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Biography of “His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj
The Crest, Seal & Symbol of “The Divine Life Society”
His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda[1887-1963]
BIRTH AND BOYHOOD
On Thursday, the 8th of September, 1887, in the early hours of the morning, when the star
Bharani was in the ascendant was born a boy-child in the village of Pattamadai, Tirunelveli
District, Tamil Nadu, India on the banks of the river Tamraparani in South India. Sri P S
Vengu Iyer, a revenue officer and a great Siva Bhakta (devotee of Lord Siva), and Srimati
Parvati Ammal, an equally great god-loving lady, were the fortunate parents of this child.
The happy couple christened this last and third son of theirs Kuppuswamy.
Boy Kuppuswamy was intelligent and mischievous. In his boyhood itself he showed signs of
Tyaga (renunciation) and love for fellow-beings. He used to pity the poor, feed the hungry
at the door, and make his father throw a pie into the hands of pauper passing by. He often
got cakes and sweetmeats from his mother and distributed them liberally to his younger
companions, dogs, cats, crows, and sparrows, himself not eating a bit. He used to bring
flowers and bael leaves for his father's Siva Puja.
As an adult Kuppuswamy was fond of gymnastics and vigorous exercises. He learnt fencing
from a teacher who belonged to a low caste. He was a Harijan. He could go to him, only for
a few days, before he was made to understand, that it was unbecoming, of a caste-
Brahmin, to play the student to an untouchable. Kuppuswamy thought deeply over the
matter. One moment, he felt that the God, whom he worshipped in the Siva image, in
his father‟s worship room, had jumped over to the heart of this untouchable. He was his
Guru, all right. So he immediately, went to him with flowers, sweets and clothes and
garlanded him, placed flowers at his feet and prostrated himself before him. Thus did God
come, into his life, to remove the veil of caste distinctions at an early age.
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At the Rajah's High School, Ettayapuram, where he studied, Kuppuswamy always topped
the class and won prizes every year. He had a sweet voice and wonderful memory. When
His Excellency Lord Ampthil, the then, Governor of Madras, visited the Kuru Malai Hills in
1901 for hunting, Kuppuswamy sang a song of welcome on the Kumarapuram railway
platform. After the completion of the Matriculation examination, he studied at the S.P.G.
College, Tiruchchirappalli [Tiruchi]. In the college, he used to take part, in debates and
dramas. He played the part of Helena beautifully when Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's
Dream" was staged in 1905.
After the completion of the First Arts Examination, Kuppuswamy went to the Medical
School in Tanjore to study medicine where he worked like one possessed. He utilised, his
leisure hours, studying medical books of every description. After two years of study of
medicine, he possessed the knowledge, of a fifth year student. Because of this, he was freely
admitted into the operation theatre and dissecting room in the very first year. Professors,
finding him to be intelligent, industrious and promising, took him into their
confidence and engaged him as their assistant. Kuppuswamy utilised this privilege
diligently to acquire knowledge of surgery. He always kept a notebook and pencil in his
pocket to note details of experiments or record useful thoughts. He never went home
during the holidays. He would spend the entire period in the hospital. Kuppuswamy was
first in all subjects. He possessed more knowledge than doctors with covetable degrees, and
in the first year itself he could answer the papers which the final year students could not.
When Kuppuswamy was half way through his medical course, his father died and his
mother fell ill. The family was thrown into difficult circumstances. To support himself, Dr
Kuppuswamy started a medical journal “AMBROSIA”. He got ` 100/- from his mother, for
the initial expenses, of running the journal. He served as editor and initial financier for the
journal.
The first issue came out in 1909 as a 32-page monthly. Kuppuswamy himself wrote many
articles under different pseudonyms. He received articles, on the ancient system of Indian
medicine from ayurvedic physicians. Though the journal was in English, he reserved a few
pages for prescriptions in Tamil. Through his journal, Kuppuswamy strove to dispel
people‟s ignorance in matters of personal hygiene and public health. He laid the
emphasis not on remedial prescriptions, but on health building and disease prevention.
Health, hygiene and dietetics received special notice.
Readers felt a significant spiritual touch in the pages of “Ambrosia”.
Maintaining a journal was difficult. Literacy level was low, readers few and advertisements
were not many. Even a full-page display in “Ambrosia” fetched only ` 3/-. Kuppuswamy
had no assistant ! He, himself was editor, manager and dispatcher. Later, when his mother
wanted ` 150/-for celebrating some festival, Dr Kuppuswamy had the money ready for her.
The magazine gained in popularity, but income remained low. The journal ran for four
years.
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Kuppuswamy completed the course and earned the title of MBCM. He practiced at Tiruchi
& Madras[Now renamed Chennai]
DOCTOR IN MALAYA (MALAYSIA)
A call came to Dr Kuppuswamy from Malaya, soon after the death of his father. In 1913, Dr
Kuppuswamy was presented with an appealing opportunity for service. Thousands of
Indian workers on the rubber plantations in Malaysia were living in deplorable conditions
with little medical attention. Dr Kuppuswamy decided to cross the seas to serve the needy.
At a farewell party, the young doctor told friends: “Book knowledge will not take us far. I
studied anatomy. I dissected the human body. But I could not find the Atman (Soul) within
(the human body)!”
“The Atman can be seen only when the ego is destroyed,” interjected a friend. “True”
agreed Kuppuswamy, “And selfless service is the most potent weapon to thin out the ego.
Every day I shall do some charitable act. Side by side I shall think of God with a yearning
heart.” He used to have an adventurous spirit in him.
In 1913 he left India in the "Sea Ship Tara". Kuppuswamy belonged to an orthodox
Brahmin family and was afraid to take non-vegetarian food in the ship. So he carried with
him a good quantity of sweets which his mother had prepared for him. When he arrived in
Singapore, he was almost half dead!
Dr Kuppuswamy describes his experiences in Malaya: "Immediately after disembarking, I
went to the residence of Dr Iyengar. He gave me a letter of introduction to his friend, Dr
Harold Parsons, a medical practitioner in Seremban. When I arrived there, Dr Parsons
introduced me to Mr A.G. Robins, the manager of a nearby rubber estate which had its own
hospital. Fortunately for me, Mr Robins was just in need of an assistant to work in the
Estate Hospital. He was a terrible man with a violent temper, a giant figure, tall and stout.
He asked me, 'Can you manage a hospital all by yourself ?' I replied 'Yes, I can manage even
three hospitals'. He was appointed at once. He had been told by a local Indian resident that
He ought not to accept, in accordance with their policy, anything less than a hundred
dollars a month. Mr Robins agreed to give me one hundred and fifty to start with".
The young doctor worked very hard. Dr Kuppuswamy had to dispense medicines, keep
accounts and attend to patients. In his work, Dr Kuppuswamy was methodical, painstaking
and conscientious. He exhorted his helpers to keep the place clean, because cleanliness was
the greatest medicine the hospital could offer. Medical history sheets, temperature charts,
admission cards and other documents were kept current and complete.
Dr Kuppuswamy always prayed while attending patients. Every Friday he held a prayer
meeting in the hospital, at the end of which he distributed the Lord‟s Prasad. Then he
toured the wards, stopping at the bedside of those who lay too ill to attend the prayer,
putting a little Prasad into their mouth with his own hand.
He served the workers of the estate nicely and endeared himself to them all. He gained the
esteem of the employer and the employee alike. He was always fond of service. This
moment, He would be in the hospital; and the very next moment in some poor patient‟s
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house to attend on him and his family. Dr Parsons who was a visiting physician to the
estate hospital, loved him very much. He used to assist him in his private work also. Off and
on Dr Kuppuswamy gave his earnings to help friends and the patients & even went to the
extent of pawning some of his own valuables.
He was a friend of both the management as well as the labourers. If the scavengers went on
strike, the estate manager would come only to him. He would somehow run about here and
there and bring them back to work. In addition to his own work, He would go about visiting
other hospitals and acquire special knowledge in bacteriological and other subjects.
Unusual handicaps began to tell upon him and he felt like resigning the job after some
time, but Mr Robins would not allow him to go.
There was not a single available English medical book at that time that he had not read and
digested. In addition to all this he would help his assistants too and train them for some
time daily, and then send them to other hospitals with a recommendation letter, providing
from his pocket their railway fare as well as some emergency money.
Dr Kuppuswamy had a private practice as well. There were many doctors in Malaysia, but
few were sympathetic to the patients. Generally, they ran after rich clients. Dr
Kuppuswamy sought out the poor who needed his services the most. Other doctors charged
fees for a mere consultation. Dr Kuppuswamy gave pocket money to his patients to cover
their immediate expenses on discharge from hospital. He gave money like water. In charity
he was like Karna of old. Like a banyan tree which gives shelter to anyone and everyone, he
would refuse none who came to him for any help.
Dr Kuppuswamy was very kind, sympathetic, humorous, witty, and sweet- speaking.
Hopeless cases came to him, but success was sure. Everywhere people declared that he had
a special gift from God for the miraculous cures effected in the patients and acclaimed him
as a very kind and sympathetic doctor with a charming and majestic personality. In serious
cases, he kept vigil all night.
Once a poor man, drenched to the skin, came to the doctor at night. His wife was in birth
pangs. The doctor went there at once to her aid, and after attending to her, stayed outside
the hut in spite of the heavy rain. Only after the safe delivery of the child did the doctor
return home the next morning.
Soon Dr Kuppuswamy became well-known in Seremban and Johore Bahru. The Bank
Manager would oblige him at any time even on holidays, by honouring his cheques. He
became everybody‟s friend through his sociable disposition and service. He got rapid
promotions and with that his salary and private practice increased by leaps and bounds. All
this was not achieved in a single day. It meant very hard work, unflagging tenacity,
strenuous effort and indomitable faith in the principles of goodness and virtue and their
practical application in daily life.
During his career in Malaya, Dr Kuppuswamy contributed many articles on „Public Health‟
to “Malaya Tribune,” Singapore. He was liberal in his views. The spirit of Sannyasa was
ingrained in him. Crookedness, diplomacy, double-dealing, were not known to him. He was
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very candid, straightforward, simple and open-hearted. Malaya was a land of temptations
but nothing could tempt the doctor. His heart was as pure as the Himalayan snow. His
immense philanthropy and spirit of service and renunciation endeared him to all. People
lovingly called him the "Heart of Love".
He trained many young persons in the Hospital where he worked and fixed them up in
various Estate Hospitals. He spent all his energy and time in relieving human sufferings by
serving the poor and the sick, day and night, with a sympathetic heart. This kind of selfless
service gave him purification of heart and mind, and led him to the spiritual path. He
became a Member of the Royal Institute of Public Health (M.R.I.P.H.), London, a Member
of the Royal Asiatic Society (M.R.A.S.), London, and an Associate of Royal Sanitary
Institute (A.R.San.I.), London. During his stay in Malaya, He published some medical
books such as “Household Remedies,” “Fruits and Health” “Diseases and their Tamil
Terms,” “Obstetric Ready-Reckoner,” “Fourteen Lectures on Public Health.”
Dr Kuppuswamy gave shelter to many people during their days of unemployment and gave
them food and clothing and fixed them up in one office or another.
If he met a coolie in the road, he would stop and chat with him for a couple of minutes and
then pass on. His friends who were snobs, found fault with him for this habit of his. Dr
Kuppuswami brushed aside their criticism saying, “Imagine the joy he derives by my
talking to him on equal terms ! What do I lose by giving him that joy ? Also I too, get some
delight.”
In spite of his busy life, Dr Kuppuswamy served the Sadhus, Sannyasins, and beggars. Such
was his devotion to Sannyasins and Yogis that if one was passing his station he would
hasten to him with rich presents. He often kept them with him for a number of days and
sent them to their destination with due respect, securing for them first-class train tickets.
Dr Kuppuswamy stated that; “The worst bestiality, to which a Doctor could Sink, if he were
to demand more money from a patient on the operation theatre table to stitch his wounds”!
He attended marriage functions, parties, and other social gatherings. High-class dress, and
collection of curious and fancy articles of gold, silver, and sandalwood always attracted the
doctor. Sometimes he purchased various kinds of gold rings and necklaces and wore them
all at the same time. He used to wear ten rings on ten fingers! When he entered the shops,
he never wasted his time in selection, haggling, and bargaining. He gathered all that he
saw. He paid the shopkeepers' bills without scrutiny. When a friend protested to this, Dr
Kuppuswami replied, “It does not matter. I cannot bargain. He is a poor man. Let him have
a few cents more. Once he knows my nature, he himself will abandon the habit of quoting a
higher price.” Such was the doctor‟s heart!
The rich doctor did not engage a cook permanently. He was his own cook though he had
work that gave him no leisure. Occasionally he engaged a cook. One such cook of his one
day wanted to have a photograph of himself taken. The doctor took him with great joy to a
first class studio, made the cook put on his own suit, shoes, and hat and had a photo taken.
Sanyasa-RENUNCIATION
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Service of humanity, study of spiritual literature, association with saintly souls and
devotional practices at home—all these brought about a gradual change in the doctor‟s
outlook on life. They purified his heart and turned his mind inward. Kuppuswamy became
more introspective. He wrote at the time: “Is there not a higher mission in life than the
daily round of official duties, eating and drinking? Is there not any higher form of eternal
happiness than these transitory and illusory pleasures? How uncertain is life here! How
insecure is existence on the earth-plane—with various kinds of diseases, anxieties, worries,
fears and disappointments! The world of names and forms is constantly changing. Time is
fleeting. All hopes of happiness in this world terminate in pain, despair and sorrow.”
Everywhere around him the doctor found people distressed, physically and mentally. His
heart bled for the poor, the sick and the suffering. The human tragedy rent the doctor‟s
heart. In the hospital, Dr Kuppuswamy had to battle with human pain. Though he healed
some, many died before his eyes. Death remained an eternal mystery to him. At this critical
point in his life, there came to him an itinerant Sannyasin. Staying with him for a few days,
the Sannyasin fell ill, only to be nursed back to health by the doctor. The Sannyasin became
captivated by the loving treatment, and presented Kuppuswamy with valuable books which
he would never have parted with !
One was the “Jiva-Brahma Aikya Vedanta Rahasyam” by Cuddapah Satchidananda Swami.
This was Kuppuswamy‟s first lesson in Vedanta and the positive aspects of life on the earth
plane. The real aim of human life became apparent. Kuppuswamy developed an ardent
desire to tread the path of the wise and unlock the realms of immortality. This desire grew
in intensity until in 1923, the spiritual sparks which Kuppuswamy had nurtured coalesced
and burst into a burning flame. As though struck by lightning, worldly desires left him.
Materialistic civilisation was impotent and disgusted him. He spurned wealth, position,
titles, status and the world that could offer no lasting solution to suffering. He had reached
a stage where he could no longer perform his duties in the hospital. He left his job, gave
away belongings, and left the shores of Malaysia. His heart was purified through loving
service. At last, Dr Kuppuswamy, enjoying a lucrative practice, renounced the world like
Prince Siddhartha, in 1923. He left Malaya for India arriving in Madras. At Madras he
proceeded, to the house of a friend and left his luggage there and felt as if the entire burden
of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.
With God as his guide, carrying no possessions, the erstwhile doctor began his Parivrajaka
(wandering) life. He passed through village after village. Kuppuswamy had no experience of
begging. He who always gave could not easily bring himself to ask. He would go to a village
house, quietly approach a man and whisper into his ears, “I am a Madrasi Brahmin. I am
hungry. Can you give me some food?” Those whom he approached thus were surprised, for
his noble countenance gave him away.
Sometimes a hospitable man took him in and served him good food. After eating,
Kuppuswamy would bow low to his hosts and pray that God might bless them and then go
on his way. He would not visit the same house again. Sometimes a pious family would
request him to stay on, but Kuppuswamy would slip out to the next village for fear he
should prove to be a burden on the good folk.
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Bareheaded, barefooted and scantily clothed, the novice wandered on. At times he had to
go without food and walk mile after tiresome mile. Forced by hunger, he would then eat the
wild figs and Amalaka fruits fallen from wayside trees. Often he would sleep on the earth
underneath these trees.
Parivrajaka life (the life of an itinerant monk) helped Kuppuswamy to develop forbearance,
equal vision, and serenity of outlook in pleasure and pain.
He began his pilgrimage. At Banaras, he had the Darshan (vision) of Lord Viswanath. He
visited Mahatmas (great souls) and temples. At Dhalaj, a village on the bank of the
Chandrabhaga river, he met a postmaster and lived with him. He acted as the postmaster's
cook, and when the latter arrived home in the evening, the doctor was ready to shampoo
his legs in spite of his remonstrance‟s ! It was the postmaster who suggested Rishikesh,
when the aspiring doctor, wanted a place, for solitary meditation and paid for his rail fare.
Dr Kuppuswamy reached Rishikesh on the 8th of May, 1924.
INITIATION
On the 1st of June, 1924, there came His Holiness Sri Swami Vishwananda Saraswati who
belonged to the Sringeri Math of Sri Sankaracharya. The novice and the monk were
attracted to each other. The novice saw a Guru in the monk and the monk saw a disciple in
the novice. Swami Vishwanandaji took Kuppuswamy to his Kutir. After resting a while,
Kuppuswamy went to Kalikamliwala Kshetra (an alms-house for Sannyasins). Alms were
refused to him as he was not a Sannyasi. As he retraced his steps, Swami Vishwanandaji
again met him. After exchanging a few words, Kuppuswami was initiated into the
Sannyasa order by His Holiness Sri Swami Vishwanandaji. (The religious rite of Viraja
Homa was done later by the Mahant of Sri Kailas Ashram, Sri Swami Vishnudevanandaji
Maharaj) He cast off his secular Dhoti and put on the Gerua cloth (traditional orange cloth
of the Sannyasin) presented by the Guru. Swami Vishwananda Saraswati wrote the
necessary instructions about Sannyas Dharma from Banares. He was taught the secrets of
Kaivalya (liberation) and the mysteries of the Mahavakyas (great sentences).
The former Dr Kuppuswamy became “Swami Sivananda Saraswati” of the Sankaracharya
order. Swami Sivanandaji stayed at Swargashram for Sadhana.
SEVA
Swamiji took his abode near Lakshman Jhula. Being a Sannyasin, he wanted to abstain
from worldly activity but found he was powerless to resist the temptation to go to the
bedside of sick Mahatmas in the neighbourhood. In him the spirit of service burned
brighter than ever. Walking through the gullies of Lakshmanjhula, Sivananda saw many
Sadhus suffering from extreme cold and malnutrition, with frequent attacks of fever and
dysentery. Swamiji could not bear to see the helpless plight of those holy men, but he had
no money for the necessary diet and medicines.
A thought flashed in Swamiji‟s mind that money itself was not evil. It could be put to good
use as much as bad. And he remembered his savings in the insurance company. A lawyer
friend helped him to salvage about ` 5000/-. Vowing not to touch any for his personal
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needs, he put it into a Post Office Savings account. Thus equipped, Swamiji started his daily
pilgrimage to the huts of sick Mahatmas. Mere food and medicine were not all, he would
also disperse a word of cheer, encouragement and a splash of delightful humour. Without a
word Swamiji would take aside the sick man‟s soiled clothes and they would be back in
their place in a few hours, washed and neatly folded. He would not leave the water pot
unfilled, nor the floor unswept.
One of the Mahatmas in the neighbourhood, Swami Kalikananda, watched with interest the
service that the doctor from Malaysia rendered the Sadhus. The opportunity, he thought,
should not be lost.
He approached Swamiji with a proposal to run a charitable dispensary. Satya Sevashram
Dispensary came into being. Housed in a small room a few yards to the north of the
Lakshman jhula bridge, the dispensary lay at the entrance to the popular pedestrian route
used by pilgrims to the famous Himalayan shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. It was a
unique location to reach the maximum number of pilgrims, Sadhus and people of the
surrounding villages.
One evening a pilgrim enroute to Badrinath came to see him. Later it occurred to Swamiji
that he should have given a different medicine which would have been more helpful. The
thought filled his mind that he had not done his utmost. So, early the next morning, even
before the dawn, he took the medicine and started at a steady uphill run to catch up with
the traveller. When he reached the next halt, he found that the pilgrim was an even earlier
riser and had already proceeded on his way.
