https://apdha.org/wp-content/bin/ 91-073 'Rainbow Festival Spiritual Life is a Necessity' by HH Radhanath Swami, in Mumbai - Radhanath Swami Lecture Transcripts

91-073 'Rainbow Festival Spiritual Life is a Necessity' by HH Radhanath Swami, in Mumbai

I met  in Vrndavan my eternal father, my spiritual master, Gurumaharaha, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.   When I heard him speak, when I experienced his love, his realization, the depth of his compassion,  I found the synthesis and the fulfillment of everything that I have learnt…..  and more.  He was someone whom I could truly put my faith and trust in.  Someone who is not denying other religions but who was teaching essence that I was seeking in my search.   And he was also teaching with pains taking concern for all of living beings, a path, a way of life to follow.   So I studied his teachings, I spent some time, and everything I was looking for in my spiritual search was fulfilled in this path of Krishna consciousness.  That is why I am like this today.

 

Question :

Answer :  If the teacher does not teach devotion to him, such a teacher is not a good teacher.  A true guru is one who teaches us  the path of devotion to God.  And our devotion to the teacher is in following that path which leads us to God.  It is common in India, it says “the guru who says he is God is dog”.   But the guru who says that I am the eternal servant of God, teaching you also how to be the eternal servant of God, such a teacher is as good as God.

 

Question :

Answer : Every sound is a manifestation coming from God,  ‘Janmady asya yatah’, but God is that supreme source from which  everything emanates.  The sunshine is emanating from the sun, but  there is difference between the sun and the sunshine,  and at the same time there is no difference.  The sunshine is the energy, the sun is the energetic source.  God is the energetic source of all that exists.  Everything in this creation is that energy emanating from that supreme source.  If you understand the nature of God, you perceive all of His energy as non different than Him.  But at the same time you see difference.  The difference is that this is His energy, this is His love.  But you understand that Krishna or God is the source of all this.  Everything becomes beautiful when we see it in relationship with the source.  Just like a father, if a father or mother has a little child say four years old, and the child draws a picture,  you know that the picture is not going to be very nice from the artistic point of view.   If he takes that picture and gives it to a stranger, who doesn’t know who painted it, he will think it is ridiculous.  ……………..   But when the father sees that picture, love will just awaken in his heart, when he sees that picture.  Why?  Because he knows where it came from, someone he loves.  Do you  understand the example.  Everything within this creation; the fire, the grass, the wind, the water, the cold, the rain, if you understand that it is all coming from God, and you have the love of God, then you will appreciate and you love all these things, because you see God within it, just like the father sees the child within that painting.  But if you do not understand God,  if you do not understand God’s love,  then all these thing will be strange and mysterious.  We like the heat and hate the cold.  But if we love the God, we like the heat and cold equally.  Because we will see God in both.  Because they are all emanating from the supreme  truth Sri Krishna.

 

Question :

Answer : Every subject in this world is a serious subject.  If you are serious to learn, you will find a teacher.  The greatest musicians study under other great musicians.  The greatest artists study under other great artists.  The greatest lawyers, doctors, and professors study under other great lawyers, doctors and professors.  So why should we take spiritual life so cheaply.  But if  every other subject matter when we take it seriously, we try to find a teacher to teach us. But we think that in approaching the science of God, we can just figure out our own way.   It is said that by the mercy of Krishna one gets guru and by the mercy of guru one gets Krishna.  If we are truly and deeply serious about finding God, then the Lord within our heart will direct us to a teacher who can show us the path.  And even the great personalities who don’t need teachers, they accept teachers just to show us how important it is.   Jesus accepted John  Baptist.  His guru, he accepted initiation.  John Baptist said  “you are better than me, your feet …….   My head, I could I do this”. He said “no, no, it is important, they all must see that I am accepting it.

Krishna became the disciple of His  own devotee, Sandipani Muni, just to show the world the importance.  If we are humble then we will be  …. to accept guidance and knowledge.  But we should not do it artificially or superficially.  When genuine faith awakens within our heart then we understand what is a guru.

