Each morning at Rama Sevaka Swami’s ashram, five sadhus gathered to hear Ramayana, the story of Lord Rama. Richard (now Radhanath Swami) could understand only a few words here and there but Narayan Prasad promised Richard that he would translate whatever was spoken after the session. For three hours, the sadhus sat in rapt attention as emotions flooded their hearts. Sometimes they shook in laughter; other times they wept with joy or sorrow. Still, at other times they sat motionless in suspense, fear, and wonder. Richard was starving to hear the story that affected them so much. Narayan Prasad translated by narrating a story of Lord Krishna stealing butter. For three consecutive days Narayan Prasad translated only this story, and Richard was upset that although in the narration only Lord Rama’s names and His associates were mentioned, Narayan Prasad was instead speaking only Krishna’s stories. Seeing Richard (now Radhanath Swami)’ desperation, Narayan Prasad revealed the secret that his guru Rama Sevaka Swami had told him that Lord Rama had appeared in his dream and told him that this boy (Richard (now Radhanath Swami) ) would later become a Krishna devotee, although he isn’t aware of that now. In due course of time that will be revealed to him. Therefore Lord Rama forbade Rama Sevaka Swami from narrating these pastimes.
Although Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are same, there is a difference in the form in which they appeared, and the historical time at which they appeared. Rama, the perfect incarnation of God is an all-time favorite among Hindu deities. The most popular symbol of chivalry and virtue, Rama – in the words of Radhanath Swami, in his autobiography, ‘The Journey Home’- is “the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king.” Rama is seen as an archetype of righteousness and the most sought-after virtues in life. Rama is said to have taken birth on earth to annihilate the evil forces of the age. He is widely believed to be an actual historical figure whose exploits form the great Hindu epic of Ramayana or The Story of Rama, written by the ancient Sanskrit poet Valmiki.
Lord Rama is most often represented as a standing figure, with an arrow in his right hand, a bow in his left and a quiver on his back. A Rama statue is also usually accompanied by those of his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana, and the legendary monkey attendant Hanuman. He is depicted in princely adornments with a ’tilak’ or mark on the forehead, and as having a dark, almost greenish complexion.
Although some wrongly informed people would like to believe that Lord Rama and Ramayana are mythological, the first Governor General of India, Sri Rajaji, wrote on the Ramayana and called it a history, as also did the English Indologist Sir William Jones. Various renowned western authors such as Philip Lutgendorf, Ann Arbor, W. L. Smith and others have made a study of the culture and history of the Ramayana, and accepted Lord Rama as real. There are also numerous places like Ramesvaram, Nasik, and Hampi, besides hundreds of other places that are indicated as the locations where various events happened in reference to the pastimes of Lord Rama and Sita. These places still exist and Radhanath Swami often takes a group of interested seekers on a retreat to these holy places.
The Ramayana is also geographically very correct. Every site on Rama’s route is still identifiable and has continuing traditions or temples to commemorate Rama’s visit. Around 1000 BC or earlier, no writer had the means to travel around the country inventing a story, fitting it into local folklore and building temples for greater credibility. In 1975 the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) unearthed fourteen pillar bases of kasauti stone with Hindu motifs near the mosque at Ayodhya; reports of the excavations are available with the ASI. In 249 BC, Ashoka erected a pillar in Lumbini with an inscription referring to the visit by Rama. Ashoka was much nearer in time to Rama and would be well aware of his facts.
On hearing that he is destined to be a Krishna devotee, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) dismissed this idea because he couldn’t grasp what he had heard about his worshipping Krishna. Richard was all set to return to the Himalayas.
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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........
Radhanath Swami loves to narrate the unparalleled pastimes of Lord ram, mother Sita and Hanuman.
View CommentRamayan is not myth but its a history as we can still identify the places mentioned in Ramayan.Thank you swamiji.
Thank you for this wonderful information
View CommentRadhanath Swami is a dear devotee of the Lord as we can see that the Lord has personally instructed Ram Sevak to speak Krishna stories
View CommentWhat a wonderful way to elaborate on the glories of Lord Rama and Ramayana. Thank you Radhanath Swami!
View CommentThank you very much for this article
View CommentHH Radhanath Maharaj is Jai
View CommentNice article…..thanks for sharing……this shows God has plans for all of us, we just need to take initative & be an instrument……
View CommentAnother anacdote from life of Maharaj which shows and teaches us lessons to learn from.. thanks for sharing.. JAI !!!
View CommentLooks like there is some special connection between Lord/Lord Rama and Radhanath Swami
View CommentThat shows how spiritually exulted HH Radhanath Swami is
View CommentGovind Pr said, “Lord Rama preaches duty over love and Krsna preaches love over duty…” That’s why to relish different rasas with His different devotees Lord has unlimited incarnations.
View Comment“Lord Rama preaches duty over love and Krsna preaches love over duty…” Fantastic
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s many personal experiences have so many lessons for us to learn. Thank you Maharaj for sharing them with us.
View CommentThis account clearly shows how Radhanath Swami was a divine personality from the very beginning. How Lord Rama came to the dream of Ram Sevak Swami is amazing!
View CommentTruly amazing Story.
View CommentSri Ramachandra was very much a part of Indian history and not mythology as considered by some.
View CommentGreat article – The story of Lord Rama appearing in dream for HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is amazing and shows that Maharaj is indeed a divine personality sent to deliver the suffering souls of this world.
View Commentvery inspiring article
View Commentwe actually do not know who u are maharaj. Such incidents are but a glimpse of your exalted position. thank you maharaj for letting us become a part of your exalted life.Radhanath maharaj ki jai….
View CommentVery nice realizations of Radhanath Swami.
View CommentRadhanath swami nicely explain Lord Ram Katha
View CommentAnybody hearing Ram-Katha gets purified of material contaminations. Had it been a mythology pure souls wouldn’t relish it so much.The effect is there for all of us to experience since Lord Rama is none other than Lord Krishna in his incarnation as ‘Maryada Purushottam’. Maharaj being a pure soul was so eager to hear his pastimes.His association with Rama devotees became a stepping stone towards his ‘Krishna-Bhakti’. Thanks Maharaj for guiding us.
View Commenthari hari
View CommentVery nice. Thanks you very much for sharing..
View CommentThis answers the doubts of many regarding the credibility of Ramayana as a history….
View CommentAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
A very beautiful narrative.
Hare Krishna
View CommentThank you very much for sharing
View CommentThank you for sharing the glories of Lord Rama.
View CommentWhen Maharaj narrates Lord Ram’s Pastimes we are transported to another world and reach to Tretayuga in that leela.
View CommentHis Holiness Radhanath Swami is an example to set forth the principle “It is easy to preach by strong practice(Sadhana) and taking the instructions of Srila Prabhupada to heart”
View CommentThank you for sharing. Very very nice.
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