Undaunted, Swamiji pressed on until he caught up with the pilgrim near the fifth mile and
there gave him the precious medicine.
Swamiji‟s persistent interest was to fill the entire day with good turns. Service was his
motto.
“Ever be on the look-out for an opportunity to serve; never miss a chance. You must be like
a watch-dog, alert and keen to grasp at once any possibility that presents itself of being
useful you must create opportunities to do something for others. Do not wait for a chance
but create means of making yourself useful and helpful. Do it in whatever way you are
particularly suited by temperament, talent and natural disposition”.
“On rare occasions you must even be aggressive in your service. Sometimes helpless
persons in need of aid will foolishly refuse it. In such cases do the required service in spite
of their hesitation. “Service is „love in expression‟. This coupled with a strong positive desire
for universal weal, becomes an effective and higher sort of service. By generating a current
of helpful and healing vibration, it will contribute to common welfare in a subtle but
powerful way especially if you use the power of prayer.”
Swamiji himself was very emphatic in his convictions about the efficacy of prayer that is
earnest and genuine. He once said, “Prayer has tremendous influence. It can do anything,
provided you are sincere. It is heard at once and responded to. Do it in the daily struggle of
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life and realise for yourself its high efficacy. Pray in any way you like. Become as simple as a
child. Have no cunningness or crookedness. Then you will get everything.”
From the very beginning, Swamiji followed his own innate tendency with regard to
Sadhana. He imitated none in this respect, service being a natural part of his nature. He
attended to the needs of the sick Sadhus with added zeal; for him work itself was worship.
Deep meditation, austerities such as fasting, standing in the ice cold waters of the Ganga
during the early hours of the morning—all of these he combined with his daily round of
service to the sick and needy mendicants and Sadhus.
SADHANA-Spiritual Practices
Swami Sivananda dressed to clothe himself, ate to live, and lived to serve humanity. A small
dilapidated Kutir (hut), at Swargashram not resorted to by others and infested with
scorpions, protected him from rain and sun. Living in that Kutir, he did intense Tapas
(austerities), observed silence, and fasted. Often he fasted for days on end. He would keep a
good stock of bread in his room, and for a week have this, together with Ganges water. He
would stand up to the hips in the ice-cold Ganges in winter mornings and commence his
Japa, coming out only when the sun appeared. With all his intense Tapas, Swamiji did not
neglect service of the sick. He visited the huts of the Sadhus with medicines, served them,
and shampooed their legs.
He begged food on their behalf and fed them with his own hands when they fell sick. He
brought water from the Ganges and washed their Kutirs. He attended upon cholera and
small-pox cases. If necessary, he kept vigil through the night by the side of the bed of the
ailing Sadhu. He carried sick persons on his back to the hospital.
Swamiji practiced all the various Yogas and studied the scriptures. Of the many books he
read his favourites were the Upanishads, the Vivekachudamani, the Bhagavad Gita, the
Bhagavata, the Yoga Vashishta and the Avadhuta Gita. Vedanta was his delight.
As Swamiji advanced further in the practice of meditation he would deny himself all food,
company and talk. He plunged deeper and deeper and kept himself within closed doors for
many days at a stretch. His fellow-Sadhus were awed—they wondered what he was made
of. Not a day‟s relaxation did he permit himself.
“More time (eight hours) should be spent in meditation and meditation alone, even 12, 16
hours daily. Even study and medical treatment should be given up for some time—pure
meditation alone. “Winter must be utilised. That is the best time for meditation.
The daily visit to the Kshetra interrupted this meditation practice. Sivananda therefore
arranged with the Kshetra authorities to let him have four or five days‟ ration of cooked
Roti‟s, at a time. Each day at meal time, he powdered the stale and dry Rotis and mixing
that powder with the Ganga water, ate the paste and quickly returned to his meditation.
Sivananda‟s meditation became very intense. Gradually he increased the time spent in daily
meditation and, in due course, he began to meditate for eight hours a day and then, when
winter came, for twelve and sixteen hours. For some time he even gave up study and
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medical service and engaged himself solely in pure meditation. In meditation he churned
his own soul. Truth began to manifest.
After years of intense and unbroken Sadhana, Swamiji‟s original and extraordinary
Sadhana culminated ultimately in the grand experience of merging in the Divine, and
being freed once and for all from all limitations and fetters. He enjoyed the bliss of
Nirvikalpa Samadhi. He had come to the end of his spiritual journey.
When questioned about the salient features of his inner life he said, “I made deep
meditation the keynote of my Sadhana. I had no obstruction within or without. This leads
to the ultimate experience. “I paid special attention to simple living, high thinking, light
food, deep study, silent meditation and regular prayers. I loved seclusion and observed the
vow of silence. I did not like company and idle talk. From the Rama Ashram library in
Muni-ki-Reti I used to get some books, and devoted some time to study every day. Rest and
relaxation gave me enough strength to carry on intense Sadhana. I moved closely with
some holy men but I never indulged in discussion and debates. Self-analysis and
introspection were my guide. I spent time in meditation and practised various kinds of
Yogas in my Sadhana, and my experiences have all come out in many books as advice to
aspirants.
1. I have seen God in my own Self !
2. I have negated name and form, and what remains is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss
Absolute and nothing else !
3. I behold God everywhere. There is no veil !
4. I am One. There is no duality !
5. I rest in my own Self. My bliss is beyond description !
6. The world of dreams has gone. I alone exist !
Distribution of Knowledge
It was usual, for even great mystics, to keep their rare knowledge as a secret and teach only
a chosen few, but Sivananda quickly sent out his thoughts and experiences to help the
world and struggling seekers after Truth.” The habit of giving was ingrained in him.
Swamiji allotted time in the day for recording his thoughts, ideas and experiences, but since
most of the little money he had was spent on the sick, this posed a few difficulties. Needing
paper for writing, it was necessary to search waste heaps for discarded sheets and used
envelopes.
There were times, Swamiji could not get ink. Even when both paper and ink were available
he would often have to give up writing after dusk for want of a light. Either there would be
no oil in the lantern, or no match to light it [In 1930 there was no Electricity]
He used to gather bits of paper and used envelopes, and stitch them into little notebooks.
He entered some self-instructions in them. Some of the instructions found in them read
thus: "Give up salt, give up sugar, give up spices, give up vegetables, give up chutneys, give
up tamarind". In another we read: “Serve Bhangis, serve rogues, serve inferiors, remove
faecal matter, clean clothes of Sadhus - take delight, carry water". In another page: "Do not
revenge, resist not evil, return good for evil, bear insult and injury". On some neat little
pages we again read: "Forget like a child any injury done by somebody immediately.”
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Never keep it in the heart. It kindles hatred. Cultivate Maitri (friendship), Karuna
(compassion), Daya (mercy), Prema (love), Kshama (forgiveness)". In another paragraph
we see: "Develop good manners, extreme politeness, courtesy, etiquette, good demeanour,
nobility, gentleness, mildness. Never be rude, harsh, or cruel. There is nothing to be hated
in the world. Hatred is ignorance. All contempt for anything or being must be removed
through love and Vichara (enquiry)".
Swami Sivananda considered the gift of knowledge, as the greatest gift. For this, Swamiji
felt the printing press to be more important than the platform. What was heard might be
forgotten in a day, but recorded knowledge would be of lasting benefit. Once a devotee gave
Sivananda ` 5/- and begged him to use it to buy milk for himself. Swamiji had different
ideas. He felt the money was a direct gift from God Himself. His jottings were waiting and
Sivananda at once used the money to have his first pamphlet printed. Its name was
“Brahma Vidya”. It was immediately distributed to all who came to him. Readers
liked the pamphlet so much that they urged Swamiji to give more of his ideas and
volunteered to print them.
At first Swamiji did not know any publishers, but he had a novel way of getting his early
articles published. When he had written an inspiring article in his home-made “notebook”
he would send it to “The Postmaster, Madras” (or Lucknow or Calcutta) with a covering
note saying: “These are the thoughts that occurred to me yesterday. I think they are
inspiring. So please have a small leaflet printed. You can distribute them. Print as many as
you like but please send me 100 copies.” One postmaster sent the 100 copies with a note: “I
admire your confidence!”
As Sivananda became more widely known, publishers sought him. Everyone who wrote a
letter to Swamiji or sent the smallest donation got some leaflet or pamphlet. Whenever
Sivananda went out on tour, he made it a point to have spiritual literature printed for free
distribution.
But Swamiji was not quite content with this method of leaflet distribution. With the
growing of the Society, he felt that something must be mailed regularly to his
correspondents. In September, 1938 was born “The Divine Life” the monthly magazine of
the Divine Life Society.
Then in 1939, Sivananda got his first book published. “Practice of Yoga—Vol-1” was printed
in Madras. For more than two decades, Swamiji had to have his books printed by outside
presses. Even after the Ashram press was started, it could not at first cope with all the
production jobs that he wanted undertaken. Swamiji attached so much importance to this
work of distribution of spiritual knowledge that even when there was a financial crisis in
the Ashram, he refused to slow down the tempo of work on the publication side. He was
willing to shut down the kitchen, but not the press. “We can all go to the Kshetra and live
on alms” he would say, “but the Jnana Yajna must go on”.
THE PERSONALITY OF SIVANANDA
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Swami Sivananda was about six feet tall, with a shining copper red complexion. He had
broad shoulders and long arms. His head and face were clean shaven. His countenance was
child-like. No guile, no gall in it. His eyes sparkled.
In the simplicity of a monk, Sivananda seemed like a monarch. He was a picture of serenity
and youth. Swamiji had a vibrant, powerful voice. Often at a meeting, he would gently push
aside the microphone, saying, “I don‟t need it”. His stentorian voice could reach an
audience of thousands without the need for amplification. His appearance was quite
simple... no colourful marks on the forehead, no matted locks or flowing beard, no rosaries
round his neck, no beads, bangles or earrings... just enough clothing to protect his person
from the weather and to ensure decency in society.
Sivananda never said or did anything to tempt people with promises of grand results like
Mukti from a drop of Kamandalu water or Samadhi by a mere touch. He emphasised the
importance of silent Sadhana, Japa and meditation for a systematic progress in the
spiritual path. Invariably he asked all aspirants to purify the heart through selfless service
to mankind.
In 1933 the publishers in Madras wrote articles on his life and mentioned him as
an “Avatar.” Immediately Swamiji gave a reply which explains the attitude he had always
maintained:— “Kindly remove all „Krishna Avatara‟ and „Bhagawan‟ business. Keep the
publication natural and simple. Then it will be attractive. Do not exaggerate much about me
very often. The juice will evaporate. Do not give me titles as „World Teacher‟,
„Mandaleshwar‟ and „Bhagawan‟.
Lay bare the truth, Truth will shine, I lead a simple and natural life. I take immense delight
in service. Service has elevated me. Service has purified me. This body is meant for service.
I live to serve everyone and make the world happy and cheerful.”
So it happened that one day in 1956, an elderly lady walked into the Ashram office to have
Darshan of “Swamiji”. Sivananda greeted her with an Om and folded palms, showed her a
seat, and made kind enquiries about her health and her Yatra (pilgrimage). When he
resumed his work, the lady quietly walked out. Near the dispensary she asked an
Ashramite, “Where is Swamiji? When can I see him?” “Swamiji is in the office. Aren‟t you
coming from there?” said the Ashramite, visibly amused. “That man with a coat and
spectacles, sitting there? Is he Swamiji? I thought he was only the Ashram manager!” With
tears in her eyes, the old lady went back and prostrated at the Master‟s feet.
Master never assumed manners or put on airs. He spoke to everyone, referred to everyone
in terms of respect. Swamiji always tried to greet a person in the latter‟s mother tongue. He
was always eager to please people and put them at ease. Thus, besides Tamil, English,
Hindi and Malay, which he knew well, he learnt words of greeting, proverbs, poems and
songs in many languages, all of which he used to advantage in his contacts with people.
It was a habit with the Master to carry three bags wherever he went. One would contain
spiritual literature, another fruits and sweets, and the third medicines and utility articles
like candles, matchbox, scissors, thread and needles. Another form of service which
Swamiji strongly recommended was prayer. Prayer was not so much praying for yourself
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(not even for your salvation) but it was recommended as a form of service, of charity. So to
pray—not only for the peace of all in a general sense, but in a specific sense—was part of his
life.
Sivananda‟s Methodology
Sivananda wrote to serve. The pen was his weapon, and he used it lovingly. He did not
criticise; only coaxed. He wrote with both spiritual depth and intellectual persuasion. He
did not condemn the scientific mind of the Space Age, but interpreted Patanjali Maharshi
and Bhagavan Krishna in the spirit of the Age of Science.
He used every form of literary expression to convey his point to the reader. Poetry and
drama, letter and essay, story and parable, aphorism and lecture—all media were adopted
by him to spread knowledge of Divine Life. The fact is that Swami Sivananda was a very
practical person. What he learnt from books or men would be put into practice so that he
might know how far the teaching suited him. If it did not suit him, he would not condemn it
but merely shelve it. So far as he was concerned it was ineffective.
Swamiji‟s style was aphoristic and his language simple. His writings were lucid, sparkling
and pure like a mountain stream springing from a mighty rock. To the earnest spiritual
aspirant who asked, “What should I do now? When I get up tomorrow morning, what do
you actually want me to do?” To such a Sadhaka, Sivananda‟s books were like Alfonse
Mangoes dropping from heaven. They were 100% practical.
Sivananda did not look, to grammatical perfection, or high literacy standard. His main
concern, was to distribute, as much spiritual knowledge, in as short a time as possible.
“Even if all my articles are not published at least the proof reader, will go through them
once, and this will effect a change of heart and consciousness”. “I believe in maximum
spiritual good to the public in a short space of time” wrote the Master, in a letter to his
disciple.
Ashram workers sometimes delayed the return of the manuscript notebooks entrusted to
them for typing. Swamiji had to use more and more notebooks. He kept some in the writing
room and some in the office, so that any moment he would be able to write. He kept several
pens ready.
He kept a pair of spectacles in the writing room, another in the almirah, a third in the
office. No time should be lost in searching for them, work was of paramount
importance. He kept several flashlights too—one near the bed, one near his writing desk,
one near the easy chair on which he rested. Even at dead of night, if a good thought came, it
must at once be recorded. It must not be lost to the world.
Talking to a visitor in the Ashram one day, Swamiji showed him his many notebooks, pens,
watches. “People think that a Sannyasin should not have this or use that,” he said, “But I
have no such notion. Service is the thing. Work, work and work for the welfare of
humanity. Keep the instruments—body and the mind—in a fit and healthy condition for the
work. I am a different Sannyasin. I like to serve. People imagine that a Sannyasin should
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always be grave and should always sit like this (here, Swamiji actually closed his eyes
and sat erect) and thus give the impression to them that he is a Jivanmukta (liberated
soul). But I am of a different type. Work should be your meditation. That is my method”.
With regard to work too, Sivananda was guided by certain principles. D.I.N. was the first,
DO IT NOW. When Sivananda wished to do a thing, he would do it straightaway.
Sometimes Swamiji did the typing himself. The entire book “Sure Ways for Success in Life
and God-realisation” was typed by him directly onto a machine without draft. For
Sivananda, moments of inspiration were not interspersed with moments of depression. It
was all a chain of inspired moments for him. His knowledge welled up from within. His
difficulty was that he did not find time to express all his thoughts. Once he said to a
student: “I cannot stop writing. I will write till I become blind. If I become blind, I will
dictate and somebody will write for me. Thus I will continue my mission of dissemination
of spiritual knowledge till the end of my life.” The Book “Bliss Divine” was dictated by him,
in the same way to his disciple Anantha Narayanan and was published after the Master‟s
Mahasamadhi which is the cream and essence of Swami Sivananda‟s works.
Sivananda was a man of unrestrained and spontaneous generosity. Just as he gave himself
to others, he gave a myriad of things too; money, food, clothes, books, flowers—whatever
offerings the devotees brought him—found their way to others. Swamiji acted as a centre
for collection and redistribution. He knew who needed what and always made sure that the
right gift reached the right person.
He knew that the supply came from the Source, and to the Source it returned. Material
considerations of accounting did not bother him at all. He proved in his own life that in
such generosity there was no bankruptcy. He used to say very often, “Giving has never
made a person poor.”
The Master often bought fruits, peanuts and ice-cream from roadside vendors. The pilgrim
who lost his purse, the convict just released from jail, the penniless Sadhu needing a
blanket, the poor student wanting money for his school fees, A child born without
wedlock—all of them found a ready helper in Swamiji. And the Master gave without
embarrassing the recipient. What mattered more than the money was the heart. Sivananda
had a large heart.
The Master believed in a life of hardship and endurance. When on tour, as soon as he
stepped down from the train, Swamiji immediately, without waiting for a coolie and
without giving a chance to his devotees, would carry his bedding or trunk on his own head
and come out of the station. “Rely on your own self,” he would say. “Be humble. Do not be
puffed up with pride of Gurudom”. When porters carried some of his heavy packages of
leaflets and books for free distribution, he paid them liberally. He used to say, “I pity those
rich persons who fight with the porters and coolies at the platform for the sake of two
annas”.
Sivananda‟s Universal Prayer !
Oh Adorable Lord of Mercy & Love
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Salutations and Obeisances on to Thee
Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent & Omnipresent
Thou Art Satchidananda
Thou art the in dweller of all beings
Grant us an understanding heart, equal vision, balanced mind,
Faith devotion and wisdom
Grant us inner spiritual strength to resist temptations and to control the mind
Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger, jealousy.
Fill Our hearts with divine virtues.
Let us behold thee in all these names and forms
Let us serve thee in all these name and forms
Let us ever remember thee
Let us ever sing thy glories
Let thy name be ever on our lips
Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.
SIVANANDA‟S KIRTAN
Siva adores all Gods, knowing that there is only One God. He sings the following
invocatory Sankirtan Dhvanis invariably at the commencement of every auspicious
undertaking.
Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha Pahi Mam
Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Raksha Mam
Jaya Sarasvati Jaya Sarasvati Jaya Sarasvati Pahi Mam
Sri Sarasvati Sri Sarasvati Sri Sarasvati Raksha Mam
Saravanabhava Saravanabhava Saravanabhava Pahi Mam
Subramanya Subramanya Subramanya Raksha Mam
Jaya Guru Siva Guru Hari Guru Ram
Jagad Guru Param Guru Sat Guru Shyam
Adi Guru Advaita Guru Ananta Guru Om
Chit Guru Chidghana Guru Chinmaya Guru Om
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Namah Sivaya Namah Sivaya Nama Sivaya
Namah Sivaya Namah Sivaya Nama Sivaya
Dattatreya Dattatreya Dattatreya Pahi Mam
Dattaguru Dattaguru Dattaguru Raksha Mam
Anjaneya Anjaneya Anjaneya Pahi Mam
Hanumanta Hanumanta Hanumanta Raksha Mam
Ganga Rani Ganga Rani Ganga Rani Pahi Mam
Bhagirathi Bhagirathi Bhagirathi Raksha Mam
Om Tat Sat Om Tat Sat Om Tat Sat Om
Om Shanti Om Shanti Om Shanti Om
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Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions:
1. Get up at 4 am daily. This is Brahma Muhurta which is extremely favourable for
meditation on God.
2. ASANA: Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for Japa and Meditation for half an hour,
facing the east or the north. Increase the period gradually to three hours. Do Sirshasana
and Sarvangasana for keeping up Brahmacharya and health. Take light physical exercises
as walking, etc., regularly. Do twenty Pranayamas.
3. JAPA: Repeat any Mantra as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya, Om
Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Sita Ram, Sri Ram, Hari Om,
or Gayatri, according to your taste or inclination, from 108 to 21,600 times daily.
4. DIETETIC DISCIPLINE: Take Sattvic food, Suddha Ahara. Give up chillies, tamarind,
garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard and asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet
(Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best
for a fortnight in a year. Eat simple food. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as
medicine, to keep life going. Eating for enjoyment is sin. Give up salt and sugar for a
month. You must be able to live on rice, dhall and bread without any chutni. Do not ask for
extra salt for dhall and sugar for tea, coffee, or milk.
