At the town of Erzerum, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) suffered from dysentery and an angry mob threatened to kill him. Later they apologized and served him tea. Another scary incident that took place here was the preaching of a powerfully built man who grabbed Richard and commanded him to roar ‘Allaah!’ Despite many attempts Richard couldn’t satisfy him and felt the angel of death hovering inches from his head. In one final gust of energy, Richard roared ‘Allah’, and the man seemed satisfied. At Tehran he smiled at a boy of four and the boy glared back with such intense hatred that Richard lost his breadth. Richard was to be haunted by repeated nightmares of his stare. Richard realized that children can be conditioned to hate, love or fear even before they are able to reason. And this impressionable child had hatred all over him.
In stark contrast to this Richard received a wonderful reception at a home in Tabriz. The family didn’t speak a word of English, yet made Richard feel a part of their family. Their ten-year-old son offered dates as gift to Richard. Richard thanked God for this experience; he was touched to see the family’s kindness to a wayward stranger.
Radhanath Swami has created a family atmosphere at the different spiritual centres. He gives a great deal of importance to make every member feel loved. He is particularly concerned that children feel protected and loved in the society. Once Radhanath Swami saw a six year old girl play at the courtyard of the temple in Mumbai while her parents were talking to other devotees. Radhanath Swami went near her and pointing to her he said, “She is my friend.” The little girl was delighted that Radhanath Swami loves her. The parents thought Radhanath Swami knows many children and has thousands of followers; he may not really know their daughter. Ten years later once again when they were at the temple complex with their now sixteen year old daughter, Radhanath Swami once again turned to her and said, “She is my friend.” To the parents this was a revelation that Radhanath Swami loved their daughter and the relationship was indeed deep.
Radhanath Swami has also emphasized to his householder disciples to give great deal of importance to being united in a family. If the family focuses on giving their children spiritual values then the family is non-different from the spiritual world. As a young traveller Radhanath Swami saw hatred in a child’s face, and now as a leader of a world-wide community of devotees he strives to plant strong and favourable impressions of love in the minds of children. “We should show our children by our example that we love God. Children when they are young they may not intellectually understand so much but the impressions that they see go deeply into their consciousness and mould their whole lives. What you do will influence them, not what you say” are the golden words of wisdom from Radhanath Swami.
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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........
Great instruction for parents. Thanks
View CommentRadhanath Swami is simply amazing
View CommentSimply wonderful.Thank you very much Maharaj!
View CommentHHRNSM is simply humble and pure and is most fond of children, haribol, bhakti
View CommentHHRNSM always has emphasized on the importance of quality up bringing of children and to imbibe spiritual learning in them from a very young age, haribol, rajesh karia
View CommentVery nice instruction for the Grahastas
View CommentThank you for sharing such nectar with all of us. Indeed, children grasp on to all the impressions that fall on them…
View CommentAs a parent I can clearly see now how child copies the behavior of mother and father without realizing what is good and what is bad. Thank you very much maharaj for giving us the true knowledge and inspiring us to implement it in our everyday life, which mean passing it to the next generation, our kids. HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj Ki Jai!!!!!
View CommentThis is a truly eye opening article by Radhanath Maharaj. He has given so many practical instructions to householder couples on bringing up children with correct values and devotion to the Lord.
View CommentIt is said children see through adults better than adults do. So, it is very important that we are honest and upfront and lead by example, for this is what children are influenced by. Thank you maharaj.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj gives love to all of his children including us!
View CommentWhat we do makes deeper impressions in our children than what we speak – these words from Radhanath Swami Maharaj remind me of the great responsibility I have towards creating lasting positive impressions in the minds of the children entrusted by God to me.
View CommentRadhanath Swami treats each and every living entity as a Gods child.He loves every one and no exception based on any other external material qualifications.Thank you very much.
