Radhanath Swami
In 1971, Radhanath Swami got associated with ISKCON. In 1973, Radhanath Swami took spiritual initiation from Srila Prabhupad. In 1986, Radhanath Swami landed in Mumbai and started the Radha Gopinath temple. And now, in 2011, this beautiful temple and its flourishing community serves as a befitting offering at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupad, and demonstrates that miracles can indeed spring from dedication and love.
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.
Stories from Radhagopinath Community of Love
For Radhanath Swami, spirituality isn’t about dry philosophizing; for him spirituality is an affair of the heart; it is about sharing love with God and sharing God’s love with others. And as Radhanath Swami himself puts it, he has learnt this principle from Srila Prabhupad.
In 1986, the temple began to attract a stream of regular visitors, numbering around sixty. Knowing my newly acquired cake making skills, Radhanath Swami put forth before me an astonishing request; he wanted cakes on the birthdays of all his regulars. He perceived birthdays as occasions to share God’s love. So I prepared a chart with all details: the name of the visitor, birthday date, address and phone number.
On any birthday, I woke up early, and the cake would be baked before dawn. Then, at about six in the morning, Radhanath Swami, my husband and I would set out for the surprise birthday celebration. We would visit the person’s home, however far off. Upon reaching there, we invariably incited ‘early morning birthday shocks’: so much love and affection is unusual, especially in cities.
But slowly, with such touching experiences, those initial visitors learnt the language of spiritual love. And then, when they went out to share the same love with the world—the community grew.
Mother Palika, (Neighbour)
Srila Prabhupada
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