Radhanath Swami

Radhanath Swami (1951-present)is a leading member and guru within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness who works largely from Mumbai in India and also travels exstensively throughout Europe and America. He is well known throughout the society largely through his lectures on the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

Introduction to Krishna Consciousness

Born in America as Richard Slavin, Radhanath Swami studied a number of religious paths in his early days such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam on a quest for spiritual truth. Then at the age of 19 he decided to geographically widen his field of exploration and began travelling and hitchhiking through Europe and Middle-East, eventually ending up in the Himalayas. There he spent a considerable time devoted to the tradition of Shaivism and was living as a renunciate Shaivite in India when he first met with Krishna devotees near Delhi. He was forced to leave a train at Vrindavana due to the train breaking down which happened to be the day of Janmashtami (Krishna's 'birthday'). Through contact with the devotees in Vrindavan Radhanath Swami began to focus exclusively on his spiritual path in Krishna Consciousness, and in 1971 came into contact with A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada during the ISKCON Cross Maidan festival in Mumbai. Prabhupada called Radhanatha Swami up onto the stage to speak with him. After leaving India, Radhanath Swami returned to the United States where he joined the New Vrindaban ISKCON farm community in West Virginia during July 1972. There he accepted initiation during February, 1973, , becoming one of Prabhupada's disciples (and receiving the name 'Radhanatha dasa').

I am writing this through my friend's email address because I do not want my name on this submission. You mentioned these things below. I think I can give some information about Radhanath because I was in New Vrindavan at that time. First, Radhanath was aware that Kirtanananda wanted to kill Sulochana prabhu.

Radhanath accepted the mood of Kirtanananda and he was instrumental in bringing the money for Tirtha as payment for the hit. When the trial time came, Radhanath had the best lawyer that money could buy JUST IN CASE his name was going to be brought into the picture.

When "Chaits" (at that time, a 12 year old boy) telephoned Radhanath in India, to tell him that Kirtanananda was trying to force him into oral sex, Radhanath told him that he was a liar, and it was due to Radhanath that Chaits almost got killed. This murder was prevented only because Chaits left New Vrindavan knowing that if he stayed he would get killed. Maybe someone should ask Radhanath why he turned his back on the situation when his godsister who had been living in New Vrindavan for more than sixteen years was pushed out of New Vrindavan due to her being mentally ill. She had been living there with mental illness but was under medical care. The authorities of New Vrindavan decided that they did not want her there and when the mataji appealed to Radhanath, he did nothing to help her.

Service in ISKCON

Radhanath Swami singing Hare Krishna with Sachinandana Swami

Radhantha Swami's early years in ISKCON were spent largely as a pujari (temple priest) at New Vrindavan. After eight years of working as a priest and looking after the temple cows he was then given the task of working as a spiritual teacher in the local colleges and universities in mid western America. He was famous for his vegetarian cooking workshops, philosophical discourses, and musical kirtan performances. He received sanyasa initiation in 1982 from Kirtanananda Swami, and after this dedicated more of his time to traveling and preaching. His schedule is now primarily based around giving public lectures and supporting, teaching and inspiring other devotees within the movement. Some time go we were able to read article on the Sun written by Janmastami dasa entitled, "The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But…". What caught my attention was a legal document attached to the article. These are photos of the testimony of witness Dharmatma das (Dennis Gorrick) regarding the murder of Sulocana das (Steven Bryant). I don't know if readers really noted the contents of the letter. Usually such subjects raise a lot of dust, but this one went by quietly, unnoticed.

I would like to focus attention of readers on parts of this testimony, which particularly deals with the involvement of Radhanath Swami in this case. The characters in this testimony are Dharmatma (Dennis Gorrick), Kuladri (Arthur Villa), Radhanath (Richard Slavin), Hayagriva (Howard Wheeler), Tapahpunja (Terry Sheldon), Tirtha (Thomas Drescher) and Kirtanananda (Keith Ham, Bhaktipada, Mr. Swami, Number One).

From Dharmatma's testimony it is clear that he was disturbed by murder, and quite disturbed also was Kuladri das (Arthur Villa). Kuladri mentioned to Dharmatma that this murder should not happen, and how he told them (Radhanath, Hayagriva and Tapahpunja) not to do it. He mentioned that Radhanatha (Mr. Slavin), Hayagriva (Mr. Wheeler) and Tapahpunja (Mr. Sheldon) were pushing like crazy for the murder to happen.