 

Question :

Answer : Krishna is name, the divine …. of the great divine name of that supreme God that is the source of everything.  It is mentioned in Quran that supreme God, the source of everything is known as Jehovah, in the Christian scripture – Christ.  Jesus or Christ, where Christ or Christos  is the name of God……  But that Supreme Godhead – Krishna appeared in this world 5000 years ago, in India and manifested beautiful and wonderful pastimes, and also spoke Bhagvad Gita, and He was called upon by the name of Krishna.

 

Question :

Answer : We are part of God. We are God in that the part is the part of the whole.

 

Question :

Answer : Throughout the world it is said “what America does the whole world follows”.  In one sense America is the most important country in the world, because at this particular time, actually for the past over one century, America has been the leader of the world, in technology, in science, in political military power…..  Therefore, the various spiritual traditions in all over the world have understood that if America can become spiritualized then world will become spiritualized, because the whole world is looking towards America.  Our gurudev Srila Prabhupada, he was trying to spread Krishna consciousness in India for many many years.  Krishna consciousness is from India.  But the country of India became so westernized, not just in physical form and mentality but by becoming very very materialistic.  People were mad after American movies, mad after American styles, mad after American music, and leaving behind their own spiritual heritage and roots.  So Srila Prabhupada was thinking that the great gift of India to the world is the spiritual heritage, but the people of India are leaving it all behind, are chased after the west, and we are trying to tell them  the great wealth  and treasure of their culture, they don’t want to hear.  And he was thinking because they are chasing so madly after the things of America, so if Americans become Krishna conscious and they come back to India, then Indians will listen.  And it was true.  He went to the west and so many young men and women from America and Europe became Krishna conscious, especially America.  He brought them back to India and they were saying “we should chant Hare Krishna, we should understand Bhagvad Gita”.  And the Indian people were thinking ‘O’, the American say Bhagvad Gita is good, it must be good.  To a large extent, I am not saying everyone in India was like that, but to a large extent, in all over the world that is well known.  So American are in a very important and very powerful position in this world for the re-spiritualization of this planet, and in one sense it is our good fortune that we can do so much if we just humble ourselves before God.

 

Question :

Answer : This is why we need a teacher ……… because although in order to  truly  be able to perceive God and everything, we have to learn how to discriminate.  What will help us to purify our hearts, and what is not conducive…..  This  is very important.  Because after all ‘beauty is in the eyes of beholder’.  Some people think that I see God in eating your flesh.  Does that mean I have the right to kill you and eat you, because I see God in eating your flesh.  I means what are we trying to  ……………..   We can’t spiritual life so cheaply that it is what we want to be.   You are talking about music, if the music is truly glorifying God and then that music will awaken our love of God.  If it is glorifying intoxications, physical and sensual relations with others, then it has nothing to do with connecting our consciousness to God.

By Radhanath Swami

H.H Radhanath Swami is one of today’s most beloved and respected spiritual teachers. A Bhakti Yoga practitioner for 40 years, he is a guide, community builder, philanthropist, and acclaimed author.Born and raised in Chicago,at the age of 19 he discovered India's Mystical devotional tradition and now spread his message of compassion and love around the world.

198 comments

  1. We are part of God. We are God in that the part is the part of the whole.-nice explanation of the true position of living entities.

  3. The way in which H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj has accepted His spiritual master appears to be totally divine arrangement. Now people all over the world are reaping the benefit.

  8. Thank you so much for sharing this article Maharaj has explain very deep point herein.

  9. Though I was not physically present there but through this lecture transcription I too got a chance to drink some drops of devotional nectar. Thanks for sharing this.

  10. Radhanath Swami has immense faith and trust on the words of his spiritual master.

  12. HH Radhanath Swami shows by his personal example how one should approach the spiritual master to know God truly.

  18. Very true that Guru is the servant of God and he who represents himself as a servant of God is the real Guru.

  19. Waoh! It was so informative. many of my doubts got cleared after reading this. Thanks for transcripting it.

  22. Great one. if one is imbibing the true qualities of a follower one will surely get right guide by God’s grace

  30. HH Radhanath Swami’s answers are most sublime and revealing the true understanding of the scriptural injunctions.

  31. Radhanath Swami tells that Spiritual life is a necessity and should be taken seriously and sincerely.

  32. A guru who says to his diciple that i am not God. Both i and you are eternal servants of GOd is worshipable like God.

