The Pioneer (New Delhi)
The Journey Home —autobiography of an American Swami authored by US national Radhanath Swami was released by him on Thursday in New Delhi .The book is based on the travel experiences of Swami who left his home 14 years back for spirituality. God is one and we call it by different names is the unique philosophy of Indian spirituality which can abolish religious conflicts the world is facing today,’ said Swami in the function organised by ISKCON temple group. RK Pachaudi, the Director General of TERI, former IPS Kiran Bedi, Miss India Ekta Choudhary and several eminent personalities attended the event. The Hindi version of the book Anokha Safar was also launched simultaneously.
8th January, 2010.
Vijay Karnataka - download the newspaper cut
Tuesday, January 12, 2010.
A Sorry Mess due to Wrongly Defining Dharma
The invisible force behind Dharma due to being wrongly defined all over the world has brought upon us a deplorable situation, says American yogi Radhanath Swami. He was speaking this at Bangalore during the launch of his autobiographical work “The Journey Home” and its Kannada translation “Allide Namma Mane” published by Sahitya Prakashan, Hubli. The true purpose of Dharma is to transcend from Falsehood to Truth, from Darkness to Light and from Anger to Peace. At this time he expressed his concern that in this age of Science and Technology, Dharma is being defined wrongly.
According to one of the yogis that Radhanath Swami met in the Himalayas during his spiritual travel, Dharma is like a pet dog. Externally the owner of the pet dog may dress himself in any manner however the pet dog will correctly recognize its master. Similarly, whatever be the external form manifested by the Lord, if we can correctly recognize God, then that is Dharma. To utilize the message given by God in the service of the masses to uplift them is the true endeavor of a spiritual preacher.
“I was born in an affluent family in Chicago, USA. However, since early childhood a strange feeling of being deficient in some manner would gnaw at my heart. What is that deficiency was not being revealed to me. At that time there was growing turmoil between two opposing spiritual groups in the USA.
All these things were mentally disturbing me. Ultimately I turned towards religion as a means of getting some answers. In Christianity I did not find any solace. I also studied Koran. While living in a cave in Europe, I felt that I was being to urged to go to India from within my heart. Responding to this urge I traveled through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan till I arrived at Punjab. Then I wandered in the Himalayas. Ultimately due to a fortunate tryst with Srila Prabhupada I was attracted to this path of Krishna Consciousness.” In this way he briefly explained his journey in search of the Truth.
Radhanath Swami stated that he never wanted to write about his spiritual life. However, Radhanath Swami mentioned that a very close friend of his, who was afflicted with cancer, while on his death-bed asked him to vow that he should write a book about his spiritual journey. Thus it is our good fortune to be able to read “The Journey Home”.
The launch was attended by Pankaj Advani, T.S.Nagabharana, M.A.Subrahmanya of Sahitya Prakashan, Dr. S.K. Jain, City Police Commissioner, Shankar Bidari, former minister P.G.R. Sindhya, Kannada Prabha editor Sivasubrahmanya.
Samyukya Karnataka
Rajasthan Patrika
Prajavaani
Tuesday, January 12, 2010.
Book Launch by Radhanath Swami
Hindu Dharma – India’s strength
India’s true strength lies in her highly advanced moral values and traditional Sanatan Hindu Dharma. If these values decline then the nation’s development will also decline says Radhanath Swami from USA. He was speaking during the launch of his autobiograbhy “The Journey Home” in the city on Mumbai.
“Observance of the traditional values as espoused by the Hindu Sanatan Dharma causes India to be glorified all over the world. Therefore it is the prime duty of every Indian to observe these values. India’s family culture is very powerful and the undivided families act as transmitters of these core values from one generation to another. However on account of intense modernization the number of divided families is on the rise. This is not a sign of good development.”
“In this age of competition more and more people are being afflicted by mental stress, especially middle and upper class people are suffering more. It is only by spiritual contemplation that one can be relieved from such stress” said Radhanath Swami.
“In spite of apparent differences in our language, etiquette, organization and behavior we should be united on the spiritual front and thus develop our fraternal relationships. As soon as we see signs of decline in spiritual practices, we should spontaneously take the initiative to oppose any such decline” said Radhanath Swami.
D.Surendra Kumar of Dharmasthala, astrologer S.K.Jain, billiards champion Pankaj Advani, Kannada Film Academy president T.S.Nagabharana, former minister P.G.R. Sindhya, city Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari, Managing Director of Sun Microsystems Anil Valluri, Blue Dart Senior Vice President Gopinath Menon, retired Police Commissioner K.C. Ramamurthy.
The Indian Express (Bangalore) - Spiritual Calling
A long list of celebrated personalities from the state assembled at Le Meridian Hotel on Monday January 11. for the launch of the inspiring autobiography of spiritual guru Radhanatha Swami. Titled The Journey Home— Autobiography of an American and Allide Nama Mane in Kannada, both the editions were unveiled in the presence of the author, Pankaj Advani (world Billiards and Snooker Champion). T S Nagabharana (film director). Dr S K Jain (Vedic astrologer). Shankar Bidari (police commissioner). Rockline Venkatesh (actor-film producer), Anil Valluri (MD sun Microsystems), D Surendra Kumar (Sri Dharmastal Ksetra), Ram Murthy (ex commissioner of police), PGR Sindhia (director. centre for Polices & Practices). Srinath (MLC, actor) P Sadananda Maiya (MD and chairman - MTR). Gopinath Menon (senior vice president, Blue Dart), Shiva Subramanya (editor Kannada Prabha) and Chakrapani.
The autobiographical narrative, The Journey Home chronicles the metamorphosis of an adventurous young American seeker into a saintly global spiritual teacher. It's filled with inconceivable trials, threats and temptations, and illustrates how reality can be more adventurous and infinitely far more fulfilling than fiction.
Although he travels constantly, Radhanath Swami has established headquarters at Radha Gopinath Temple in Chowpatty, Mumbai. For the past twenty years. He has guided the community development and has initiated a number of social action programmes including missionary hospitals and eye camps: eco-friendly farms, schools and ashrams; and a number of emergency relief programmes across India.
The book priced at Rs 395 and Rs 195 for its English and Kannada version, respectively, is available at all leading books stores. The proceeds of the book sale will go towards charity — eye camps, feeding underprivileged children, and hospice services for the old.
13/01/2010