Radhanath Swami's Publications

• Bhakti, Radhanath Swami July, 2010 A renowned spiritual guru and Bhakti Master, Radhanath Swami came to embrace Bhakti under the guidance of his mentor, A.C. Bhaktivednata Swami Prabhupada. A religion as well as a form of devotional yoga, Bhakti’s foundational premise involves the belief that people who become aware of their true spiritual identity will develop an innate understanding of their fellow man. In doing so, Bhakti practitioners can then impart the discipline’s spiritual tenants to those who are in need of guidance, easing suffering across the world. Radhanath Swami has devoted his life to public service, adhering to Bhakti’s teachings. The founder of numerous medical facilities and spiritual centers throughout India, Radhanath Swami promotes Bhakti’s message of love through his actions. Due in part to Bhakti’s unequivocal acceptance of all human beings, the Brahman, or ruling caste of India, long opposed the movement. The Brahmans did not agree with Bhakti’s refusal to acknowledge the caste system, also disapproving of the many Bhakti saints and leaders belonged to lower castes themselves. Despite the fact that the Brahman caste would not give Bhakti their blessing, the movement gained in popularity throughout Southern India as early as the fourth century CE, and by the twelfth century CE, Bhakti had spread to all regions across the Indian continent. Because the movement had become so pervasive, Bhakti beliefs and poetry began to influence many aspects of Hindu culture, both religious and secular, becoming an integral part of Indian society. Since completing his spiritual journey in India as a young man, Radhanath Swami has lived his life according to Bhakti principles. For over 20 years, Radhanath Swami has directed his efforts toward an array of humanitarian aid projects in addition to the hospital he established in Mumbai, and the places of prayer he has erected throughout India. To learn more about the Bhakti movement and Radhanath Swami’s life, visit www.radhanathswami.com.

• The Ramayana, Radhanath Swami December, 2010 by Radhanath Swami In November, I spent an evening celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at the Broome Street Temple in lower Manhattan. Rich with ceremony, the evening included a performance of bhajans and the offering of diya lamps to Sri Sri Radha Damodara. The festivities also included an abundance of Vedic wisdom, provided by host Eddie Stern, a longtime student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and myself. In my talks, I drew attention to the history of Diwali, found in the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana. Along with the Mahabharata, the Ramayana is considered one of the most important spiritual epics of India. It revolves around Prince Rama, the oldest son of an ancient king. In the story, Rama`s stepmother wishes to see her son, Bharata, take the throne. As Rama`s father has earlier agreed to abide by any two wishes of his wife, he has no choice but to comply. Rama is banished, a fate which he accepts unquestioningly. Bharata selflessly does not wish to take his stepbrother`s place, and agrees only to serve as a regent to the throne until his Rama takes his rightful position. Rama then begins a journey to the South, aided by his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. After Sita is abducted by the evil demon Ravana, Rama and Lakshmana continue their journey, determined to get her back. They eventually meet with Hanuman, the greatest of monkey heroes, whom they enlist in the battle with Ravana. After many trials and battles, Rama finally captures Sita from the demon`s palace. After putting her through a purity test on a bed of sacrificial fire, Rama brings Sita home to be his queen. The Ramayana became popular throughout Southeast Asia in the 8th century, which is evident in the literature, dance, and temple architecture from that era. Indeed, storytelling and dramatic enactments of episodes this vital epic continue in many communities. The timeless appeal of the Ramayana goes far beyond its outward story. Much of its true value endures in the Vedic wisdom and allegorical truths found in its pages. I highly recommend reading this historically relevant text as a way of gaining knowledge about a culture, place, and time; as well as timeless spiritual insights.

