While Richard (now Radhanath Swami) often questioned what real humility was and how it works, he came upon an unforgettable lesson on this subject. Richard found his heart irresistibly drawn towards Ghanshyam, a small thin man in his seventies whose life and soul was to serve Radha and Krishna and their devotees twenty four hours a day. He would offer everything he had to serve Richard, while constantly saying, “I am your obedient servant.” Ghanshyam insisted on serving his rotis to Richard, while himself starving. With palms folded in prayer he begged that the only thing he possessed was his service to all and wished he isn’t deprived of this chance. He gave away his blanket so that Richard could sleep comfortably in the winter of Vrindavan. He loved to serve everyone he met and Radhanath Swami writes that his heart was deeply affected by this devotee who lived in obscurity. Ghanshyam wasn’t a learned scholar, a famous guru or a mystic yogi. But he was a true saint, his humility an expression of his love for God.
Radhanath Swami writes his realization:
“In real humility there is a deeper principle than our sad need to feel superior to others. That higher principle prevents us from being arrogant and condescending toward those we feel are inferior. It protects us from being envious towards those who are more accomplished. When one is humble, one feels grateful and gives credit to the Lord and all those who have ever offered help. With a humble heart one can easily admit mistakes and open one’s heart to learn. Becoming humble is not the act of killing the ego but of liberating the real ego, which is eternally vibrant with love for God and others.”
Radhanath Swami notes that in the company of people like Ghanshyam he discovered that true humility was not a negative obsession that lead to a sense of inferiority or depression. On the contrary humility, he learnt connects us to an inexhaustible power beyond our own, the power of grace. Radhanath Swami discovered a profound mystery in the association of Ghanshayam Baba; to the degree one possesses humility, he feels himself very small, a part of God and the servant of all.
Radhanath Swami too feels small and lowly; he genuinely wishes to remain in the background and shies away from all fame and honour. After reading the ‘Journey Home’ I was excited to meet Radhanath Swami and take his autograph. I went to the temple where he stayed, with great excitement and hope. What I witnessed has left an indelible impression in my heart; even my hard wretched heart has been moved to see the genuine qualities of Radhanath Swami.
In a few days as the professional media launch was all set to happen for the ‘Journey Home’ I saw Radhanath Swami unassuming and shy. On this particular day two thousand youth of Mumbai had gathered to hear him speak during the monthly youth festival. As extra thousands came that evening in anticipation of hearing Radhanath Swami speak from his book, I managed to sneak behind his room where he was discussing with some of his close friends and students about the evening talk. They all insisted that he speak from the book. He shied away and refused. Finally he relented and said he would speak only if some youth asked him questions indirectly referring to the book. I ran fast to catch my seat in the front row so that I could hear the exciting stories from ‘Journey Home’ from the mouth of the author himself. As the lecture began, and all waited with bated breath no story came out. Finally one of his students who was compeering the programme announced to the two thousand plus crowd, “Now on behalf of all assembled guests we request Radhanath Swami to share his realizations from ‘Journey Home’.” As the crowd roared in approval, expectations soared but still Radhanath Swami didn’t speak anything from the book. I then remembered Radhanath Swami reluctantly agree that if we asked him questions related to the topics mentioned in the book, he shall speak the stories and realizations. I raised my had and asked a question on Naga Babas. He gave a straight answer and nothing from the book. Then others took a clue from me and questions streamed in on topics ranging from Ganga to Himalayas to Vrindavan and his own guru. As each question was being asked to Radhanath Swami, everyone laughed, knowing fully well that these questions are being hinted at the book. Still Radhanath Swami didn’t budge, and replied to all the questions on the merit of the question without referring to his autobiography. The class was of course brilliant but the students felt simultaneously disappointed.
Two hours after the class when most people had returned to their homes, Radhanath Swami came down to the courtyard of the temple and spoke casually to a group of admirers who crowded around him. I was there as he discussed the minute details from the book. Radhanath Swami repeatedly apologized to us, a small group of students that he was sorry he didn’t speak from the book. He said he was feeling shy and miserable and didn’t know how he could speak about himself. “I wrote this book because I was ordered by my close friend on his deathbed. I couldn’t refuse him, but I feel humbled and shy to speak about myself.”
Yes, I can agree that Ghanshyam has left a deep impression in Radhanath Swami’s heart and influenced his life beyond my tiny imagination.
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........
Thank you very much for sharing this nice realization about Radhanath Swami
View CommentThank you Radhanath swami for emphasizing how humility is such an important element in devotional service by your personal example.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is a rare gem, with all his genuine qualities shining through like a beacon light, guiding all seekers on the path of God. Incidents such as these will be cherished forever.