5. Have a separate meditation-room under lock and key.
6. Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily, according to your means, say six paisa
per rupee. Always give the best things, best food, best fruits, best milk, best clothes to
friends, neighbours, guests and servants. You will derive immense joy, strength, and
happiness.Put this into practice and realise the benefits yourself.
7. SVADHYAYA: Study systematically the Gita, Ramayana, Bhagavata,
Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita Sahasranama, Aditya Hridaya, Upanishads, Yoga-
Vasishtha, the Bible, Zend Avesta, the Koran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib, etc., from
half an hour to one hour daily and have Suddha-Vichara.
8. Preserve the vital force (Veerya) very very carefully. Veerya is God in motion or
manifestation, Vibhuti. Veerya is all power. Veerya is money. Veerya is the essence of life,
thought and intelligence.
9. Get by heart some prayer, Shlokas, Stotras, and repeat them as soon as you sit on the
Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly.
10. Have Satsanga. Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors entirely. Do
not develop any evil habits.
11. Fast on Ekadasi day or live on milk and fruits only.
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12. Have a Japa Mala (rosary) round your neck or in your pocket or underneath your pillow
at night.
13. Observe Mouna for a couple of hours daily.
14. Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly.
15. Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts reduce the number to three or two. Lead a
happy contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Have plain living and high thinking.
Adjust, Adapt, Accommodate to the circumstances.
16. Never hurt anybody. Control anger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) and Daya
(compassion).
17. Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues.
18. Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the day, just before
retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep daily diary and self-correction register. Do not brood
over past mistakes.
19. Remember that death is awaiting you every moment. Never fail to fulfil your duties.
Have pure conduct (Sadachara).
20. Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep. Surrender yourself
completely to God (Saranagati).
SPIRITUAL DIARY
1. When did you get up from bed?
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” You must get up at 4
am, and practise Japa and meditation. The meditative state of the mind will come by itself
without exertion at this period.
2. How many hours did you sleep?
Sleep for six hours is quite sufficient for every individual. Go to bed at 10 pm, and get up at
4 am. Napoleon Bonaparte believed in only four hours of sleep. Too much sleep makes a
man dull and lethargic. Too much sleep causes premature decay and weakens the brain-
power. Those spiritual aspirants who want to do rigorous Sadhana should reduce the sleep
gradually. For three months reduce the sleep by half an hour. During the next three months
go to bed at 11 pm, and get up at 4 am. In this way you can conquer sleep and become one
like Arjuna or Lakshmana.
3. How many Malas of Japa?
Japa is an important limb of Yoga. In this Kali Yuga, Japa and Kirtan are effective Sadhanas
for God-realisation. Japa results in Samadhi or communion with God. Japa is the repetition
of the name of the Lord. There are three varieties of Japa, viz., Vaikhari (verbal), Upamsu
(whispering), and Manasic (mental). Have a Japa Mala (rosary) round your neck or in your
pocket or underneath your pillow at night. Use a Mala of 108 beads. A Mala is a whip to
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goad the mind towards God. The fruits of Manasic Japa are ten thousand times more than
Vaikhari or Upamsu. Always try to do 46 mental Japa when you are busy in daily activities.
Make it a point to repeat the Mantra some thousand times and record the number in the
diary.
4. How long in Kirtan?
Repetition of God‟s name enables the devotee to feel the divine presence, the divine glory
and the divine consciousness within himself and also everywhere. How powerful is God‟s
name! When one sings His name or hears its sound, he is unconsciously raised to sublime
spiritual heights. He loses his body-consciousness. He is immersed in joy and drinks deep
the divine nectar of immortality. Sankirtan is singing God‟s name with Bhava and Prema or
divine feeling. Sankirtan brings Darshan of God or attainment of divine consciousness
easily in this Kali Yuga.
5. How many Pranayamas?
Pranayama is control of breath. Sit in Padmasana, Sukhasana, or any other comfortable
pose, with an empty stomach. Close your eyes. Close the right nostril with the thumb. Draw
in the air very very slowly through the left nostril. Now close your left nostril with the little
and right fingers, and retain the breath as long as you can comfortably keep. Then very very
slowly exhale through the right nostril after removing the thumb. Again draw in the air
through the right nostril retain it as long as you can and exhale through the left nostril very
slowly. This is one Pranayama.
To start with, do five Pranayamas in the morning and evening and gradually increase to 10
or 20. This is Sukhapurvaka easy, comfortable Pranayama.
6. How long did you perform Asanas?
Asana is the first stage of Ashtanga Yoga. Padmasana and Siddhasana are intended for
doing Japa and meditation. Do not often change the Asana. Stick to one and gradually
increase the period to even three hours. Sirshasana, Sarvangasana and other exercises
are intended for maintaining good health. They remove various diseases. These Asanas
will awaken the Kundalini Sakti. Perform the Asanas when the stomach is empty or light.
Early morning and evening are very good for the practice of Asanas. Practise the Asanas in
well-ventilated room or on the sandy beds of rivers, open airy places, or seaside. During the
practice repeat your Ishta or Guru Mantra.
7. How long did you meditate in one Asana?
Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana in your meditation room. Early morning between 4 and 6 is
the best period for contemplation and Japa. You can have another sitting in the night also.
Take your seat before the picture of your Ishta Devata. Look at the picture steadily for a few
minutes. Repeat some Stotras mentally. Then close your eyes and visualise the picture.
Repeat the Ishta Mantra mentally. Sit for meditation for half an hour in the beginning and
try to increase the period to three hours by gradual daily practice. When you sit on your
Asana for meditation, do not shake the body. Try to keep up one current of thought of God.
8. How many Gita Slokas did you read or get by heart?
Study of scriptures is Kriya Yoga or Niyama. It purifies the heart and fills the mind with
sublime and elevating thoughts. Gita is a unique book for Svadhyaya. It contains the
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essence of all the Yogas and the cream of the Vedas. You can devote half an hour to three
hours for this purpose according to the time at your disposal.
9. How long in the company of the wise (Satsanga)?
The glory and power of Satsanga or association with the wise, Saints, Yogins, Sannyasins
and Mahatmas, is described in detail in Bhagavata, Ramayana, and other holy scriptures.
Even a moments company is quite sufficient to overhaul the old vicious Samskaras of the
people. Service to Mahatmas purifies the mind of passionate men rapidly. Satsanga
elevates the mind to magnanimous heights. Study of books written by realised persons
will also be tantamount to Satsanga.
10. How many hours did you observe Mouna?
Mouna means vow of silence. Energy is wasted in idle talking and gossiping. Mouna
develops will-power. Mouna checks the impulse of speech. It is a great help for the
observance of truth and control of anger. Emotions are controlled and irritability vanishes.
Observe Mouna at least for one hour or two hours a day. During Mouna, sublime thoughts
should replace worldly thoughts and Japa should be done.
11. How long in disinterested selfless service?
The practice of Nishkama Karma Yoga destroys sins and impurities of the mind and causes
Chitta Suddhi or purity of Antahkarana. Knowledge of Self dawns in a pure mind.
Knowledge of Self is the only direct means to freedom. Nishkama Karma Yoga is selfless
service to humanity. The important point is to serve humanity without any attachment or
egoism. The central teaching of the Gita is non-attachment to work. Sri Krishna says: Work
incessantly. Your duty is to work but not to expect the fruits thereof. Do vigorous service
for some time. You will grasp the spirit of Nishkama Karma.
12. How much did you give in charity?
When you walk along the road or street, keep always some loose coins in your pocket and
distribute them to the poor. Be liberal. Feel that you are enjoying in all the bodies. Your
heart will expand. You will begin to realise unity or oneness. You will become more
generous. Do regular charity of one tenth of your income. Performance of virtuous actions
is the beginning of spiritual life.
13. How many Mantras did you write?
Maintain a Mantra notebook. Write your Ishta Mantra, Guru Mantra or Maha Mantra for
half an hour in this notebook. You should preferably do this item of Sadhana just before the
commencement of the household duties. You should observe Mouna or silence while
writing the Mantra. There should be perfect calm and quietude. You should concentrate on
the writing alone. In Mantra writing, the eyes, the hands and the mind are all engaged.
There is no restriction of language. If this practice is continued with sincerity, the aspirant
gets concentration easily and much internal peace and happiness.
14. How long did you practise physical exercise?
Physical culture or the development of the body is as much important as the development
of the mind, will, or memory. If the body is not kept strong and healthy, vigorous and
active, no culture is possible. Remember the wise saying which means a sound mind in a
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sound body. There are different kinds of physical culture. You will have to select one
according to your capacity, taste and temperament.
15.How many lies did you tell and with what Self-punishment?
Srutis emphatically declare: Satyam Vada! Speak the Truth! Satyameva Jayate
Nanritam! Truth alone triumphs but not falsehood. A truthful man is absolutely free from
worries and anxieties. He has a calm mind. He is respected by all. If you observe speaking
the truth for twelve years, you will have Vak-Siddhi. Then whatever you speak will come to
pass. Speak the truth. Truth is Knowledge. Truth is Bliss. Truth guides you in all your
actions. Write in bold types the words: Speak Truth on cardboards and hang them in
different places in your house. This will remind you when you speak a lie. You will check
yourself at once. Punish yourself by fasting if you tell a lie and record the lies in the diary.
Gradually the number of lies will decrease and you will become a truthful man.
16.How many times and how long of anger and with what self-punishment?
Anger is an enemy to peace. It is a modification of lust. When a desire is not gratified, a
man becomes angry. He loses his memory and understanding. Control anger by the
practice of Kshama, love and killing egoism. Drink a little water when you become angry. It
will cool the brain and calm the excited nerves. Repeat Om Shanti several times. If you find
it extremely difficult to control anger, leave the place immediately and take a walk for half
an hour. Pray to God. Do Japa. Meditation gives immense strength to destroy anger and
other obstacles.
17.How many hours did you spend in useless company?
The so-called friends are real enemies. You cannot find even a single unselfish friend in this
universe. Be careful. Friends come to have idle talks with you and they waste your time.
They want to pull you down and make you also worldly. Do not be carried away by the
flowery speech of such friends. Cut off connections ruthlessly. Live alone at all times. Trust
in that immortal friend who dwells in your heart. If you cannot have positive Satsanga of
Mahatmas, due to paucity of time, discomfort of travel, have indirect Satsanga with books
written by realised Sages, Saints and Bhagavatas.
18. How many times did you fail in Brahmacharya?
No spiritual progress is possible without the practice of celibacy. Veerya is a dynamic force.
It should be converted into Ojas-Sakti. Those who are very eager to have God-realisation
should observe unbroken celibacy strictly. Observe the vow of Brahmacharya strictly.
19. How long in study of religious books?
Be regular in the study of religious books, Ramayana, Bhagavata, Yoga Vasishtha and other
good books, for Svadhyaya. If you reflect on the ideas of Gita and fix the mind on these
ideas, this itself is a form of lower Samadhi. Svadhyaya is an auxiliary for concentration.
Svadhyaya will check mind-wandering also.
20.How many times did you fail in the control of evil habits and with what self-
punishment?
There are some who are unconscious of their bad habits and many who do not recognise
them as bad. If they recognise them to be bad, then the correction is very simple. Alcohol is
a strong devil, which if once enters the system of a man will never leave him. Then comes,
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smoking. Another evil habit is betel-chewing. Drinking of strong tea and coffee often
develops a bad habit. Novel reading, visiting cinemas, sleeping in the daytime, using slang
terms and abuses, etc., are some of the evil habits. First realise that you have got an evil
habit and intensely desire that you should give it up at any cost. Then your success has
already come. Giving up any bad habit at once is better. Use your subconscious mind for
eradication. Establish new healthy habits and develop your will. There is nothing
impossible under the Sun.
21.How long you did concentrate on your Ishta Devata (Saguna or Nirguna Dhyana)?
Concentration can be done only if you are free from all distractions. Concentrate on
anything that appeals to you as good or anything which the mind likes best. The mind
should be trained to concentrate on gross objects in the beginning and, later on, you
can successfully concentrate on subtle objects and abstract ideas. Regularity in the
practice is of paramount importance. Gross Forms: Concentrate on a black dot on the wall
or a candle-flame, a bright star, moon, on the picture of Om, Lord Siva, Rama, Krishna,
Devi, or your Ishta Devata in front of you with open eyes.
Subtle Forms: Sit before the picture of your Ishta Devata and close your eyes. Keep a
mental picture of your Ishta Devata at the space between the two eyebrows, or heart
(Anahata Chakra); concentrate on Muladhara, Anahata, Ajna or any other internal Chakra;
concentrate on the divine qualities such as love, mercy, or any other abstract ideas, Sat Chit
Ananda, purity, perfection, peace.
22.How many days did you observe fast and vigil?
Keeping wide awake throughout the night is called vigil. You will derive incalculable benefit
if you practise vigil on Vaikuntha-Ekadasi, Sivaratri, Gokulashtami day (the birthday of Sri
Krishna). Complete fasting helps to control the sleep. Control of sleep by taking recourse to
tea is not desirable. You will not gain spiritual strength as you depend upon an extraneous
drug. During fasting avoid company. Live alone. Utilise your time in Yogic Sadhana. After a
fast, do not take any heavy food. Milk or some fruit-juice is beneficial.
23. Were you regular in your meditation?
Never miss a day in meditation. Be regular and systematic. Regularity in meditation is of
paramount importance. The meditative state will come by itself at the appointed time. Take
Sattvic food. Fruits and milk will help mental focussing. When the mind is tired, do not
concentrate. Give it a little rest.
24. What virtues are you developing?
Develop that virtue in which you are hopelessly lacking. Courage, mercy, universal love,
nobility, Kshama, contentment, frankness and honesty must be developed one by one. Take
up one virtue every month and meditate on that virtue regularly. You will manifest that
virtue in your character. If you develop one important virtue, all other virtues will cling to
you. If you have humility and courage, all other virtues will come of their own accord. You
should spend daily some time, say half an hour, for development of virtues.
25.What evil quality are you trying to eradicate?
The development of virtuous qualities will itself remove the negative qualities. But it is
better to make a positive attempt also in the eradication of the evil qualities. Then the
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progress will be rapid. It is a double attack on the enemy. If you remove lust or anger or
egoism, all other evil qualities will disappear by themselves. All evil qualities are the
attendants of egoism. All vices originate from anger. If these are destroyed, all sorts of vices
will vanish. Therefore, concentrate your attention in killing egoism or anger.
26. Which Indriya is troubling you most?
Discipline of the Indriyas is a very important point. If the Indriyas are turbulent, you
cannot have concentration. Watch every Indriya carefully and curb it by suitable methods,
such as fasting, Mouna, Tratak, celibacy, renunciation of articles, Dama and Pratyahara.
Curbing of Indriyas means curbing of mind. They cannot do any independent work without
the direct help of the mind. Celibacy checks the genitals; Mouna will control the organ of
speech; Tratak controls the eyes.
Sufficient practice for a long time is necessary. Then the Indriyas become emaciated and
thin and are starved to death.
27. When did you go to bed?
Sleep is nature‟s tonic, for healthy living. The more sound sleep one has, the more healthy
he would be. Hours of sleep depend upon your physical or mental capacity for resisting
fatigue. Without a sufficiency of sleep, you will not have efficiency. The amount of sleep
required varies with age, temperament and amount of work. According to an old adage
there should be six hours sleep for a man, seven for a woman and eight for a fool. As age
advances, people require more sleep. Avoid going late to bed. Do not take drugs to induce
sleep. If you do not get sleep, take a brisk walk in the open air for fifteen minutes and then
go to bed. You will have refreshing sleep.
The Spiritual Diary is a whip for goading the mind towards righteousness and God. If you
regularly maintain this diary you will get solace, peace of mind and make quick progress in
the spiritual path. Maintain a daily diary and realise the marvellous results.
Sadhana Tattva
Or
The Science Of Seven Cultures For Quick Evolution of the Human Being
By Sri Swami Sivananda
INTRODUCTION
(a) An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory. Practice Yoga, Religion and
Philosophy in daily life and attain Self-realization.
(b)These thirty-two instructions give the essence of the Eternal Religion (Sanatana
Dharma) in its purest form. They are suitable for modern busy householders with fixed
hours of work. Modify them to suit your convenience and increase the period gradually.
(c) In the beginning take only a few practicable resolves which form a small but definite
advance over your present habits and character. In case of ill-health, pressure of work or
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unavoidable engagements replace your active Sadhana (spiritual practice) by frequent
remembrance of God.
HEALTH CULTURE
1. Eat moderately. Take light and simple food. Offer it to God before you eat. Have a
balanced diet.
2. Avoid spicy and hot foods, like chillies, garlic, onions, tamarind, etc., as far as possible.
Give up tea, coffee, smoking, paan, meat and wine entirely.
3. Fast on Ekadasi days or once in a fortnight. Take milk, fruits or roots only.
4. Practice Yoga Asana (Hatha Yoga exercises) or physical exercises for 15 to 30 minutes
every day. Take a long walk or play some vigorous games daily.
ENERGY CULTURE
5. Observe silence (Mouna) for 2 hours daily and 4 to 8 hours on Sundays.
6. Observe celibacy according to your age and circumstances. Restrict the indulgence to
once a month. Decrease it gradually to once a year. Finally take a vow of abstinence for
whole life.
ETHICAL CULTURE
7. Speak the TRUTH. Speak little. Speak kindly. Speak sweetly.
8. Do not injure anyone in thought, word or deed. Be kind to all.
9. Be sincere, straightforward and open-hearted in your talks and dealings.
10. Be honest. Earn by the sweat of your brow. Do not accept any money, things or favour
unless earned lawfully. Develop nobility and integrity.
11. Control fits of anger by serenity, patience, love, mercy and tolerance. Forget and forgive.
Adapt yourself to men and events.
WILL CULTURE
12. Live without sugar for a week or month. Give up salt on Sundays.
13. Give up cards, novels, cinemas and clubs. Fly from evil company. Avoid discussions
with materialists. Do not mix with persons who have no faith in God or who criticize your
Sadhana (spiritual practices).
14. Curtail your wants. Reduce your possessions. Have plain living and high thinking.
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HEART CULTURE
15. Doing good to others is the highest religion. Do some selfless service for a few hours
every week, without egoism or expectation of reward. Do your worldly duties in the same
spirit. Work is worship. Dedicate it to God.
16. Give 2 to 10 % of your income in charity every month. Share what you have with others.
Let the world be your family. Remove selfishness.
17. Be humble and prostrate yourself to all beings mentally. Feel the Divine Presence
everywhere. Give up vanity, pride and hypocrisy.
18. Have unwavering faith in God, the Bhagavad-Gita and your Guru. Make a total self-
surrender to God and pray: "Thy Will be done; I want nothing." Submit to the Divine Will
in all events and happenings with equanimity.
19. See God in all beings and love them as your own Self. Do not hate anyone.
20. Remember God at all times or, at least, on rising from bed, during a pause in work and
before going to bed. Keep a Mala (rosary) in your pocket.
PSYCHIC CULTURE
21. Study one chapter or ten to twenty-five verses of the Gita or your scriptures with
meaning, daily. Learn the original language of your scripture, at least sufficient to
understand it in original.
22. Memorize important and inspiring portions of your sacred scripture according to your
capacity. Memorize also any inspiring quotations from other spiritual books. Keep a pocket
version your scripture with you at all times.
23. Read the Ramayana, the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavata, the Upanishads, the Yoga-
vasishtha or other religious books daily without fail. Study more during holidays.
24. Attend religious meetings and seek Satsanga (company) with saints at every
opportunity. If not, create opportunities. Listen to spiritual discourses from learned and
holy people. If possible, organize such functions on Sundays or holidays.
25. Visit and Sit in a temple or place of worship daily. Preferably before you leave and upon
your return from work, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes.
26. Spend holidays and leave-periods, when possible, in the company of saints or practice
Sadhana at holy places in seclusion.
