What to do when things don’t go our way even after praying? Radhanath Swami answers…
Insights — By RNS Online on October 5, 2010 at 7:47 am
Question to Radhanath Swami: Sometimes we start chanting God’s names praying for some self interest. And it so happens that it is not fulfilled. Then we either stop chanting or we loose the mood of chanting. How can we cope up with this kind of situation?
Radhanath Swami: We must learn how to pray from the scriptures and from the great personalities. Jesus was happily praying on the cross. Have you ever been through such a situation as he had to go through? Srila Prabhupad was offering his prayers even after several heart attacks, even after whatever little he had was robbed at New York City. Prahlad Maharaja, as we read in the Srimad Bhagavatam, was praying even when he was being thrown in pits of snake, in blazing fire, and in oceans. So yes, we should learn from these great souls.
Bhakti is the science of unconditional love. We are enthusiastic for the sake of devotional service, not for the sake of getting our way, because God knows what is best for us. We shouldn’t be like a spoiled child who just holds a tension when it doesn’t get what it wants from the parents. The parents know what the child should have and what it shouldn’t have, whereas the child may not understand what it needs. When you were a child, did you always understand why your parents did not give you something? It’s very difficult. But we had faith that they knew what’s best for us. Similarly, we should have faith that God knows what’s best for us. He is our perfect parent.
What is this faith? Faith is not just a superficial belief. Real faith is scientifically and philosophically substantiated by authorities, realized by others, realized by ourselves, and can be practically perceived and proven in our lives. Real faith in God can be established on a scientific, philosophical, and logical basis, whereas atheism can never hold ground on this basis. Faith comes by associating with people who have faith and engaging in activities that nourish faith. And when we have that faith, even when things are not going our way, we are equally enthusiastic. It really doesn’t matter whether things go our way, what really matters is our integrity and our sincerity. A great person is one who maintains integrity and enthusiasm whether or not he/she gets what he/she wants.
It’s one thing to not get what we want. But it’s harder when we get the exact opposite of what we want. Even in that case we should thank God and just go on. That’s what gives us inner substance and strength. Even an athlete gets strong through the process of resistance. Yes, if you want to actually gain strength, the more the resistance, the more you can gain. When you lift weights, you are resisting the laws of gravity. The weight is pushing down and you are pushing up and then you become strong while dealing with the resistance. If you say, “It’s too heavy, just forget it. I will lie down, eat potato chips and watch television,” you will never become strong. Similarly, study is all about resistance. The mind wants to think about the girl next to you or something like that, but you have to just resist. “I have to just resist and focus on this mathematical equation.” That’s how you become intelligent, through resistance. So in spiritual life there is much resistance coming from both within and without, and through that we become powerful. We become empowered to the degree we are willing to face that resistance and grow with it.
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146 Comments
Beautiful… just beautiful…… I can’t think of a better word……
Words fall short in glorification of Radhanath Swamiji…
I liked the statement by Radhanath swami which says that God knows what is best for us. If that is so, then we do not have to worry about anything in life.
I liked when Radhanath Swami saya “But it’s harder when we get the exact opposite of what we want. Even in that case we should thank God and just go on. That’s what gives us inner substance and strength”
This is one of the best answers Radhanath Swami gave with amazing analogies. This is much hope giving answer by Radhanath Swami and if we just follow in his foot steps then we will surely become more stronger and sufficiently equipped with to face any kind of reversals.
All Glories To.H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Very nice,, Thank you Maharaj
Hari Hari
‘A great person is one who maintains integrity and enthusiasm whether or not he/she gets what he/she wants.’ This aptly summarizes what the aspirations of a spiritual seeker must be while on a bona-fide path. Thank you Radhanath Swami.
Amazing!
brilliant article
Radhanath Swami has a unique way of answering questions so beautifully…..simply great
Simply wonderful
We go through life facing all the situations described here, but with no realization. Listening to Maharaj, so much now becomes clear and simple. Thank you so much Guru Maharaj.
Thank you so much Radhanath Swami maharaj for explaining in the most graphic way how we should view different situations that comes in our life
Very nice!!
“We become empowered to the degree we are willing to face that resistance and grow with it.” This statement touched my heart. Thank you Radhanath swami for rnlightening us.
if you want to actually gain strength, the more the resistance, the more you can gain. Maharaja knows how to make the best even in worst situation.
Super answer! We dont want to make things go our way, we just want unconditional love for God! Too good!
Many people become antagonistic towards God because of their suffering. But this clear understanding given by Radhanath Swami shows how He is actually our best friend and well-wisher.
What a wonderful formula Radhanath Swami Maharaj has given here.
Prahald Maharaj’s example is a great learning where how he went through torturous situations with equanimity and complete dependence on Lord.
Thank you Maharaj.
Radhanath Swami Maharajah has explained so nicely,
“A great person is one who maintains integrity and enthusiasm whether or not he/she gets what he/she wants”. and then
“We become empowered to the degree we are willing to face that resistance and grow with it”.
