On his return to Janakpur, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was fascinated to meet a young, friendly Nepalese student Vishnu Prasad. Vishnu Prasad was enchanted by Richard (now Radhanath Swami) who was an American and had taken to the life of a sadhu. Vishnu Prasad invited Richard to his home. Richard was cordially greeted and served by all the family members; he was served with sumptuous meals and considered to be part of the family.
Uncles, aunts, and cousins all lived under one roof, but Richard (now Radhanath Swami) never heard a single voice rise in anger. They had nothing but respect for one another. In the morning, the children respectfully touched the feet of their parents, and the parents, in turn, offered blessings. No matter what their age, the children, even the teenagers, were naturally obedient to their elders and the younger children showed honor to the eldest son as the representative of the parents. Having been brought up in 1960s America, Richard experienced this teenage respectfulness as a pleasant kind of culture shock.
Radhanath Swami recollects in his autobiography that each morning and evening, the family members would gather together for worship ceremonies in their small temple of Lord Rama in the center of the home where, during the day, the women performed various devotions. Radhanath Swami found nothing but happiness in their home. Radhanath Swami observed that every evening they would come together and perform devotional service united in spirit of love of God. From these gentle souls Richard (now Radhanath Swami) learned much about the traditions of family life in the East.
I observed these devotional traditions on a visit to Remuna in Orrissa, Eastern India. We were a group of 170 young college boys on a ‘yatra,’ piligrimage to the holy place of Jagganath Puri and Remuna. We were on an hour long harinaam procession (a procession of congregational chanting of holy names of God) through the interiors of the village. For most of us Mumbaities, it was a pleasant surprise to see families come out of their houses excitedly and happily greet us, exuding natural warmth and spontaneous affection. Elders offered respectful ‘namaskar’, women blew conch shells to invoke auspiciousness, and little children happily joined in, thus declaring our presence there to be a festive event for the community. Some of us couldn’t help comparing this response with the fast paced city life where our harinaams usually attract cold stares. Sky rise buildings and apartments have ‘beware of dogs’ or ‘trespassers will be prosecuted’ sign hanging, and uniformed security men with their buzzer alarm and other high tech gadgets get alert, ensuring we don’t ‘intrude’ on anyone’s privacy.
We stopped at our pre decided destination for dinner. Our host, Kamal lochan Das earns little from his traditional farming, and for a big joint family, he barely makes ends meet. He personally served all of us food and since it was dark now, he stood with a lantern to help us settle down for dinner. For generations this simple family, unknown to the world, has been serving devotees and piligrims. For the entire feast they cooked, they refused to take a donation to reimburse the costs. All of them happily joined us in kirtans, and many from the village also congregated. Later as we left the house and thanked the family, elderly Mr. Das, the head of the family, was in tears and made a heartfelt appeal to us to visit his house again.
In Nepal, Radhanath Swami witnessed the last traces of this dying culture. Radhanath Swami often explains that spiritual life is simple and easy if we focus on service and pleasing others. I could vouch for Radhanath Swami’s verdict on spiritual culture for I personally witnessed Kamal locan Das and his family as a shining example of a dying tradition that is most effective to guarantee a happy life. In a fast paced modern life, for someone to throw open his doors to serve and feed such a large number of strangers is rare. In a couple hours we were gone, and we might never meet this family again. However for Das family, we were an integral part of their life filled with love and service.
Reading Radhanath Swami’s book just confirmed my experience in Orissa, India as a special and rare event. By requesting people to preserve this culture of service, Radhanath Swami is giving spiritual vision for the smooth functioning of human society.
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........
Nowadays people prefer nuclear families, very unlike the old vedic tradition…..Radhanath Swami’s endeavour of sharing his realisations will definitely encourage today’s youth to think otherwise……
View CommentRadhanath swami is setting a nice example by inspiring one and all with the importance of service. Thank you
View CommentCulture is very important for any society.
View CommentWonderful article showing the importance of culture, respecting everyone, bowing down to elders & take their blessings.
View CommentNice article. Remembering the past days. Thankyou so much Maharaj
View Commentvery beautiful experience of Radhanath swami. Thanks Radhanath swami and the author of this article for sharing this nectar.
View CommentI wonder how to build this family culture of devotion and respect in the west.
View CommentI can just keep reading Maharaj’s experience and realizations again and again
View CommentVery nice, thank you very much Maharaj
View CommentOur culture seems to be slowly dying in the face of Western practices taking precedence. We must all work toward preserving this rich culture, as outlined by Maharaj. Jai!
View CommentIndia has such rich culture. Maharaj is trying to make us all understand not to walk away from it.
View Commentthank you very much for the post………
View Comment“Athiti” that’s what a guest is commonly addressed in India, indicating one who has come without an invitation. Yet the fact remains that the welcome and services he is offered is heartfelt. Radhanath Swamis book ‘The Journey Home’ so nicely reminds us of our love and duty towards a guest, who is to be considered as the Lords representative.
