At Kandahar, Mr Hariz hosted Richard (now Radhanath Swami). Once while having a philosophical discussion with him, Richard noticed Hariz howl like a wolf and a mongoose crawled into the terrace and soon crawled up to Richard’s long hair and went to sleep. Hariz apologized but said if Richard were to try to wake up the mongoose, he would tear his head to shreds. Richard spent six hours hosting the mongoose; it was a hard lesson in patience and tolerance. The pain was intense but he couldn’t afford to sleep. Richard spent the night praying and realized the mongoose was teaching the sacred virtue of patience and forbearance. Radhanath Swami writes that the lesson the mongoose taught would give him strength in the hard times that awaited him in his search for enlightenment. Finally when the sun rose, the mongoose crawled down the back and stared at Richard with an innocent affection as if thanking him for his hospitality.
There is a wise Indian saying, ‘atmavat manyate jajat’, the world is a reflection of our own state of consciousness. Since Radhanath Swami is naturally grateful and kind, he could also see the mongoose express gratitude. Radhanath Swami also learnt the need to be tolerant in the company of the mongoose. The way Radhanath Swami built his community of dedicated members at Mumbai is a classic example of his tolerance. The community premises where Radhanath Swami lived in the late 1980’s was poverty stricken. The neighborhood was noisy; he had rats- the size even cats would fear- for company. Even by Indian standards, the place was disgustingly dirty; yet Radhanath Swami- an American by birth- lived here happily chanting the names of God and influencing others through his sterling qualities of tolerance and patience. Radhanath Swami is constantly absorbed in selfless service; hence he easily transcends physical surroundings.
On one occasion after a long and tiring day, Radhanath Swami rested late at night, yet although he was sick, he was up for the morning temple services. A student unable to see his guru, Radhanath Swami’s physical illness, requested him to go and take rest. Radhanath Swami smiled and replied, “I feel unhappy if I do not make it for the morning programme.” The student replied, “But I feel unhappy to see you come for the services when you are sick. And I feel happy when I see you not come, because I know that you are taking a well-deserved rest.” Radhanath Swami immediately laughed aloud and said, “Thank you for your concern but it’s better that you feel unhappy rather than I feel unhappy.” The student was defeated. Radhanath Swami disregards his bodily sickness to come for the morning services, just so that he can inspire his younger students to practice strict spiritual standards.
Even for his householder students and disciples, Radhanath Swami emphasizes that the focus and center of their relationship should be to create a favorable environment to chant the holy names of God and selflessly serve each other. But Radhanath Swami clarifies that in order to do that, each of them has to cultivate affection and care and especially tolerance of each other. Radhanath Swami says in modern times tolerance is the most required quality for married couples because, “By the nature of this age when two false egos come together there is bound to be conflict. There will be disagreements misunderstandings as time goes on; certain things about each other will be disgusting. The sanctity of the marriage will be based on how partners in a marriage don’t take these differences very seriously.”
Since Radhanath Swami himself practices the highest standards of tolerance and patience, his realizations on this subject penetrate the heart deeply.
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........
How Radhanath Swami stretches himself just to please his students is very much evident from this blog
View CommentEverything is connected with being able to chant well, to create a favourable environment where everyone can chant together.
View CommentRadhanath Swami always stresses on being ‘tolerant than a tree’ without any want of self respect, being respectful to others. He practices it all the more.
View Commentthank you very much for the article
View Commentarticle stresses nicely the importance of tolerance especially amongst devotees who are staying close.
View CommentWow! this was one terrifying experience, but the way Radhanath Swami describe it, it was also hilarious!
View CommentIt is so true that when false ego’s clash that the only way out is tolerance like Maharaj said. Thank you for this wonderful lesson.
View Commentsuperb understanding
View Commentthanks for sharing
thank u for sharing of maharaj wonderful pastimes and instructions
View CommentThank you for helping me understand the utmost need of tolerance, especially in a relationship like marriage where two false ego’s come together. I especially liked the statement by Radhanath Swami “The sanctity of the marriage will be based on how partners in a marriage don’t take these differences very seriously”.
