After a month long fasting on Ganges Richard (now Radhanath Swami) rejoiced at the prospect of eating some peanuts. However a huge brown monkey seized the bag of peanuts and ran away. Even the few peanuts that had fallen on the ground were scooped by another monkey. Radhanath Swami writes his realization that compared to the treasures of spiritual experience worldly acquisition is like these peanuts. Richard realized that people fight and struggle for worldly glory which is like peanuts. And any moment, another man’s greed, or even the inevitable march of time will plunder from us all our cherished peanuts.
To consider the riches and fame of this world to be peanuts requires deep spiritual realization. The world is mad for material success but a true spiritualist gives it no more value than peanuts. And as Radhanath Swami reveals in this section of ‘Journey Home’ people are always ready to snatch our assets and Mr Time stands above all to usurp every ‘peanut’ that we have in our possession.
As compared to material assets, spiritual credits are our real assets and Radhanath Swami implores us to not waste our time by forsaking the pursuit of these. “The most valuable thing we have is every precious moment that God has given us. Time is priceless. If you lose money, or estate, or reputation, then by hard work you can gain it back. But one moment that is wasted, you cannot buy it back for all the wealth in the entire creation.” As the saying goes, ‘Time and tide wait for no man’. Radhanath Swami explains that as little kids in the school, it seemed like centuries even when we were just waiting for the weekend. but, as we grow old, days pass like minutes. Soon we are at the threshold of departing from this particular body. We look back and think, ‘Where has my life gone? It seems like it has only been a moment!’
Therefore, we must understand the value of every precious moment. How we invest each moment of our life is the most important consideration of our human intelligence. Radhanath Swami appeals to us to utilize every moment to the greatest benefit of ourselves as well as others. He explains that with every rising and every setting of the sun we are one day closer to death. “But those who utilize their precious time to understand the true purpose of life and hear and chant the glories of the supreme Lord, with every rising and setting of the sun they are one day closer to eternal life”
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........
Radhanath Swami extracts the most unusual and profound lessons from the most unexpected encounters.
View CommentTo consider the riches and fame of this world to be peanuts requires deep spiritual realization. The world is mad for material success but a true spiritualist gives it no more value than peanuts.
View CommentThe last statement, by Radhanath Swami in this article is very hope giveing and inspiring
View CommentRadhanath Swami has accepted all the austerities as a plan of God in his life. He is a real saint.
View Comment“The most valuable thing we have is every precious moment that God has given us.Time is priceless.Thank you very much H.H.Radhanath swami.
View CommentIndeed very appropriately stated by Swamiji about the essence of time and look at it from an optimistic viewpoint.
View CommentWe are so much like these foolish monkeys running after peanuts in the form of wealth, women and fame. Radhanath Swami reveals the folly of manking in general.
View CommentFor a person who is spiritually thirsty even the smallest observation will give him realization.
View CommentHari Bol
View CommentHH Radhanath swami maharaj says how to use time ..at other place…
The greatest misfortune in all of creation is to get human life and to waste its precious moments by not pursuing the truth.
View CommentVery inspiring statement Radhanath Swami makes here “With every rising and every setting of the sun we are one day closer to death.But those who utilize their precious time to understand the true purpose of life and hear and chant the glories of the supreme Lord are one day closer to eternal life”
View CommentThis is very inspiring and thoughtful artical. It shows the deep insight and realization of Radhanath Swami Mh. on the importance of the life which we have got and utilizing it for its right purpose. Thank you very much Maharaj
View CommentThank you so much Radhanath Swamiji
View CommentWhat is this life? Are we living to die to get on to another material body or living to get on to eternal life with spiritual body? Very nice explanation by Radhanatha Swami. All glories to Radhanatha Swami.
View CommentTime is one thing which is taken very casually and waste our life.Radhanath Swami explains how important the time is and how effectively use it to perfect our lives.Thanks for the article.
View CommentEvery word is an eye-opener. Thank you very much Maharaj. Radhanath Swami ki Jai!!!!!!!!!
View CommentWonderful article.
View CommentThank you for sharing Radhanath Swami’s thoughts on the importance of time.
View CommentMany thanks to Radhanath swami for the wonderul instructions and lessons for life and for sharing this wonderful article
View CommentAmazing article.HH Radhanath Maharaj extracts the very essence behind all things.Thank you so much for such a nice article.
View CommentVery nicely explain by Radhanath Swamiji.Thank you very much.
View CommentSuper wonderful article
View CommentReally nice article. Thank you Swamiji.
View CommentVery instructive article….truly, each moment of human life is very very precious……..
View CommentYes, True…. Great personalities like Radhanath Swami are sent by God to give us eyes to see the world in real sense and utilize our energies accordingly.
View CommentFor one who has developed the higher tastes of spiritual bliss, spending even one moment on anything that is not geared towards that goal is quite wasteful.
View CommentThank you for reminding us about how every moment of our time is precious!
View CommentThe life and activities of great souls teach us lessons at every step. They undergo austeries to teach us various lessons.
View Commentthanx for sharing
View CommentThankyou for posting!
View CommentTime once spent never comes back. Each moment isso important in our life. Such a nice article by Radhanath swami..
View CommentTo consider the riches and fame of this world to be peanuts requires deep spiritual realization. This is really true. Amasing realizations. Thank you Radhanath Swami.
View CommentVery nicely explained by maharaj about time value.thank you Radhanath swamiji!
View CommentThank you very much for posting this. wonderful !!
View CommentVery instructive incident from the life of Radhanath Swami.
View CommentRadhanath Swami very simply explain how to avoid being one day closer to death TO one day closer to eternal life”
View CommentThis sentences make me realize of value of every moment in life which never going to come back
View CommentSo beautifully Swamiji has explained the value & charateristics of time…..
View CommentThank you very much for this very instructive post on the value of time – every moment
View CommentTime is truly precious
View Commentthank u prabhu for the share.
View CommentThis is a wonderful article from the teachings of Radhanath Swami.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has always had time for others, but he simultaneously advises us that time is precious & priceless.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is selfless personality, simply wanting to serve the suffering soul.
Great Advice. A devotee is always happy that with each passing moment he is getting closer to Krishna.
View CommentHowever a huge brown monkey seized the bag of peanuts and ran away ……
View CommentExcellent advice from Radhanath Swami
View CommentAfter reading this incident my heart turned at the thought of how young Radhanath Swami was deprived of his much awaited meal. These episodes are really heart touching.
View CommentIts amzing and heart touching to see that radhanath swami got this jewel after searching and endeavouring so hard, travelling acroos mountains, fasting for days together, searching everywhere. And now he is distributing to all that knowledge free of cost and endeavour.
View CommentI am thankful to Radhanath swami for writing his memoir “The journey home”
Thank you Radhanath Swami
View CommentVery inspiring!!
View Comment