  35. Radhanath Swami so nicely explains the need of having bonafide teacher. Thanks for sharing.

  37. A guru who says he is GOD is DOG, exactly the reverse of GOD and a guru who teaches devotion to GOD as topmost , is as good as GOD. Nice explanation and statements. Thank you very much Radhanath Maharaj.

  38. Nice article. Without guru there is no realization. thanks Radhanath Swami for sharing your realizations.

  39. our knowledge is nothing,if we have not a guru to explain the real truth.It is very necessary to hear from our spiritual master.

  46. inquiring from self realized person brings one to the platform where one can under about absolute truth. thank you Radhanth Swami for explaining the truth in such a simple language.

  49. nice article by HH Radhanath Swami. There is no joy better than reading Maharaj’s articles. Thank you. YS

  50. truly Nector Drops … Please Maharaj , bless me … so that I eternally remain connected to you and Krishna… please give me your mercy and intelligence to understand deeply your realizations and follow them earnestly. Thank You for these beautiful insights.

  51. When one realizes that he has found a genuine Guru then he must surrender as Radhanath Swami did.

  55. In the last Q&A, Radhanath Swami says that it is important to accept a spiritual master because he helps us understand the inner meaning of the sacred scriptures and protects us in our devotional service so that we dont act whimsically; like Radhanath Swami says on behalf of someone, “I see God in eating your flesh”; Such will be the statements of those who are bookish and dont accept a spiritual master.

    Thank you Radhanath Swami for such deep purports.

  56. amazing, some where i heard that by God’s grace one receives a Guru, just reading the article it looks so true, the way Radhanath Swami met his Guru

  58. Wonderful–When I heard him speak, when I experienced his love, his realization, the depth of his compassion, I found the synthesis and the fulfillment of everything that I have learnt….. and more.

  59. ” A true guru is one who teaches us the path of devotion to God.” Thank you HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj for teaching us this by your own example.

  60. The quote: the guru who says he is God is dog – is so appropriate even today because there are so many cheaters than teachers.

  63. Amazing transcript of this gathering in the form of question and answers. Thank you for sharing.

  67. Its is very essential that we take the shelter of bonafide spiritual master in order to make spiritual advancement & get the mercy of God.

  69. spiritual life is the essential necessity … and this will be understood only when one has a bonafide spiritual master …. who causelessly showers his mercy upon the living entities and introduces him to the Supreme Lord …. such is HH Radhanath Maharaj … without the spiritual master how shall one get closer to Krsna? …. how shall one serve Krsna and His devotees … all glories to the Guru Parampara ….

  72. Thank you Radhanath Swami for reminding us Love of God in different situations and circumstances of life and opening our eyes to see it.

  76. Radhanath Swami has very nicely explained the necessity of spiritual master.

  78. The Spiritual master the is true representative of God and therefore we must honestly and sincerely respect and worship him with the same gratitude we show for the Lord!

  80. It is said that by the mercy of Krishna one gets guru and by the mercy of guru one gets Krishna.

  83. Spiritual Life is a must, without this we will be frustated and the world will be a hell… and to lead a spiritual life we need a Guru.. who is a true Guru and not a Bogus one.. as Radhanath maharaj explains beautifully .. Thanks Maharaj

  84. HH Radhanath Swami teaches by his own example how to lead the path to God, by being a humble servant of God and serving all living entities with dedication and sincerity.

  86. THank you for sharing this article. I particularly liked “Everything within this creation; the fire, the grass, the wind, the water, the cold, the rain, if you understand that it is all coming from God, and you have the love of God, then you will appreciate and you love all these things, because you see God within it, just like the father sees the child within that painting.”

  91. Soul is eternal and part and parcel of The Supreme Whole.This material nature is a pervaded reflection of the spiritual world.Since soul living in a condition which is not suitable for him but under the spell of ignorance he thinks this the only my world.Therefore to understand our real position and to reconnect ourselves with our eternal father we require to practice spiritual life under bonafide guidance of a spiritual master who has come in Guru-Parampara.Very answers by Radhanath Swamiji.

  93. Radhanath Swami Maharaja explains the philosophy so easily and wonderfully that even the newest of the people feel it to know since years, as if natural.