SPIRITUAL CULTURE
27. Go to bed early. Get up at four o'clock. Answer calls of nature, clean your mouth and
take a bath.
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28. Recite some prayers and Kirtan Dhvanis (devotional songs). Practice Pranayama
(breathing exercises), Japa (repetition of the Divine Name of God) and meditation in the
early morning. Sit on Padma, Siddha, or Sukha Asana throughout, without movement, by
gradual practice. While you meditate, forget the outside world totally. Gradually increase
the period of meditation.
29. Perform the daily prayers of your religion. Do not fail to fulfil your obligatory duties.
30. Write your favourite Mantra or Name of God in a notebook for ten to thirty minutes,
daily.
31. Sing the Names of God (Kirtan) and pray for half to one hour at night with family and
friends.
32. Make annual resolves on the above lines. Regularity, tenacity and fixity are essential.
Record your Sadhana in a spiritual diary daily. Review it every month and correct your
failures.
SIVANANDA‟S MOTTOS
Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise
Be good; do good; be kind; be compassionate.
Enquire “Who am I ?”Know the Self and be free.
* * *
Practise Ahimsa, Satyam, Brahmacharya;
* * *
Adapt, adjust, accommodate;
Bear insult; bear injury; (this is the highest Sadhana).
* * *
Detach-attach, Detach-attach
Detach the mind from the objects.
Attach it to the Lord.
* * *
Nothing exists; nothing belongs to me;
I am neither mind nor body; Immortal Self I am.
* * *
Work is Worship;
Dedicate it to God.
Even this will pass away;
Balance your mind in pain and joy.
* * *
Tat Tvam Asi: That Thou Art:
Realise this and be free.
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Delight in good ! Make up your mind to tread the spiritual path ! Be patient !Go slowly, Go
ahead, Be deliberate, Assert, Recognize ! Realise: I am the immortal Soul !This is the
discipline!
Moksha is freedom from births and deaths ! It is the attainment of eternal bliss ! It has
neither space nor time in itself; nor is there in it any state, external or internal! You are
born to attain Moksha or the final emancipation! Moksha is your goal !
Kill this little “I” or egoism through enquiry of Who am I ? You will attain Moksha and
shine as an Emperor of this world ! May you attain Moksha in this very birth !
This is Siva‟s message ! This is the foundation of Yoga, Vedanta !
Sivananda‟s Training of Seekers !
Swamiji never said, “I am your Guru”. Occasionally he used to say, “You are my disciple”, or
“He is my disciple”, and to his early disciples he wrote: “I have accepted you as my beloved
disciple, I shall serve you and guide you”. When he said: “I have accepted you as my
beloved disciple,” the disciple felt that he had a claim over Swamiji and could write to him
more freely. That is what Swamiji wanted. The Guru/disciple relationship was for the
disciples, not for him.
He often told people: “I know no rest. I am always alert and occupied. You should try to
look upon life in this manner—as an eternal student. Be ever on the look-out for learning
something new each day, even each hour. Be like me—an intellectual scout. You can learn
something from everyone. Everything in this universe has some lesson to give to one who is
receptive. Do not pass by any experience lightly but draw instruction and inspiration.
Extract something from everything and treasure it up in your mind.”
If Swamiji found an individual making earnest efforts to improve, he at once gave his
attention to him, encouraged him and gave him strength to carry on the inner battle with
greater vigour. His method had the power to uplift struggling spiritual aspirants.
There was one Swami in the Ashram who was a heavy smoker. One day he did not have
cigarettes. His brain did not function! Swamiji noticed this, so he at once gave money to
another Ashramite to purchase a packet of cigarettes. When this was brought he instructed
that the packet should be put beneath the Swami‟s pillow in his absence. Some felt that
Swami Sivananda was encouraging this Swami against his own principles.
But, when the man came to know how Swamiji had gone out of his way to fulfil his cravings
he felt ashamed and automatically gave it up. Obviously Swamiji was not unaware of the
great and urgent need for a spiritual aspirant to practice self-control.
The most fascinating method which Swamiji employed was to work on the Sadhaka‟s
mental plane. A time came when the disciple began to feel that the Guru was actively
manipulating his very thoughts, leading him step by step. This was the most important
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phase in the Sadhaka‟s spiritual evolution. The more the disciple surrendered his mind to
the Guru, the more actively did the Master operate on it.
This was Swami Sivananda‟s subtlest method of influencing his disciples. With Swamiji‟s
several methods operating on him, the experience of the disciple was sometimes sweet,
sometimes bitter; sometimes laden with bliss, sometimes maddening; sometimes shocking,
sometimes thrilling. But, he knew that what the Master did was for his own ultimate good.
To emphasise the importance of “Karma-Yoga” to his High Brahmin birth disciples, who
were wary of doing menial work, with trowel, pickaxe, shovel, & broom he himself cleaned
the gutter, with his right hand up to the elbow in the drain and carried the waste on his
head with the wet refuse dripping on his shoulders[Then in 1930‟s there was manual
scavenging] . He stated “ Always remember “All Indeed is Brahman!
Life Saving Teachings:
“A dejected widower, unable to bear the severe pangs of separation from his wife, was
preparing to commit suicide. The noose was made ready. The front door of the house was
locked. The person was about to put his head into the noose, when lo! Someone knocked at
the door. The person came down and opened the door, before he intended to carry on his
intentions.
“There was the postman handing over a letter. He very anxiously opened the letter and read
consoling words telling him of dire consequences of committing suicide and also advising
how to live a life of peace and happiness. This person at once dropped the idea of suicide
and went with his family to have Darshan of the great Saint who had written such a letter.”
Needless to say the saint was none other than Guru Deva Swami Sivananda !
The Master‟s Grace worked in mysterious, inexplicable ways, known only to himself.
One day, an official letter was received from a Govt Dept in India. On the top of the letter
was the name and address of the head of that Dept. At once the Master autographed a book
and sent it to him and his name was also put on the free mailing list for The Divine Life
Magazine.
This Govt official wrote a stiff letter to the society, in which he said: “Don‟t waste time in
sending these to me. I don‟t like them, I have not time to look at them !
When the master saw the letter, he said; “All right take his name off the free mailing list
and the matter was laid to rest then & there !
Two years later this same Govt Official wrote back stating; “ I received a book from you 2
years ago! At that time I was so arrogant haughty as I was occupying a position of power &
prestige. So when I received your book, I threw it away. I was on top. Then a little later I
came down; I lost my job, money, all went wrong.
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“One day I had suicidal thoughts and then suddenly I saw your book; “Sure Ways for
success in Life & God-Realization” ! I opened the book and saw the words “Never Despair”.
I suddenly remembered that I had received the book and thrown it away in the waste
basket but my servant found and dusted and kept it back in the book shelf thinking that I
had accidently thrown it away. I am thankful to him & thankful to you. That book saved my
life”. Then he picked up the threads of what was left and made a success of his life. Such
was the Divine Master‟s mysterious ways of transforming individuals.
To casual visitors, Sivananda often gave spiritual instruction in tablet form. Such advice
was rarely forgotten. For instance, if the visitor was an engineer, Swamiji advised him to
build the Bridge of Immortality; if an auditor, to audit his own Antahkarana and have a
stock-taking of the Vrittis and Vasanas; if a doctor, to do the “Ego-dechtomy” operation on
his ego. Sivananda asked the businessman to do business with God, the military officer to
fight the “inner battle”. He asked the mothers to give their children God Liver Oil; and if he
saw a puzzled look on their face, hastened to explain, “Sri Ram, Sri Ram.... Sri Ram is God
Liver Oil”. Swamiji did not treat all people alike; he did not give the same pill to all patients.
Sivananda gave Sannyasa liberally. In India‟s religious history, no other saint ever turned
so many into monks. Swamiji gave Sannyasa to men and to women. He gave the ochre robe
to older people with a few years left to live and to teenagers about to start their adult life.
He gave Sannyasa to Indians and to foreigners. He gave Sannyasa in person and by post. To
some who had worldly responsibilities still to discharge, he gave mental Sannyasa.
Sivananda coloured their mind. He told them to live in the world, but be not of it.
Depending upon the calibre of the Sadhaka[As there are different Sannyasa Sampradayas]
Sivananda arranged for Sannyasa for people from other masters via their books, and
teachings. Some people found fault with his giving of Sannyasa to unqualified persons. To
this Sivananda stated, “If I keep one rogue with me, serve & transform him, by giving
Sannyasa, the world would be saved of that one rogue.” “Who knows in which future birth
will that Sannyasa bear fruit for that person” ?
SEVA YATRA
Swamiji travelled the whole length and breadth of India during his Parivrajaka (wandering
monk) life. He visited important places of pilgrimage in the South, including Rameswaram.
He conducted Sankirtan and delivered lectures. He visited Aurobindo Ashram and met
Maharishi Suddhananda Bharati. At Ramana Ashram, he had Darshan of Sri Ramana
Maharishi on the Maharishi's birthday. He sang Bhajans and danced in ecstasy with the
Bhaktas of Ramana. Swamiji went on a trip to Kailas-Manasarovar, Badri.
During his travels Sivananda, never pretended to be a Vairagi with empty pockets,
expecting others to help him. When he travelled, on propaganda tours, Swamiji kept,
enough money with him in two or three pockets. He gave separate purses with plenty of
money to those who accompanied him. During his travels, he carried a bundle containing
ink-pot, pens, pencils, pins, study books like Viveka Chudamani, the Upanishads, the Gita
and the Brahma-sutras. He kept also some postage stamps to attend to some urgent
correspondence work. He used to go to the Railway Station two hours before the scheduled
train timings. Instead of looking here and there, He would sit under a tree and attend to his
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writing work. He never kept, any address book, with him, for meeting devotees, or friends,
at important centres of travel with a view to getting nice food or financial help. He quickly
finished his work for which he was travelling and returned to Rishikesh by the first
available opportunity !
The Divine Life Organization !
He returned after the pilgrimage, to Rishikesh and in the year 1936 sowed the seed of “The
Divine Life Society” on the bank of the holy Ganga. He found an old Kutir, dilapidated and
disused, which looked like an abandoned cowshed. To him it was more than a palace. It had
four 'rooms'. He cleaned the Kutir, and occupied it. Then, the increasing number of
disciples who sought his lotus-feet, undaunted by forbidding conditions of living,
necessitated expansion.
They found more cowsheds, vacant, but un-in habitably filthy. In one room, an old cowherd
was living; the others were full of hay and dung. In about a year or so, the old cowherd also
vacated his 'room' and “The Divine Life” army completed the occupation. Thus began the
early life of “The Divine Life Society”.
From this small beginning, the Society grew imperceptibly and it is now the headquarters
of a world-wide Organization having a large number of Branches both within the country
and outside. He got “The Divine Life Society” Registered as a Trust in the year 1936, with
the main objects of broadcasting of spiritual knowledge and selfless service of humanity.
The free distribution, of spiritual literature, drew a steady flow of disciples of Sri Swamiji.
With the getting of able hands, he started the various departments, of the Society to
provide suitable fields of activity, for the purification of their hearts and to grow spiritually.
The publication of the monthly journal, 'The Divine Life', was commenced in September
1938, to coincide with the celebration of his birthday. The world was in grip of the 2nd
world-war and in order to release a continuous stream of peace-current in the whole world,
to help the distressed minds of the people, he started the Akhanda Mahamantra Kirtan
(non-stop chanting of the Mahamantra, Hare Rama Hare Rama; Rama Rama Hare Hare;
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna; Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, round-the-clock) on the 3rd
December 1943 and also instituted the Lord Sri Visvanath Mandir with three-time regular
worship, daily, on the 31st December 1943.
Swami Sivananda believed in synthesis of everything, in Yoga as well as in the alleviation of
human suffering. The Allopathic treatment was inseparable from him and the Society, even
from the earliest days of his life at Swargashram. He now felt the need to serve the people
with genuine Ayurvedic preparations out of the rare Himalayan herbs. He therefore
instituted the Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy in 1945.
Swami Sivananda organized the All-world Religions Federation on the 28th December 1945
and established the All-world Sadhus Federation on 19th February 1947. The year 1947 saw
a great expansion in the activities of the Society. It was the year of the Diamond Jubilee of
the Great Soul, when a number of buildings sprang up. “The Yoga-Vedanta Forest
Academy” was established in the year 1948, to give a systematic spiritual training, to the
resident Sadhakas and also to benefit the visiting seekers.
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The YVFA in Sivananda Ashram now conducts thrice a year, 2 months, residential full
time, Free of cost, Basic Course in Yoga & Vedanta only for Men, where the ancient
teachings of Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Narada Bhakti Sutra, Patanjali Yoga Sutra,
Hinduism, Indian & Western Philosophy, Religious consciousness, Practical Karma and
Yoga Asanas Pranayama‟s are imparted.
Swami Sivananda undertook, a lightning All-India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) tour in 1950 to,
deliver his divine message throughout the length and breadth of the country. During the
tour, Swamiji travelled 8,000 miles by train, plane and steamer, horse-drawn carriage and
bullock cart. He addressed public meetings and press conferences, broadcasted radio talks,
offered worship at sacred Tirthas (pilgrimage places), and himself received worship and
conducted Satsangas in the homes of devotees.
Siva himself sang this “Song of a Little” at every meeting he addressed during his all-India-
Ceylon Tour in 1950, thus summarizing his teachings till then.
Eat a little, drink a little, Talk a little, sleep a little, Mix a little, move a little, Serve a little,
rest a little, Work a little, rest a little, Study a little, worship a little, Do Asana a little,
Pranayama a little, Reflect a little, meditate a little, Do Japa a little, do Kirtan a little,Write
Mantra a little, have Satsanga a little. Do a little of each; you will have time for all. God-
realisation is thus brought within your easy reach; and you are saved from the fear of a fall.
In his own life time, the master gave away valuable books, worth Lakhs of rupees free &
indiscriminately, even to unworthy persons. When some people objected to this; He stated
“Some worthy person, will get the book from them, read it and will be benefited. For
distributing knowledge, and doing useful work quickly, one should be very generous and
large-hearted”. He spent tens of thousands of rupees on packing and postage only.
The above sayings of the master proved twice. At 17, Vishnu was serving in the British
Army. Looking into a wastepaper basket for some lost letter, he found the “Sadhana Tattva”
a single page leaflet by the master. It immediately attracted his attention and caused a
spiritual awakening. He travelled to Rishikesh to meet the master, and after the war was
over, he joined the master and was initiated into Sannyas as Swami Vishnudevananda. He
learnt and mastered Hatha Yoga, and went abroad and settled in Canada.
It was a single sentence, in the Master‟s “Students Success in Life” which awakened the
inner spirit, of one Sri V L Nagaraj, a Bangalore Postal official. Out of inquisity, he opened a
book, which fell, from a postal parcel, that accidentally broke loose. The transformation,
which took place, in this one soul, in its turn, brought about a beneficial, change in many
lives in Bangalore, through the activities, of a Divine Life Centre, which V L Nagaraj built
up.
Swami Sivananda virtually awakened the moral and spiritual consciousness in the hearts of
the people. The effect was tremendous. Since then, there was an incessant flow, of seeking
souls, to the Ashram, as also a greater inflow of letters from aspirants from the entire
country, which demanded more intense dissemination of knowledge. The Yoga-Vedanta
Forest Academy Press was established in September 1951, a powerful means of wide
dissemination of knowledge.
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Sri Swamiji convened the World Parliament of Religions in 1953, at the Sivananda
Ashram. The small dispensary that was inseparable from Swami Sivananda, grew slowly
and became regular Hospital with X-Ray and other facilities. The Sivananda Eye Hospital
was formally opened in December 1957. The Hospital has 10 beds for in-patients at present
and is being expanded to have 30 beds.
The Sivananda Publication League had published almost all the writings of the Master. The
Society's Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 1961, by which time, the Master saw the fulfilment
of his mission in his own lifetime.
Swami Sivananda radiated his divine and lofty message of service, meditation and God-
realization to all parts of the world through his books, running to more than 300, through
periodicals and letters. His devoted disciples are drawn from all religions, cults and creeds
in the world.
Swami Sivananda's Yoga, which he has significantly called the 'Yoga of Synthesis', effects a
harmonious development of the 'hand', 'head' and 'heart' through the practice of Karma
Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga.
On the 14th July 1963, the Great Soul Swami Sivananda entered Mahasamadhi (departure
of a Self-realized saint from his mortal coil) in his Kutir on the bank of Ganga, in
Shivanandanagar. Before his departure, he presented a silk saree, especially bought for the
purpose, to the nurse Kumari Sundari Behn, who had been attending to him, since some
days, as a token of his gratitude, for her devoted service. It was almost a sacred principle
with Gurudev, that he never allowed, the slightest service to go unrewarded, at once. In all
cases, the reward, was much higher than the service rendered.
It is said; that a Guru never dies, He only disappears from our material vision! Sivananda
still lives. He lives in his books, he lives in his disciples, he lives in the very atmosphere of
his own Ashram in Rishikesh.
Sivananda was a prince among men, a jewel among saints. Service and love were the
weapons with which he conquered human hearts. His humility and love endeared him to
all. Did Sivananda create a new religion? No! Did he build a new Church? No! Did he
evolve a new code of conduct and morals, behaviour? No! Did he prescribe new rules and
rituals? No!
Sivananda helped the Hindu to be a better Hindu, the Christian to be a better Christian,
the Parsi to be a better Parsi, the Muslim to be a better Muslim. Hindus, Christians,
Muslims, Parsis—all loved him. All claimed him as their own.
Swami Sivananda did not go on global tours, but students, devotees and admirers flocked
to him from everywhere. He did not deliver long sermons, but thousands of doubters
were transformed by a mere word or phrase that fell from his lips or was seen in his books.
There was a power in Sivananda—in his thoughts, in his words, in his deeds. It was the
power of truth. It was the power of purity. It was the power of service and love. It was the
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power of God, the power which lies hidden in everyone, but which Sivananda manifested in
its full majesty.
The Above work has been synthesised from 4 Books 1- H H Swami Sivananda‟s Online
Biography, “Swami Sivananda-A Modern Sage”, “Autobiography of Swami Sivananda” &
“From Man To God-Man” !
If the reader has been touched, transformed and inspired by the above Biography and
would like to know more on Swami Sivananda‟s works on Yoga/Vedanta & “The Divine
Life Society”, then please visit http://www.dlshq.org & http://www.sivanandaonline.orgon
the Internet. For downloading free e-books of Swami Sivananda please visit
http://dlshq.org/download on the Internet.
For Free Catalogue & purchasing Paper Books please visit http://dlsbooks.org on the
Internet!
For Postal, Telephonic, and E-Mail Communications Contact:
The Divine Life Society Headquarters-Sivananda Ashram,
PO Shivananda Nagar, Via Rishikesh,
District Tehri-Garhwal,
Uttarakhand State,
India.
Postal Code:249 192
For callers outside India:+91-135-2430040 & 2431190
For India Callers:0135-2430040/2431190
E-Mail: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
For Print Publications & Counter Sales bookstore@sivanandaonline.org
Some important books of His Holiness Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj.
