Richard had chosen the life of a beggar, sleeping on riverbanks or under trees, searching for God by exploring holy places, and learning spiritual lessons on the way. He believed God was pushing him to seek more truths. From Varanasi, Richard travelled to Pashupatinath at Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Being a foreigner he was rejected entry into the temple of Lord Shiva by the guards. Richard was crestfallen as he had travelled long distances in train and rear of trucks, with much hope to discover a spiritual meaning to life. At much risk, he covered himself with sacrificial ashes and attempted to enter the temple again. This time not only the guards didn’t recognize him, they dragged him to the central altar of God and honored him with an exclusive opportunity to see and worship God in the temple. Richard was overwhelmed by this turnaround and felt deeply humbled.
“Did he not recognize me in my disguise or was he aware who I was and simply honoring my determination? This I will never know. Whatever the reason, I was deeply humbled. I had defied human law and deserved to be beaten, but God is merciful. Standing before the altar, my limbs covered with ashes, my drab ascetic robes, and tangled, matted hair awkwardly covered with silks and flowers, I squeezed my tearing eyes shut, joined my palms and prayed that I would be shown my true path as I continued my journey.”
Reflecting on this incident, I felt it’s easy to be humble when we fail, but to be humble, prayerful and grateful during success reveals the substance of a person’s character. Before an important event in my life, like exams, a lecture programme or a critical meeting, I have been nervous and intensely prayerful. However if the event turns out to be successful, I am not as prayerful as before the event. I offer a customary ‘thank you’ to God and riding the wave of success, forget about the desperation I had before the event. There is pride in the heart and a feeling that my hard work and preparation merited the success. Reading Radhanath Swami’s mood of gratitude and humility after he made it to the altar of the temple has taught me a lesson on humility and prayer; it’s equally important to be humble and prayerful during success.
Radhanath Swami celebrates the success of his students but as a loving father guards them from the dangers of pride creeping into the heart. He says, “I become extremely happy when I hear all of you doing well, but I also fear that pride may enter the heart and spoil everything.” Once one of his students gave a series of excellent talks in Mumbai on spiritual science, and thousands attended daily. News of the glory of his student reached Radhanath Swami, who was at the time in America. He promptly wrote a letter to his student, thanking him for the service and congratulating him for the success. He also cautioned at the end of the letter, “Please be humble. Souls greater than both you and me have fallen away from spiritual life, due to arrogance and pride. Carefully guard against pride by cultivating humility, and never think yourself to be better than the most menial servant who washes pots in the temple.”
Radhanath Swami’s tireless efforts have created an excellent community of spiritual seekers in Mumbai. People from all over the world come to Mumbai to learn from him. When he was recently honored for this successful project, he humbly revealed his state of consciousness, “I am not responsible for all this success. I am simply a cheer leader, standing on the side, and watching it all happen. I simply keep cheering as all of you are doing wonderful things”. Despite engineering many successful projects, his consciousness is immersed in giving credit to his guru. “This is my guru’s sense of humor that he is allowing me to be used as an instrument despite my unlimited disqualifications.” Radhanath Swami is a shining example of one striving for excellence in pleasing guru and God, and simultaneously meditating on one’s own disqualifications.
Whether success or failure, Radhanath Swami says we should be humble and make this honest confession to God, “My dear Lord, I was nothing, I am nothing, I will be nothing and You are everything”.
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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........
Worth Reading!!! I like to read articles by Radhanath Swami. Thanks to my friend who Informed me about all these sites…Wonderful…
View CommentA man look so close to us but with super human determination.
View CommentPride is so subtle. We should endeavour on this anartha consciously. The instructions of H.H Radhanath Swami are absolute. It is true that it is easy to be humble when we do not have any thing. But we should guard ourselves when we are growing both materially and spiritually
View CommentI hope I will remember this in moments of pride
View CommentHH.Radhanath Swami is so personal not only with persons even with objects he so personal. Every momment with Radhanath Swami is a learning experience. Thank you for sharing.
View CommentThe words of Radhanath Maharaj pours out from his heart.He is spontaneous in his expressions.He is a true well-wisher and a mentor for those embarking on spiritual life.His autobiography “The Journey Home” is a testimony to this fact.Fortunate are those people who seek valuable guidance from his teachings.
View CommentThank you so much for such a nice narration. Radhanath Swami Maharaj is living legend on this priniciple, My aspiration is to follow his foot-steps.
View Comment“Please be humble. Souls greater than both you and me have fallen away from spiritual life, due to arrogance and pride.”
View CommentRadhanath Swami practices what he preaches and that is why he is empowered to transform hearts.
Maharajah never likes to take credit for any success.“This is my guru’s sense of humor that he is allowing me to be used as an instrument despite my unlimited disqualifications.” Always glorifying his Guru Maharajah.Very inspiring.
View CommentWhat a valuable lesson…to be humble and prayerful during success.Thank you Maharaj..I shall always keep these words close to my heart
View CommentWhat Maharaj says is absolutely right ..In Marathi there is one shlok “Thevile anante taisechi rahave” means whatever the situation we have been putted Lord Krishna we should not complain against that..we have to remains the same. Because we are nothing… nothing and nothing. Its all your mercy Lord.
View CommentThank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. It shows that real sharing of happiness is not just celebrating the success but also protectig the loved ones from dangers that are not seen in happiness
View CommentMaharaj is truly an emblem of humility.
View CommentAmazing blog
View CommentYes, this is so true. Your realization from Radhanath Swami’s personal example is helping me too realize the fact that after success being humble is the real examination that we need to pass. Most times I have miserably failed 🙁
View CommentRadhanath Maharaj practices what he preaches. Humility in all circumstances of life is a very important lesson which all of us should implement in our lives. Maharaj teaches this wonderful lesson by his personal example.
View CommentVery nice understanding “Becoming humble and prayful during success”.
View Commentradhanath swami personifies this quality and teaches everyone
View CommentHHRM is a truly spiritual and self personified master, Maharaj ki jai, rajesh
View Commentvery nice article, thanks for posting, regards, bhakti
View CommentRadhanath Swami so wonderfully points out the importance having a humble and prayerful attitude even in successes.
View CommentNice. Very nice.
View CommentSo nice consciousness Radhanath swami has to be humble, grateful and prayerful amidst success also
View CommentWhat a live example of Humility is Radhanath Swami. Because of his humility only he changes the hearts of those who have stone like hearts.
View Commentone of the most wonderful experiences illustrated by Maharaj, haribol, bhakti
View Commentvery rightly explained by HHRM that a persons true character is known when he is truly humble and prayerful at the time of his success, Maharaj ki Jai! rajesh karia
View CommentWonderful advice shared here by Radhanath Swami.
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