Richard’s pilgrimage next led him southeast to Prayaga, praised as the king of holy places. This was home of the Kumbha Mela, the largest gathering on earth where up to twenty million pilgrims gather every twelve years to meet saintly people and take a religious purification bath. Prayaga is situated at the confluence of three rivers: the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Richard walked barefoot in the unbearably hot sand, and arrived at the confluence where he saw the river Yamuna embracing Mother Ganges—Yamuna with her complexion of deep blue, Ganges with hers of white, and the transparent Saraswati joined them from below.
Sitting on the sandy bank, Richard gazed into the sky and saw a hawk plunge headlong into the Ganges. There, a frantic underwater skirmish ensued until he emerged with a flapping fish, about a foot long, pierced in the grip of his talons. Squirming desperately, the fish was carried overhead and into a nearby forest. Looking on Richard reflected:
“The unsuspecting fish, who knew nothing but a life in the river, went about its routine like any other day, but in an instant was ripped out of its reality to meet with death. Like that fish, we routinely live our lives hardly aware that, at the least expected moment, the yellow-eyed hawk of fate in the form of crises, tragedy, or even death, may wrench us out of our comfortable environment. We regularly hear of it in the news or see it around us but rarely take seriously that it could happen to us. Perhaps the lesson here is to guard against complacency and give higher priority to our spiritual needs. If the fish swam deeper, the hawk would not be able reach it. Similarly, if we go deeper into our connection to God, we will find an inner reality so deep and so satisfying that it lifts the consciousness to a place where we could deal with the effects of unforeseeable fate with a stable, detached mind.”
Radhanath Swami appeals that in this material world there is danger at every step and death could come at any time. Therefore a spiritualist spends every moment remembering God so that during the eventual moment of death, he is fixed in an inner state of bliss, ready to enter the divine realm of God. Radhanath Swami says, “A spiritualist doesn’t let a breath pass without remembering God.” Although this may appear presently impractical, our goal is to attain that state of constant remembrance. Radhanath Swami’s oft quoted phrase is, “To forget God is worse than death.”
Radhanath Swami believes that for a spiritual seeker death is not the end, rather it’s a beginning of entrance into a realm of eternity, knowledge and bliss. For a materialist, death is simply the end of everything he or she identifies with. Therefore a God lover doesn’t mind getting old or nearing death, because he knows that as the body is coming closer to death, the soul is getting closer to the eternal spiritual youthful form. Therefore Radhanath Swami’s catchy reminder for us is ‘die before you die’
Radhanath Swami has observed in his four decade of spiritual practices that as inevitable death approaches, all sincere devotees of God are not fearful of losing anything of this world. I once heard Radhanath Swami’s student give a striking example, “In a typical Hindu marriage, the bride cries as she leaves her parents’ house. This is because of her familial attachments and the uncertain future waiting to unfold at her husband’s home. But if a long courtship precedes her wedding, she silently celebrates the parting from her loved ones. Similarly a devotee constantly associating with God through service and remembrance fills his life with serenity and bliss and easily turns from worldly attachments. Then when the inevitable death approaches, he is excited to be reunited with his beloved Lord”
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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........
It has been practically seen that saintly people are unperturbed when death approaches them. When Socrates was about to die , he was least concerned because he knew his future.We must know our future.
View Comment“To forget God is worse than death.”
View CommentJust wonderful
Radhanath Swami believes that for a spiritual seeker, ‘death is not the end, rather it’s a beginning of entrance into a realm of eternity, knowledge and bliss.’ What an inspiring though for aspiring spiritualists.
View CommentDeath is inevitable and we are careless about it. To get more insights into what maharaj is saying please – please go thru song by Srila BVT: Durlabha Manava Janma….. Its availble in song book which is available on audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?…Swamis%2FHis…Radhanath_Swami –
View CommentSuch an important facet of life explained so simply thru power of wonderful analogies.Radhanath Swami can really create a wonder with words.
View CommentIts amazing. It remembers me of Yudhidhstra answering to Yaksha about the amazing thing in life that everyone see everyone dying , but he think , I will no die.
