One of the kindest, gentlest men Richard ever met was Kailash Baba. Once as Richard was taking a dip in the Ganges, the current pulled him away, and it was then that Richard met Kailash Baba, a powerfully built elderly man, who seized his arm, and rescued him. Kailash Baba was a devotee of Lord Shiva and instructed Richard on the proper behavior of a sadhu. He did not speak English but both communicated through the language of love. Kailash Baba shared all the food he collected, offered his blanket during the cold nights, and showered him with fatherly affection. Externally he had a fearsome appearance with long unkempt hair, and an iron trident. However he was a mountain of affection and drew love from Richard’s heart like a lifelong friend. Although Kailash Baba possessed great supernatural powers, he never made a show of them. It was the character and devotion of Kailash Baba that inspired Richard the most. As days passed, Kailash Baba wished to enter into seclusion, and Richard not wanting to impose himself, sought blessings to move on. Richard was particularly touched by Kailash Baba’s unyielding detachment and the softness of heart.
“Like a father and son we loved each other, but as roaming sadhus, we sensed that we would never meet again. This bittersweet experience of developing dear relationships, then moving on to never again see the people I was meeting was part of the life I had chosen. It was difficult for me, but the pain of separation kept the joy of our relationship alive in my heart. As I turned and walked away from Kailash Baba, I prayed never to forget him. And I never have.”
This has been to me the most touching part of Radhanath Swami’s autobiography. While absorbed in the narration, I too felt pain in their separation, and reflected on the culture of sadhus in India. How many such great souls must be living in the Himalayas, practicing their spiritual path sincerely, without desire for any fame or recognition? The affection that Radhanath Swami draws from all those who know him, has its origin in these loving exchanges with holy men that he had as an innocent Richard, travelling alone in the jungles of the Himalayas.
One student of Radhanath Swami shared with me an incident that touched his life deeply and inspired him to take to a God centered life more seriously. Once in the initial days of his married life, his wife was sick, and took a long time to recuperate. When Radhanath Swami heard this, he called him to the kitchen of the ashram, and cooked a special sweet with his own personal hands. For hours he worked to prepare halwa, sddd…, and asked him to serve his wife. The student was overwhelmed by the Swami’s affection for his family. Recently Radhanath Swami was in South India for a month long treatment. During the entire stay, an elderly Muslim driver drove Radhanath Swami around the different places. Each day before getting into the car Radhanath Swami greeted the driver with a sweet smile and offered respects with folded hands. On the last day, the entourage of the Swami rushed to go the airport, and in the hurry, the other members forgot to thank the driver. Radhanath Swami however insisted that they go back, and call for the driver. Radhanath Swami personally thanked him for his service. He was overwhelmed, and tearfully expressed to the others that he had served as a chauffeur for many great personalities in India and abroad. However none had made him feel as special, honored, and loved as Radhanath Swami had done. In his emotional tone, he thanked Radhanath Swami for the loving affection showered upon him. Whether it’s a senior student who has known the Swami intimately or it’s an insignificant driver, Radhanath Swami has the special ability to touch the hearts of all those who have known him.
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........
The story of the Muslim driver drives home the point that Radhanath Swami loves everyone equally as the children of God irrespective of their social or economic position.
View CommentSensitivity towards each living entity is one of the most important aspect of human life. It crosses all the divisions of different religions
View CommentI have thoroughly enjoyed reading the book “Journey Home”. Thank you Radhanath swami for giving us hope in our spiritual journey.
View CommentSometimes we are so busy and lost in ourselves that we don’t even think being thankful…sometimes we think about it but still don’t do it…for whatever reasons. These real life experiences with Radhanath Swami force us to stop for a moment and think about it.
View CommentHe has always been sensitive to others feelings.Par Dukh Dukhi
View CommentI have also read the auto biography of Radhanath Swami and moved by the section of Kailash Baba. Radhanath Swami himself exhibits these qualities in his own life and any one who is close to Radhanath Swami can experience this while dealing with Radhanth Swami
View CommentRadhanath Swami mentions about this bitterseet relation and it amazes me how at that very young age he had such classical realisations.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s relationship with each living entity is so loving that it is touching to the heart.
View CommentAfter reading about such incidents I feel a sense of pride and gratitude to be associated with Maharaj and the Radhagopinath temple.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has this unique quality of appreciating & even glorifying small & feeble service rendered to him
View CommentThank you Kailash Baba for saving Radhanath Swami for us 🙂
View CommentAnyone who comes in the proximity of Radhanath Swami feels love of God .Radhanath Swami has appreciation for any one and does not know to see faults in others.Whereever Radhanath Swami went in his journey to God he took blessings from everyone by his humble genuine attitude.He has that treasure in his heart which the whole world is longing for – love!!!