  94. Quite true. The world required teachers like Srila Prabhupada, Radhanath Swami.

  97. Radhanath swami can give answers that satisfy the questioner because he is just following the words of his guru HDG srila Prabhupada

  100. “our devotion to the teacher is in following that path which leads us to God” Thanks Radhanath Swami for revealing in such simple way the actual method to please spiritual master.

  102. Because you accepted Srila Prabhupada as your spiritual master today we are able to hear from you the nectar of pure devotion to Lord Krishna. Srila Prabhupada ki jai !!! H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharj ki jai !!!

  103. Beautiful session of question and answers where all the doubts of a new comer could be removed and such a deep understanding of real love of God is given. Thank you so much for the lecture transcription.

  104. thanks for transcripting this lecture. Due to hectic schedule I could not get time to hear the lecture but reading it makes it lot easier.

  107. Totally agree with this statement -> “the guru who says he is God is dog”.

  108. Amazing questions and answers. Thank you Maharaj for reminding us the necessity of spiritual life and the necessity of accepting a spiritual teacher who can guide us.

  109. Amazing questions and answers on necessity of spiritual life. Thank you Maharaj for reminding us the importance of spiritual life and importance of accepting a spiritual master.

  113. For human beings,supreme teaching is the teaching of love of Godhead,and it can be taught by only who has learned and practiced himself,Radhanath swami is perfect teacher because he is also the perfect student.

  117. Maharaj, please bless and pray for us that we get some flake of that understanding

  118. Radhanath maharaj nicely explains the need of having bonafide teacher (Guru). Thank you for sharing.

  119. These answers of HH Radhanath Swami will surely penetrate the hearts of the readers as they are in perfect synchronisation with the authenticated scriptures.

  120. These answers enlighten us on what should one look for while searching for a Bona fide Guru. This is so necessary especially today when a new Guru arises from some where almost every day.

  121. “When genuine faith awakens within our heart then we understand what is a guru.” Thank you HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj for teaching us this important lesson that we should not follow guru artificially but we should have genuine faith in guru’s instructions.

  123. Radhanath Swami answers every question so brilliantly that anyone can get convinced about the ABC’s of spiritual life and one gets the determination to follow the right thing !

  125. The guru who says that he is the eternal servant of God, and also teaches you how to be the eternal servant of God, such a teacher is as good as God. But if the teacher does not teach devotion to him, such a teacher is not a good teacher.

    Very amazing and inspiring article indeed!

  128. radhanath swami has honestly stated how a guru should be and what should a sincere spiritual seeker search for.
    he truly is following all that he has learnt from his spiritual master and inspiring teeming millions.. all glories to him

  130. But the country of India became so westernized, not just in physical form and mentality but by becoming very very materialistic.

  131. All the Answers to the Questions lingering on our mind have been explained nicely and with authentic scriptural references. Very brilliant and amazing lecture indeed!

  135. Prabhupada was so broad minded and accomodative that really is heart touching and so personal. Radhanath swami getting inspired by Prabhupadas purity simply confirms the magnetic power possessed by Srila Prabhupada.

  137. One must serve the representatives of the Lord.
    HH Radhanath Swami is teaching / preaching by his own example..
    Thank you Maharaj

  140. thanks for showing us the right path to find God. If we are sincere then God will reveal himself to us.

  142. Radhanath Swami has raised a very nice point of important of having a guru or teacher. In all he aspects of our life we need a teacher. In one of the lecture Radhanath swami mentioned if one has a very serious disease & one very well know doctor says I will charge you 1 lac based on my experience & another doctor says I don’t have surgical experience but I have read all the doctorate books & I will charge 10 thousand , will the patient choose first or second doctor. Obviously first as he has learnt from teacher after reading the books. Same way for spiritual life which is a very serious matter, it is very important to have a spiritual master.

    1. Very beautiful point. Thanks for sharing. Indeed we need to approach a bonafide spiritual master who has practiced and realized the truth in parampara.

  143. Many of my doubts got cleared by clear and concise answers by swamiji. Also they(answers) are non sectarian i.e. not biased towards any religion, thats what impressed me more.

