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In 1970, at the age of only nineteen, Radhanath Swami left his home in America seeking adventure and spiritual knowledge. After trekking across Europe for months, he reached his long hoped for destination: India. After living there for many years as a sadhu or wandering monk, he returned to America in order to share the sacred knowledge and wisdom he had learned from the many holy men and women he had met there. It was an extraordinary choice, given what he had survived to get there: a journey filled with bizarre characters, mystical experiences, and dangerous adventures. The story is recounted in his recently published memoir The Journey Home (San Rafael, CA: Mandala Publishing, 2009). Reviewers have called Radhanath's saga "at once an engaging yarn, a love story, and the evocation of a transcendent paradise in all its savagery, solitude, and splendor.
Radhanath Swami emerged from his years of travel wanting to explain for others the beauty and rewards of a life devoted to God, and therein lay a dilemma. His many followers and friends describe him as completely selfless and consequently unwilling to take credit for his work and restless when a spotlight is focused on him. By choosing A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (1896-1977), a spiritual activist, as his guru (after declining offers of initiation from several tyagis or renunciants in the Himalayas), Radhanath Swami cast his fate to the wind, cut his matted locks, and entered back into the society.
Narad-Muni
Expert Preaching of Narad Muni & Madhavacarya SB-04.25.09
Translation: In this connection, I wish to narrate an old history, connected with the character of the king called (0.01.36 break of voice) please try to hear it with great attention.
Purport: By His divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedant Swami Prabhupada.
The great sage Narada Muni turned for another topic. The history of king Puranjana. This is nothing but the history of king Prachinibahishat, told in a different way. In other words this is an eligorical presentation. The word Puranjana means, one who enjoys in a body. This is clearly explained in the next few chapters. Because a person entangled in material activities wants to hear story of material activities. Narada Muni turned to the topics of king Puranjana, who is none other than king Prachinibahishat. Narada Muni did not however depricate the value of performing sacrifices, in which animals are sacrificed. Lord Buddha however, directly rejected all animal sacrificies.