Background

Shri Radhakrishna Swamiji also known as Saint Saipadananda lived between the periods of 1906 and 1980 in India. He was a spiritual master who transcended the barriers of body, time and space. He advocated chanting of ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’, the thousand names of Vishnu as a cure-all. His spiritual master was Shri Narasimha Swamiji, the founder of ‘All India Sai Samaj’. All India Sai Samaj is an organization that works to spread the teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba, considered an ‘Avatar’ or incarnation of god by many, including westerners.

Shri Radhakrishna Swamiji’s contributions to the Sai faith were many. The most significant of these was the inception and administration of the Sai Spiritual Centre in Thyagarayanagar, Bangalore. This is a trust that has been responsible for the growth of ‘Sai’ faith amongst millions of devotees in Karnataka. For detailed information on his life and works ‘Apostle of Love: Saint Saipadananda’ should be read and serves as a good primer. The book is also available in Tamil language.

Swamiji moved people by his simplicity, purity and love. He was the best of students to his ‘Guru’, the best amongst missionaries for the ‘Sai’ faith, a father to some, a mother to others, a child with children, a spiritual guide to others. He transformed himself to meet the needs of people who came to him. This process was mutually beneficial. The devotee’s material problems were melted away while Swamiji met the goal of guiding humanity from materialistic to spiritual way of life. This approach is in line with that of Shirdi Sai Baba.

Swamiji was not only sought by men and women but also by animals. He was compassionate to all life forms as is evident from the incident of the pregnant cow. The cow had been experiencing labor pain yet unable to deliver. The owner sought Swamiji’s help to alleviate its suffering by ensuring a safe delivery. Following a visit by Swamiji the cow delivered with ease ending the ordeal of several days. The same night Swamiji heard someone outside the door. The cow stood proudly displaying her new born calf. She thanked Swamiji in her own way. This reminds us of Krishna who established instant rapport with cows and was able to communicate with them as well as he could with people.

He performed no visible miracles. However invisible miracles were many. His uniqueness lay in the ability to transform situations, minds of men and women to bring the best from events. He served as a doctor curing diseases with simple application of ashes and chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama. He resolved marital issues without any court intervention. Couples were blessed with children after as many as 14 years of marriage. Unemployed persons got jobs they had dreamt of by mere mention to Swamiji. He was a doctor of minds too curing innate tendencies like excessive fear, uncontrolled anger and harmful jealousy. He was verily a wish fulfilling tree or ‘Kalpa Vruksha’ or the mythical ‘Kaamadhenu’ the cow that gave anything sought.

Swamiji’s outstanding quality was the indescribable love showered on all he met. People met him as strangers to part as long known relatives within a short timespan. He has been described as 'An Apostle of Love' and indeed every action of his revealed his great love for God and an even greater love for welfare of all living beings. He was more than a parent constantly working towards the spiritual and material upliftment of his devotees. This blog is aimed at increasing awareness of the existence and teachings of this great spiritual master. Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi in 1980 but continues to live on. Readers be aware that he is a living force and prayers directed to him evoke instantaneous responses.