Everyone in Bon Maharaj’s ashram where Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was staying complained about his long, unkempt hair. Bon Maharaj requested him to shave his head like the other ashramites. Richard pleaded that for him shaving the head meant surrendering to a mentor, and therefore until he feels strongly about surrendering to a guru, he wouldn’t shave. Then Maharaj suggested that he at least cut it shorter as now the hair hung halfway to his waist, and his mane was quite matted. Richard agreed but the hair was so thick that no scissor could penetrate the hair. Finally they called for a gardener who bought loppers used for cutting bushes. The four men- gardener, barber and their two assistants- strained and groaned as they pushed the cutter from both directions. Finally after great struggle the two blades of the bush cutter snapped together and the project was complete. Asim laughed all the while so hard that tears streamed down his cheeks.
Reading Radhanath Swami’s hair cutting experience, I too laughed but soon realized the seriousness of the event. Radhanath Swami’s long hair had once represented his revolt against war, prejudices and the superficialities of the society. Now he allowed that hair to be cut.
In Indian culture hair cutting is a significant event for many religious people. One of the most popular temples in India is the temple of Tirupati, Lord Vishnu, where every day thousands of pilgrims, including women and children, tonsure their head as a mark of auspiciousness and as an offering for the lord. The daily amount of hair collected is over a ton. The hair thus gathered is sold by the temple organization a few times a year by public auction to international buyers for use as hair extensions and in cosmetics, bringing over $6 million to the temple’s treasury.
The objective behind shaving one’s head for the Lord is to demonstrate that the devotee completely surrenders his/her ego at the feet of the Lord. Also many make a wish to the Lord to fulfil, and in exchange, as a price, shave the head. Also many Hindus shave in case of death of their parents. Even young boys and girls before they reach the age of four are shaved completely in a special ceremony. By shaving the head, it is said the child confronts his or her ego. This teaches humbleness and devotion. Also children with shaved heads are seen as innocent and holy, and are treated with great respect.
In India while visiting holy places, the first ritual to be observed by most pilgrims is shaving the head. Hair is considered the symbol of vanity, and in order to receive the full benefits of a pilgrimage to a holy place, one must first give up self-love and focus on God. Thus, the pilgrims believe that the hair should be shaven from the head in a gesture of surrender and humility.
I once heard one of Radhanath Swami’s students explain that hair cutting is not absolutely essential. What is more important is to remember God and be prayerful. External rituals are important if they increase our favourable remembrance of God, otherwise they are a distraction. Radhanath Swami beautifully exposes the false humility that can creep in by such external show of shaving. “One can be proud of his humility too”, says Radhanath Swami, “by thinking I am more humble than others. This is subtle pride and a distraction.”
Radhanath Swami is always clean shaven and looks effulgent and holy. I find many of his young celibate students who also shave regularly, radiating spiritual energy and look happy. I am sure there’s more to it than mere shaving the head- they offer their heart in love to God.
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........
Rdhanath Swami always cautious that his students so they don’t become victim of false ego,so he reminds us
View Comment“by thinking I am more humble than others. This is subtle pride and a distraction.”
thank you very much for sharing this information
View CommentVery instructive experience.
View CommentRadhanath swami has nicely explained the importance of shaving the head.
View CommentAny ritual performed with proper knowledge and in mood of servitude for the pleasure of Supereme Lord in no longer simply a ritual, but becomes loving devotional service. Thank you Radhnath Swami for teaching us.
View CommentRadhanath Swami always emphasizes on internalisation of Krishna Consciousness rather than focusing on making an external show. Many get lost on spiritual path when they focus too much on externals.
View Commentvery nice, thank you very much maharaj
View CommentAny means to gain humility and at the same time no pride, is worth it. Hari Bol!
View CommentThis incident of his hair cutting though makes one laugh, also brings home this important principle
View CommentVery nice and inspiring…
View CommentIn every act of Swamiji on his spiritual quest, there was an important realisation he would get & now he is sharing the same with us…….
View Commentthank you
View CommentThank you Radhanath swami for sharing this…
View CommentThank you Radhanath swami for sharing humility and shaving head…
View CommentJust look at the innocent faces of children in the accompanying photo! The monk-students of Radhanath Swami are not only confronting their own egos, they are making vary valuable positive contributions to the society. Thank you very much for sharing this nice writeup.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has been very instrumental in bringing the Vedic tradition of India into practice again.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj is a completely surrendered soul, as he shows externally by shaving of the head and internally by following completely his spiritual master. A perfect combination of internal and external renunciation.
View CommentThanks !
View CommentNow I understand why sadhus shave their heads. They have already surrendered everything to the will of the God. This makes sense to me.
View CommentAmazing!
View CommentSwami ji’s each action has a meaning even he had a meaning for hair.
View Commentnice article
View Commentvery important insight, thanks for sharing this article, regards, rajesh karia
View Commentnice article, haribol, bhakti
View Commentthe spirit of renunciation should be to please the Lord other wise it is again comes under sense gratification, Maharaj is guarding us of false pride which comes due to renunciation.
View Commentamazing
View CommentNice article !
View CommentThank you for enlightening us on this important subject of hair cutting! This proves that everything has a deep meaning behind it in vedic culture.
View CommentRadhanath Swami brings life to rituals. What had become a meaningless routine, now bubbles with profound intimations.
We can understand how religious processes once had tremendous significance to loving followers, but shorn of their relevance had become a burden to later day adherents, brought up in a rational world.
Radhanath swami compares ritual to the envelope , into which the contents(love and surrender) are placed before despatching to the Supreme beloved. Both cover and content complement each other and are necessary.
Unlimited thanks to the peerless Guru.
View CommentThank you very much for such a nice write-up.
View CommentVery instructive – Thanks a lot for this wonderful article.
View CommentVery inspiring story
View CommentHari Hari
View CommentIf we understand Swamiji’s statement, we will see God’s hand in everything, and thus achieve God Consciousness.
View CommentThank u Radhanath Swami for teaching us to see each & every situation of our life as a mercy of Lord & accept every moment with positive attitude.
View Commentthank u radhanath swami maharaj
View Commentwe are so much greatful to maharaj,for everything.Thank you very very much Maharaj.
View CommentSuch a wonderful experience. Yes it is such a serious issue to surrrender to the Lord & His representatives. One should do this both in form (like shaving head) & also in spirit. I appreciate this article.
View Commentthank you for these wonderful insights Maharaj.
View Comment