts to be word of God. Also materialistic lives have been condemned and I found the phrase ‘blind leading the blind’ in both Christian gospels as well as Hindu literatures. Both religions talk of repentance for sin, a past war in heaven between good and bad angel, and the need to have faith in the savior or guru. Rebirth is also mentioned in both these religions.
Table of Contents
Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
HH Radhanath Maharaj sees the essence and good in every religion and teaches us to do the same.
View Commentthank you for sharing :).
View CommentThank you Radhanath swami for your blog that is a must read for those people who think religion is reason for conflicts between several nations.
View CommentIt is great souls like Radhanath Swami who can see people from all religions, caste, country and nationalities equally without prejudice.
View CommentVery nice article by Radhanath Swami. Bhagvad Gita mentions that a real saint does not differentiate between people based on caste, creed, culture.
View CommentEssence of all religion is love for God.No differentiation of people between caste creed or culture.Very nice article by Maharaj
View CommentRadhanath Swami Ki Jai !!
View CommentRadhanath swami shared a very nice essence of religion. Radhanath swami also talks about what is the religion of salt is sour, it never changes it’s religion. So being hindu, muslim, Christian is not a true religion which can be changed anytime, true religion is our connection with supreme lord.
View CommentAs HH Radhanath Swami nicely meditates in this article the purpose of all religions is to get reconnected to God.
View Commentessence of religion is to unconditionally love God and his children, so well explained.
View CommentVery nice article by Radhanath Swami !
View CommentThis is one of the most interesting article I had come across. The realisations and efforts of HH Radhanath Swami to unite all religions is very amazing.
View CommentSuperb explantion
View CommentSuperb explanation
View CommentAs HH Radhanath Swami says in this meditation, the purpose of all religions is one if we really try to understand them deeply.
View Commentmaterialistic lives have been condemned in both religions
View CommentThis aspect is one thing due to which, I read the book three times. H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is never critical of any spiritual seekers. Several common principles are discussed. These are indeed eye openers to me.
View CommentThis article gives us great hope where we find harmony amongst all religions & love amongst each other…..
View CommentThanks for sharing
View CommentMany thanks for sharing this wonderful article.Radhanath Swami has tirelessly sought to remove these misconceptions and help people seek unity on the basis of our eternal relationship with God.
View CommentThis is a sign of pure devotee, who see only love to God as a teaching in every religion
View CommentThank you for sharing this wonderful article 🙂
View CommentReligion is meant for reuniting with our Supreme Father,The God.The scriptures are the words of God and therefore the teaching of all religion,the purpose of all religion is to attain Love of God,which is Supreme goal of human form of life. Narayan Prasad’s statement quoted by Radhanath Maharaj is very logical and good to understand our responsibility in human form of life.
View Comment“There may be differences in religions but they are superficial. On the other hand similarities between religions are deeper. When we only focus on the rituals, institutions and mindsets of religions that differ according to the time, place and circumstances we are breeding fanaticism. The fallible human mistakes, misinterpretations and misconceptions have over the centuries obscured the meaning of real religions and caused many to go astray from the fundamental that is to unconditionally love God and all His children.” This answers for the cause of conflicts and fights in the name of religion.
View CommentThis is very interesting and helps in proper understanding to promote mutual appreciation.
View CommentHH Radhanath Maharaj sees the essence and good in every religion and teaches us to do the same.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for this wonderful article
View CommentWonderful statement ..- The scriptures are the words of God and therefore the teaching of all religion,the purpose of all religion is to attain Love of God,which is Supreme goal of human form of life. All glories to HH Radhanath swami maharaj
View Comment“…there may be differences in religions but they are superficial. On the other hand similarities between religions are deeper.” – HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai!
View CommentReligion means that which advocates and teaches us ‘love for God’…
The hallmark of all great souls is to appreciate all religions and realize that the essence of all religions is the same.
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