View CommentYes its really true that everyday we see someone dying or pass on number of tragedy , but due to conditioned mind ignored everytime. Maharaj pl have mercy on this unfortunate soul, so that can remember this incident and can practice my spiritual life sincerly.
H H Radhanath Swami Maharaj is explaining how to accomplish the purpose of life. This is possible only in human form. Thank you Maharaj.
View Comment“Perhaps the lesson here is to guard against complacency and give higher priority to our spiritual needs. ” This message from Radhanath Swami really shacks complacent attitude I have towards giving priority to my spiritual needs.
View CommentVery striking analogy of bride and practitioner. We are fearful beacuse future is uncertain or ignorance of truth causes all fear.
View CommentThis is the final test for any living entity and Radhanath Swami explained it very nicely.
View CommentAs one great soul put it – in this life we have a tendency to settle down down down down…
View CommentIf we open our eyes and see – we see that beyond the illusory world of advertisements and movies – there is misery everywhere in this world or it is just waiting around the corner.
View Commentvery nicely explained!
View CommentWhat an amazing example of an hawk!
View CommentWe all are looking for happiness in this world by one or the other way without realizing that Lord Krishna never spoke about any happiness in Bhagavad Geeta, rather He always mentioned that this material world is “Dukhalayam Ashasvatam”, so there should be no doubt that whatever happiness we think we have in this material world is an illusion. May one day I truely follow the instructions which Radhanath Swami is asking us to follow directly/indirectly.
View CommentRadhanath swamis thought ‘DIE BEFORE YOU DIE’ is wonderful
View CommentThe example of the bride was really touching
View CommentRadhanath Swami reminds us the inevitable death. also The difference between the death of devotee and non-devotee. it is really inspiring statement. Death of no fear for devotees. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentWhat a realization! “If the fish swam deeper, the hawk would not be able reach it. Similarly, if we go deeper into our connection to God, we will find an inner reality so deep and so satisfying that it lifts the consciousness to a place where we could deal with the effects of unforeseeable fate with a stable, detached mind”
View CommentThank you so much for wake up call.
I simply marvel at amazing realizations Radhanath Swami gets through various incidents in his life. I feel that he sees life as a series of continuous opportunities to express his gratitude towards Lord and Lord reciprocates with him all the more with such wonderful realizations. Truly sublime. Thank you!
View CommentThe example of fish’s analogy in related to death is wonderful. Thank you Maharaj.
View CommentHow beautifully Radhanath Swami has described the relationship that a devotee should build up with God and thereby transcend death
View Comment“To forget God is worse than death.”
View CommentBut to forget this maxim by Radhanath Swami is worst.
Radhanath Swami’s analogy of the newly wed bride’s feeling on the day of marriage depending upon her acquaitance with the Bride Groom is so apt to describe what we will feel on death.
View CommentDeath is As sure as death. But it is incomprehensible at this moment to feel about death . I better be merged in thinking of the Lord than about death.
View CommentGreat article – Very powerfully made the point with the analogy of the fish. The striking example from the Hindu marriage is awesome. The only way is to serve the Lord and develop that relationship so one can feel excited at the reunion when the inevitable death approaches.
View Commentsuch a nice article.
View CommentTank you very much, This reminds us that death can come at any time , how i can not be neglectful even for a moment for my spiritual responsibilities
View Commentthank you maharaj for reminding us to prepare for death at any time. and we should be fixed on lord at eventual time of death.
View Comment“Perhaps the lesson here is to guard against complacency and give higher priority to our spiritual needs.” His Holiness Radhanath Swami has wonderfully extracted and presented the message from the fate of the fish.
View CommentIf one is alert then GOD is giving lessons on self-realisation at each instance of life. GOD is always there, we need to turn toward him.
View CommentSwamiji has done that, and we see amazing results of doing so.
That’s the reality of life
View Commentyours website looks is wonderful.Radhanath Swami reminds us the inevitable death. also The difference between the death of devotee and non-devotee. it is really inspiring statement. Death of no fear for devotees. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentThank you for elaborating about how death is not the end of everything. On the contrary it is the start of a new beginning.
View Comment