In our ISKCON slang, we know exactly what " pushing like crazy" means. It means they were pushing real hard, they were really into it, working hard for it to happen over an extended period of time. And Dharmatma mentions Radhanath in the first place. One can conclude from this that since Radhanatha was the first one who came to Dharmatma's mind in connection with the murder, it may be that he was the main organizer. This will be later supported by another incident.

Later on we can read how Tapahpunja (Mr. Sheldon) was describing to Dharmatma about how neat it was, that the demon (Sulocana) was killed on the Appearance day of Nrsimhadeva. Dharmatma states that he was freaked by this. Tapahpunja was present at the murder, and he was describing it in detail.

And then starts the description of an arrangement for escape money. Now Tapahpunja and Tirtha (Drescher) had to get out of the country, so they needed money. Tapahpunja came to get money, but Dharmatma told him to go to Number One (Bhaktipada, Mr. Swami).

The testimony then continues to describe how the next day, Mr. Swami along with **rot not (Mr. Slavin) came to pick the money. Please note that at this point of testimony, Dharmatma actually used the name Radhanath, but the court stenographer, not knowing what that word Radhanath is, typed it as "**rot not". Rot not sounded similar to Radhanath, so the typist wrote that, preceding it with **, which shows that stenographer was not sure about the correctness of the typed word.

So, Kirtanananda and Radhanath came with the car to Dharmatma to pick-up the money for murderers Tirtha and Tapahpunja, to help them escape out of country. Kirtanananda asked Dharmatma to give 6,000 dollars. Dharmatma went inside the house to get it, and gave it to Kirtanananda, who waited in the car.

Then Dharmatma describes how he asked about the purpose of money, if it was for the murderers to get out of country. And in answer, Kirtanananda and Radhanath smiled, and nodded their head in confirmation, that yes, this was for the murderers to be able to escape out of the country. And then Kirtanananda and Radhanath drove off.

This testimony by Dharmatma clearly implicates Radhanath in the murder of Sulocana. Radhanatha was involved in arranging for the murder, being one of those who were "pushing like crazy for murder to happen", possibly the leader. His leadership position in the conspiracy against Sulocana is confirmed also by his picking-up the escape money, together with Kirtanananda.

One thing was the preparation of Sulocana's murder, and a second thing was making arrangements for the murderers to escape the country. Only Radhanath was present on both occasions, which shows that he was involved more than others.

The GBC was confronted with this matter last year, and their response was published on Dandavats. Basically, what they did was to say that the US Attorney said that Radhanath was not involved, and that's it. Therefore the GBC concluded that they need not take allegations against Radhanath seriously. But to cover their backs, they nevertheless stated:

"GBC recommends that any person in possession of newly discovered evidence regarding the New Vrindavana events present such information to the U.S. Attorney's Office or other appropriate legal agency. If any subsequent investigation might ensue, the GBC will fully cooperate with it."

So, what the GBC is saying is: According to present evidence, Radhanath is not guilty. But if he later proves to be guilty, and the case is reopened, the GBC will cooperate.

The GBC was not able to fully guarantee for Radhanath, so they felt the need to protect themselves in case Radhanath goes down anyway, by stating that they will cooperate with any appropriate legal agency. The GBC leaves it up to the legal system to decide whether Radhanath is guilty or not.

The GBC's approach is interesting, since many ISKCON gurus were suspended without any involvement of the legal system - Vaisnavas have their own rules for who is bonafide guru. Vaisnava expectations for guru are higher than the state's expectations for a good citizen. Clearly, the GBC considers Radhanath as a bonafide Guru, no matter his involvement in murder. Is involvement in murder of a devotee, 20 years later, not disqualification enough for one being an ISKCON guru?

In my opinion, Dharmatma's testimony proves without doubt that Radhanatha was involved as the leading organizer of murder. Of course, the case probably cannot be reopened now legally. But the evidence is clear. Radhanath was involved, and no matter what the GBC now does, it is clear that Radhanath was involved in the murder of Sulocana.

Of course, while defending Radhanath, the GBC didn't stop with their own statement. They also arranged for Radhanath's statement on the matter. And besides glorifying himself as very humble, and tactfully criticizing and disqualifying Janmastami in the eyes of entire ISKCON, Radhanath also states that, "every single allegation against me is totally false. I was not involved in any criminal activity."

