The Cat
Stories from Radhagopinath Community of Love
His countenance showed concern. Yet he strained a smile and requested me to accompany him. As I followed Radhanath Swami, I wondered where he was taking me.
It was a hot summer day and as we walked through the corridors of the monastery, a pleasant breeze flowed in from the nearby sea. Our march ended at the parapet of the first floor. Radhanath Swami peered down into the adjacent Laxmi Narayan Garden . “Do you know that cat?” Looking in the same direction I found an ugly cat bleeding profusely in the leg. Many stray cats loitered in that area. At night they moaned and shrieked, as they fought for a mate. The monks often lost sleep because of these creatures. Looked like this cat too was injured in one of those night brawls. Served it right!
Radhanath Swami interrupted my thoughts.”This cat is staying with us for a few years now; must be a spiritualist from a past birth. He’s also one amongst the residents of our monastery.” A chill tingled up my spine. Gripped by shame, I cast another glance at the cat. How lowly of me to have despised that soul!
“It’s our sacred responsibility to take care of him. Will you please take responsibility of getting him cured?” Radhanath Swami disclosed why he had brought me there. I consented and rushed the cat to the vet clinic. The injury would have been fatal if the treatment had been delayed, as the vet later conveyed.
One week later as I watched the cat spring out of the sack that brought him from the vet, I looked on him in a different perspective–as another member of the Radha Gopinath family.
-Punnet, one of the resident monks.
This is the “para dukha dukhi” bhava of Radhanath Swami. He genuinely feels compassion for all living entities who are in pain – physically, emotionally or spiritually,
Many people are concerned with pet animals. But this is different. This care is spiritual because Radhanath Maharaja is actually most concerned about the spiritual welfare of everyone.
This reminds me of a great saint from south india – Kuresh , who was full of compassion for even lower creatures.Radhanath Swami is in the same mould.
Thank you sharing!
its a lesson for all of us to consider every living entity in the entire creation to be the one amongst us striving to go back home back to godhead, but due to their respective karma everybody and everything is existing for purification and ultimate destination, that is to reach goloka dham, thank you maharaj for awakening this realization in us,
The more and more i hear and read about Radhanath Swami Maharaj, the more gratitude i feel for him…..can any one be so humble….only pure souls can.
Radhanath Swami has a spiritual vision……he sees Krishna in everything
Bhagavad Gita mentions who is a learned man or Pandit? It is that advanced Spiritualist who can see all living entities as part and parcel of God irrespective of what body they posses.
Its amazing how Radhanath Swami was aware that the cat was part of the temple and how as a Spiritual head, he saw that it was his duty to shower his care even on the cat!
Radhanath Swami has genuine compassion. A quality which is rare and can be found only in a true transcendentalist.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jay!
Our vision is on the bodily level and hence we tend to distinguish very living entity that way,well if he/she is of use to me then we have a relation or else who has the time.Radhanath Swami being the pure soul he is beyond such bodily concept.
This is true equality of vision as mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita.
Radhanath Swami maharaj’s compassion and love knows no bounds
Someone so compassionate is so very rare!
Thank you so much for sharing.
this should be the expression and consciousness of every individual of seeing krishna in all and in every living entities. Every entity in this creation is put into existence to get purified and become nullified for his past karma, that is to complete his unfinished business to serve krishna, thank you radhanath swami for this sharing,
wow! this is so wonderful, it teaches us to see everyone as souls & not look at the body.
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
Radhanath Maharaj is truly a personality who operates on the platform of the soul and not the body…
Radhanath Maharaj is great.
WOW…. So much compassion. Radhanath Swami shows the true signs of a sadhu…. not discriminating on basis of caste, creed, colour, nationality and ….being a different species than a human.
i think it was Gandhiji who said. A civilization will be judged by the way it treats its animals. Somehow Maharaj has all the great qualities of all the great men.
Pandita Sam Darsina….One more expression of genuine concern and loving care. H H Radhanath Swami taeches all by his own example and this is a sign of a true vaishanava….Prachar by aachar…
Maharaj has really lived by the scriptures and Srila Prabhupada also did on so many occasions. Real compassion is unrestricted.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Hope that we are able to learn and practice what Maharaj is teaching us with his example and efforts. HK
Radhanath Swami’s heart is full of compassion. Thanks for this wonderful experience,
To convey an important message he oftion use an insignificant thing ( here a cat ) as an example which is very striking . Thankyou
VERY GRATEFUL TO MAHAHRAJ FOR GIVING US SUCH WONDERFUL TEMPLE AND GREAT VAISHNAVA ASSOCIATION
The Expert Master always sees things in a different perspective and in the correct way. There can be no other alternative apart from what the perfect souls say.
If Radhanath Swami has so much compassion for a cat, imagine how much kindness and consideration he would have for those people who are in touch with him.
This is a true paradigm shift….something that really matters for soul.
This shows we should respect and love all living beings, as in eyes of Lord Krsna everyone is equal.
i shared this with my students , it really inspired all of them
Radhanath swami Maharaj ki jay, Radha Gopinath ki jay
Simply amazing!
Radhanath Swami’s love encompasses not just human beings but all living entities. What an extraordinary person.
Wonderful article, thank u for sharing!!
Radhanath Maharaj is spiritually purified and has equal vision and love for all fallen souls in this world.
As we learn from Bhagavad Gita – pandta sama darshinah….Similarly for Radhanath Swami every Living entity is special and needs to be cared and sheltered! Thank you for sharing this practical realisation
simply wonderful
caring,compassionate & loving- that’Radhanathswami Maharaj !!!!
Radhanath Swami sees with the eyes of love and compassion…!!
His luv for all species of life is unfathomable
Radhanath Swami is a perfect example to follow for times to come for people who are serious spiritual seekers…
A Sadhu(Holy man)is ‘para dukha dukhi’-becomes miserable when he sees other’s miseries.Radhanath Swami is a real Sadhu.
This kind of behaviour is what distinguishes a great personality from a common man
Radhanath Swami is a transcendental personality in that He acts at the level of the soul, who is a part and parcel of God. Thus, there is no question of discriminating on basis of caste, creed, color etc. Radhanath Swami personally lives by this principle and has inspired a lot of people to live blissfully by such fundamental principles. All Glories to Radhanath Swami
Very inspiring! Thank you!
His love and compassion is not bordered or limited but open for all the entities who are living in this world.
how touching!!!