In the company of Dalai Lama, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) felt reverential and also felt like being with an intimate friend. The virtue of selfless service became more prominent in Richard’s mind. Richard could see that Dalai Lama was a person dedicated not only to his spiritual principles, but also on taking on the massive burden of serving the needs of his people who were either in exile or under subjugation. Dalai Lama had endured incomprehensible challenges and obstacles in his struggle for his people. He tolerated exile, threats and untold suffering, only to selflessly serve.
One of the most endearing of all human virtues is the virtue of sacrifice and service to others. Radhanath Swami saw this principle in action at the famous Golden Temple at Amritsar, Punjab. The huge complex is spotlessly clean and although there are thousands of people walking, still it’s clean as people are always cleaning. Besides they are twenty four hours a day distributing food to anybody and everybody who comes. They had 150 people rolling chapattis, flat bread, and at the same time they had a machine, that cooks perfectly 6000 chapatis an hour. There is also chanting of prayers twenty four hours a day. The most beautiful part of this culture is they do not pay anyone anything ever; it’s all voluntary. Radhanath Swami described this most beautiful sight of multi-millionaires from Toronto sitting next to peasants of Punjab at the shoe stall and whatever kind of shoe comes to them, they clean every piece of dirt off it and polish it, Hundreds of volunteers from all over the world come to the Golden Temple in a mood of wanting to serve and not to be served. The rendering of such menial services as cleaning and serving endears them to everyone. It is this kind of spirit that Radhanath Swami himself embodies and calls upon all others to inculcate.
Radhanath Swami often gives the example of one of the most famous inaugural presidential addresses in the United States history, given by John Fitzgerald Kennedy. On the day he was sworn in as President, he addressed the whole Nation and said, “Ask not what your country will do for you, ask what you can do for your country”, and people stood up and applauded for a long time. The sentence echoes in the hearts of many, even today almost half a century later. Radhanath Swami observes that if people’s hearts are very deeply affected by unconditional service even on the material platform, how much more it would if there is unconditional service on the spiritual platform, with consciousness of God, the all attractive Supreme. That unconditional service will attract God and all other living entities of this world.
This selfless service binds the hearts of the served and the one serving. Radhanath Swami gives the example of his own mother who cooked a feast every day seven days a week, after performing all the household chores. This extending of oneself to serve the family connected the family members deeply to each other. Similarly if we serve each other in this spirit, we shall develop deep and meaningful relationships with each other. Life in this world would then be a cause to cheer.
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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........
“selfless service binds the hearts of the served and the one serving”-so true. A person who receives service feels a sense of obligation and love towards the server.
View CommentJust by reading this article about selfless service I am inspired to follow in the footsteps of great souls like those mentioned here.
View CommentWonderful article on selfless service!
View CommentThis article changes the heart of any one who reads it. Sacrificing the pleasure of oneself for the pleasure of others attracts everyone. All glories to HH Radhanatha Swami Maharaja.
View CommentAmazing article! Thanks for sharing it!
View CommentBeautiful
View CommentBeautiful!!!
View CommentRadhanath Swami indeed embodies the spirit of selfless service. In fact he keeps repeating that to serve God and all humanity is the very nature of every living being and that alone can completely satisfy the spirit soul.
View Commentexcellent article
View CommentYes the selfless service is a powerful binding force.If any relationship is to be survived then what Radhanath Maharaj has told in this article should be followed.Very nice article and it will definitely change the heart of the reader.
View CommentThanks for sharing this article on selfless service by Radhanath swami.
View CommentI tell you its doing miracles all over, even I am witness to many-The rendering of such menial services as cleaning and serving endears them to everyone. It is this kind of spirit that Radhanath Swami himself embodies and calls upon all others to inculcate.
View CommentI also see the charismatic approaches failing at many places.
Radhanath Swami himself is a perfect role model for selfless service. No wonder, people around the world, irrespective of their religious denomination, get attracted to his teachings.
View CommentIts amazing to have such a rich culture and community thanks to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentSelfless service is the real treasure of heart.
View CommentSelfless service binds the hearts of the served and the one serving. What a wonderful realization! Hope we can follow these instructions to perfect our lives.
View CommentVery inspirational article.
View CommentThis selfless service and love of HH Radhanath Swami towards all the living entities and not hating any one even they hated Him is the most attractive and appealing quality.
View CommentWe can attract the Lord’s mercy by selfless service to the Lord’s devotees. the Lord is very pleased when we please his devotees.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami shows by his personal example how to be selfless and that is why he attracts every one.
View Comment“This selfless service binds the hearts of the served and the one serving”, wow! what a statement. All glories to His Holiness Radhanath Swami.
View CommentIts is so true that “selfless service” attracts the heart .
View CommentOne will Definitely develop service attitude after reading this wonderful article on service attitude from Radhanth Maharaj.
View CommentWhen we render services without desiring and fruits and without ulterior motives, then we get the opportunity to access the unlimited mercy of God. HH Radhanath Swami is one of the living examples of this sincere selfless service not only to hmanity but for all living entities.
View Comment” If we serve each other, we shall develop deep and meaningful relationships with each other. Life in this world would then be a cause to cheer.” So true this is.
View CommentTrue. This selfless attitude is seen in HH Radhanath Swami who extends himself for the ultimate benefit of all humanity.
View CommentOne of the most endearing of all human virtues is the virtue of sacrifice and service to others.
View Comment“unconditional service will attract God and all other living entities ” -HH RNSM
View Comment‘This selfless service binds the hearts of the served and the one serving’ Beautiful thought……very nice examples are given so that we can also learn selfless service. Like a honey be Radhanath swami also takes honey(observe good things from surrounding)& appreciate. Radhanath swami maharaj ki jai!
View CommentOne of the most endearing of all human virtues is the virtue of sacrifice and service to others. Maharaj is an epitome of the sacrifice & selfless service to others.
View CommentWhen we do selfless service our heart becomes very much pleased and for whom we have the service he also becomes pleased.so we should do each and every service in selfless manner then only we will be happy as Radhanath Maharaj always teaches that we should do the service sincerely, seriously and without ulterior motives.
View CommentSelfless service is the essence of all spiritual injunctions. Radhanath Swami shares wonderful realizations. Thank you so much
View CommentThank you Radhanath swami for sharing such a wonderful blog that is filled with so much nectar.
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