All About Hinduism- http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda- http://www.dlshq.org/download/autobio.pdf
Conquest of Anger-http://www.dlshq.org/download/anger.pdf
Conquest of Fear-http://www.dlshq.org/download/conquest_fear.pdf
Easy steps to yoga- http://www.dlshq.org/download/easysteps.pdf
Essence of Yoga- http://www.dlshq.org/download/essence_yoga.pdf
God Exists- http://www.dlshq.org/download/god_exists.pdf
Hindu Fasts & Festivals-http://www.dlshq.org/download/hindufest.pdf
How to Get Vairagya- http://www.dlshq.org/download/vairagya.pdf
Ideals of married life- http://www.dlshq.org/download/married.pdf
Lord Krishna His Lilas & Teachings http://www.dlshq.org/download/lordkrishna.pdf
Lord Siva & His Worship - http://www.dlshq.org/download/lordsiva.pdf
Life & Teachings of Lord Jesus http://www.dlshq.org/download/jesus_teach.pdf
Mind It‟s Mysteries & Control- http://www.dlshq.org/download/mind.pdf
May I Answer That- http://www.dlshq.org/download/may_ianswer.pdf
Practice of Brahmacharya http://www.dlshq.org/download/brahma_nopic.pdf
Page | 33
Practice of Karma Yoga http://www.dlshq.org/download/practicekarma.pdf
Sure ways for success in life & God Realization- http://www.dlsbooks.org
Satsang & Svadhyaya http://www.dlshq.org/download/satsanga.pdf
Temples in India http://www.dlshq.org/download/temples.pdf
The Philosophy of Idol Worship http://www.dlshq.org/download/idolworship.pdf
Vedanta For Beginners http://www.dlshq.org/download/vedbegin.pdf
What becomes of the soul after death http://www.dlshq.org/download/afterdeath.pdf
Master‟s Works compiled after his disappearance:-Bliss Divine-BySriNAnanthanarayanan
-The Master‟s Splendid Work, Available only in print edition http://www.dlsbooks.org
From Man To God Man-By Sri N Ananthanarayanan http://dlsbooks.org

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Sri swami sivananda saraswati maharaj biography

  • 1. Page | 1 Biography of “His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj The Crest, Seal & Symbol of “The Divine Life Society” His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda[1887-1963] BIRTH AND BOYHOOD On Thursday, the 8th of September, 1887, in the early hours of the morning, when the star Bharani was in the ascendant was born a boy-child in the village of Pattamadai, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India on the banks of the river Tamraparani in South India. Sri P S Vengu Iyer, a revenue officer and a great Siva Bhakta (devotee of Lord Siva), and Srimati Parvati Ammal, an equally great god-loving lady, were the fortunate parents of this child. The happy couple christened this last and third son of theirs Kuppuswamy. Boy Kuppuswamy was intelligent and mischievous. In his boyhood itself he showed signs of Tyaga (renunciation) and love for fellow-beings. He used to pity the poor, feed the hungry at the door, and make his father throw a pie into the hands of pauper passing by. He often got cakes and sweetmeats from his mother and distributed them liberally to his younger companions, dogs, cats, crows, and sparrows, himself not eating a bit. He used to bring flowers and bael leaves for his father's Siva Puja. As an adult Kuppuswamy was fond of gymnastics and vigorous exercises. He learnt fencing from a teacher who belonged to a low caste. He was a Harijan. He could go to him, only for a few days, before he was made to understand, that it was unbecoming, of a caste- Brahmin, to play the student to an untouchable. Kuppuswamy thought deeply over the matter. One moment, he felt that the God, whom he worshipped in the Siva image, in his father‟s worship room, had jumped over to the heart of this untouchable. He was his Guru, all right. So he immediately, went to him with flowers, sweets and clothes and garlanded him, placed flowers at his feet and prostrated himself before him. Thus did God come, into his life, to remove the veil of caste distinctions at an early age.
  • 2. Page | 2 At the Rajah's High School, Ettayapuram, where he studied, Kuppuswamy always topped the class and won prizes every year. He had a sweet voice and wonderful memory. When His Excellency Lord Ampthil, the then, Governor of Madras, visited the Kuru Malai Hills in 1901 for hunting, Kuppuswamy sang a song of welcome on the Kumarapuram railway platform. After the completion of the Matriculation examination, he studied at the S.P.G. College, Tiruchchirappalli [Tiruchi]. In the college, he used to take part, in debates and dramas. He played the part of Helena beautifully when Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" was staged in 1905. After the completion of the First Arts Examination, Kuppuswamy went to the Medical School in Tanjore to study medicine where he worked like one possessed. He utilised, his leisure hours, studying medical books of every description. After two years of study of medicine, he possessed the knowledge, of a fifth year student. Because of this, he was freely admitted into the operation theatre and dissecting room in the very first year. Professors, finding him to be intelligent, industrious and promising, took him into their confidence and engaged him as their assistant. Kuppuswamy utilised this privilege diligently to acquire knowledge of surgery. He always kept a notebook and pencil in his pocket to note details of experiments or record useful thoughts. He never went home during the holidays. He would spend the entire period in the hospital. Kuppuswamy was first in all subjects. He possessed more knowledge than doctors with covetable degrees, and in the first year itself he could answer the papers which the final year students could not. When Kuppuswamy was half way through his medical course, his father died and his mother fell ill. The family was thrown into difficult circumstances. To support himself, Dr Kuppuswamy started a medical journal “AMBROSIA”. He got ` 100/- from his mother, for the initial expenses, of running the journal. He served as editor and initial financier for the journal. The first issue came out in 1909 as a 32-page monthly. Kuppuswamy himself wrote many articles under different pseudonyms. He received articles, on the ancient system of Indian medicine from ayurvedic physicians. Though the journal was in English, he reserved a few pages for prescriptions in Tamil. Through his journal, Kuppuswamy strove to dispel people‟s ignorance in matters of personal hygiene and public health. He laid the emphasis not on remedial prescriptions, but on health building and disease prevention. Health, hygiene and dietetics received special notice. Readers felt a significant spiritual touch in the pages of “Ambrosia”. Maintaining a journal was difficult. Literacy level was low, readers few and advertisements were not many. Even a full-page display in “Ambrosia” fetched only ` 3/-. Kuppuswamy had no assistant ! He, himself was editor, manager and dispatcher. Later, when his mother wanted ` 150/-for celebrating some festival, Dr Kuppuswamy had the money ready for her. The magazine gained in popularity, but income remained low. The journal ran for four years.
  • 3. Page | 3 Kuppuswamy completed the course and earned the title of MBCM. He practiced at Tiruchi & Madras[Now renamed Chennai] DOCTOR IN MALAYA (MALAYSIA) A call came to Dr Kuppuswamy from Malaya, soon after the death of his father. In 1913, Dr Kuppuswamy was presented with an appealing opportunity for service. Thousands of Indian workers on the rubber plantations in Malaysia were living in deplorable conditions with little medical attention. Dr Kuppuswamy decided to cross the seas to serve the needy. At a farewell party, the young doctor told friends: “Book knowledge will not take us far. I studied anatomy. I dissected the human body. But I could not find the Atman (Soul) within (the human body)!” “The Atman can be seen only when the ego is destroyed,” interjected a friend. “True” agreed Kuppuswamy, “And selfless service is the most potent weapon to thin out the ego. Every day I shall do some charitable act. Side by side I shall think of God with a yearning heart.” He used to have an adventurous spirit in him. In 1913 he left India in the "Sea Ship Tara". Kuppuswamy belonged to an orthodox Brahmin family and was afraid to take non-vegetarian food in the ship. So he carried with him a good quantity of sweets which his mother had prepared for him. When he arrived in Singapore, he was almost half dead! Dr Kuppuswamy describes his experiences in Malaya: "Immediately after disembarking, I went to the residence of Dr Iyengar. He gave me a letter of introduction to his friend, Dr Harold Parsons, a medical practitioner in Seremban. When I arrived there, Dr Parsons introduced me to Mr A.G. Robins, the manager of a nearby rubber estate which had its own hospital. Fortunately for me, Mr Robins was just in need of an assistant to work in the Estate Hospital. He was a terrible man with a violent temper, a giant figure, tall and stout. He asked me, 'Can you manage a hospital all by yourself ?' I replied 'Yes, I can manage even three hospitals'. He was appointed at once. He had been told by a local Indian resident that He ought not to accept, in accordance with their policy, anything less than a hundred dollars a month. Mr Robins agreed to give me one hundred and fifty to start with". The young doctor worked very hard. Dr Kuppuswamy had to dispense medicines, keep accounts and attend to patients. In his work, Dr Kuppuswamy was methodical, painstaking and conscientious. He exhorted his helpers to keep the place clean, because cleanliness was the greatest medicine the hospital could offer. Medical history sheets, temperature charts, admission cards and other documents were kept current and complete. Dr Kuppuswamy always prayed while attending patients. Every Friday he held a prayer meeting in the hospital, at the end of which he distributed the Lord‟s Prasad. Then he toured the wards, stopping at the bedside of those who lay too ill to attend the prayer, putting a little Prasad into their mouth with his own hand. He served the workers of the estate nicely and endeared himself to them all. He gained the esteem of the employer and the employee alike. He was always fond of service. This moment, He would be in the hospital; and the very next moment in some poor patient‟s
  • 4. Page | 4 house to attend on him and his family. Dr Parsons who was a visiting physician to the estate hospital, loved him very much. He used to assist him in his private work also. Off and on Dr Kuppuswamy gave his earnings to help friends and the patients & even went to the extent of pawning some of his own valuables. He was a friend of both the management as well as the labourers. If the scavengers went on strike, the estate manager would come only to him. He would somehow run about here and there and bring them back to work. In addition to his own work, He would go about visiting other hospitals and acquire special knowledge in bacteriological and other subjects. Unusual handicaps began to tell upon him and he felt like resigning the job after some time, but Mr Robins would not allow him to go. There was not a single available English medical book at that time that he had not read and digested. In addition to all this he would help his assistants too and train them for some time daily, and then send them to other hospitals with a recommendation letter, providing from his pocket their railway fare as well as some emergency money. Dr Kuppuswamy had a private practice as well. There were many doctors in Malaysia, but few were sympathetic to the patients. Generally, they ran after rich clients. Dr Kuppuswamy sought out the poor who needed his services the most. Other doctors charged fees for a mere consultation. Dr Kuppuswamy gave pocket money to his patients to cover their immediate expenses on discharge from hospital. He gave money like water. In charity he was like Karna of old. Like a banyan tree which gives shelter to anyone and everyone, he would refuse none who came to him for any help. Dr Kuppuswamy was very kind, sympathetic, humorous, witty, and sweet- speaking. Hopeless cases came to him, but success was sure. Everywhere people declared that he had a special gift from God for the miraculous cures effected in the patients and acclaimed him as a very kind and sympathetic doctor with a charming and majestic personality. In serious cases, he kept vigil all night. Once a poor man, drenched to the skin, came to the doctor at night. His wife was in birth pangs. The doctor went there at once to her aid, and after attending to her, stayed outside the hut in spite of the heavy rain. Only after the safe delivery of the child did the doctor return home the next morning. Soon Dr Kuppuswamy became well-known in Seremban and Johore Bahru. The Bank Manager would oblige him at any time even on holidays, by honouring his cheques. He became everybody‟s friend through his sociable disposition and service. He got rapid promotions and with that his salary and private practice increased by leaps and bounds. All this was not achieved in a single day. It meant very hard work, unflagging tenacity, strenuous effort and indomitable faith in the principles of goodness and virtue and their practical application in daily life. During his career in Malaya, Dr Kuppuswamy contributed many articles on „Public Health‟ to “Malaya Tribune,” Singapore. He was liberal in his views. The spirit of Sannyasa was ingrained in him. Crookedness, diplomacy, double-dealing, were not known to him. He was
  • 5. Page | 5 very candid, straightforward, simple and open-hearted. Malaya was a land of temptations but nothing could tempt the doctor. His heart was as pure as the Himalayan snow. His immense philanthropy and spirit of service and renunciation endeared him to all. People lovingly called him the "Heart of Love". He trained many young persons in the Hospital where he worked and fixed them up in various Estate Hospitals. He spent all his energy and time in relieving human sufferings by serving the poor and the sick, day and night, with a sympathetic heart. This kind of selfless service gave him purification of heart and mind, and led him to the spiritual path. He became a Member of the Royal Institute of Public Health (M.R.I.P.H.), London, a Member of the Royal Asiatic Society (M.R.A.S.), London, and an Associate of Royal Sanitary Institute (A.R.San.I.), London. During his stay in Malaya, He published some medical books such as “Household Remedies,” “Fruits and Health” “Diseases and their Tamil Terms,” “Obstetric Ready-Reckoner,” “Fourteen Lectures on Public Health.” Dr Kuppuswamy gave shelter to many people during their days of unemployment and gave them food and clothing and fixed them up in one office or another. If he met a coolie in the road, he would stop and chat with him for a couple of minutes and then pass on. His friends who were snobs, found fault with him for this habit of his. Dr Kuppuswami brushed aside their criticism saying, “Imagine the joy he derives by my talking to him on equal terms ! What do I lose by giving him that joy ? Also I too, get some delight.” In spite of his busy life, Dr Kuppuswamy served the Sadhus, Sannyasins, and beggars. Such was his devotion to Sannyasins and Yogis that if one was passing his station he would hasten to him with rich presents. He often kept them with him for a number of days and sent them to their destination with due respect, securing for them first-class train tickets. Dr Kuppuswamy stated that; “The worst bestiality, to which a Doctor could Sink, if he were to demand more money from a patient on the operation theatre table to stitch his wounds”! He attended marriage functions, parties, and other social gatherings. High-class dress, and collection of curious and fancy articles of gold, silver, and sandalwood always attracted the doctor. Sometimes he purchased various kinds of gold rings and necklaces and wore them all at the same time. He used to wear ten rings on ten fingers! When he entered the shops, he never wasted his time in selection, haggling, and bargaining. He gathered all that he saw. He paid the shopkeepers' bills without scrutiny. When a friend protested to this, Dr Kuppuswami replied, “It does not matter. I cannot bargain. He is a poor man. Let him have a few cents more. Once he knows my nature, he himself will abandon the habit of quoting a higher price.” Such was the doctor‟s heart! The rich doctor did not engage a cook permanently. He was his own cook though he had work that gave him no leisure. Occasionally he engaged a cook. One such cook of his one day wanted to have a photograph of himself taken. The doctor took him with great joy to a first class studio, made the cook put on his own suit, shoes, and hat and had a photo taken. Sanyasa-RENUNCIATION
  • 6. Page | 6 Service of humanity, study of spiritual literature, association with saintly souls and devotional practices at home—all these brought about a gradual change in the doctor‟s outlook on life. They purified his heart and turned his mind inward. Kuppuswamy became more introspective. He wrote at the time: “Is there not a higher mission in life than the daily round of official duties, eating and drinking? Is there not any higher form of eternal happiness than these transitory and illusory pleasures? How uncertain is life here! How insecure is existence on the earth-plane—with various kinds of diseases, anxieties, worries, fears and disappointments! The world of names and forms is constantly changing. Time is fleeting. All hopes of happiness in this world terminate in pain, despair and sorrow.” Everywhere around him the doctor found people distressed, physically and mentally. His heart bled for the poor, the sick and the suffering. The human tragedy rent the doctor‟s heart. In the hospital, Dr Kuppuswamy had to battle with human pain. Though he healed some, many died before his eyes. Death remained an eternal mystery to him. At this critical point in his life, there came to him an itinerant Sannyasin. Staying with him for a few days, the Sannyasin fell ill, only to be nursed back to health by the doctor. The Sannyasin became captivated by the loving treatment, and presented Kuppuswamy with valuable books which he would never have parted with ! One was the “Jiva-Brahma Aikya Vedanta Rahasyam” by Cuddapah Satchidananda Swami. This was Kuppuswamy‟s first lesson in Vedanta and the positive aspects of life on the earth plane. The real aim of human life became apparent. Kuppuswamy developed an ardent desire to tread the path of the wise and unlock the realms of immortality. This desire grew in intensity until in 1923, the spiritual sparks which Kuppuswamy had nurtured coalesced and burst into a burning flame. As though struck by lightning, worldly desires left him. Materialistic civilisation was impotent and disgusted him. He spurned wealth, position, titles, status and the world that could offer no lasting solution to suffering. He had reached a stage where he could no longer perform his duties in the hospital. He left his job, gave away belongings, and left the shores of Malaysia. His heart was purified through loving service. At last, Dr Kuppuswamy, enjoying a lucrative practice, renounced the world like Prince Siddhartha, in 1923. He left Malaya for India arriving in Madras. At Madras he proceeded, to the house of a friend and left his luggage there and felt as if the entire burden of the world had been lifted off his shoulders. With God as his guide, carrying no possessions, the erstwhile doctor began his Parivrajaka (wandering) life. He passed through village after village. Kuppuswamy had no experience of begging. He who always gave could not easily bring himself to ask. He would go to a village house, quietly approach a man and whisper into his ears, “I am a Madrasi Brahmin. I am hungry. Can you give me some food?” Those whom he approached thus were surprised, for his noble countenance gave him away. Sometimes a hospitable man took him in and served him good food. After eating, Kuppuswamy would bow low to his hosts and pray that God might bless them and then go on his way. He would not visit the same house again. Sometimes a pious family would request him to stay on, but Kuppuswamy would slip out to the next village for fear he should prove to be a burden on the good folk.
