Richard (now Radhanath Swami) met Vasudev, a handsome sadhu in his thirties. Although Vasudev wore immaculate dress, spoke the Queen’s English and was gentle and charmed all, Richard felt something strange about him. Vasudev revealed his heart to Richard; he was constantly tormented by black magic and tantric attacks of a powerful leader of a black magic cult. This leader tried to control Vasudev’s mind through his spells and with the help of his associates constantly tormented Vasudev and demanded he surrender to the cult leader. Vasudev was constantly running for his life in fear of this evil tantric.
Radhanath Swami recommends that to survive such horrible attacks, a spiritual practitioner has to intensely pray to the Lord for protection. It’s also important that we keep our external surroundings clean and also our mind pure by cultivating positive thoughts of love, and service. Reading spiritual books and associating with people aspiring to lead a pure life gives us the immunity from black magic spells.
Radhanath Swami narrates with great relish the activities of Bhakti Vinod Thakur, a great Vaishnava saint and teacher of the nineteenth century who fought against such evil black magic tantrics.
The British thought him a revolutionary for speaking out against the British rule, so the district governor of Bengal drew up arrest orders. However, nobody dared to act upon these orders, fearing Bisakisena’s mystic powers.
In 1873, Mr. Ravenshaw, the district commissioner for Orissa, requested Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur to bring Bisakisena to justice. Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur went personally to see Bisakisena. The yogi showed some powers that would normally scare off an ordinary man, and informed Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur that he knew well who he was, but that since he (Bisakisena) was the Lord, Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur better not interfere with him. That was enough for Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur who replied by acknowledging Bisakisena’s accomplishments in yoga and tantra and requesting him to come to Puri, where he could receive the blessings of Jagannatha, the famous deity of Krishna there. Bisakisen’s haughty reply and argument made Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur furious and he immediately arrested the mystic and threw him in jail where he was guarded by three dozen constables and seventy two policemen.
The fearless Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur tried Bisakisena in Puri. The trial lasted 18 days, during which thousands of people whom Bisaksen had control over gathered outside the courtroom, demanding Bisakisena’s release. On day six of the trial Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur‘s daughter Kadambini became seriously ill and nearly died. Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur knew it was the power of the tantric yogi at work. He remarked, “Yes, let us all die, but this rascal must be punished.” The next day in court the yogi announced he’d shown his power and would show much more. He suggested that Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur should release him at once or face worse miseries. On the last day of the trial Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur himself became ill from high fever and suffered exactly as his daughter had. But the determined Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur pronounced the man guilty and sentenced him to 18 months for political conspiracy. When Bisakisena was being readied for jail, the district medical officer cut off all his hair. Apparently, the yogi drew power from his long hair. He hadn’t eaten or drunk during the whole trial, so he fell to the floor like a dead man and had to be taken to jail by stretcher. After three months he was moved to the central jail at Midnapura, where he took poison and died
This is awe inspiring story of a great saint who fought against the dangerous black magic spells on the strength of his devotion and faith in God. Radhanath Swami also teaches us that God’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world.
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........
The story from life of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur is so inspiring…..Also, the instructions by Swamiji on how to protect oneself from black magic are so practical & invaluable…..Thanks
View CommentAmazing yet horrifying story about black magic. True – God’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world.
View CommentInspiring article !! HH Radhanath Swami teaches us through his own examples how one should take shelter of the holy names of Krishna.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami demonstrates how with pure faith in the devotion one can overcome any kind of obstacles.
View CommentOnly devotees of Lord Krishna are fearless….
View CommentFaith lifting true story, which gives us an opportunity to take shelter of Lord in every situation. Thank you for sharing.
View CommentRadhanath Swami recommends that to survive such horrible attacks, a spiritual practitioner has to intensely pray to the Lord for protection. It’s also important that we keep our external surroundings clean and also our mind pure by cultivating positive thoughts of love, and service-thanks for sharing this!
View CommentVery inspiring! Radhanath Swami Maharaj had been learning from everything during his great voyage from USA to India.
View CommentTrue spiritual leaders like Radhanath Swami are expert in diagnosing the problem and even curing it.
View CommentThanks for sharing very inspiring and amazing article.
View CommentVery much inspiring episode which teaches us to have strong faith in Krsna. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
View Commenthorrifying story
View CommentVery good article.
View Comment“God’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world.” This is a solid proof to demonstrate how God protects all who have faith in Him.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami nicely sums it up all by taking the shelter of Supreme Lord and become fearless.
View CommentThank you Maharaj for this inspiring article which deepens our faith in spirituality, specially during testing circumstances.
View CommentPractice of chanting the holy names of the Lord makes one fearless
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj for wonderful insight…
View CommentNice incident as narrated by HH Radhanath Swami. A pure devotee is not afraid of anything of this world, because Lord is always with him.
View CommentWonderful article
View CommentGod’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world.- this story emphasis it clearly.
View CommentGod’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world – sounds quite practical. Afterall, who will deny the fact that this world is full of various kinds of dangers and no one can claim that he is free from all of them. Taking shelter of God is the only hope. Thank you Radhanath Swami!
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami Ki Jai
View Comment“God’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world.”
Thank you very much Radhanath Swami for this valuable lesson.
View Commentod’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world.
View CommentGod’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world.
View CommentAll glories to HH Radhanth Swami Maharaj Ji
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami following in the footsteps of Srila bhakti Vinod Thakur, fearlessly preaching the message of Krishna throughout the western world which is inspiring all the Indians who have almost forgotten the vedic life.
View CommentIt was a chilling episode of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur’s life!
View CommentVery informative article…….
View CommentVery inspiring story.
View CommentNice article by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj that shows only God’s shelter can protect us.
View CommentSrila Bhakti Vinod Thakur boldly did his duty even at the cost of his daughter’s life. very inspiring.
View Comment“God’s shelter is the only way we can be fearless and protected from all dangers in this material world.” – HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai!
View CommentIndeed, when one is under Krishna’s shelter no material tribulations shall put him in anxiety…
Amazing yet horrifying story
View CommentVery inspiring incident, nicely narrated by HH Radhanath Swami which makes us understand we are not this body but a pure spirit soul.
View CommentThank you very much HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View CommentThank you very much Maharaj. The realizations you share are really very helpful!!
View CommentThank you for the wonderful advice
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj for wonderful article
View CommentThank you. Very inspiring. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur Maharaj ki jai.
View CommentAll glories to HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj !
View CommentSuch is the power of prayers. Bhakti Vinod Thakur is a great example who fought against black magic through his devotional strength.
View CommentFearlessness is the foremost quality which a devotee imbibes, as he/she understands nothing is separate from Krishna. HH Radhanath Swami gives a very hope giving incident of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur in this meditation.
View CommentVery inspiring!
View CommentThanks for sharing.
View CommentIt’s important that we keep our external surroundings clean and also our mind pure by cultivating positive thoughts of love, and service by chanting. Reading spiritual books and associating with people aspiring to lead a pure life gives us the immunity from black magic spells
View CommentVery nice article by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View CommentWe should all guard against this black magic. Only a person who is spiritually powerful can overcome such spells.
View CommentHappy to read that no power can take over power derived from sincere practice of Devotional service!!
View Comment