View CommentMaharaj has very fond memories of Ghanashyam Baba…
View CommentThank you very much for sharing such great experience
View CommentRadhanath Swami serves in whatever position or situation he is in. Thank you very much for sharing.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is rare jewel
View CommentThank you very much for kindly sharing this article, its always nice to hear the realizations of Radhanth Swami, they are very deep
View Commentso sweet.!
View CommentReally wonderful experience with Radhanath Swami. He is an emblem of humility and this is not an exaggeration.
View CommentThanks Prabhu for sharing this pastime. Radhanath Maharaj is really a jewel and humble personified. Seeing his all genuine qualities pray to Krishna to use me in the Service of Guru and Guranga till my last breath
View CommentSo deep are the personalities of these sadhus.
View CommentStory of Ghanashyam Baba is very inspiring.
View CommentI am aware…. this story of Ghanshyam has moved the hearts of so many……
View CommentThank you very much for sharing. Pure devotees like Radhanath Swami feels very happy to glorify Lord and his devotees but feel uncomfortable and shy to talk about themselves
View Commentvery nice understanding of humility given by Radhanth Swami
View CommentI will never get to meet Ghanshyam Baba, but i consider myself so fortunate to be blessed with Maharaj’s association and to receive his instructions through his books and lectures. I hope someday I can have a small iota of Maharaj’s humility. Jai Maharaj!
View CommentTHank you very much for sharing such a nice exprience.
View CommentThis incident again proves that Radhanath Swami practices what he teaches.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is emblem of humility
View CommentOne must strive for cultivating the same humility as Radhanath swami
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj possesses the rare quality of genuine humility!
View CommentI understand what humility means when I see and observe Radhanath Swami.
View CommentRadhanath Swamiji is very keenly explains his experiences with Ghanashyam,a humble devotee of Sri-Sri Radha and Krishna.Thank you for sharing it.
View CommentThe realizations Radhanath Swami had about humility has given the correct picture – it prevents arrogance, but is not condescending, it increases gratefulness and opens the infinite source of grace.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj is humility personified!
View Comment“I wrote this book because I was ordered by my close friend on his deathbed. I couldn’t refuse him, but I feel humbled and shy to speak about myself.”Wonderful point by Maharaj.
View CommentI still remember when Radhanath Swami was narrating this pastime in 2002 at the Radha Gopijanavallabh temple in Vrndavan he had tears in his eyes.
View CommentRadhanath Maharaja says humility is the foundation by which love manifests… and i feel it’s that love which has made so many of us inspired to Krishna Consciousness
View CommentRadhanath Swami :
View CommentIn real humility there is a deeper principle than our sad need to feel superior to others. That higher principle prevents us from being arrogant and condescending toward those we feel are inferior.
Very powerful reminder from Maharajah.”Becoming humble is not the act of killing the ego but of liberating the real ego, which is eternally vibrant with love for God and others.”
View CommentAmazing article.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharajs humility is humbling!
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s humilty & behaviour is very very exemplary for everyone to follow…….Nice article….
View Commentvery nice article with emphasis on the importance of being humble, thank you Maharaj, haribol, bhakti
View CommentHHRM’s humility is self personified and is beyond the understanding of oneself, Maharaj’s humility is very much exemplary for everyone to follow, haribol, rajesh k
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj is himself so humble that’s why he can appreciate that quality in others!
View CommentGhanshyam baba’s section in the book ‘The Journey Home’ is heart melting.
View CommentGhanshyam has left a deep impression in Radhanath Swami’s heart and influenced his life
View CommentThank You Maharaj.
View CommentIt’s only because Radhanath Swami himself is truly humble and unassuming that he can inspire thousands to dedicate thier lives in the service of god and follow in the glorious footsteps of the truly great souls.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is genuinely humble.
View CommentH.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai
View CommentRadhanath swami maharaj is inspiring every one by his example and the results which he has given to the society.
View CommentA Life-Saving Project…Something that actually makes people ‘LIVE’ the teaching of Simple Living High Thinking. Radhanath Swami ki Jay
View CommentEven the disciple becomes guru, guru is always guru. No one can defeat Radhanath Swami. He is the personification of humility. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
The qualities that we hear from the scriptures of what a devotee is like, Our Maharaj is the living embodiment of those qualities.
Hare Krishna
View CommentThank you very much for sharing such a wonderful experience.
View CommentThanks for sharing this beautiful story and realisation from Radhanath swami’s autobiography.
View CommentWhenever I see and hear about Radhanath Swami, I realise, how far I am from real humility.
View Comment