• The Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Radhanath Swami December, 2010 Built in recognition of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Mumbai’s Bhaktivedanta Hospital serves the region’s people during some of the worst of crises. Overseen by spiritual leader Radhanath Swami of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Bhaktivedanta Hospital offers disaster relief when India’s people are in dire need. Over the years, the volunteers and staff of Bhaktivedanta Hospital have rallied together during some of the country’s most trying times. When the Gujarat earthquake of 2001 shook northern India, killing thousands, Bhaktivedanta’s medical staff responded. When a massive tsunami struck the Indian coast in 2004, Bhaktivedanta Hospital provided free medical care to more than 2,500 patients. For two months during afterward the tsunami, the hospital fed thousands of people daily, outfitting them with beds, cooking materials, and other necessities. When the waters had receded, volunteers and employees of the Bhaktivedanta Hospital worked together to build 52 permanent homes to replace buildings that were either flooded or carried away. When the 2005 floods in Mumbai and throughout the state of Maharashtra brought disaster, Bhaktivedanta Hospital began transporting stranded residents to safety and feeding the thousands displaced by the waters. Radhanath Swami and his colleagues worked for days at free medical clinics setup in the city, delivering care to the injured or sick. One year later, when terrorists attacked several crowded Mumbai trains, Bhaktivedanta assigned a special staff to treat the victims of the attack brought to the hospital. Providing free medical care to those injured in the blast, the hospital served meals to the hundreds of relatives and emergency responders searching for loved ones or sifting through the rubble. Plus, Bhaktivedanta Hospital and its leadership staff, like Radhanath Swami, offered spiritual guidance and counseling where needed. Read more about the works of Radhanath Swami and the Bhaktivedanta Hospital at www.radhanathswami.com.

• Spiritual leader and guru Radhanath Swami January, 2011 Spiritual leader and guru Radhanath Swami dedicates himself to aiding impoverished and developing communities to attain sustainable methods of agriculture. A widespread need throughout areas such as India and Africa, agricultural systems that allow communities to provide for themselves bring prosperity to areas that would otherwise be faced with malnutrition and poverty. Aid groups and individuals that work with communities to educate them about sustainable farming practices, focus on subjects such as seed production, grain storage, crop processing, and the establishment of farming loans and associations. With this knowledge, small-scale farmers often double or triple crop production, which is especially significant in areas where malnutrition remains widespread. Amazingly, for developing countries that institute sustainable agricultural practices, crop yields increase on average by nearly 80 percent over a four-year period. Sustainable crop production benefits farmers, and creates a source of food and funding for the entire community. Families that are able to obtain food at lower costs gain the ability to save money to invest in other necessities, including better shelter, education, and living conditions. Additionally, sustainable farming practices and the involvement of farm loans and associations create worth in the community, jumpstarting economies and providing a full-circle agricultural system. Even in light of these developments, many improvements remain to be seen. The fair distribution of land for agricultural purposes, especially among women is a growing issue. Additionally, obtaining access to markets currently monopolized by large companies remains key in developing agricultural futures. By investing in farmers and farming communities, and educating people about issues related to food prices and supply chains, smaller communities and countries may stand a chance when competing for profit. Read more about Radhanath Swami

• Radhanath Swami on Mahatma Gandhi, Radhanath Swami June, 2011 by Radhanath Swami Another man I deeply admire and have followed the teachings of throughout my life is Mahatma Gandhi, a major figure in India during its independence movement. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1869, Gandhi is perhaps best known for his practice of civil disobedience, a practice he called satyagraha, which involved “fighting” the authorities through nonviolence. The name Mahatma translates to great soul, and it is an apt moniker for this man who inspired civil rights movements all over the world. A well-loved Indian figure, he is often called Bapu, which translates to father. India honored him as their Father of the Nation, and his birthday is an Indian national holiday called Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhi began as a lawyer in South Africa, and he returned to India in 1915 to help his people protest against discrimination and high land taxes. He was appointed leader of the Indian National Congress in 1921, and he began work to ease India’s poverty issues, to end the caste system, to increase women’s rights, and to bridge the gaps between different religious and ethnic groups. His ultimate goal was to achieve swaraj, the release of India from foreign ownership. This occurred on December 31, 1929, when the flag of Indian was raised in Larhore, signaling the nation’s independence from the British. The Indian National Congress celebrated India Independence Day on January 26, 1930. Gandhi lived a simple life, ate vegetarian food, and fasted both as social protest and to purify himself. In January of 1948, the world grieved when Gandhi was assassinated by Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse.

Radhanath Swami's Links