When you want to come home ‘CALL’ and come that’s how we now look at it, simply because we have complicated and messed up our lifestyles in the name of advancement.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for sharing the glimpses of wonderful Vedic culture. It also sets up expectations from the spiritual aspirant living in the modern fast paced city life.
View CommentUnfortunately instead of showing direction to the western people we are following ontheir path and getting lost. Radhanath Swami is opening our eyes by letting us know that the treasure lies in our backyard.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for a gentle reminder for all of us to bring back that same respect & culture in our own lives.
View Commenttouching story
View CommentIt is indeed a poignant state of affairs – very rarely does one get to see such warmth and affection which was integral to Indian tradition. I am very grateful to Radhanath Swami for working tirelessly to revive this happy tradition.
View CommentThe same culture H H Radhanath Swami by his sincer efforts establishing all around the world,so that people in general can take advatage of it.
View Commentdue to the glorious Vedic culture of India such family culture is still available in India although rare. & Saints like Radhanath Swami Maharaj are preserving and reviving it.
View CommentOur family culture & traditions can be protected from the western influence only if we respect & adhere to the instructions of learned saints such as Radhanath Swami.
View CommentPractice of spiritual life is very condusive if there is right culture! Thankyou for posting!
View CommentThank you for giving a thought for meditation
View CommentRadhanath Swami often explains that spiritual life is simple and easy if we focus on service and pleasing others
View CommentVery true that its very difficult to find the kind of humbleness and service attitude like Mr.Kamal Locan das in people today. But due to special efforts of HH Radhanath Maharaj we can see that many lives are changing and specially youth. We can see the loving nature of devotees in Shri Shri Radha Gopinath temple and really feel the closeness of GOD. Thanks for everything Maharaj… JAI !!!
View CommentThank you Radhanath swami for this wonderful article
View CommentThis shows that Radhanath Swami has got a true understanding and experience of real Indian family culture. Radhanath Swami has extended this great Indian family culture with all those who come in touch with him. For more details please click on http://www.itsohappened.com/
View CommentGod centered families are always happy families.
View CommentBy presenting this topic Radhanath Swami wants to highlight the importance of vedic culture.Without vedic culture human society is diging their own grave yard at fast pace.Therfore I agree that our leaders should make endavours to sow the seed of spiritual knowledge in the heart of people.Thanks Radhanath Swami that he is making lot of efforts to establish the same throughout the world.Thanks for sharing.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj and his students have experienced such wonderful family culture. Though very chllenging, I wish to take part in reviving it.
View CommentThanks for nice things sharing with us.So nice tips for meditation.
View CommentH.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj often explains that spiritual life is simple and easy if we focus on service and pleasing others. This simple instruction is sufficient to advance spiritually.
View CommentIt doesn’t take much to be happy – just contemplate on how to make other’s happy, that’s all.
View Commentwhy not move to the villages then. because cities situated in mode of passion hardly inspire us to keep good relations with other people.?
View CommentIndia’s culture is one we can be proud of
View CommentKamal Lochan das’s family is one of the rarest families who can perform this kind of devotion. Thank you Radhanath Swami for telling about this story.
View CommentVedic culture is very wonderful
View Commentvedic culture is the true culture
View Commentits very nice saying
View CommentRadhanath Swami makes us relive his experience by narrating this story. We also realize how should we be welcoming our guests !
View CommentThanks
View CommentFamily that prays together stays together.
View CommentRadhanath Swami helps all of us to follow this principle in life. Thanks for sharing such rare experience in modern times
Radhanath Swami, himself has so nicely imbibed this culture of serving others. And now he sharing this with the entire world.
View Commentmaharaj always teaches to do ur duty without any expectation. keeping the big spiritual goal in centre we should take care of small goals i.e…., taking care of ur family.
View CommentIf this lost Vedic culture of mutual respect, love and sacrifice among family members is revived, we will witness so many strong loving family units in the world.
View CommentAmazing article.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is bringing this wonderful family culture of devotion back. He always stresses on the family mood of love and trust for each other, let it be a Matha of full time resident devotees or a community of various householder devotees.
View Commentspiritual life is simple and easy if we focus on service and pleasing others. I like this statement by Radhanath Swami. Thank you Radhanath Swami!!!
View CommentBlissful existence is an integral part of spiritual life. There can be harmony only when Lord is the centre of existence. Radhanath Maharaj came all the way in search of spiritual life to India and he saw a glimpseof what was in store for him. Maharaj’s experiences are greatly enlightening. Thanks for sharing Maharaj.
View CommentPerceiving divine qualities in devotees is very fortunate. The host and his family are really very much fortunate to serve without expecting anything to just please devotees and God. This is due to the purity of Radhanath Swami. all glories to Radhanath Swami.
View Comment