While leaving Rama Sevaka Swami’s ashram, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) received a gift from Rama Sevaka Swami- his own personal walking stick. Narayana Prasad translated Rama Sevaka Swami’s words, “the stick of a devotee’s mercy can save one from the greatest dangers.” Richard reached Kathmandu with the stick being his constant companion. A pack of wild dogs chased towards Richard and growled ferociously. Richard wildly swung the walking stick towards the dogs while the dogs, smelling Richard’s flesh escalated their attacks. Richard finally survived by diving inside a house and slamming the door shut behind him. Richard realized that indeed the stick of Rama Sevaka Swami’s mercy had saved him.
Radhanath Swami says when the Lord is especially kind to someone He bestows upon that soul the association of devotees. Then by the devotee’s mercy, a sincere aspirant understands the science of God consciousness. I would sometimes wonder what it means by mercy of devotees. Radhanath Swami clarified in one talk that ‘mercy’ means ‘showing the mirror’. He elaborated that when in devotees association we learn to see our own heart and realize our shortcomings and make a sincere endeavor to improve, we should know we are getting mercy. Radhanath Swami therefore says mercy means when we realize how far we are from knowing and loving God. In association of sincere devotees of the Lord, a desire to love and know God arises in the heart. Therefore devotee’s mercy is absolutely needed.
Radhanath Swami explains that it is comfortable for the false ego to claim, “I love God and I don’t need anyone between me and God.” However the scripters assert that God can be realized in the association of devotees more than directly approaching God. Radhanath Swami once gave the example of a wholesale dealer. For the amount of bhakti we need we need to go to a retailer and that is a pure devotee of God. God Himself is a whole sale dealer and has unlimited reservoir of love. However we can’t barge in to God’s audience and demand that love. When God sees we are humble and like to serve all, God becomes happy with his humility and allows us to access the love of the spiritual realm.
In association of devotees one also experiences strain in relationships and that strain helps us take shelter of God. Radhanath Swami reveals, “When God sees that we are willing to let go off our false egos and keep good relationships with each other for the higher purpose of service to God’s mission, we get access to the unlimited mercy of both God and devotees.” Radhanath Swami often quotes his own guru who said we can show our love to him and God by how we cooperate with one another. Also another of favorite quotes of his guru that Radhanath Swami says, “one who thinks he can advance in spiritual life without the association and mercy of devotees is in hallucination.”
Radhanath Swami also practices this principle. I have seen him often keep aside all engagements to spend time with his equals and colleagues, and take their association seriously. When his friends like Bhakti Caru Swami and Niranjan Swami come to Chowpatty, Mumbai, Radhanath Swami cancels all his other engagements and spends hours talking to them. He even once told one of his students, “for me the association of my seniors and friends who can guide me and correct me is more important than spending time with all of you.” This shows how much value we should place on taking the mercy of devotees very seriously.
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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........
This is a very instructive article……Swamiji’s heart is so pure & he is giving the formula to all of us…..Wonderful
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami really shows by his own personal example how to associate with devotees and access to the mercy of God.
View Commentexcellent article
View CommentAssociation of senior devotees & friends is very essential.Maharaj is setting example for all of us.
View CommentVery Important – “I love God and I don’t need anyone between me and God.” However the scripters assert that God can be realized in the association of devotees more than directly approaching God.
View CommentAm deeply grateful to be part of association of such wonderful devotees who lead us by their own example. Thank you very very much for sharing.
View CommentThe most wonderful thing in all creation is the Association of Devotees – HH Radhanath Swami.
View Comment“When in devotees association we learn to see our own heart and realize our shortcomings and make a sincere endeavor to improve, we should know we are getting mercy.” This is so true. I had never realised even though I am getting this mercy abundantly.
View CommentThanks for sharing this.
View CommentVery beautifully explained by Maharaj
View CommentThanks for sharing
View CommentAs HH Radhanath Swami rightly says, the mercy of devotees is the only hope to reach Krishna.
View CommentAssociation of devotees is the mirror of our self, it reveals which we cannot realize without them, thank you radhanath swami maharaj for this nice article…,
View Comment“One who thinks he can advance in spiritual life without the association and mercy of devotees is in hallucination”. Thank you for the wonderful words of advice.
View CommentThank you Swamiji for your constant guidance…….
View Comment“The Lord is especially kind to someone He bestows upon that soul the association of devotees. Then by the devotee’s mercy, a sincere aspirant understands the science of God consciousness.” This is very assuring to advance spiritually.
View CommentAmazing article. We can learn from the life of Radhanath Swami how one who has intense and deep desire to know and serve the Lord and His devotees, ultimately gets them. It’s very inspiring to see how he got the goal of his life through the association of many transcendentalists whom he met during the course of his adventurous journey. Thanks a lot for sharing this article!
View Commentvery instructive article
View CommentDevotees are true shelter.
View Commentmessage is so beautifully explained
View CommentNice meditation by HH Radhanath Swami. The mercy of devotees is greater than that of Lord.
View CommentThank you Maharaj for instructing about the value of association of devotees.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami sets a fine example on how seriousely we should take the association of devotees.
View CommentOne gets what he deserves but if he wants more than that it is purely through the mercy of vaisnavas. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
View CommentThanks for sharing.
View CommentHow even the simplest things can give so much protection.
View CommentAssociation with equals is more important for our krishna consciousness.Jai Radhanath swami maharaj
View Commenthari bol
View CommentThank you swamiji
View CommentNice meditation by HH Radhanath Swami. Truly without the mercy of devotees access to God is very very difficult.
View CommentVery true “BY devotee’s mercy, a sincere aspirant understands the science of God consciousness”
View CommentThe stick incident was breath taking. This very precious gift has actually saved the life of Radhanath Swami. Mercy…to obtain it, one need to admit such deep confessions of heart but in association every big boulder can be crossed! Thank you for this beautiful compilation.
View CommentA devotees association will surely protect one from all the dangers.
View CommentWonderful article ..Thank you so much for sharing.. All glories to HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj Ji.
View CommentA very inspiring mercy formula by Radhanath swami
View CommentAssociation is very important. It acts just like a crystal stone, which will reflect anything which is put before it.Through the association of devotees one can engage in the service of the God by hearing and chanting the God’s name.Thus one can revive his/her dormant Krishna Consciousness and sticking to the cultivation of Krishna Consciousness,return home,back to Godhead even in this life.
View Comment“When God sees that we are willing to let go off our false egos and keep good relationships with each other for the higher purpose of service to God’s mission, we get access to the unlimited mercy of both God and devotees.” This statement is key to success of on the path of devotion.Thank you Radhanath Swami for your enlightening words and causeless mercy
View CommentAssociation of devotees can safe you from greatest danger!
View Comment“the stick of a devotee’s mercy can save one from the greatest dangers.” – HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai!
View CommentIndeed you become who you associate with…
Wonderful article
View CommentIn association of devotees one also experiences strain in relationships and that strain helps us take shelter of God.
View Comment“Radhanath Swami says when the Lord is especially kind to someone He bestows upon that soul the association of devotees. Then by the devotee’s mercy, a sincere aspirant understands the science of God consciousness.” – HH Radhanath Swami ki jai!
View CommentOne must have a sincere desire and to please the Lord, then surely Lord will reciprocate by guiding him in the right direction…
“Lav matra Sadhu Sanga Sarva Siddhi hoy”, just by the moment of association of devotee one can achieve perfection.
View CommentThank you HH Radhanath Swami
Thank you guru Maharaj, Association of devotees is very important.
View CommentThanks for sharing this beautiful article
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