One day at Janakpur, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) met an elderly sadhu who while blessing innocent people with an open palm, simultaneously chastised Richard for having left behind the material comforts of America. Richard was shocked that as the innocent people didn’t understand English, this man was cheating them by blessing them while he himself desired material wellbeing. Although the man was dressed in the robes of a sadhu, he was denying the existence of God. Richard reflected over the dangers of duplicity and how it gives spiritual leaders and spiritual movements a bad name.
Radhanath Swami says the first qualification to practice spiritual life is simplicity. The Vedic scriptures define simplicity as the ability to lead a truthful life, free from any duplicity and hypocrisy. This truthfulness is so ingrained in a sincere person that he is willing to speak the truth even to an enemy. Radhanath Swami says if we can have this standard of simplicity and freedom from duplicity, only then can we chant the holy names of God purely. Radhanath Swami warns us from presenting a false picture of ourselves to others. “We can never cheat others because the Supreme Lord in the heart is always watching every thought, word and action of ours. He surely records our intent and rewards us accordingly.” Duplicity also poisons the heart and prevents us from thinking of the Supreme Lord. When we lead a simple life it becomes easy for us to not get entangled in unnecessary complications in life. This also saves time which can be well spent in service of the Lord and devotees.
Radhanath Swami also defines simplicity as the simple acceptance of the Lord’s order without unnecessarily complicating matters. Doubts on the instructions of God comes from a duplicitous mind
Radhanath Swami narrates the story told by his guru Srila Prabhupada on simplicity. A young boy approached the great sage Gautam Rsi, for spiritual initiation. The sage replied he initiates people who are of higher castes and birth and therefore he would initiate the boy only if he knew who his father was. The boy then went home to ask his mother. She said she didn’t know because she was a prostitute and had relationships with many men. Therefore it was difficult for her to ascertain as to who the father of her son was. The boy went back to the sage and repeated what he had heard from his mother as it is. Gautam Rishi was pleased and said since the boy spoke the truth without hesitation, he was most well qualified and was from the highest caste, irrespective of the apparently lower birth.
“Being truthful and free from duplicity means we should abandon materialistic ambitions and politics and the tendency to say and do anything to get what we want” says Radhanath Swami. “Duplicity means thinking ends justifies the means and through this philosophy we may conquer the world but can never please God or his representatives.”
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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........
Duplicity by a spiritualist is very heart breaking situation for the followers!
View CommentHH Radhanath swami Ki Jai
View Commentso nice explained !
View CommentSimplicity means no duplicity..
View CommentWithout being free from duplicity we cannot attract the mercy of the Lord. Thank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj for this wonderful insight.
View CommentVery amazing article! Simple but not easy!!!
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami
This principle of Simplicity is so appealing that it attracts every one. HH Radhanath Swami had perfected this quality in a very natural way.
View CommentTruthfulness is an important quality.No doubt Maharaj strsses on this very significant quality of every individual.
View CommentVery inspiring…. Radhanath Swami says if we can have this standard of simplicity and freedom from duplicity, only then can we chant the holy names of God purely.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami himself leads the world by exhibiting the noble and yet profound principle of simple living and high thinking.
View CommentThanks… wonderful
View CommentDuplicity means thinking ends justifies the means and through this philosophy we may conquer the world but can never please God or his representatives
View Comment“The first qualification to practice spiritual life is simplicity. The Vedic scriptures define simplicity as the ability to lead a truthful life, free from any duplicity and hypocrisy. This truthfulness is so ingrained in a sincere person that he is willing to speak the truth even to an enemy.” Simplicity is explained so nicely. Thank you Maharaj.
View Commentsimply superb
View CommentNice description of simplicity and duplicity.
View Comment“Being truthful and free from duplicity means we should abandon materialistic ambitions and politics and the tendency to say and do anything to get what we want” says Radhanath Swami.
View CommentThank you for sharing :).
View CommentSo much to learn from this article.
View CommentSo much to learn from.
View CommentWonderful explanation of simplicity and duplicity!
View CommentWe should be simple in life. Thanks a lot Radhanath Swami for teaching us this important principle.
View CommentRadhanath Swami says the first qualification to practice spiritual life is simplicity. The Vedic scriptures define simplicity as the ability to lead a truthful life, free from any duplicity and hypocrisy.
View CommentWe should be always honest and truthful because Duplicity also poisons the heart and prevents us from thinking of the Supreme Lord. When we lead a simple life it becomes easy for us to not get entangled in unnecessary complications in life.
View CommentThank you so much for sharing!! Really wonderful!!
View Commentsimplicity explained very simply
View CommentGreat article.. Jai Gurudev!!
View CommentSome saints are duplicitous so we have to be very careful! The hallmark of a true guru or saint is humility and simplicity.
View CommentAmazing explanation.. Jai Gurudev !!
View Commentsimply wonderful article
View CommentSimplicity and truthfulness purify our consciousness and help us to practice the higher values of life
View Comment