Thank you Maharajah.
Radhanath Swami has given very nice and simple examples to give us the formula of how to fix our faith in the words and activities of God and His devotees.
Wonderful!
Radhanath Swami has very nicely answered this question. It is a fact that when we are in difficulties, we blame God and wonder why He has to do this to us when we are so sincere. However later on we ourselves realize the reason behind it.
Very Insightful – We become empowered to the degree we are willing to face that resistance and grow with it. Thank you so much Maharaj for the perfect answer.
PAMHO. Its amazing..really.
Excellent analogy of the athlete pushing against resistance to become strong. If we don’t lose faith in the face of resistance, we will emerge stronger.
Thank you Radhanath swami Maharaj for educating about the correct perspective one needs to have to emerge stronger in life.
Normally we have selfish motive behind our prayers. Radhanath Swami puts prayers into right perspective in this beautiful answer.
Wonderful…thank you swamiji
Completely fresh perspective by Radhanath Swami – athlete pushing against resistance to gain more strength – excellent analogy
H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj has nicely explained about the need for determination. Thank you Maharaj.
ULTIMATE EXPLANATION ON DETERMINATION.
THANK YOU MAHARAJ.
Outstanding ans by Radhanath Swami ..Thanks
Thank you Maharaj for such valuable teachings!!
We become empowered to the degree we can face the resistance and grow with it. How wonderful. If a prayer is not granted , God wants us to work harder and become stronger.
Deep, scientific faith can help us to remain enthusiastic in the face of adversity and things do not go our way.
Thank You Radhanath Swami! We ae energised by your kind message.
That’s the price to attain perfection: faith.
Nice.. thanks for this..
Radhanath Swami is a great saint!
It’s one thing to not get what we want. But it’s harder when we get the exact opposite of what we want!!!! Thank you Radhanath Swami
Beautiful explanation. Thank you Maharaj.
Thanks for the lesson, really interesting. Hare Krishna!
Jai, many wonderful enlightening analogies put together by His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj. Very nice.
I got a real pleasure reading you.
Wonderful analogy and reply.
Thank you so much Maharaj for enlighten us.
So essential to understand and follow these basics, Radhanath Swami has layed it out straight upfornt.
Good article. Thank you.
Good article. Thank you.
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Very nice article !
All Glories to HH Radhanath swami maharaj
Thanks for sharing us.
Thank you Radhanath Swami on this wonderful article on overcoming our inner weaknesses and gaining strength from the obstacles we face.
great answer. all doubt clear.
Amazing realizations. So true.
“It really doesn’t matter whether things go our way, what really matters is our integrity and our sincerity.”-A lesson to remember.
This is really an amazing answer. Thank you very much for sharing.
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
A very elaborate and profound explanation with prolific analogies.
Hare Krishna
Wonderful reply. Giving lot of faith. Thank you for sharing
very practical answer
Radhanath Swami ki Jai!!
amazing answer by Radhanath Swami. particularly the last part dealing with “resistance” is really amazing.
My God! What an indepth analysis and perfect solution…very inspiring to go on with the struggle of resistance on spiritual path
Beautiful. So wonderful.
thank you very much
Now, I really understand through Radhanath Swami’s teachings how it makes perfect sense to know how God gives us what we need but not what we want.
Simple and great.
Thanks for sharing the insight of prayers.
I can not express in words how this answer gave tremendous boost to me to resist provoking situations in my life. My Heart Felt Thanks To Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
We grew up praying to God to grant our wishes and we expect results everytime we pray. But our experiences weren’t always positive. Here is a superb explanation that should help us reconcile our experiences and expectations.
Amazingly inspiring article!
Thanks very much for sharing
Haribol, this article gives so much hope and strength to combat the evil forces within this heart, which continuously try to pull our real self, down. Thank you so much Maharaj for this greatest words of wisdom.
excellent answer….Radhanath Swami thankyou for explaining this so beautifully
“Faith comes by associating with people who have faith and engaging in activities that nourish faith.” Thank You HH Radhanath Swami for sharing this simple process to obtain faith.
Haribol! beautiful points by Radhanath Swami…
It’s practical question and perfect practical answer. Thank you Radhanath Swami.
I liked the statement by Radhanath swami which says that God knows what is best for us. hare krishna
Brilliant Answer
Perfect practical answer by Radhanath Swami
Radhanath swami is a perfect counselor.
Wonderful answer by Radhanath Swami.
I am reading this answer by HH Radhanath Swami often to get some strength. Really amazing answer by His Holiness.
wonderful wonderful reply by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
The great article.Thoroghly explained by Radhanath Swamiji.Thank you very much.
thanks very much
really encouraging and motivating…thank you sooo much maharaj!!!
thank you very much
Amazing answer. Really enjoyed reading this.
Very eloquent! I hope to embibe this quality of resistance and perserverence in my own spiritual life.
