Richard (now Radhanath Swami) now arrived at Patna and got the association of Narayan Prasad and his guru Rama Sevaka Swami. Simplicity and devotion poured from the heart of Rama Sevaka Swami in whatever he did. For hours daily he chanted the Holy Names of Lord Rama and he personally fed Richard with his own hands. While staying with him, one day a sadhu, visiting monk, cooked kichari for all. It was unbearably spicy and caused lot of suffering to Richard while the others were enjoying it. The cook insisted on serving seconds and thirds to Richard and Richard tried blocking his plate but the cook insisted on serving and was very pleased with Richard’s honoring the food. Although Richard was miserable, he didn’t have the heart to tell the cook that he was in pain eating the food. The spice caused tears in Richard’s eyes but the cook thought Richard is crying in gratitude. Richard realized that to please others is not easy but enduring that burning pain was worth it for the sadhu was pleased.
Radhanath Swami always emphasizes that we have to try and please other devotees of God. God is never alone in a vacuum; God is always surrounded by His loving devotees. When we serve devotees who are dear to God, we also become dear to God.
Radhanath Swami speaks with great relish the story of one great saint from south India, Shri Ramanujacharya. Once Ramanujacharya travelled to a town where two of his disciples stayed. Ramanujacharya sent his assistant to inform both of them that he would come to their house for lunch that day. He then told his assistant to report about the responses of his both students. When the assistant went to the first house, the host was overjoyed that in a few hours his guru would be coming for lunch. He busily made arrangements and in the process ignored to serve the assistant of his guru. When the assistant then went to the second house, the host was overjoyed but first he greeted the assistant with great honor and respect. Later Ramanujacharya decided to visit the second disciple’s house for lunch because he knew how to honor and please not just God or guru but also the servant s of the guru. Radhanath Swami often quotes this story to illustrate the point that we have to endeavor to please God and his servants. This is the key to the heart of God.
Radhanath Swami explains the logic that goes in serving and pleasing other devotees of God. A spiritual aspirant thinks of himself as insignificant and also considers himself as possessing no love for God. He feels since he has no love for God, he has no hope for progress in spiritual life. He then turns to the other devotees of God and considers them as dear to the Lord. He thus feels that if he can somehow please them, God would be also pleased because he is approaching God through his dear most devotees. Radhanath Swami quotes Srimad Bhagavatam, the ancient Indian scripture where God speaks to a devotee Narada Muni and tells him, “My dear Narada please know that I do not stay in the spiritual world nor in the hearts of great mystics but I certainly reside where my devotees come together and glorify me and serve each other.” It is due to faith in this command of the Lord that devotees seek to serve other devotees of the Lord to gain blessings and favor of the Lord.
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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........
When we serve devotees who are dear to God, we also become dear to God. very obvious secret!!
View CommentWe may not have the qualification to please God, but we can endeavour to please the devotees of the Lord who may be pleased and in turn please the Lord. Very hope giving that we may someday obtain the mercy of the Lord through his devotees.
View CommentThe most easy way of attracting the Lords mercy is to serve His devotees. Thank you HH Radhanath Maharaj for emphasizing this point again and again
View CommentVery practical lessons to make progress spiritually. Thank you swamiji for your wonderful blog 🙂
View CommentThe service to the devotees who are dear to The Lord Sri Krsna is the best and most easy way to please The Lord.The devotees who are merciful and eager to transfer The God’s grace to the all without any precondition.Radhanath Swami always put emphasis on this point.Actually this arrangement will help all living entity to accept and make progress on spiritual path.
View Commentthe dèép and very profound realization by maharaj ! Its really such a simple principle and Radhanath maharaj is giving it in such a sublim
View Commente way. Really wonderful.
God is never alone in a vacuum; God is always surrounded by His loving devotees. When we serve devotees who are dear to God, we also become dear to God.
View CommentRadhanath Swami explains the logic that goes in serving and pleasing other devotees of God.
View CommentThank you HH Radhanath Maharaj
View Commentit is amazing how maharaj tolerate in order to please the devotee
View CommentVaishnava seva is a wonderful way to please the Lord. Thank you Radhanath Swami for inspiring everyone for this by your own example.
View CommentThe key to please God is given here by HH Radhanath Swami through various examples. If we really love God and are getting pleasure in serving Him, we will be eager to serve His devotees equally or with more enthusiasm.
View CommentThat is the path to perfection, to think that you are a fool and just be a Servant. – HHRNS
View CommentSimply wonderful, its catchy!!!
View CommentRadhanath Swami presents the secret way to the heart of the Lord: Pleasing His devotees!!!
View CommentWonderful article…..This article is so instructive…….Thanks
View CommentRadhanath Swami explains the logic that goes in serving and pleasing other devotees of God.
View CommentWonderful article
View CommentOur only hope to get the Lord’s mercy is through the devotees. So it is our duty to please them by serving them.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Maharaj
View Comment“My dear Narada please know that I do not stay in the spiritual world nor in the hearts of great mystics but I certainly reside where my devotees come together and glorify me and serve each other.” Devotional process is so powerful.
View CommentVery nice meditation by HH Radhanath Swami. God is extremely pleased when we serve and please devotees.
View CommentDevotional service is the only ultimate hope in our lives to advance. Thanks Maharaj for sharing this. Hari Bol!
View CommentThe story of Ramanujacarya and his two disciples is very fantastic. A lot of lessons to be learnt from them. Thank you Maharaj for relating to us the importance of being the servant of the servant of the servant.
View CommentWonderful Article.Thank You Radhanath Maharaj For Sharing This.
View CommentVery nice explanation for developing mood of service and humility.
View CommentVery nice explanation
View CommentWonderful article thank you so much for sharing…..
View CommentWe have to want to please those whom God loves to be able to actually please God.
View CommentDevotees are very dear to the Lord.
View CommentSimple yet profound practice.
View CommentVery true. “When we serve devotees who are dear to God, we also become dear to God”
View CommentVery nice explanation of how to please god, by not only serving the Lord and guru but by serving there dear servants.
View CommentV instructive article.. Jai Gurudev!!!
View Commenteverinspiring ! lot to learn. thank you
View Commentthank you for great lessons
View Comment