While in Patna Richard (now Radhanath Swami)’s friend Narayan Prasad took him to meet his Muslim friend Mohammed. Mohammed was born a Hindu but had later converted to Islam. Richard had lengthy discussions with him about the parallels of the Bhagavad Gita, Bible and the Koran. In his dialogue with Mohammed, Richard could begin to feel that mercy of God flows through each of the great scriptures, saints, and religions in a special way. Richard was becoming more and more aware that no matter what one’s path and no matter how narrow it became, in broadest terms, sincere devotion to God was the only way to overcome the strife and division of the world.
Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was also surprised that Narayan Prasad had so much affection for someone from another religion in a country where there is so much conflict between the two. Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was amazed by Narayan Prasad’s answer, and hasn’t forgotten it till date. “
“A dog will recognize his master in whatever way he dresses. The master may dress in robes, suit and tie, or stand naked, but the dog will always recognize his master. If we cannot recognize God, our beloved master, when he comes in a different dress from another religion, then we are less than that dog.”
Radhanath Swami’s fans include Christians, Muslims and people from many other faiths as well. I once attended a programme where Radhanath Swami spoke about two aspects of all religions. He said all religions have an exoteric, external aspect and an esoteric or internal aspect. Radhanath Swami revealed that most religious practitioners focus fanatically on the exoteric aspects such as rituals, institutions and mindsets, which often differ according to time, place and culture. These superficial religionists are often unaware of the essence of the religion they follow. Due to this ignorance they tend to become sentimental or fundamentalist and have internecine conflicts, riots and crusades. When we dig through the misconceptions, misinterpretations and mistakes that have over the centuries obscured the essential truths of all religions, we will find that these core principles are consistently identical. Radhanath Swami has time and again presented this essence in his talks and meetings. In many of his talks Radhanath Swami focuses on the following points, and I doubt if a person from any other religion would disagree with these:
1. God is the Supreme Father of all living beings and He is the Supreme Owner and Controller of everything.
2. We are accountable for all our actions to God. If we encroach upon the property of God or the rights of the other children of God, we will in time get an appropriate reaction as per the laws of God.
3. We are spirit souls, eternal children of God and our real happiness is not in material acquisition, but in spiritual realization, in lovingly harmonizing ourselves with nature and God.
4. We can easily and effectively achieve this harmony and the resulting highest happiness by chanting the holy names of God-Krishna, Rama, Allah, Christ, Jehovah or any other name as stated in the authorized religious scriptures.
Radhanath Swami’s stand has been that when people harmonize themselves with these essential principles of their respective religions, then they will be able to celebrate spiritual unity amidst religious diversity.
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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 is wonderful how Radhanath Swami has brought the essence from all religions.
View CommentOneness of all relegion is beautifully explained by Radhanath Swami.This is the essence of achintya bhedabheda tattva-even though all religions are in essence same they differ the way they are practiced.
View CommentEssance of all religions is simplified and explained it very nicely by Radhanath Swami
View Commentonly truth between different sects of religion is properly explained by radhanath swami since he is the true messenger of the Lord.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s natural way of seeing all persons as children of the same God has made him so compassionate.
View Commentthank u maharaj for sharing
View CommentIf only everybody would understand the above there would be harmony among people of all faiths
View CommentRadhanath swami has given a wonderful explanation about religion and its principle
View CommentThanks you sharing such important things from life of Radhanath Swami
View Commentvery beautifully explained by HHRM the importance of religion and its oneness, bhakti
View Commentits true that one must be able to see god in everything, Maharaj Ki Jai! rajesh karia
View CommentOnly by understanding from the viewpoint of Radhanath Swami, it has become really easy to understand the true meaning of religion. Thank You
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj has truly imbibed the essence of all religions.
View Commentin his lifetime radhanath swami has understood and experienced the essence of every religion.
