Richard, having often heard people speak reverentially of a woman saint Anandamayi Ma, who was the guru of Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, went to Dehra Dun to visit her. Although this holy mother had grown old, and was thin and frail, she emanated an unearthly power, and radiated the exuberance of a small child. Dressed in a simple white sari, she appeared wise and sober. Smilingly she led all to the chanting of God’s holy names, and then spoke briefly. She said people are constantly tossed between pleasure and pain, and there can be no peace and security in this world. This world is a place of suffering and suffering is sent to remind us to turn our thoughts to God. Our only shelter is God and in chanting His Names, we can be in His presence.
“There is enough happiness in this world to keep you attached to your sufferings”, says Radhanath Swami, his years of wisdom reflected through succinct phrases such as these. Echoing similar sentiments as Anandamayi Ma, he reveals the dualities of pleasure and pain, “We may have all kinds of pleasures, but one pain. And that one pain becomes prominent; we may also have all kinds of pain, but one pleasure. But that pleasure will be insignificant.” He also voices the same conclusion about the nature of this world, “We get suffering in life so that we become sober and listen to God’s message. All the sufferings are therefore worthwhile if we go through them in proper consciousness, because they will bring us closer to the goal of our life.”
Besides Anandamayi Ma’s philosophical depth, Richard particularly noted that her simple unassuming nature drew renounced sadhus and yogis who typically keep a distance from women, sit at her feet seeking blessings. She also preferred her followers not touch her feet. When she entered into a trance Richard felt an aura of motherly affection beaming from her motionless form.
Whether it’s Anandamayi Ma or other women, Radhanath Swami personally practices and trains his students to revere womanhood. Even young girls who visit the centre in Mumbai, and are are fit to be Radhanath Swami’s granddaughters, he treats them all with equal honor and courtesy. Recently I witnessed this aspect of Radhanath Swami’s character in a community festival in Mumbai.
Radhanath Swami has personally trained many children of the Mumbai congregation. One girl, Radha, spent her childhood learning many aspects of spiritual life under the care of her devoted parents, and the guidance of Radhanath Swami. Radha grew up and in time got married. Recently she gave birth to a baby boy, and the family approached Radhanath Swami for receiving a name for the child. Radhanath Swami promptly named the child, ‘Radhanath’. In a recent programme, I learnt of the reason he named the child with his own spiritual name. Radhanath Swami said he often thought for years, if he were to again take birth in this material world, who should be his mother. He felt Radha would be an ideal mother, and hence named her son ‘Radhanath’.
The Vedic Indian culture awards the highest respect for a woman, and considers a healthy family life as the foundation of the society, without which there would be neither civilization nor progress. Radhanath Swami has tirelessly worked to create and preserve a wonderful family culture that makes God and spiritual values as the centre of family 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........
“There is enough happiness in this world to keep you attached to your sufferings” — TOO GOOD!!
View CommentA sadhu always takes good from everyone. Radhanath Swami is a true sadhu
View Commentjourney home book is the most aspiring book for all people, it also enlightens us
View CommentVedic times principles were to respect and serve one another with Spirituality at the center. So how much families and society as a whole experienced peace and happiness – there was never unnecessary anxiety.
Today we live in advanced age. Very advanced in deceit and exploitation under various garbs – someone with a little intelligence can see through.
Radhanth Swami has done a miracle – mission impossible – inculcating these deep vedic traits in heart of todays people and environment
View Commentjourney home book is the most enlightening book for all, we learn a lot of lesson from Maharaj’s pastimes
View CommentRadhanath Swami trains his students to treat women with awe and respect. ‘Journey Home’ book depicts how Radhanath Swami imbibes a positive lesson from everyone whom he met before actually surrendering his life to HDG A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
View CommentRadhanath swami has displayed another one of his countless qualities of a pure saint in his dealings with Radha.I had always wondered why the boy was named radhanth.I am truly amazed.