View CommentNice post
View Commentusually our perception tolerance/patience means to bear with something for few mins. Here Radhanath Swami had to sit without moving for 6 hrs + sacrificing his sleep – something that is not at all easy!
however he still remains grateful and learns from the experience!
View Commentvery good article. thank you
View CommentNice art work too 🙂
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for glorifying the quality of tolerance.
View CommentExcellent article on Tolerance.
View CommentThanks for sharing!
View CommentVery instructive. Thank you very much Radhanath Swami.
View CommentRadhanath Swami:
“I realized that for any relationship to develop in this world there must be forgiveness, there must be patience and tolerance, there must be a certain selflessness of adjusting to show respect and honor to each other.”
Radhanath Swami Maharaj explains the importance of tolerance.
View CommentLearning to be tolerant in the company of a mongoose, and finally the mongoose thanked Radhanath Swami.
View CommentThrough his tolerance, Radhanath Swami has inspired many souls to engage in devotional service which is the rarest of the rare in this world at this time.
View CommentRadhanath swami is teaching us so much from his words and from his exampl.e
View CommentVisualizing these events in Radhanath Swami’s life makes us wonder just how unique he is. And it’s so nice of him to share all this treasure with us.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has an amazing level of endurance. If the society at large learns to practice tolerance like he does, than most of the social problems across the globe will simply disappear.
View CommentTolerance is one of the 26 qualities of devotees and emphasised by many acaryas. Radhanath Swami is teaching this quality to so many people by his on practice.
View Commentwonderful, thanks for sharing
View Commentthanks to Radhanath swami for the wonderful words of wisdom.
View CommentReading about the wonderful qualities exhibited and practiced by HH Radhanath Swami inspires me to follow his teachings sincerely. But due to so much conditionings, I’m not able to do so. I sincerely pray at the lotus feet of HH Radhanath Swami to bless me with the spiritual strength.
View CommentMaharah has demonstrated all the qualities through his own behaviour. This inspires readers and his followers to follow the path of great sage. Here Maharaj teaches us lessons of tolerance and humbleness just to take care of others. Thank you Maharaj.
View CommentVery instructive incident. Thank you Radhanath Swami for teaching us by your own examples.
View CommentHare Krsna. Radhanath Swami Maharaj is truly lives exemplary life. He leads by example.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jaiii.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj is tolerance personified.
View CommentThe beauty of Radhanath Swami is that he saw even such a trying experience as the grace of God. Amazing. I have so much to learn from Radhanath Swami.
View CommentMaterial world is full of tolerating the miseries
View CommentVery informative article…..so many lessons to learn from this article & from Swamiji’s personal qualities……
View Commentthank you very much for this article
View CommentJust a small article like this is packed with so many invaluable lessons on life. Radhanath Swami’s own qualities of patience, tolerance, gratitude etc make his teachings on the subject transform our hearts forever.
View CommentA very powerful entry.It gives one all types of lessons that one must get in his/her life to perfect his/her life in this small article.Thank you very much for sharing with us.
View CommentIt may be possible to tolerate under life-threatening conditions, but generally one comes out with a feeling of hatred and is vengeful. But Radhanath Swami really exemplifies tolerance because not only does he tolerate but also learns from the difficult situation and is actually grateful to the person (or animal) who has subjected him to such prolonged agonizing experience.
View CommentQualities can be learnt by taking inspiration from those who possess them – like Radhanath Swami.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is institution himself where anyone can learn a lot.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is indeed the personification of virtue & tolerance
View CommentRadhanath Swami perfectly exemplifies how one should overcome tolerance. It was thrilling while reading this incident in Swamiji’s autobiography. Please do share such snippets in the future.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami has established the quality of tolerance by setting an example for all of us.
View CommentRadhanath Swami inspires people by example. That is why Krishna empowers Him and manifests through his words.
View Commentthanks for sharing
View CommentThis is a very nice lesson on tolerance. This is something I intend to work on and cultivate within my life, with the blessings of HH Radhanath swami.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj’s tolerance is historical!
View CommentThis is an excellent articel especially for newly married couples – to tolerate & understand each other.
View CommentTolerance is a great virtue in any relationships.Who else can teach tolerance better than HH Radhanath Maharaj? A devotee’s spiritual advancement is directly proportional to his level of tolerance.
View Comment