View CommentSpiritual Unity amidst Religious diversity is essential for harmony amongst people, else we will to continue see the wars that are being fought, and atrocities being committed in the name of religion. Jai Maharaj.
View Commentsincere devotion to God was the only way to overcome the strife and division of the world- H H Radhanath Swami
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View CommentNice article…..actually it is the peace formaule to solve the disputes amongst various religions…….
View CommentVery nice. I wish leaders of all religions taught this. Thank You Maharaj.
View CommentVery nice article, these words should be known to every spiritual leader accross…
View CommentWhat a vision! such vision only can bring peace to this world
View Commentwonderful,thank you
View CommentThis meditation of Radhanath Swami reminded me of one incident I heard. One day Radhanath Swami was about to start a lecture when he heard Namaj prayer from nearby masjid by one of the muslim devotees calling the names of Allah. Radhanath swami did not start the lecture and kept quite for 10 minutes and after the Namaj was over He started speaking. Radhanath Swami said “He is also calling God”. Such a nice understanding and respect Radhanath Swami has for other religions. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View Commentbrilliant example of the dog and master
View CommentThis is one great teaching from Radhanath Swami, to love all religions is something URGENT in today’s world. Else these clashes can start World war 3
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for pointing out the binding factors among various religions. Not many people in today’s world focus on the commonalities, rather everyone is focusing on the differences and hence we see so many wars in the name of religion.
View CommentIts heartbreaking to see people fighting in the name of religion. If we just understand Radhanath Swami’s message, we see how childish that is. And how dangerous. Yes, everyone is not God, but different names of the same person still refer to the ONE god.
View CommentWonderful article. The common thread and essence of all religions is beautifully explained.
View Commentwe all have to remind ourselves that we are dogs of our spiritual master and Lord Krishna else we will become dogs of maya
View CommentThis explains how meaningless it is of the present day’s quarrels between various so called religions. H.H Radhanath Swami has nicely explained what a religion is essentially. Thank you Maharaj.
View CommentAdmiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer! I will bookmark your blog and have my children check up here often. Thumbs up!
View CommentRadhanath swami’s re-iterating the meaning and purpose of all Religions based on the scriptures is simply amazing
View CommentRadhanath Swami mentions a statement which stands to be so true, that God is the Supreme Father of all living beings and He is the Supreme Owner and Controller of everything.
View CommentWell explained, this can help in achieving what people talk about Unity in Diversity which is rare but possible
View CommentThe essense of all religion is rightly brought out here by Radhanath swami
View Commentwonderful,thanks
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj respects all religions!
View CommentThanks Maharaj…If our politicians and current religious leaders keep the above point in mind, there would be any conflicts between different religions, how true each and every word of that gentelmen..Narayan Prasad
View CommentAwesome article & an eye opener for all who really doesn’t know what a religion is about.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is simply amazing.
View CommentThankyou Radhanath Swami for giving us this wonderful insight into actually what is true religion.
View CommentBeautiful analogy of “dog” is given by Radhanath swami maharaj, hope this will give a clear understating to extremists who fights on the name of God.
View CommentAll Glories To.H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj
What an amazing understanding of How should we look at religion as a means of achieving that one name God, which essentially means the same in every religion rather than focussing on the other aspects called ritual.
Hare Krishna
View CommentSo very true..unless one sees every other person from whatever religion he or she may be as part and parcel of the Lord, there really can be any unity or peace..Thank you dear Radhanath Swami maharaj for sharing this broad and true view about religion with us.
View CommentVery powerful reminder from Maharajah to all the Religious leader
View Comment“no matter what one’s path and no matter how narrow it became, in broadest terms, sincere devotion to God was the only way to overcome the strife and division of the world”. Jai Maharajah
Nice Article!!! Thank you very much for sharing.
View Commentthanks for this wonderful article
View CommentOne can see God in all bonafide religions only if one has developed perfect spiritual vision like Radhanath Swami.
View Commentvery nice,thank you
View Commentthank you,
View Comment