We can learn from the life and teachings of great souls like Radhanath Swami that if we keep faith, pray and are convinced that the Lord will take care of us in whatever situation we may be in our lives will be more fulfilling and satisfying.
I need to read this every day and through such reguler association i will have no Question.
Radhanath Swami has explained his points using great analogies
Perfect answer to a very sensitive question. Thank you Radhanath Swami.
Radhanath Swami has simplified the mystery of this bewildering question that every one has.
this is a great vision…. wow…
Faith that God knows and does the best for me can help us to be always grateful instead of complaining
The analogy of Resistance is very appealing.
Very inspiring. Examples given are so wonderful, easy to understand and remember to put in practice. Radhanath swami ki Jai!
Very Very inspiring article. Radhanath Swami again stresses on the importance of good association and to come out of our comfort zones.
Thank you Maharaj for showing the way of unconditional and unmotivated love.
Thank you Maharaj for the gentle reminder. I always hear you quoting the verse from the 10th canto of srimad Bhagavatam where Brahma prays to Lord Krishna :
“tat tenukampam susamikshamanam……….”
I seek your blessings to follow this principle.
Just too good, wonderful explanation by Radhanath Swami
Thank you Radhnath Swami Maharaj for the amazing perspective of looking at things in life. Such persceptions comes only by the dint of scriptural understanding, deliberation and practical realizations through devotion to the Lord, seated in everyone’s heart.
Thanks Maharaj for a wounderful explanation of this resistance force and how then only we become powerful. The same way we have to resist our bad thought and senses to move here and there to become stronger in our spiritual life
Beautiful! Just what I needed to hear!
It’s a very relevant question for me.
And the answer is quite befitting some due to our conditioning we forget to be dependent on God n God reminds this by giving us what we need not what we want.
Deepak Dubey
Very inspiring!
Fabulous Answer
Very Good Article
I Like Very Much
A perfect understanding about the science of prayers and how to nourish our faith. Really genuis.
Hari Hari…thank you maharaj for the excellent article.
Amazing answer by Radhanath swami maharaj.
God is our ever well wisher and therefore He can never do bad to us. We do not have the patience and faith in Him and therefore we get disturbed when things do not go as per our wishes.
Amazing. This is called unconditioned & unmotivated devotion what ever is our condition always remember and serve god.
Superb explaination by Radhanath swami
Unconditional and uninterrupted loving devotional service is what defines Bhakti as per SB.
Radhanath Swami’s deep perspective of so called negative discoraging things in life is hope giving
Inspiring article
Beautiful answer. Makes one realise the heart of God how it always thinks for our good.
So much hope giving to face the resistance.
All Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
A real masterpiece.
Hare Krishna
What an amazing articulation and profound reply!
very practical answer given by H.H. Radhanath Swami
Yes resistance makes us strong and solid in our life.
very nice
Thank you very much Radhanath Swamni for such an answer, I was desperately seeking ans to this dillema. You have practically shown from your life that even if the situations are not at our way still how to remain fixed in our service to lord. Thank you very much.
simply inspiring!!! sense control in spiritual life can be similarly accomplished ithrough resistance as explained here by maharaj
Thank you.
Your faith towards lord is very strong maharaj. Thank you for sharing this with us.
nice artical… gr8
Very nice analogy by Swamiji.I am highly impressed by statement “Bhakti is the science of unconditional love. We are enthusiastic for the sake of devotional service, not for the sake of getting our way, because God knows what is best for us. ” This statement will give me inner strength to overcome my failures in practice of spiritual life.Thank you very much.
very hope giving and inspiring answer
So much content in it!!
I really liked the example of resistance to become strong. It really make sense.
Amazing article and lot of things to realize from this.
The beauty of HH Radhanath Maharaj’s answers is that we already know them, but never thought about it & we just could not relate it with our life, until Maharaj explains with a superb example. Just like the one he mentioned about a weightlifter. Amazing!!
Thank you for Maharaj for inspiring us.
very uplifting and enlightening answer!!!
Thank yo so much Maharaj!!
Absolutely great and eternal answer gives substantial wisdom to overcome difficulties.
Thank You!!
All Glories to Srila Radhanath Swami for making us understand how can practice spiritual life each moment with a grateful heart by giving one of the best definitions of Bhakti , “Bhakti is the science of unconditional love. We are enthusiastic for the sake of devotional service, not for the sake of getting our way, because God knows what is best for us.”
Thanks !
Hare Krishna !
brief but very indepth/powerful answer…
Thank you maharaj for explaining reasons
Thank you very much for wonderful answer.
Powerful article by Radhanath Swami here! Through simple examples of child, body builder and athlete he convinces us of the need to face resistance and become strong in our spiritual lives.
It is true and very nicely and graphically presnted by Swamiji
We become empowered to the degree we are willing to face that resistance and grow with it. Thank you Radhanath Swami for this wonderful answer.
Very interesting answer