  • 7. Page | 7 Bareheaded, barefooted and scantily clothed, the novice wandered on. At times he had to go without food and walk mile after tiresome mile. Forced by hunger, he would then eat the wild figs and Amalaka fruits fallen from wayside trees. Often he would sleep on the earth underneath these trees. Parivrajaka life (the life of an itinerant monk) helped Kuppuswamy to develop forbearance, equal vision, and serenity of outlook in pleasure and pain. He began his pilgrimage. At Banaras, he had the Darshan (vision) of Lord Viswanath. He visited Mahatmas (great souls) and temples. At Dhalaj, a village on the bank of the Chandrabhaga river, he met a postmaster and lived with him. He acted as the postmaster's cook, and when the latter arrived home in the evening, the doctor was ready to shampoo his legs in spite of his remonstrance‟s ! It was the postmaster who suggested Rishikesh, when the aspiring doctor, wanted a place, for solitary meditation and paid for his rail fare. Dr Kuppuswamy reached Rishikesh on the 8th of May, 1924. INITIATION On the 1st of June, 1924, there came His Holiness Sri Swami Vishwananda Saraswati who belonged to the Sringeri Math of Sri Sankaracharya. The novice and the monk were attracted to each other. The novice saw a Guru in the monk and the monk saw a disciple in the novice. Swami Vishwanandaji took Kuppuswamy to his Kutir. After resting a while, Kuppuswamy went to Kalikamliwala Kshetra (an alms-house for Sannyasins). Alms were refused to him as he was not a Sannyasi. As he retraced his steps, Swami Vishwanandaji again met him. After exchanging a few words, Kuppuswami was initiated into the Sannyasa order by His Holiness Sri Swami Vishwanandaji. (The religious rite of Viraja Homa was done later by the Mahant of Sri Kailas Ashram, Sri Swami Vishnudevanandaji Maharaj) He cast off his secular Dhoti and put on the Gerua cloth (traditional orange cloth of the Sannyasin) presented by the Guru. Swami Vishwananda Saraswati wrote the necessary instructions about Sannyas Dharma from Banares. He was taught the secrets of Kaivalya (liberation) and the mysteries of the Mahavakyas (great sentences). The former Dr Kuppuswamy became “Swami Sivananda Saraswati” of the Sankaracharya order. Swami Sivanandaji stayed at Swargashram for Sadhana. SEVA Swamiji took his abode near Lakshman Jhula. Being a Sannyasin, he wanted to abstain from worldly activity but found he was powerless to resist the temptation to go to the bedside of sick Mahatmas in the neighbourhood. In him the spirit of service burned brighter than ever. Walking through the gullies of Lakshmanjhula, Sivananda saw many Sadhus suffering from extreme cold and malnutrition, with frequent attacks of fever and dysentery. Swamiji could not bear to see the helpless plight of those holy men, but he had no money for the necessary diet and medicines. A thought flashed in Swamiji‟s mind that money itself was not evil. It could be put to good use as much as bad. And he remembered his savings in the insurance company. A lawyer friend helped him to salvage about ` 5000/-. Vowing not to touch any for his personal
  • 8. Page | 8 needs, he put it into a Post Office Savings account. Thus equipped, Swamiji started his daily pilgrimage to the huts of sick Mahatmas. Mere food and medicine were not all, he would also disperse a word of cheer, encouragement and a splash of delightful humour. Without a word Swamiji would take aside the sick man‟s soiled clothes and they would be back in their place in a few hours, washed and neatly folded. He would not leave the water pot unfilled, nor the floor unswept. One of the Mahatmas in the neighbourhood, Swami Kalikananda, watched with interest the service that the doctor from Malaysia rendered the Sadhus. The opportunity, he thought, should not be lost. He approached Swamiji with a proposal to run a charitable dispensary. Satya Sevashram Dispensary came into being. Housed in a small room a few yards to the north of the Lakshman jhula bridge, the dispensary lay at the entrance to the popular pedestrian route used by pilgrims to the famous Himalayan shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. It was a unique location to reach the maximum number of pilgrims, Sadhus and people of the surrounding villages. One evening a pilgrim enroute to Badrinath came to see him. Later it occurred to Swamiji that he should have given a different medicine which would have been more helpful. The thought filled his mind that he had not done his utmost. So, early the next morning, even before the dawn, he took the medicine and started at a steady uphill run to catch up with the traveller. When he reached the next halt, he found that the pilgrim was an even earlier riser and had already proceeded on his way. Undaunted, Swamiji pressed on until he caught up with the pilgrim near the fifth mile and there gave him the precious medicine. Swamiji‟s persistent interest was to fill the entire day with good turns. Service was his motto. “Ever be on the look-out for an opportunity to serve; never miss a chance. You must be like a watch-dog, alert and keen to grasp at once any possibility that presents itself of being useful you must create opportunities to do something for others. Do not wait for a chance but create means of making yourself useful and helpful. Do it in whatever way you are particularly suited by temperament, talent and natural disposition”. “On rare occasions you must even be aggressive in your service. Sometimes helpless persons in need of aid will foolishly refuse it. In such cases do the required service in spite of their hesitation. “Service is „love in expression‟. This coupled with a strong positive desire for universal weal, becomes an effective and higher sort of service. By generating a current of helpful and healing vibration, it will contribute to common welfare in a subtle but powerful way especially if you use the power of prayer.” Swamiji himself was very emphatic in his convictions about the efficacy of prayer that is earnest and genuine. He once said, “Prayer has tremendous influence. It can do anything, provided you are sincere. It is heard at once and responded to. Do it in the daily struggle of
  • 9. Page | 9 life and realise for yourself its high efficacy. Pray in any way you like. Become as simple as a child. Have no cunningness or crookedness. Then you will get everything.” From the very beginning, Swamiji followed his own innate tendency with regard to Sadhana. He imitated none in this respect, service being a natural part of his nature. He attended to the needs of the sick Sadhus with added zeal; for him work itself was worship. Deep meditation, austerities such as fasting, standing in the ice cold waters of the Ganga during the early hours of the morning—all of these he combined with his daily round of service to the sick and needy mendicants and Sadhus. SADHANA-Spiritual Practices Swami Sivananda dressed to clothe himself, ate to live, and lived to serve humanity. A small dilapidated Kutir (hut), at Swargashram not resorted to by others and infested with scorpions, protected him from rain and sun. Living in that Kutir, he did intense Tapas (austerities), observed silence, and fasted. Often he fasted for days on end. He would keep a good stock of bread in his room, and for a week have this, together with Ganges water. He would stand up to the hips in the ice-cold Ganges in winter mornings and commence his Japa, coming out only when the sun appeared. With all his intense Tapas, Swamiji did not neglect service of the sick. He visited the huts of the Sadhus with medicines, served them, and shampooed their legs. He begged food on their behalf and fed them with his own hands when they fell sick. He brought water from the Ganges and washed their Kutirs. He attended upon cholera and small-pox cases. If necessary, he kept vigil through the night by the side of the bed of the ailing Sadhu. He carried sick persons on his back to the hospital. Swamiji practiced all the various Yogas and studied the scriptures. Of the many books he read his favourites were the Upanishads, the Vivekachudamani, the Bhagavad Gita, the Bhagavata, the Yoga Vashishta and the Avadhuta Gita. Vedanta was his delight. As Swamiji advanced further in the practice of meditation he would deny himself all food, company and talk. He plunged deeper and deeper and kept himself within closed doors for many days at a stretch. His fellow-Sadhus were awed—they wondered what he was made of. Not a day‟s relaxation did he permit himself. “More time (eight hours) should be spent in meditation and meditation alone, even 12, 16 hours daily. Even study and medical treatment should be given up for some time—pure meditation alone. “Winter must be utilised. That is the best time for meditation. The daily visit to the Kshetra interrupted this meditation practice. Sivananda therefore arranged with the Kshetra authorities to let him have four or five days‟ ration of cooked Roti‟s, at a time. Each day at meal time, he powdered the stale and dry Rotis and mixing that powder with the Ganga water, ate the paste and quickly returned to his meditation. Sivananda‟s meditation became very intense. Gradually he increased the time spent in daily meditation and, in due course, he began to meditate for eight hours a day and then, when winter came, for twelve and sixteen hours. For some time he even gave up study and
  • 10. Page | 10 medical service and engaged himself solely in pure meditation. In meditation he churned his own soul. Truth began to manifest. After years of intense and unbroken Sadhana, Swamiji‟s original and extraordinary Sadhana culminated ultimately in the grand experience of merging in the Divine, and being freed once and for all from all limitations and fetters. He enjoyed the bliss of Nirvikalpa Samadhi. He had come to the end of his spiritual journey. When questioned about the salient features of his inner life he said, “I made deep meditation the keynote of my Sadhana. I had no obstruction within or without. This leads to the ultimate experience. “I paid special attention to simple living, high thinking, light food, deep study, silent meditation and regular prayers. I loved seclusion and observed the vow of silence. I did not like company and idle talk. From the Rama Ashram library in Muni-ki-Reti I used to get some books, and devoted some time to study every day. Rest and relaxation gave me enough strength to carry on intense Sadhana. I moved closely with some holy men but I never indulged in discussion and debates. Self-analysis and introspection were my guide. I spent time in meditation and practised various kinds of Yogas in my Sadhana, and my experiences have all come out in many books as advice to aspirants. 1. I have seen God in my own Self ! 2. I have negated name and form, and what remains is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute and nothing else ! 3. I behold God everywhere. There is no veil ! 4. I am One. There is no duality ! 5. I rest in my own Self. My bliss is beyond description ! 6. The world of dreams has gone. I alone exist ! Distribution of Knowledge It was usual, for even great mystics, to keep their rare knowledge as a secret and teach only a chosen few, but Sivananda quickly sent out his thoughts and experiences to help the world and struggling seekers after Truth.” The habit of giving was ingrained in him. Swamiji allotted time in the day for recording his thoughts, ideas and experiences, but since most of the little money he had was spent on the sick, this posed a few difficulties. Needing paper for writing, it was necessary to search waste heaps for discarded sheets and used envelopes. There were times, Swamiji could not get ink. Even when both paper and ink were available he would often have to give up writing after dusk for want of a light. Either there would be no oil in the lantern, or no match to light it [In 1930 there was no Electricity] He used to gather bits of paper and used envelopes, and stitch them into little notebooks. He entered some self-instructions in them. Some of the instructions found in them read thus: "Give up salt, give up sugar, give up spices, give up vegetables, give up chutneys, give up tamarind". In another we read: “Serve Bhangis, serve rogues, serve inferiors, remove faecal matter, clean clothes of Sadhus - take delight, carry water". In another page: "Do not revenge, resist not evil, return good for evil, bear insult and injury". On some neat little pages we again read: "Forget like a child any injury done by somebody immediately.”
  • 11. Page | 11 Never keep it in the heart. It kindles hatred. Cultivate Maitri (friendship), Karuna (compassion), Daya (mercy), Prema (love), Kshama (forgiveness)". In another paragraph we see: "Develop good manners, extreme politeness, courtesy, etiquette, good demeanour, nobility, gentleness, mildness. Never be rude, harsh, or cruel. There is nothing to be hated in the world. Hatred is ignorance. All contempt for anything or being must be removed through love and Vichara (enquiry)". Swami Sivananda considered the gift of knowledge, as the greatest gift. For this, Swamiji felt the printing press to be more important than the platform. What was heard might be forgotten in a day, but recorded knowledge would be of lasting benefit. Once a devotee gave Sivananda ` 5/- and begged him to use it to buy milk for himself. Swamiji had different ideas. He felt the money was a direct gift from God Himself. His jottings were waiting and Sivananda at once used the money to have his first pamphlet printed. Its name was “Brahma Vidya”. It was immediately distributed to all who came to him. Readers liked the pamphlet so much that they urged Swamiji to give more of his ideas and volunteered to print them. At first Swamiji did not know any publishers, but he had a novel way of getting his early articles published. When he had written an inspiring article in his home-made “notebook” he would send it to “The Postmaster, Madras” (or Lucknow or Calcutta) with a covering note saying: “These are the thoughts that occurred to me yesterday. I think they are inspiring. So please have a small leaflet printed. You can distribute them. Print as many as you like but please send me 100 copies.” One postmaster sent the 100 copies with a note: “I admire your confidence!” As Sivananda became more widely known, publishers sought him. Everyone who wrote a letter to Swamiji or sent the smallest donation got some leaflet or pamphlet. Whenever Sivananda went out on tour, he made it a point to have spiritual literature printed for free distribution. But Swamiji was not quite content with this method of leaflet distribution. With the growing of the Society, he felt that something must be mailed regularly to his correspondents. In September, 1938 was born “The Divine Life” the monthly magazine of the Divine Life Society. Then in 1939, Sivananda got his first book published. “Practice of Yoga—Vol-1” was printed in Madras. For more than two decades, Swamiji had to have his books printed by outside presses. Even after the Ashram press was started, it could not at first cope with all the production jobs that he wanted undertaken. Swamiji attached so much importance to this work of distribution of spiritual knowledge that even when there was a financial crisis in the Ashram, he refused to slow down the tempo of work on the publication side. He was willing to shut down the kitchen, but not the press. “We can all go to the Kshetra and live on alms” he would say, “but the Jnana Yajna must go on”. THE PERSONALITY OF SIVANANDA
  • 12. Page | 12 Swami Sivananda was about six feet tall, with a shining copper red complexion. He had broad shoulders and long arms. His head and face were clean shaven. His countenance was child-like. No guile, no gall in it. His eyes sparkled. In the simplicity of a monk, Sivananda seemed like a monarch. He was a picture of serenity and youth. Swamiji had a vibrant, powerful voice. Often at a meeting, he would gently push aside the microphone, saying, “I don‟t need it”. His stentorian voice could reach an audience of thousands without the need for amplification. His appearance was quite simple... no colourful marks on the forehead, no matted locks or flowing beard, no rosaries round his neck, no beads, bangles or earrings... just enough clothing to protect his person from the weather and to ensure decency in society. Sivananda never said or did anything to tempt people with promises of grand results like Mukti from a drop of Kamandalu water or Samadhi by a mere touch. He emphasised the importance of silent Sadhana, Japa and meditation for a systematic progress in the spiritual path. Invariably he asked all aspirants to purify the heart through selfless service to mankind. In 1933 the publishers in Madras wrote articles on his life and mentioned him as an “Avatar.” Immediately Swamiji gave a reply which explains the attitude he had always maintained:— “Kindly remove all „Krishna Avatara‟ and „Bhagawan‟ business. Keep the publication natural and simple. Then it will be attractive. Do not exaggerate much about me very often. The juice will evaporate. Do not give me titles as „World Teacher‟, „Mandaleshwar‟ and „Bhagawan‟. Lay bare the truth, Truth will shine, I lead a simple and natural life. I take immense delight in service. Service has elevated me. Service has purified me. This body is meant for service. I live to serve everyone and make the world happy and cheerful.” So it happened that one day in 1956, an elderly lady walked into the Ashram office to have Darshan of “Swamiji”. Sivananda greeted her with an Om and folded palms, showed her a seat, and made kind enquiries about her health and her Yatra (pilgrimage). When he resumed his work, the lady quietly walked out. Near the dispensary she asked an Ashramite, “Where is Swamiji? When can I see him?” “Swamiji is in the office. Aren‟t you coming from there?” said the Ashramite, visibly amused. “That man with a coat and spectacles, sitting there? Is he Swamiji? I thought he was only the Ashram manager!” With tears in her eyes, the old lady went back and prostrated at the Master‟s feet. Master never assumed manners or put on airs. He spoke to everyone, referred to everyone in terms of respect. Swamiji always tried to greet a person in the latter‟s mother tongue. He was always eager to please people and put them at ease. Thus, besides Tamil, English, Hindi and Malay, which he knew well, he learnt words of greeting, proverbs, poems and songs in many languages, all of which he used to advantage in his contacts with people. It was a habit with the Master to carry three bags wherever he went. One would contain spiritual literature, another fruits and sweets, and the third medicines and utility articles like candles, matchbox, scissors, thread and needles. Another form of service which Swamiji strongly recommended was prayer. Prayer was not so much praying for yourself
  • 13. Page | 13 (not even for your salvation) but it was recommended as a form of service, of charity. So to pray—not only for the peace of all in a general sense, but in a specific sense—was part of his life. Sivananda‟s Methodology Sivananda wrote to serve. The pen was his weapon, and he used it lovingly. He did not criticise; only coaxed. He wrote with both spiritual depth and intellectual persuasion. He did not condemn the scientific mind of the Space Age, but interpreted Patanjali Maharshi and Bhagavan Krishna in the spirit of the Age of Science. He used every form of literary expression to convey his point to the reader. Poetry and drama, letter and essay, story and parable, aphorism and lecture—all media were adopted by him to spread knowledge of Divine Life. The fact is that Swami Sivananda was a very practical person. What he learnt from books or men would be put into practice so that he might know how far the teaching suited him. If it did not suit him, he would not condemn it but merely shelve it. So far as he was concerned it was ineffective. Swamiji‟s style was aphoristic and his language simple. His writings were lucid, sparkling and pure like a mountain stream springing from a mighty rock. To the earnest spiritual aspirant who asked, “What should I do now? When I get up tomorrow morning, what do you actually want me to do?” To such a Sadhaka, Sivananda‟s books were like Alfonse Mangoes dropping from heaven. They were 100% practical. Sivananda did not look, to grammatical perfection, or high literacy standard. His main concern, was to distribute, as much spiritual knowledge, in as short a time as possible. “Even if all my articles are not published at least the proof reader, will go through them once, and this will effect a change of heart and consciousness”. “I believe in maximum spiritual good to the public in a short space of time” wrote the Master, in a letter to his disciple. Ashram workers sometimes delayed the return of the manuscript notebooks entrusted to them for typing. Swamiji had to use more and more notebooks. He kept some in the writing room and some in the office, so that any moment he would be able to write. He kept several pens ready. He kept a pair of spectacles in the writing room, another in the almirah, a third in the office. No time should be lost in searching for them, work was of paramount importance. He kept several flashlights too—one near the bed, one near his writing desk, one near the easy chair on which he rested. Even at dead of night, if a good thought came, it must at once be recorded. It must not be lost to the world. Talking to a visitor in the Ashram one day, Swamiji showed him his many notebooks, pens, watches. “People think that a Sannyasin should not have this or use that,” he said, “But I have no such notion. Service is the thing. Work, work and work for the welfare of humanity. Keep the instruments—body and the mind—in a fit and healthy condition for the work. I am a different Sannyasin. I like to serve. People imagine that a Sannyasin should
  • 14. Page | 14 always be grave and should always sit like this (here, Swamiji actually closed his eyes and sat erect) and thus give the impression to them that he is a Jivanmukta (liberated soul). But I am of a different type. Work should be your meditation. That is my method”. With regard to work too, Sivananda was guided by certain principles. D.I.N. was the first, DO IT NOW. When Sivananda wished to do a thing, he would do it straightaway. Sometimes Swamiji did the typing himself. The entire book “Sure Ways for Success in Life and God-realisation” was typed by him directly onto a machine without draft. For Sivananda, moments of inspiration were not interspersed with moments of depression. It was all a chain of inspired moments for him. His knowledge welled up from within. His difficulty was that he did not find time to express all his thoughts. Once he said to a student: “I cannot stop writing. I will write till I become blind. If I become blind, I will dictate and somebody will write for me. Thus I will continue my mission of dissemination of spiritual knowledge till the end of my life.” The Book “Bliss Divine” was dictated by him, in the same way to his disciple Anantha Narayanan and was published after the Master‟s Mahasamadhi which is the cream and essence of Swami Sivananda‟s works. Sivananda was a man of unrestrained and spontaneous generosity. Just as he gave himself to others, he gave a myriad of things too; money, food, clothes, books, flowers—whatever offerings the devotees brought him—found their way to others. Swamiji acted as a centre for collection and redistribution. He knew who needed what and always made sure that the right gift reached the right person. He knew that the supply came from the Source, and to the Source it returned. Material considerations of accounting did not bother him at all. He proved in his own life that in such generosity there was no bankruptcy. He used to say very often, “Giving has never made a person poor.” The Master often bought fruits, peanuts and ice-cream from roadside vendors. The pilgrim who lost his purse, the convict just released from jail, the penniless Sadhu needing a blanket, the poor student wanting money for his school fees, A child born without wedlock—all of them found a ready helper in Swamiji. And the Master gave without embarrassing the recipient. What mattered more than the money was the heart. Sivananda had a large heart. The Master believed in a life of hardship and endurance. When on tour, as soon as he stepped down from the train, Swamiji immediately, without waiting for a coolie and without giving a chance to his devotees, would carry his bedding or trunk on his own head and come out of the station. “Rely on your own self,” he would say. “Be humble. Do not be puffed up with pride of Gurudom”. When porters carried some of his heavy packages of leaflets and books for free distribution, he paid them liberally. He used to say, “I pity those rich persons who fight with the porters and coolies at the platform for the sake of two annas”. Sivananda‟s Universal Prayer ! Oh Adorable Lord of Mercy & Love
  • 15. Page | 15 Salutations and Obeisances on to Thee Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent & Omnipresent Thou Art Satchidananda Thou art the in dweller of all beings Grant us an understanding heart, equal vision, balanced mind, Faith devotion and wisdom Grant us inner spiritual strength to resist temptations and to control the mind Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger, jealousy. Fill Our hearts with divine virtues. Let us behold thee in all these names and forms Let us serve thee in all these name and forms Let us ever remember thee Let us ever sing thy glories Let thy name be ever on our lips Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever. SIVANANDA‟S KIRTAN Siva adores all Gods, knowing that there is only One God. He sings the following invocatory Sankirtan Dhvanis invariably at the commencement of every auspicious undertaking. Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha Pahi Mam Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Raksha Mam Jaya Sarasvati Jaya Sarasvati Jaya Sarasvati Pahi Mam Sri Sarasvati Sri Sarasvati Sri Sarasvati Raksha Mam Saravanabhava Saravanabhava Saravanabhava Pahi Mam Subramanya Subramanya Subramanya Raksha Mam Jaya Guru Siva Guru Hari Guru Ram Jagad Guru Param Guru Sat Guru Shyam Adi Guru Advaita Guru Ananta Guru Om Chit Guru Chidghana Guru Chinmaya Guru Om Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Namah Sivaya Namah Sivaya Nama Sivaya Namah Sivaya Namah Sivaya Nama Sivaya Dattatreya Dattatreya Dattatreya Pahi Mam Dattaguru Dattaguru Dattaguru Raksha Mam Anjaneya Anjaneya Anjaneya Pahi Mam Hanumanta Hanumanta Hanumanta Raksha Mam Ganga Rani Ganga Rani Ganga Rani Pahi Mam Bhagirathi Bhagirathi Bhagirathi Raksha Mam Om Tat Sat Om Tat Sat Om Tat Sat Om Om Shanti Om Shanti Om Shanti Om
  • 16. Page | 16 Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions: 1. Get up at 4 am daily. This is Brahma Muhurta which is extremely favourable for meditation on God. 2. ASANA: Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for Japa and Meditation for half an hour, facing the east or the north. Increase the period gradually to three hours. Do Sirshasana and Sarvangasana for keeping up Brahmacharya and health. Take light physical exercises as walking, etc., regularly. Do twenty Pranayamas. 3. JAPA: Repeat any Mantra as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Sita Ram, Sri Ram, Hari Om, or Gayatri, according to your taste or inclination, from 108 to 21,600 times daily. 4. DIETETIC DISCIPLINE: Take Sattvic food, Suddha Ahara. Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard and asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight in a year. Eat simple food. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine, to keep life going. Eating for enjoyment is sin. Give up salt and sugar for a month. You must be able to live on rice, dhall and bread without any chutni. Do not ask for extra salt for dhall and sugar for tea, coffee, or milk. 5. Have a separate meditation-room under lock and key. 6. Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily, according to your means, say six paisa per rupee. Always give the best things, best food, best fruits, best milk, best clothes to friends, neighbours, guests and servants. You will derive immense joy, strength, and happiness.Put this into practice and realise the benefits yourself. 7. SVADHYAYA: Study systematically the Gita, Ramayana, Bhagavata, Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita Sahasranama, Aditya Hridaya, Upanishads, Yoga- Vasishtha, the Bible, Zend Avesta, the Koran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib, etc., from half an hour to one hour daily and have Suddha-Vichara. 8. Preserve the vital force (Veerya) very very carefully. Veerya is God in motion or manifestation, Vibhuti. Veerya is all power. Veerya is money. Veerya is the essence of life, thought and intelligence. 9. Get by heart some prayer, Shlokas, Stotras, and repeat them as soon as you sit on the Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly. 10. Have Satsanga. Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors entirely. Do not develop any evil habits. 11. Fast on Ekadasi day or live on milk and fruits only.