View Commentlove brought Radhanath Swami nearer to baba
View CommentIt is one thing to draw affection for one’s ownself by one’s behaviour but the way Radhanath Swami has desribed the story of Kailash baba, makes Kailash baba dear to all readers too.
View Commentvery very inspiring
View Commentwonderful
View CommentThis story is very inspiring. The narration of Radhanath Swami genuinely thanking even a driver who was just doing his job is really inspiring.
View CommentNice Article, Thanks for sharing
View CommentRadhanath Swami is grateful to everyone’s services whether he is a driver or someone else it is really amazing
View Comment“It was the character and devotion of Kailash Baba that attracted Radhanath Swami.” This is a lesson for me as to what to look for in another person.
View Commentmagnetic personality !! wonderful !!
View CommentIn all our still and not so still moments we’re torn between so many worlds and then whats on the surface is totally contrary to the conflicts raging within. But when you catch a single glimpse of Maharaj or hear His voice in a lecture, all the noise inside just dies down and you realise this is one person whose completely at peace with Himself and the world,gentle, calm and self realised..May Maharaj always shower His mercy upon us ..
View CommentIt is heart melting narration. H.H Radhanath Swami is so ideal that any one can adopt his priciples. He is an example of Panditah sama darsinah (BG 5.18)
View CommentOne of the very rare virtues in today’s world is gratitude. Radhanath Swami’s life teaches one how to be grateful even for something that may seemingly be insignificant.
View Commentwith his love and affection he has changed so many.
View Commentvery inspiring story of muslim driver radhanath swami by his own example he is teaching all of us how to be greatful to each and everyone even the person did little to you
View CommentRadhanath Swami sets the epitome of humility through his own example.
View Commentit takes one to know one. Radhanath swami can really bring out such finer qualities of so called common looking people.
View CommentTruly,only a heart filled with love and compassion can spread love all around.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is a true spiritualist and can gel with any other spiritualist with love and affection.
View CommentBoth Radhanath Swami and Kailash Baba are transcendental. I am thankful to Kailash Baba for protecting my Guru Maharaj, because of which we have got ooportunity to serve Radhanath Swami.
Beautiful story of love between two great souls.
View Commentamazing!!
View CommentRadhanath Swamis experiences are so unique and wonderful
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s humility is touching. He offers all respects to everyone.
View CommentThe incident gives us glimpse of a wonderful fatherly compassionate relation between Radhanth Swami & kailash baba ..His realizations helps us to learn how to maintain good relations in general.
View CommentSometime you find yourself speechless & you find only words ” Hare Krsna” by seeing so much for care, affection & love.
View CommentI dont have words to speak for the love, affection and care that Radhanath Swami has shown to each and everyone he meets. To be honest I was in tears, when I read how Radhanath Swami spent hours to make the sweet for his student.
View CommentGood,i find something what i want! thank you very much!
View CommentGuru Maharaj’s attention to detail ,to the smallest things. to making everyone feel so special,so important,so inspiring,a lesson for all of us.Thankyou Guru Maharaj
View Commentthis is touching and inspiring …….
View CommentThe fact that Radhanath Maharaj has written so much about Kailash Baba, even after so many years, is proof enough that this person has etched a deep mark in Maharaj’s heart. Maharaj truly knows what to retain and share and what to forget. A yet important quality to be imbibed by me.
View CommentWhat a fatherly affection shared by Kailash baba!
View CommentTouching article – Radhanath Swami Maharaj’s heart is always overflowing with compassion, humility, gratitude, mercy and love of God. Anybody who comes in contact gets touched by this beautiful and transcendental mercy.
View CommentMaharaj is simply amazing. Every action he does, every word he speaks teaches us new lessons and encourages us to be krishna conscious. It re-asserts our faith in the process of devotional service.
View CommentIt is a great fortune that we are able to associate with such a great soul.
excellent experiance
View CommentRadhanathswami has prayed ,never to forget Kailash Baba,really he never had ,thats why Radhanathswami showers these qualities of love&affection in thousand &thousand times.
View CommentYou are absolutely a skilled writer. You absolutely know how to write to keep the audience engaged. I need to see a lot more of your wonderful writing style in the future.
View CommentExcellent blog! I actually love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which should do the trick! Have a nice day!
View CommentHellooo there, I just felt the urge to say how interesting I find this blog!
View Commentvery rightly said HHRM has the ability to touch each and everyone he has met and is known to him, haribol, bhakti
View Comment