Radhanath last year openly stated, in front of entire world, that every allegation against him is false, and that he was never involved in any criminal activity.

With the testimony from Dharmatma, this statement of Radhanatha's doesn't stand strong. It is clear that Radhanath was lying regarding his involvement in the murder. He lied to the GBC, in front of the entire ISKCON society. Now, what does this make him? Clearly, a liar. Why was he lying?

The GBC can be of the opinion that involvement in murder of a devotee, 20 years later, does not disqualify one from being an ISKCON guru. How about 20 years of lying about it, even to the GBC? Would this shameless lying disqualify one from being an ISKCON guru?

Devotees are merciful and compassionate. If Radhanath was involved in murder, as the facts prove, and if he admitted it years ago, most devotees would not blame him for his neophyte fanaticism, but would forgive him. Of course, he could not be a big guru and acarya, but he could be a nice devotee, an inspiration for many. But clearly, he was hiding this. He was lying all the time, to everybody, even the GBC. And the GBC made us believe that all is fine. Radhanath tricked the GBC and all of us.

The facts are against him now. Everybody knows that he was involved in the murder of Sulocana, and his lies will not help in hiding it anymore. Will he admit now, and beg for the mercy of the devotees, and thus reveal his material ambitions for position and adoration as an ISKCON guru? Or will he keep hiding it, continuing with his show of humility, to his own disgrace and the disgrace of all his faithful followers? And for the GBC, will they keep such a cheating, lying guru as their very best, or will they slowly and quietly push him aside, allowing him to move into the background and retire?

In any case, it is finally clear now. Radhanath was very much involved in the murder of Sulocana, and he lied about it repeatedly and shamelessly. Such a cunning person cannot represent Srila Prabhupada as guru in the Vaisnava sampradaya. If he has even a particle of decency left, he will immediately step down from his position as guru, and commit his future life.

Radha Gopinath temple

Radha-Gopinath temple in Chowpatty, Mumbai

In later years Radhanath Swami became an accomplished preacher within Krishna Consciousness and was instrumental behind the growth of the Radha-Gopinath temple in Chowpatty, Mumbai which was founded in 1986 and joined ISKCON in 1994. The temple is named after the two main deities - Radha (shortened form of Radharani) and Gopinatha (another name for Krishna, meaning 'lord of the gopis'). There are also deities of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu & Nityananda, and Shrinathji‎ alongside Radha Gopinath in the main temple room. The temple itself is primarily a preaching centre, focusing on the study of scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. It is presently one of ISKCON's most internationally admired devotee communities and an innovative counselor system which has now also been taken on elsewhere within the movement. It also houses a vegetarian restaurant and has been instrumental in the founding of the Mumbai Bhaktivedanta hospital.

Relationship with Prabhupada

Radhanath Swami personally served Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on a number of occasions during his visits to New Vrindavan when Radhanath Swami was living there as a brahmacari (monk). On numerous occasions Prabhupada made the comment that "Radhanath makes the best sandesh" referring to the sweets which Radhanath Swami made personally with the purpose of being given to Prabhupada as prasadam. There was also a moment wherein Radhanath Swami spontaneously served Bhaktivedanta Swami some prasadam directly from the deities offering plate (against standard procedure) to which Prabhupada's eyes lit up, and he promptly tasted some and distributed the rest to the other devotees in the room.

Disciples in the media

• Gauranga dasa - Based in Mumbai, India. He regularly appears on the Star Plus TV Show Aatma which is based on the Bhagavad Gita.
• Navadvipa Chandra dasa - based at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford, in 2005 appeared on Channel 4s programme Preachers to be.
• Sanatana Goswami dasa - based in Los Angeles, in 2005 appeared on Channel 4's

See also

• Hare Krishna
• Bhakti Yoga
• Vaishnavism
• List of ISKCON members and patrons

Footnotes

http://www.harekrsna.org/gbc/black/radanath.htm

External links

• 25th Reunion Festival, Remembrances of Srila Prabhupada
• Chowpatty Temple Website
• Mp3 Lectures by HH Radhanath Swami
• More Mp3 Lectures by Radhanath Swami
• American Festivals with Radhanath Swami
• The Simple Temple: a Documentary on the Radha Gopinath Temple