  • 17. Page | 17 12. Have a Japa Mala (rosary) round your neck or in your pocket or underneath your pillow at night. 13. Observe Mouna for a couple of hours daily. 14. Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly. 15. Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts reduce the number to three or two. Lead a happy contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Have plain living and high thinking. Adjust, Adapt, Accommodate to the circumstances. 16. Never hurt anybody. Control anger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) and Daya (compassion). 17. Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues. 18. Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the day, just before retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep daily diary and self-correction register. Do not brood over past mistakes. 19. Remember that death is awaiting you every moment. Never fail to fulfil your duties. Have pure conduct (Sadachara). 20. Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep. Surrender yourself completely to God (Saranagati). SPIRITUAL DIARY 1. When did you get up from bed? Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” You must get up at 4 am, and practise Japa and meditation. The meditative state of the mind will come by itself without exertion at this period. 2. How many hours did you sleep? Sleep for six hours is quite sufficient for every individual. Go to bed at 10 pm, and get up at 4 am. Napoleon Bonaparte believed in only four hours of sleep. Too much sleep makes a man dull and lethargic. Too much sleep causes premature decay and weakens the brain- power. Those spiritual aspirants who want to do rigorous Sadhana should reduce the sleep gradually. For three months reduce the sleep by half an hour. During the next three months go to bed at 11 pm, and get up at 4 am. In this way you can conquer sleep and become one like Arjuna or Lakshmana. 3. How many Malas of Japa? Japa is an important limb of Yoga. In this Kali Yuga, Japa and Kirtan are effective Sadhanas for God-realisation. Japa results in Samadhi or communion with God. Japa is the repetition of the name of the Lord. There are three varieties of Japa, viz., Vaikhari (verbal), Upamsu (whispering), and Manasic (mental). Have a Japa Mala (rosary) round your neck or in your pocket or underneath your pillow at night. Use a Mala of 108 beads. A Mala is a whip to
  • 18. Page | 18 goad the mind towards God. The fruits of Manasic Japa are ten thousand times more than Vaikhari or Upamsu. Always try to do 46 mental Japa when you are busy in daily activities. Make it a point to repeat the Mantra some thousand times and record the number in the diary. 4. How long in Kirtan? Repetition of God‟s name enables the devotee to feel the divine presence, the divine glory and the divine consciousness within himself and also everywhere. How powerful is God‟s name! When one sings His name or hears its sound, he is unconsciously raised to sublime spiritual heights. He loses his body-consciousness. He is immersed in joy and drinks deep the divine nectar of immortality. Sankirtan is singing God‟s name with Bhava and Prema or divine feeling. Sankirtan brings Darshan of God or attainment of divine consciousness easily in this Kali Yuga. 5. How many Pranayamas? Pranayama is control of breath. Sit in Padmasana, Sukhasana, or any other comfortable pose, with an empty stomach. Close your eyes. Close the right nostril with the thumb. Draw in the air very very slowly through the left nostril. Now close your left nostril with the little and right fingers, and retain the breath as long as you can comfortably keep. Then very very slowly exhale through the right nostril after removing the thumb. Again draw in the air through the right nostril retain it as long as you can and exhale through the left nostril very slowly. This is one Pranayama. To start with, do five Pranayamas in the morning and evening and gradually increase to 10 or 20. This is Sukhapurvaka easy, comfortable Pranayama. 6. How long did you perform Asanas? Asana is the first stage of Ashtanga Yoga. Padmasana and Siddhasana are intended for doing Japa and meditation. Do not often change the Asana. Stick to one and gradually increase the period to even three hours. Sirshasana, Sarvangasana and other exercises are intended for maintaining good health. They remove various diseases. These Asanas will awaken the Kundalini Sakti. Perform the Asanas when the stomach is empty or light. Early morning and evening are very good for the practice of Asanas. Practise the Asanas in well-ventilated room or on the sandy beds of rivers, open airy places, or seaside. During the practice repeat your Ishta or Guru Mantra. 7. How long did you meditate in one Asana? Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana in your meditation room. Early morning between 4 and 6 is the best period for contemplation and Japa. You can have another sitting in the night also. Take your seat before the picture of your Ishta Devata. Look at the picture steadily for a few minutes. Repeat some Stotras mentally. Then close your eyes and visualise the picture. Repeat the Ishta Mantra mentally. Sit for meditation for half an hour in the beginning and try to increase the period to three hours by gradual daily practice. When you sit on your Asana for meditation, do not shake the body. Try to keep up one current of thought of God. 8. How many Gita Slokas did you read or get by heart? Study of scriptures is Kriya Yoga or Niyama. It purifies the heart and fills the mind with sublime and elevating thoughts. Gita is a unique book for Svadhyaya. It contains the
  • 19. Page | 19 essence of all the Yogas and the cream of the Vedas. You can devote half an hour to three hours for this purpose according to the time at your disposal. 9. How long in the company of the wise (Satsanga)? The glory and power of Satsanga or association with the wise, Saints, Yogins, Sannyasins and Mahatmas, is described in detail in Bhagavata, Ramayana, and other holy scriptures. Even a moments company is quite sufficient to overhaul the old vicious Samskaras of the people. Service to Mahatmas purifies the mind of passionate men rapidly. Satsanga elevates the mind to magnanimous heights. Study of books written by realised persons will also be tantamount to Satsanga. 10. How many hours did you observe Mouna? Mouna means vow of silence. Energy is wasted in idle talking and gossiping. Mouna develops will-power. Mouna checks the impulse of speech. It is a great help for the observance of truth and control of anger. Emotions are controlled and irritability vanishes. Observe Mouna at least for one hour or two hours a day. During Mouna, sublime thoughts should replace worldly thoughts and Japa should be done. 11. How long in disinterested selfless service? The practice of Nishkama Karma Yoga destroys sins and impurities of the mind and causes Chitta Suddhi or purity of Antahkarana. Knowledge of Self dawns in a pure mind. Knowledge of Self is the only direct means to freedom. Nishkama Karma Yoga is selfless service to humanity. The important point is to serve humanity without any attachment or egoism. The central teaching of the Gita is non-attachment to work. Sri Krishna says: Work incessantly. Your duty is to work but not to expect the fruits thereof. Do vigorous service for some time. You will grasp the spirit of Nishkama Karma. 12. How much did you give in charity? When you walk along the road or street, keep always some loose coins in your pocket and distribute them to the poor. Be liberal. Feel that you are enjoying in all the bodies. Your heart will expand. You will begin to realise unity or oneness. You will become more generous. Do regular charity of one tenth of your income. Performance of virtuous actions is the beginning of spiritual life. 13. How many Mantras did you write? Maintain a Mantra notebook. Write your Ishta Mantra, Guru Mantra or Maha Mantra for half an hour in this notebook. You should preferably do this item of Sadhana just before the commencement of the household duties. You should observe Mouna or silence while writing the Mantra. There should be perfect calm and quietude. You should concentrate on the writing alone. In Mantra writing, the eyes, the hands and the mind are all engaged. There is no restriction of language. If this practice is continued with sincerity, the aspirant gets concentration easily and much internal peace and happiness. 14. How long did you practise physical exercise? Physical culture or the development of the body is as much important as the development of the mind, will, or memory. If the body is not kept strong and healthy, vigorous and active, no culture is possible. Remember the wise saying which means a sound mind in a
  • 20. Page | 20 sound body. There are different kinds of physical culture. You will have to select one according to your capacity, taste and temperament. 15.How many lies did you tell and with what Self-punishment? Srutis emphatically declare: Satyam Vada! Speak the Truth! Satyameva Jayate Nanritam! Truth alone triumphs but not falsehood. A truthful man is absolutely free from worries and anxieties. He has a calm mind. He is respected by all. If you observe speaking the truth for twelve years, you will have Vak-Siddhi. Then whatever you speak will come to pass. Speak the truth. Truth is Knowledge. Truth is Bliss. Truth guides you in all your actions. Write in bold types the words: Speak Truth on cardboards and hang them in different places in your house. This will remind you when you speak a lie. You will check yourself at once. Punish yourself by fasting if you tell a lie and record the lies in the diary. Gradually the number of lies will decrease and you will become a truthful man. 16.How many times and how long of anger and with what self-punishment? Anger is an enemy to peace. It is a modification of lust. When a desire is not gratified, a man becomes angry. He loses his memory and understanding. Control anger by the practice of Kshama, love and killing egoism. Drink a little water when you become angry. It will cool the brain and calm the excited nerves. Repeat Om Shanti several times. If you find it extremely difficult to control anger, leave the place immediately and take a walk for half an hour. Pray to God. Do Japa. Meditation gives immense strength to destroy anger and other obstacles. 17.How many hours did you spend in useless company? The so-called friends are real enemies. You cannot find even a single unselfish friend in this universe. Be careful. Friends come to have idle talks with you and they waste your time. They want to pull you down and make you also worldly. Do not be carried away by the flowery speech of such friends. Cut off connections ruthlessly. Live alone at all times. Trust in that immortal friend who dwells in your heart. If you cannot have positive Satsanga of Mahatmas, due to paucity of time, discomfort of travel, have indirect Satsanga with books written by realised Sages, Saints and Bhagavatas. 18. How many times did you fail in Brahmacharya? No spiritual progress is possible without the practice of celibacy. Veerya is a dynamic force. It should be converted into Ojas-Sakti. Those who are very eager to have God-realisation should observe unbroken celibacy strictly. Observe the vow of Brahmacharya strictly. 19. How long in study of religious books? Be regular in the study of religious books, Ramayana, Bhagavata, Yoga Vasishtha and other good books, for Svadhyaya. If you reflect on the ideas of Gita and fix the mind on these ideas, this itself is a form of lower Samadhi. Svadhyaya is an auxiliary for concentration. Svadhyaya will check mind-wandering also. 20.How many times did you fail in the control of evil habits and with what self- punishment? There are some who are unconscious of their bad habits and many who do not recognise them as bad. If they recognise them to be bad, then the correction is very simple. Alcohol is a strong devil, which if once enters the system of a man will never leave him. Then comes,
  • 21. Page | 21 smoking. Another evil habit is betel-chewing. Drinking of strong tea and coffee often develops a bad habit. Novel reading, visiting cinemas, sleeping in the daytime, using slang terms and abuses, etc., are some of the evil habits. First realise that you have got an evil habit and intensely desire that you should give it up at any cost. Then your success has already come. Giving up any bad habit at once is better. Use your subconscious mind for eradication. Establish new healthy habits and develop your will. There is nothing impossible under the Sun. 21.How long you did concentrate on your Ishta Devata (Saguna or Nirguna Dhyana)? Concentration can be done only if you are free from all distractions. Concentrate on anything that appeals to you as good or anything which the mind likes best. The mind should be trained to concentrate on gross objects in the beginning and, later on, you can successfully concentrate on subtle objects and abstract ideas. Regularity in the practice is of paramount importance. Gross Forms: Concentrate on a black dot on the wall or a candle-flame, a bright star, moon, on the picture of Om, Lord Siva, Rama, Krishna, Devi, or your Ishta Devata in front of you with open eyes. Subtle Forms: Sit before the picture of your Ishta Devata and close your eyes. Keep a mental picture of your Ishta Devata at the space between the two eyebrows, or heart (Anahata Chakra); concentrate on Muladhara, Anahata, Ajna or any other internal Chakra; concentrate on the divine qualities such as love, mercy, or any other abstract ideas, Sat Chit Ananda, purity, perfection, peace. 22.How many days did you observe fast and vigil? Keeping wide awake throughout the night is called vigil. You will derive incalculable benefit if you practise vigil on Vaikuntha-Ekadasi, Sivaratri, Gokulashtami day (the birthday of Sri Krishna). Complete fasting helps to control the sleep. Control of sleep by taking recourse to tea is not desirable. You will not gain spiritual strength as you depend upon an extraneous drug. During fasting avoid company. Live alone. Utilise your time in Yogic Sadhana. After a fast, do not take any heavy food. Milk or some fruit-juice is beneficial. 23. Were you regular in your meditation? Never miss a day in meditation. Be regular and systematic. Regularity in meditation is of paramount importance. The meditative state will come by itself at the appointed time. Take Sattvic food. Fruits and milk will help mental focussing. When the mind is tired, do not concentrate. Give it a little rest. 24. What virtues are you developing? Develop that virtue in which you are hopelessly lacking. Courage, mercy, universal love, nobility, Kshama, contentment, frankness and honesty must be developed one by one. Take up one virtue every month and meditate on that virtue regularly. You will manifest that virtue in your character. If you develop one important virtue, all other virtues will cling to you. If you have humility and courage, all other virtues will come of their own accord. You should spend daily some time, say half an hour, for development of virtues. 25.What evil quality are you trying to eradicate? The development of virtuous qualities will itself remove the negative qualities. But it is better to make a positive attempt also in the eradication of the evil qualities. Then the
  • 22. Page | 22 progress will be rapid. It is a double attack on the enemy. If you remove lust or anger or egoism, all other evil qualities will disappear by themselves. All evil qualities are the attendants of egoism. All vices originate from anger. If these are destroyed, all sorts of vices will vanish. Therefore, concentrate your attention in killing egoism or anger. 26. Which Indriya is troubling you most? Discipline of the Indriyas is a very important point. If the Indriyas are turbulent, you cannot have concentration. Watch every Indriya carefully and curb it by suitable methods, such as fasting, Mouna, Tratak, celibacy, renunciation of articles, Dama and Pratyahara. Curbing of Indriyas means curbing of mind. They cannot do any independent work without the direct help of the mind. Celibacy checks the genitals; Mouna will control the organ of speech; Tratak controls the eyes. Sufficient practice for a long time is necessary. Then the Indriyas become emaciated and thin and are starved to death. 27. When did you go to bed? Sleep is nature‟s tonic, for healthy living. The more sound sleep one has, the more healthy he would be. Hours of sleep depend upon your physical or mental capacity for resisting fatigue. Without a sufficiency of sleep, you will not have efficiency. The amount of sleep required varies with age, temperament and amount of work. According to an old adage there should be six hours sleep for a man, seven for a woman and eight for a fool. As age advances, people require more sleep. Avoid going late to bed. Do not take drugs to induce sleep. If you do not get sleep, take a brisk walk in the open air for fifteen minutes and then go to bed. You will have refreshing sleep. The Spiritual Diary is a whip for goading the mind towards righteousness and God. If you regularly maintain this diary you will get solace, peace of mind and make quick progress in the spiritual path. Maintain a daily diary and realise the marvellous results. Sadhana Tattva Or The Science Of Seven Cultures For Quick Evolution of the Human Being By Sri Swami Sivananda INTRODUCTION (a) An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory. Practice Yoga, Religion and Philosophy in daily life and attain Self-realization. (b)These thirty-two instructions give the essence of the Eternal Religion (Sanatana Dharma) in its purest form. They are suitable for modern busy householders with fixed hours of work. Modify them to suit your convenience and increase the period gradually. (c) In the beginning take only a few practicable resolves which form a small but definite advance over your present habits and character. In case of ill-health, pressure of work or
  • 23. Page | 23 unavoidable engagements replace your active Sadhana (spiritual practice) by frequent remembrance of God. HEALTH CULTURE 1. Eat moderately. Take light and simple food. Offer it to God before you eat. Have a balanced diet. 2. Avoid spicy and hot foods, like chillies, garlic, onions, tamarind, etc., as far as possible. Give up tea, coffee, smoking, paan, meat and wine entirely. 3. Fast on Ekadasi days or once in a fortnight. Take milk, fruits or roots only. 4. Practice Yoga Asana (Hatha Yoga exercises) or physical exercises for 15 to 30 minutes every day. Take a long walk or play some vigorous games daily. ENERGY CULTURE 5. Observe silence (Mouna) for 2 hours daily and 4 to 8 hours on Sundays. 6. Observe celibacy according to your age and circumstances. Restrict the indulgence to once a month. Decrease it gradually to once a year. Finally take a vow of abstinence for whole life. ETHICAL CULTURE 7. Speak the TRUTH. Speak little. Speak kindly. Speak sweetly. 8. Do not injure anyone in thought, word or deed. Be kind to all. 9. Be sincere, straightforward and open-hearted in your talks and dealings. 10. Be honest. Earn by the sweat of your brow. Do not accept any money, things or favour unless earned lawfully. Develop nobility and integrity. 11. Control fits of anger by serenity, patience, love, mercy and tolerance. Forget and forgive. Adapt yourself to men and events. WILL CULTURE 12. Live without sugar for a week or month. Give up salt on Sundays. 13. Give up cards, novels, cinemas and clubs. Fly from evil company. Avoid discussions with materialists. Do not mix with persons who have no faith in God or who criticize your Sadhana (spiritual practices). 14. Curtail your wants. Reduce your possessions. Have plain living and high thinking.
  • 24. Page | 24 HEART CULTURE 15. Doing good to others is the highest religion. Do some selfless service for a few hours every week, without egoism or expectation of reward. Do your worldly duties in the same spirit. Work is worship. Dedicate it to God. 16. Give 2 to 10 % of your income in charity every month. Share what you have with others. Let the world be your family. Remove selfishness. 17. Be humble and prostrate yourself to all beings mentally. Feel the Divine Presence everywhere. Give up vanity, pride and hypocrisy. 18. Have unwavering faith in God, the Bhagavad-Gita and your Guru. Make a total self- surrender to God and pray: "Thy Will be done; I want nothing." Submit to the Divine Will in all events and happenings with equanimity. 19. See God in all beings and love them as your own Self. Do not hate anyone. 20. Remember God at all times or, at least, on rising from bed, during a pause in work and before going to bed. Keep a Mala (rosary) in your pocket. PSYCHIC CULTURE 21. Study one chapter or ten to twenty-five verses of the Gita or your scriptures with meaning, daily. Learn the original language of your scripture, at least sufficient to understand it in original. 22. Memorize important and inspiring portions of your sacred scripture according to your capacity. Memorize also any inspiring quotations from other spiritual books. Keep a pocket version your scripture with you at all times. 23. Read the Ramayana, the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavata, the Upanishads, the Yoga- vasishtha or other religious books daily without fail. Study more during holidays. 24. Attend religious meetings and seek Satsanga (company) with saints at every opportunity. If not, create opportunities. Listen to spiritual discourses from learned and holy people. If possible, organize such functions on Sundays or holidays. 25. Visit and Sit in a temple or place of worship daily. Preferably before you leave and upon your return from work, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes. 26. Spend holidays and leave-periods, when possible, in the company of saints or practice Sadhana at holy places in seclusion. SPIRITUAL CULTURE 27. Go to bed early. Get up at four o'clock. Answer calls of nature, clean your mouth and take a bath.