View Commentradhanath swami is always remembered by everyone with love due to his simple and down to earth activities,
View CommentRadhanath Swami has beautifully brought out the importance of women in human civilization & the dignity & respect that we should offer to the fairer sex. He has also negated the still widely held derogatory belief in many sections of our society that women are simply supposed to stay beneath the veils & that they are simply meant to serve the male members of the family in different capacities. Of course women should practice the Vedic principles enshrined in our scriptures, but so should the menfolk. We simply cannot deny the women their right to a dignified existence.
View CommentAlso, Radhanath Swami’s statement “There is enough happiness in this world to keep you attached to your sufferings” is so deep & mind-blowing.
Radhanath Swami’s position on granting utmost dignity & respect to womanhood is in complete resonance with the fact that we cannot achieve Krishna-prema without Radharani’s mercy. This should help us in understanding the stature a woman should command in any civilization. They should not be considered as mere tools for sense gratification or to simply play the servient role within the family as is the case, unfortunately, in many parts of the world.
View Comment“There is enough happiness in this world to keep you attached to your sufferings” – Amazing statement from Radhanath Swami.
How true! Petty happiness of this world not only keeps us bound to this world… but also makes us act in ways that may be contrary to our true nature.
View CommentRadhanath Swami points out that pain shows up prominently even if it is only one among many pleasures in life – and this is a wake up call – don’t be numb, get up and enquire “why am I suffering?” Isn’t there a way out?
View Comment“There is enough happiness in this world to keep you attached to your sufferings”………….what a realization!!!!!!!!!!
View Commentsuch saints descend to give us eyes to see. We just don’t see because we do not have the bigger picture. We are simply struggling with our surroundings, unaware of what is hapening at a higher level.
Let the gambler win a small amount just when he is loosing interest in the game, so that he keeps coming back in hope. He cannot see that he has only lost for most part of the time and that what is has won is nothing compared to what he has lost.This is how we lead life. We don’t see that for some paltry, momentary pleasure we have suffered whole life long.
unless we associate with such sagacious saints its not easy to see this because we are so busy we have no time to stop and think. We have surrounded ourselves with so many unwwanted things in the name of entertainment that even if we have time we cannot practically think like this.
View CommentIts amazing how Maharaj respects womenhood and sets an example for all of us.
View CommentIts a wonderful article. Thank you. Keep on posting such inspiring articles.
View Comment“We get suffering in life so that we become sober and listen to God’s message. All the sufferings are therefore worthwhile if we go through them in proper consciousness, because they will bring us closer to the goal of our life.”
These words of Radhanath Swami Maharaj gives me the strength to tolerate provoking/difficult situations in my life.
View CommentRadhanath Swami teaches us that respect for women is critical to nurture a spiritual culture, and without that there would be family breakdown—-which is exactly what we see more and more.
View Comment“This world is a place of suffering and suffering is sent to remind us to turn our thoughts to God. Our only shelter is God and in chanting His Names, we can be in His presence”…..thanks maharaj for sharing essence of spirituality and for giving the direction to see god and his presence…
View CommentThere is enough happiness in this world to keep you attached to your sufferings – this is a amazing statement by Radhanath Swami. Not that I understand it so I would like to knwo more from Radhanath Swami as to why he would not want us to enjoy even the small happiness that there is.
View Comment“We get suffering in life so that we become sober and listen to God’s message. All the sufferings are therefore worthwhile if we go through them in proper consciousness, because they will bring us closer to the goal of our life.” – Beautiful words worth remembering from Radhanath Swami.
View CommentA true quality of a devotee of god is that he respects and honours every living entity then what to speak of a woman who is to be worshipped as mother. In his book, Radhanath Swami shows us how women have a spiritual side which is far superior to men and which is their strength. he would often say that in any spritual prog always women are more while the men are busy watching cricket match at home. So the glory of women is understood and taught by Radhanath Maharaj through his teachings and experiences in this wonderful story of his life ” The Journey HOme”
View Comment“There is enough happiness in this world to keep you attached to your sufferings” – This is a classic quote from Radhanath Swami that everyone should ponder over.
