Radhanath Swami’s Unusual Childhood Habits
“Our Little Richie is sweet, but so strange,” Radhanath Swami’s parents would often say when he was small. “Why is he like this?” Radhanath Swami had odd habits. No one had any idea where they came from.
Until Radhanath Swami was eight or nine years old, he refused to sit in chairs while eating and preferred to sit on the floor, which his parents forbade. As a compromise, Radhanath Swami was allowed to stand at the dinner table, even in restaurants. It was a common occurrence for waitresses to ask if they could bring him a chair. “He doesn’t believe in chairs,” Radhanath Swami’s mother would reply with a shrug of her shoulders.
While Radhanath Swami’s parents took great care with their appearance, always dressing neatly and well, Radhanath Swami’s mother had to wash his new clothes again and again until they looked old before he agreed to wear them. When they bought new shoes for Radhanath Swami, he scraped them with rocks till they looked worn. Whenever his parents had a new car, Radhanath Swami squeezed onto the floor of the back seat until the car wasn’t new anymore.
Having better things than others made Radhanath swami feel embarassed. He idolized the poor and downtrodden. Once, Radhanath Swami’s father took the family to dinner at the local country club. Radhanath Swami disrupted everything by suddenly rushing from the table and out the door because he couldn’t bear to be served by the busboy who was his classmate. When Radhanath Swami’s Grandpa Bill found him sitting alone in the car, Radhanath Swami explained his feelings. “It’s all right, Little Richie,” Bill said. “You did the right thing. I’m proud of you.”
Radhanath Swami’s father’s father, William “Bill” Slavin, left a deep impression on Radhanath Swami’s life. His loving nature reflected the deep-rooted belief he had in his religion. Radhanath swami was fascinated to observe the quiet, unassuming way he tried to harmonize his old-world traditions with life in America. Often, Radhanath Swami would catch him praying softly to himself at family mealtimes as the rest of his family went about eating all around him.
When Radhanath Swami reached the age to enter Hebrew School, his father could not afford to send him. Still, he strived to give Radhanath Swami the best he could. When Radhanath Swami turned thirteen, he approached Rabbi Lipis to ask for a simple Bar Mitzvah to bless him. The stately, silver-haired Rabbi readily tutored Radhanath Swami in the basic prayers free of charge.
One day Radhanath swami asked him, “Rabbi, could you explain to me the meaning of these prayers?”
Tears welled in Rabbi’s soft brown eyes and he embraced Radhanath Swami. In his old-world Yiddish accent, his voice cracked with emotion, he told Radhanath Swami, “Little Richie, I’m satisfied with your sincerity to understand the meaning of this ceremony. It is becoming rare.”
“Rabbi, how should I pray?”asked Radhanath Swami.
A wide grin expanded across Rabbi’s square, slightly wrinkled face. Radhanath Swami felt sheltered by the Rabbi’s affection. Something, Radhanath Swami believed, every child needed.
“In the Talmud,” the Rabbi said, “a book on Jewish law written by Rabbis thousands of years ago, it is taught that it is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will.”
It is clear that maharaj was chosen for his current role right from his childhood. So inquisitive about the spiritual aspect of life…. we are very fortunate to have his association – through his disciples, RadhaGopinath, his lectures / books / websites….. thanks a lot!
The incidences in Radhanath Swami’s life show his sensitivity towards the feelings of others since his childhood. Today when he discources on these topics, thousands of followers are benefitted by his realizations.
Radhanath Swami has always been very sensitive towards the interests of others and that’s why everyone he meets becomes his friend.
This truely shows Radhanath Swami is a special soul
Radhanath Swami’s life reads like the history of the saints of ancient India.
I have neve came across personality like Radhanath Swami, in my life. He is amazing.
Radhanath Swami is a born saint, his childhood habits shows how much he had been loving and caring for other right from his early days.
Such an amazing personality HH Radhanth Swami Maharaj is!
His childhood shows that He was so much personal from his childhood.
Radhanath swami’s childhood is truly extraordinary. This is quite evident from this article. Thank you.
HH Radhanath Swami was surely different right from the very childhood
Amazing article. very inspirational thank you very much.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj is a very special soul.
Amazing sensitivity to the feelings of others. Very Kind .
Radhanath swami was so sensitive to others feelings right from childhood
Radhanath Swami is really a special soul
Radhanath Swami was amazingly sensitive in his childhood.
They say that we can see the symptoms of a great person right in his childhood also!
Simply wonderful
amazing!!!
This instruction of the Rabbi is indeed found in all vaishnav saints teaching. this proves that all religion teach the same thing.
Haribol! Amazing article.Thank you so much for this.
This is such an elightner story.
It clearly shows, that Radhanath Swami is a special person. Sent to bless us the journey out of this world, the Journey Home…
Thank you Maharaj.
To be sensitive to others need and concern is what makes us different from an ordinary selfish person. Radhanath swami represents this nature right from his childhood.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for inspiring us
Radhanath Swami is really concerned about every one.
These awesome incidents gives all of us how Swamiji was sincere and humble from the very tender age. Thank you.
Radhanath Swami has Saintly qualities since childhood. He is a person full of love for everyone.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for teaching us the best way to pray through your own example.
Very touching article. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much Radhanath Swami for your wonderful example & teachings. You walk your talk..
It is relishing story..a must read..takes you to different paradigm..
Radhanath Swami is surly a unique soul since his childhood .
In Marathi there is one Proverb ”Balache pay palanyat distat”
Meaning Small Child Shows his character in child hood what he will become in future
Simmilarly Maharaj was showing in child hood
Maharaj is a Special Soul.
Radhanath Swami”s sensitivity towards the feelings of others continues with same intensity
Thanks for sharing. Nice to know about the Radhanath Swami.
It is evident that from a very young age Richard had a longing to get connected with God
Very Special.
This is proof how Soul reincarnates…all these habits come from before this life…otherwise what can be the explanation for these!
heart touching
Wonderful.
Pray to God for strength,tolerance to do His will than to do our will. Really nice! Maharaj is glorious!
Amazing!
Maharaj is truly a special soul.
maharaj is truly a vaikuntha man just came to save us
Hare Krsna……..
wonderful!
this is really powerful quote:
, it is taught that it is better to pray to God for the strength to overcome temptations, difficulties, and doubts in order to do His will, rather than to pray for Him to do our will