  • 25. Page | 25 28. Recite some prayers and Kirtan Dhvanis (devotional songs). Practice Pranayama (breathing exercises), Japa (repetition of the Divine Name of God) and meditation in the early morning. Sit on Padma, Siddha, or Sukha Asana throughout, without movement, by gradual practice. While you meditate, forget the outside world totally. Gradually increase the period of meditation. 29. Perform the daily prayers of your religion. Do not fail to fulfil your obligatory duties. 30. Write your favourite Mantra or Name of God in a notebook for ten to thirty minutes, daily. 31. Sing the Names of God (Kirtan) and pray for half to one hour at night with family and friends. 32. Make annual resolves on the above lines. Regularity, tenacity and fixity are essential. Record your Sadhana in a spiritual diary daily. Review it every month and correct your failures. SIVANANDA‟S MOTTOS Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise Be good; do good; be kind; be compassionate. Enquire “Who am I ?”Know the Self and be free. * * * Practise Ahimsa, Satyam, Brahmacharya; * * * Adapt, adjust, accommodate; Bear insult; bear injury; (this is the highest Sadhana). * * * Detach-attach, Detach-attach Detach the mind from the objects. Attach it to the Lord. * * * Nothing exists; nothing belongs to me; I am neither mind nor body; Immortal Self I am. * * * Work is Worship; Dedicate it to God. Even this will pass away; Balance your mind in pain and joy. * * * Tat Tvam Asi: That Thou Art: Realise this and be free.
  • 26. Page | 26 Delight in good ! Make up your mind to tread the spiritual path ! Be patient !Go slowly, Go ahead, Be deliberate, Assert, Recognize ! Realise: I am the immortal Soul !This is the discipline! Moksha is freedom from births and deaths ! It is the attainment of eternal bliss ! It has neither space nor time in itself; nor is there in it any state, external or internal! You are born to attain Moksha or the final emancipation! Moksha is your goal ! Kill this little “I” or egoism through enquiry of Who am I ? You will attain Moksha and shine as an Emperor of this world ! May you attain Moksha in this very birth ! This is Siva‟s message ! This is the foundation of Yoga, Vedanta ! Sivananda‟s Training of Seekers ! Swamiji never said, “I am your Guru”. Occasionally he used to say, “You are my disciple”, or “He is my disciple”, and to his early disciples he wrote: “I have accepted you as my beloved disciple, I shall serve you and guide you”. When he said: “I have accepted you as my beloved disciple,” the disciple felt that he had a claim over Swamiji and could write to him more freely. That is what Swamiji wanted. The Guru/disciple relationship was for the disciples, not for him. He often told people: “I know no rest. I am always alert and occupied. You should try to look upon life in this manner—as an eternal student. Be ever on the look-out for learning something new each day, even each hour. Be like me—an intellectual scout. You can learn something from everyone. Everything in this universe has some lesson to give to one who is receptive. Do not pass by any experience lightly but draw instruction and inspiration. Extract something from everything and treasure it up in your mind.” If Swamiji found an individual making earnest efforts to improve, he at once gave his attention to him, encouraged him and gave him strength to carry on the inner battle with greater vigour. His method had the power to uplift struggling spiritual aspirants. There was one Swami in the Ashram who was a heavy smoker. One day he did not have cigarettes. His brain did not function! Swamiji noticed this, so he at once gave money to another Ashramite to purchase a packet of cigarettes. When this was brought he instructed that the packet should be put beneath the Swami‟s pillow in his absence. Some felt that Swami Sivananda was encouraging this Swami against his own principles. But, when the man came to know how Swamiji had gone out of his way to fulfil his cravings he felt ashamed and automatically gave it up. Obviously Swamiji was not unaware of the great and urgent need for a spiritual aspirant to practice self-control. The most fascinating method which Swamiji employed was to work on the Sadhaka‟s mental plane. A time came when the disciple began to feel that the Guru was actively manipulating his very thoughts, leading him step by step. This was the most important
  • 27. Page | 27 phase in the Sadhaka‟s spiritual evolution. The more the disciple surrendered his mind to the Guru, the more actively did the Master operate on it. This was Swami Sivananda‟s subtlest method of influencing his disciples. With Swamiji‟s several methods operating on him, the experience of the disciple was sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter; sometimes laden with bliss, sometimes maddening; sometimes shocking, sometimes thrilling. But, he knew that what the Master did was for his own ultimate good. To emphasise the importance of “Karma-Yoga” to his High Brahmin birth disciples, who were wary of doing menial work, with trowel, pickaxe, shovel, & broom he himself cleaned the gutter, with his right hand up to the elbow in the drain and carried the waste on his head with the wet refuse dripping on his shoulders[Then in 1930‟s there was manual scavenging] . He stated “ Always remember “All Indeed is Brahman! Life Saving Teachings: “A dejected widower, unable to bear the severe pangs of separation from his wife, was preparing to commit suicide. The noose was made ready. The front door of the house was locked. The person was about to put his head into the noose, when lo! Someone knocked at the door. The person came down and opened the door, before he intended to carry on his intentions. “There was the postman handing over a letter. He very anxiously opened the letter and read consoling words telling him of dire consequences of committing suicide and also advising how to live a life of peace and happiness. This person at once dropped the idea of suicide and went with his family to have Darshan of the great Saint who had written such a letter.” Needless to say the saint was none other than Guru Deva Swami Sivananda ! The Master‟s Grace worked in mysterious, inexplicable ways, known only to himself. One day, an official letter was received from a Govt Dept in India. On the top of the letter was the name and address of the head of that Dept. At once the Master autographed a book and sent it to him and his name was also put on the free mailing list for The Divine Life Magazine. This Govt official wrote a stiff letter to the society, in which he said: “Don‟t waste time in sending these to me. I don‟t like them, I have not time to look at them ! When the master saw the letter, he said; “All right take his name off the free mailing list and the matter was laid to rest then & there ! Two years later this same Govt Official wrote back stating; “ I received a book from you 2 years ago! At that time I was so arrogant haughty as I was occupying a position of power & prestige. So when I received your book, I threw it away. I was on top. Then a little later I came down; I lost my job, money, all went wrong.
  • 28. Page | 28 “One day I had suicidal thoughts and then suddenly I saw your book; “Sure Ways for success in Life & God-Realization” ! I opened the book and saw the words “Never Despair”. I suddenly remembered that I had received the book and thrown it away in the waste basket but my servant found and dusted and kept it back in the book shelf thinking that I had accidently thrown it away. I am thankful to him & thankful to you. That book saved my life”. Then he picked up the threads of what was left and made a success of his life. Such was the Divine Master‟s mysterious ways of transforming individuals. To casual visitors, Sivananda often gave spiritual instruction in tablet form. Such advice was rarely forgotten. For instance, if the visitor was an engineer, Swamiji advised him to build the Bridge of Immortality; if an auditor, to audit his own Antahkarana and have a stock-taking of the Vrittis and Vasanas; if a doctor, to do the “Ego-dechtomy” operation on his ego. Sivananda asked the businessman to do business with God, the military officer to fight the “inner battle”. He asked the mothers to give their children God Liver Oil; and if he saw a puzzled look on their face, hastened to explain, “Sri Ram, Sri Ram.... Sri Ram is God Liver Oil”. Swamiji did not treat all people alike; he did not give the same pill to all patients. Sivananda gave Sannyasa liberally. In India‟s religious history, no other saint ever turned so many into monks. Swamiji gave Sannyasa to men and to women. He gave the ochre robe to older people with a few years left to live and to teenagers about to start their adult life. He gave Sannyasa to Indians and to foreigners. He gave Sannyasa in person and by post. To some who had worldly responsibilities still to discharge, he gave mental Sannyasa. Sivananda coloured their mind. He told them to live in the world, but be not of it. Depending upon the calibre of the Sadhaka[As there are different Sannyasa Sampradayas] Sivananda arranged for Sannyasa for people from other masters via their books, and teachings. Some people found fault with his giving of Sannyasa to unqualified persons. To this Sivananda stated, “If I keep one rogue with me, serve & transform him, by giving Sannyasa, the world would be saved of that one rogue.” “Who knows in which future birth will that Sannyasa bear fruit for that person” ? SEVA YATRA Swamiji travelled the whole length and breadth of India during his Parivrajaka (wandering monk) life. He visited important places of pilgrimage in the South, including Rameswaram. He conducted Sankirtan and delivered lectures. He visited Aurobindo Ashram and met Maharishi Suddhananda Bharati. At Ramana Ashram, he had Darshan of Sri Ramana Maharishi on the Maharishi's birthday. He sang Bhajans and danced in ecstasy with the Bhaktas of Ramana. Swamiji went on a trip to Kailas-Manasarovar, Badri. During his travels Sivananda, never pretended to be a Vairagi with empty pockets, expecting others to help him. When he travelled, on propaganda tours, Swamiji kept, enough money with him in two or three pockets. He gave separate purses with plenty of money to those who accompanied him. During his travels, he carried a bundle containing ink-pot, pens, pencils, pins, study books like Viveka Chudamani, the Upanishads, the Gita and the Brahma-sutras. He kept also some postage stamps to attend to some urgent correspondence work. He used to go to the Railway Station two hours before the scheduled train timings. Instead of looking here and there, He would sit under a tree and attend to his
  • 29. Page | 29 writing work. He never kept, any address book, with him, for meeting devotees, or friends, at important centres of travel with a view to getting nice food or financial help. He quickly finished his work for which he was travelling and returned to Rishikesh by the first available opportunity ! The Divine Life Organization ! He returned after the pilgrimage, to Rishikesh and in the year 1936 sowed the seed of “The Divine Life Society” on the bank of the holy Ganga. He found an old Kutir, dilapidated and disused, which looked like an abandoned cowshed. To him it was more than a palace. It had four 'rooms'. He cleaned the Kutir, and occupied it. Then, the increasing number of disciples who sought his lotus-feet, undaunted by forbidding conditions of living, necessitated expansion. They found more cowsheds, vacant, but un-in habitably filthy. In one room, an old cowherd was living; the others were full of hay and dung. In about a year or so, the old cowherd also vacated his 'room' and “The Divine Life” army completed the occupation. Thus began the early life of “The Divine Life Society”. From this small beginning, the Society grew imperceptibly and it is now the headquarters of a world-wide Organization having a large number of Branches both within the country and outside. He got “The Divine Life Society” Registered as a Trust in the year 1936, with the main objects of broadcasting of spiritual knowledge and selfless service of humanity. The free distribution, of spiritual literature, drew a steady flow of disciples of Sri Swamiji. With the getting of able hands, he started the various departments, of the Society to provide suitable fields of activity, for the purification of their hearts and to grow spiritually. The publication of the monthly journal, 'The Divine Life', was commenced in September 1938, to coincide with the celebration of his birthday. The world was in grip of the 2nd world-war and in order to release a continuous stream of peace-current in the whole world, to help the distressed minds of the people, he started the Akhanda Mahamantra Kirtan (non-stop chanting of the Mahamantra, Hare Rama Hare Rama; Rama Rama Hare Hare; Hare Krishna Hare Krishna; Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, round-the-clock) on the 3rd December 1943 and also instituted the Lord Sri Visvanath Mandir with three-time regular worship, daily, on the 31st December 1943. Swami Sivananda believed in synthesis of everything, in Yoga as well as in the alleviation of human suffering. The Allopathic treatment was inseparable from him and the Society, even from the earliest days of his life at Swargashram. He now felt the need to serve the people with genuine Ayurvedic preparations out of the rare Himalayan herbs. He therefore instituted the Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy in 1945. Swami Sivananda organized the All-world Religions Federation on the 28th December 1945 and established the All-world Sadhus Federation on 19th February 1947. The year 1947 saw a great expansion in the activities of the Society. It was the year of the Diamond Jubilee of the Great Soul, when a number of buildings sprang up. “The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy” was established in the year 1948, to give a systematic spiritual training, to the resident Sadhakas and also to benefit the visiting seekers.
  • 30. Page | 30 The YVFA in Sivananda Ashram now conducts thrice a year, 2 months, residential full time, Free of cost, Basic Course in Yoga & Vedanta only for Men, where the ancient teachings of Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Narada Bhakti Sutra, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Hinduism, Indian & Western Philosophy, Religious consciousness, Practical Karma and Yoga Asanas Pranayama‟s are imparted. Swami Sivananda undertook, a lightning All-India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) tour in 1950 to, deliver his divine message throughout the length and breadth of the country. During the tour, Swamiji travelled 8,000 miles by train, plane and steamer, horse-drawn carriage and bullock cart. He addressed public meetings and press conferences, broadcasted radio talks, offered worship at sacred Tirthas (pilgrimage places), and himself received worship and conducted Satsangas in the homes of devotees. Siva himself sang this “Song of a Little” at every meeting he addressed during his all-India- Ceylon Tour in 1950, thus summarizing his teachings till then. Eat a little, drink a little, Talk a little, sleep a little, Mix a little, move a little, Serve a little, rest a little, Work a little, rest a little, Study a little, worship a little, Do Asana a little, Pranayama a little, Reflect a little, meditate a little, Do Japa a little, do Kirtan a little,Write Mantra a little, have Satsanga a little. Do a little of each; you will have time for all. God- realisation is thus brought within your easy reach; and you are saved from the fear of a fall. In his own life time, the master gave away valuable books, worth Lakhs of rupees free & indiscriminately, even to unworthy persons. When some people objected to this; He stated “Some worthy person, will get the book from them, read it and will be benefited. For distributing knowledge, and doing useful work quickly, one should be very generous and large-hearted”. He spent tens of thousands of rupees on packing and postage only. The above sayings of the master proved twice. At 17, Vishnu was serving in the British Army. Looking into a wastepaper basket for some lost letter, he found the “Sadhana Tattva” a single page leaflet by the master. It immediately attracted his attention and caused a spiritual awakening. He travelled to Rishikesh to meet the master, and after the war was over, he joined the master and was initiated into Sannyas as Swami Vishnudevananda. He learnt and mastered Hatha Yoga, and went abroad and settled in Canada. It was a single sentence, in the Master‟s “Students Success in Life” which awakened the inner spirit, of one Sri V L Nagaraj, a Bangalore Postal official. Out of inquisity, he opened a book, which fell, from a postal parcel, that accidentally broke loose. The transformation, which took place, in this one soul, in its turn, brought about a beneficial, change in many lives in Bangalore, through the activities, of a Divine Life Centre, which V L Nagaraj built up. Swami Sivananda virtually awakened the moral and spiritual consciousness in the hearts of the people. The effect was tremendous. Since then, there was an incessant flow, of seeking souls, to the Ashram, as also a greater inflow of letters from aspirants from the entire country, which demanded more intense dissemination of knowledge. The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press was established in September 1951, a powerful means of wide dissemination of knowledge.
  • 31. Page | 31 Sri Swamiji convened the World Parliament of Religions in 1953, at the Sivananda Ashram. The small dispensary that was inseparable from Swami Sivananda, grew slowly and became regular Hospital with X-Ray and other facilities. The Sivananda Eye Hospital was formally opened in December 1957. The Hospital has 10 beds for in-patients at present and is being expanded to have 30 beds. The Sivananda Publication League had published almost all the writings of the Master. The Society's Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 1961, by which time, the Master saw the fulfilment of his mission in his own lifetime. Swami Sivananda radiated his divine and lofty message of service, meditation and God- realization to all parts of the world through his books, running to more than 300, through periodicals and letters. His devoted disciples are drawn from all religions, cults and creeds in the world. Swami Sivananda's Yoga, which he has significantly called the 'Yoga of Synthesis', effects a harmonious development of the 'hand', 'head' and 'heart' through the practice of Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. On the 14th July 1963, the Great Soul Swami Sivananda entered Mahasamadhi (departure of a Self-realized saint from his mortal coil) in his Kutir on the bank of Ganga, in Shivanandanagar. Before his departure, he presented a silk saree, especially bought for the purpose, to the nurse Kumari Sundari Behn, who had been attending to him, since some days, as a token of his gratitude, for her devoted service. It was almost a sacred principle with Gurudev, that he never allowed, the slightest service to go unrewarded, at once. In all cases, the reward, was much higher than the service rendered. It is said; that a Guru never dies, He only disappears from our material vision! Sivananda still lives. He lives in his books, he lives in his disciples, he lives in the very atmosphere of his own Ashram in Rishikesh. Sivananda was a prince among men, a jewel among saints. Service and love were the weapons with which he conquered human hearts. His humility and love endeared him to all. Did Sivananda create a new religion? No! Did he build a new Church? No! Did he evolve a new code of conduct and morals, behaviour? No! Did he prescribe new rules and rituals? No! Sivananda helped the Hindu to be a better Hindu, the Christian to be a better Christian, the Parsi to be a better Parsi, the Muslim to be a better Muslim. Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Parsis—all loved him. All claimed him as their own. Swami Sivananda did not go on global tours, but students, devotees and admirers flocked to him from everywhere. He did not deliver long sermons, but thousands of doubters were transformed by a mere word or phrase that fell from his lips or was seen in his books. There was a power in Sivananda—in his thoughts, in his words, in his deeds. It was the power of truth. It was the power of purity. It was the power of service and love. It was the
  • 32. Page | 32 power of God, the power which lies hidden in everyone, but which Sivananda manifested in its full majesty. The Above work has been synthesised from 4 Books 1- H H Swami Sivananda‟s Online Biography, “Swami Sivananda-A Modern Sage”, “Autobiography of Swami Sivananda” & “From Man To God-Man” ! If the reader has been touched, transformed and inspired by the above Biography and would like to know more on Swami Sivananda‟s works on Yoga/Vedanta & “The Divine Life Society”, then please visit http://www.dlshq.org & http://www.sivanandaonline.orgon the Internet. For downloading free e-books of Swami Sivananda please visit http://dlshq.org/download on the Internet. For Free Catalogue & purchasing Paper Books please visit http://dlsbooks.org on the Internet! For Postal, Telephonic, and E-Mail Communications Contact: The Divine Life Society Headquarters-Sivananda Ashram, PO Shivananda Nagar, Via Rishikesh, District Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand State, India. Postal Code:249 192 For callers outside India:+91-135-2430040 & 2431190 For India Callers:0135-2430040/2431190 E-Mail: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org For Print Publications & Counter Sales bookstore@sivanandaonline.org Some important books of His Holiness Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. All About Hinduism- http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf Autobiography of Swami Sivananda- http://www.dlshq.org/download/autobio.pdf Conquest of Anger-http://www.dlshq.org/download/anger.pdf Conquest of Fear-http://www.dlshq.org/download/conquest_fear.pdf Easy steps to yoga- http://www.dlshq.org/download/easysteps.pdf Essence of Yoga- http://www.dlshq.org/download/essence_yoga.pdf God Exists- http://www.dlshq.org/download/god_exists.pdf Hindu Fasts & Festivals-http://www.dlshq.org/download/hindufest.pdf How to Get Vairagya- http://www.dlshq.org/download/vairagya.pdf Ideals of married life- http://www.dlshq.org/download/married.pdf Lord Krishna His Lilas & Teachings http://www.dlshq.org/download/lordkrishna.pdf Lord Siva & His Worship - http://www.dlshq.org/download/lordsiva.pdf Life & Teachings of Lord Jesus http://www.dlshq.org/download/jesus_teach.pdf Mind It‟s Mysteries & Control- http://www.dlshq.org/download/mind.pdf May I Answer That- http://www.dlshq.org/download/may_ianswer.pdf Practice of Brahmacharya http://www.dlshq.org/download/brahma_nopic.pdf
  • 33. Page | 33 Practice of Karma Yoga http://www.dlshq.org/download/practicekarma.pdf Sure ways for success in life & God Realization- http://www.dlsbooks.org Satsang & Svadhyaya http://www.dlshq.org/download/satsanga.pdf Temples in India http://www.dlshq.org/download/temples.pdf The Philosophy of Idol Worship http://www.dlshq.org/download/idolworship.pdf Vedanta For Beginners http://www.dlshq.org/download/vedbegin.pdf What becomes of the soul after death http://www.dlshq.org/download/afterdeath.pdf Master‟s Works compiled after his disappearance:-Bliss Divine-BySriNAnanthanarayanan -The Master‟s Splendid Work, Available only in print edition http://www.dlsbooks.org From Man To God Man-By Sri N Ananthanarayanan http://dlsbooks.org