View Comment“What you do will influence them, not what you say” so very correct. Maharaj, I can not express my fortune of being associated with such a loving father like you. Thank you very much for coming in our lives. Eternally indebted to you ……your unworthy servant
View Commentits true , sometimes we (parents) try to explain something intellectually but child can not just understand it. but child still remembers and understands our behavior. Thank you.
View Commentthank you for helping parents to help raise children in devotional way.
View CommentWonderful article.
View CommentThis is certainly true….
View CommentRadhanath Swami is managing so many groups to uplift the societies with the support of spirituality and guidance for the spiritual path, that all of them are blossoming now, giving inspirations to people attached to those socities and many others. Children are future of this world and it’s a great responsibility that they have to bear in future. Unless these children are trained up to combat the ill effects of this world, there is no hope that we can see a beautiful future.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami is keen in nurturing the little minds and hearts of the innocent pure-hearted children. As they grow up, they acquire what they see and hear from the surroundings. And the instructions given by HH Radhanath Swami helps parents to guide their kids in a loving way, filling the little ones heart with hope and values that they will be able to sustain this self-centered society and actually be a positive change inspiring others. Thanks Maharaj.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj always gives special attention to children!
View CommentVery beautiful & powerful words of wisdom by Radhanath Swami – “What you do will influence them, not what you say”……I hope & pray to follow the same……..
View CommentRadhanath Maharaj emphasize so much to take care of the children, he also says we should treat our children like dieties specially when they are less than 5 year old & we have a special responsibility to make them Krsna Conscious & give them Krishna prem.
View Commentas told by Radhanath Swami, the children carry the experience of the behaviour deeply! this we can very easily observe in ourselves by finding out when the impressions that are deep in us were formed.
View CommentEvery parent gives some impressions to the child. One option is to let the child do whatever it wants. But this is rarely the case with most parents. So, if the parents give something to the child anyway, why not give heart-warming spiritual impressions to cherish all life?
View CommentThank you Radhanath for the profound words of wisdom. Being a parent myself, I will surely work towards giving positive spiritual impressions to my daughter & any person found to be favourable.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Maharaj for the profound words of wisdom. Being a parent myself, I will surely work towards giving positive spiritual impressions to my daughter & any person found to be favourable.
View Commentthank u for sharing
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai!
View CommentVery nice blog
View CommentSwamiji’s love & care can be felt in his dealings with everyone…….
View CommentWhy not give our children the best, especially if it’s also the simplest and most joyful way of life?
View CommentThanks for this wonderful blog based on the nectarine teachings of Radhanath swami
View CommentThank you
View CommentSimply an amazing article. I admire the writer’s wit in drawing such wonderful lessons from the journey home book.
View CommentAlthough Radhanath Swami being a renunciant has no direct experience of family life, BUT nonetheless his insights and realizations about how to maintain a good family are far beyond what a common family man can think of.
View CommentThank you
View CommentVery powerful lesson is taught here.
View CommentSwamiji through his personal behaviour teaches everyone to show care, love & affection for everyone, irrespecitve of social status…..
View CommentWonderful counselling by Radhanath Swami on parenting, specially in a age wherein the parents either do not give enough time to their kids, or they pamper them to the unhealthy extreme.
View Commentvery nice!!!
View Commentradhanath swami likes childrens very much.
View CommentThank you maharaj for teaching us children how to lead meaningful lives!
View CommentGreat one !!
View CommentThis subject matter is very close and dear to Radhanath Swami’s heart. His contributions are incredible.
View CommentGolden words by Radhanath Swami. Simple but soo true.
View CommentIts true…….love & care given to young buds make them blossom into fragrant giving flowers………..
View Commenta very important message for all parents
View CommentThank you Maharaj!Nicely said. I will take this as my home work and try to follow.
View CommentWhat we can understand is that children can b trained in the right direction of Krishna Consciousness from their impressionable years.Such wonderful.From Maharaj’s point of view it is the duty of every parent to inculcate love and devotion in children so that they are not influenced by the negativity and hatred of this world.
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