  146. Guru means heavy,we can only learn from him when we consider ourselves insignificant infront of him

  147. All the questions are cleared doubts of mine,Thank you for Radhanath swami for giving such a perfect answers.

  148. So Srila Prabhupada was thinking that the great gift of India to the world is the spiritual heritage, but the people of India are leaving it all behind, are chased after the west, and we are trying to tell them the great wealth and treasure of their culture, they don’t want to hear.

  150. One cannot progress in life if one doesn’t follow the Spiritual Master. Also, as wonderfully explained by HH Radhanath Swami that everything should be done for the pleasure of Krishna.

  151. Surrender to Guru is of utmost importance as depicted by Radhanath Swami’s Life

  152. Any sincere student will get right teacher. Wonderful, this means if we are true to purpose of self realisation Krishna will always send His representatives to guide us.

  153. Thank you for this enlightening article. Once our spiritual needs are fulfilled, automatically the material and mental cravings get satisfied and subdued.

  154. One who does not deny the other religions since he has understood that all religions teach as per time,place and circumstances is the real spiritual master, others who unnecessary boast of their own religion as the only way are just a disturbance to the society and one can achieve nothing worth while by following them.

  157. Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing the spiritual knowledge which can tremendously benefit us in making spiritual progress

  158. hari bol
    Very Nice Article And Reasonable Answers By Radhanath Maharaj
    Thank You…!

  160. Amazing article….The true aspects of a real Guru are so wonderfully explained by Maharaj…Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful article..

  162. Every subject in this world is a serious subject. If you are serious to learn, you will find a teacher. ..very truly spoken and expalined by radhanath swami

  163. Radhanath swami can not only help the devotees develop his relationship with God, he also resolves contradictions and confusions that a devotee may experience during his spiritual quest.Thank you Radhanath Swami .

  164. Radhanath Swami truly following his Spiritual master. Taking pains for the others to teach them the devotion to lord.

  165. This transcription has answers to very vital questions like who is a true teacher, Process of approaching God, Who are we and how to use our abilities in serving God… Thank you for sharing it in here.

  171. very truly explained by radhanath swami that if we know where from the things are emanating, we will love it and aapreciate supreme lord’s creation

  173. hari bol
    wonderful article.Thank you so much for sharing this article Maharaj has explain very deep point herein.

  174. hari bol
    wonderful article.Thank you so much for sharing this article Maharaj has explain very deep point herein.

  175. We can not realise the supreme unless there is a mercy of Spiritual maste…
    All glories to the disciplic succession…

  176. If you are serious to learn, you will find a teacher.Very inspiring Radhanath swami.Thank you very much.

  177. Maharaj, your answer is amazing and inspiring for a struggling disciple like me. That is also a ray of hope for me. Thank you very much Maharaj!

  178. Brilliant answers by Radhanath Swami. True definition of a real guru “one who teaches us the path of devotion to God”.

  179. Really if we get the Authorized guru then the path of devotion becomes easier. As Maharaj is following exactly the instruction of Srila Prabhupada and inspiring us to become a sincere disciple.

  180. HH Radhanath Swami’s answers are always penetrate the hearts of every one as they are with full realisation and are based on scriptures.

  182. Pure nectar from HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj! Especially the example of father loving the painting of his child in the context of how we can love everything (it being emanation from God) is simply amazing!

  183. The statement Liked “We can do so much if just we Humble Ourselves infront of God” summarizes all the truth.

    Maharaj every statement reveals lot of messages.

  184. These are just “perfect questions perfect answers”. Thanks to Radhanath Swami for them.

  187. ” If you understand the nature of God, you perceive all of His energy as non different than Him.”- helps developing equal vision.

  188. By the mercy of Krsna one gets the Guru and by the mercy of Guru one goes to Krsna.if Guru is therepresentative of Krsna , there is n o problem for the disciple to go to Krsna provided he is really serious. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.

  190. Guru Tattva – “A true guru is one who teaches us the path of devotion to God.”

  191. Brilliant answers by Radhanath Swami !!! Please post the questions too.

  195. There is so much substance in the words of HH Radhanath Swami. Amazing spiritual intellect & realizations of a truly amazing personality.

Comments are closed.