View Commentonly when one has love can give love to others and show them the right path that is what being taught by HH Radhanath maharaj in this place of duality how rise up . thanks maharaj for everything.
View CommentThank you very much Radhanath Swami for tirelessly working to create and preserve a wonderful family culture that makes God and spiritual values as the centre of family life.
View CommentThanks for sharing this wonderful article
View Comment“There is enough happiness in this world to keep you attached to your sufferings”,
This is one of the finest quotes that i have heard
View Comment“We may have all kinds of pleasures, but one pain. And that one pain becomes prominent; we may also have all kinds of pain, but one pleasure. But that pleasure will be insignificant.”
View CommentVery profound statement. I have experienced it in my life many times.
I always used to wonder at the good fortune of that child receiving Radhanath Swami’s name.Now we know the reason behind it as well. Radhanath Swami has set such high standards in the community about respecting women.
View Comment“We may have all kinds of pleasures, but one pain. And that one pain becomes prominent” how true this is.
View CommentMy mother used to tell me in my childhood that we should always look out for positive qualities & just ignore their negative qualities. To date, I try to follow this nice advise from her.
This very beautiful quality is clearly depicted in much more depth in Radhanath Swami, as I read in his biography, The Journey Home.
View CommentNice inspirational article.
View CommentThank you Maharaj for working so harad to create and preserve a wonderful family culture that makes God and spiritual values as the centre of family life.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s Autobiography ‘THE JOURNEY HOME’ is an inspiring and absorbing read. I can only marvel at the faith Radhanath Swami has in the Lord and his definite plans for each of his children This journey undertaken by Radhanath Swami extols the virtues of patience, perseverance and deep-rooted faith in the Supreme Lord and his divine will.
View CommentIn years to come, mankind will marvel that a man like him walked the surface of this earth. I pray that Radhanath Swami continues to inspire and nurture many, many more lives.
“We may have all kinds of pleasures, but one pain. And that one pain becomes prominent; we may also have all kinds of pain, but one pleasure. But that pleasure will be insignificant.” So true….!!!!
View CommentThis is the class of Vedic culture and of course Maharaj is a perfect example for that.
View CommentThank you so much for sharing.
View CommentSuch an amazing understanding of the material world! Thank you Radhanath Swami maharaj.
View CommentIn this world so much exploitation of women is going on. Day by day respect for women is going down and the degradation of human society is also happening. But only due to the efforts and presence of great souls like maharaj the revival of our moral values and spirituality is taking place. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
View CommentVedic Culture is based on providing a culture for Spiritual progress. Radhanath Swami made that possible even in a modern city like Mumbai! Astounding achievement!!
View CommentReally a very touching article on “Motherhood and family culture ” by Radhanath Swami Maharaj and it will be truely beneficial to all of us if we inculcate these values in our life in right perspective what Maharaj is actually trying to explain here. Thank you Maharaj!!!
View CommentRadhanath Swami is teaching us of how we should respect and take care of women who come in the loving form mothers, sisters, daughters and so on.
Truly the right aspect towards women care.
View CommentVery nice article! Gives the root level knowledge and know how of basic things which causes us much distress..
View CommentMaharaj has unlimited capacity to encourage everyone. He has trained his disciples in such fine manner that they have become the examples for the whole world.
View CommentI moved by the philosophy depth & reverential nature of maharaj
View CommentAn Inspiring article…!!!
View CommentEach and every chapter of Radhanath Swami’s book-The journey home teaches us some valuable lesson which we can remember for the rest of our lives. I am thankful to Radhanath swami and i hope he continues to inspire us through his words.
View CommentWe hear a lot about equality of gender and woman’s liberation but atrocities against women are increasing day by day.Srila Prabhupada and now HH Radhanath Swami are teaching us how to respect women-by worshipping them as mothers irrispective of their age.
View CommentBesides training to honor women, Radhanath Swami also teaches how a woman should be in every aspect of her life, right from being a good daughter to being a fine mother. It is such a big contribution to today’s society!
View CommentVery inspiring article.
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