20 Spiritual instructions Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanand Maharaj Blessed Divinity SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA These twenty instructions contain the very essence of all Yoga Sadhana, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Yoga will all come to one who follows them whole-heartedly. They are the unfailing keys to quick and effective development and culture of the physical, mental, moral and spiritual self of man. 1. BRAHMAMUHURTA Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which is extremely favourable for Sadhana. Do all your morning spiritual Sadhana during this period from 4 a.m. to 6:30 or 7 a.m. Such Sadhana gives quick and maximum progress. 2. ASANA Sit on Padmasana (lotus pose), Siddhasana (adept’s pose) or Sukhasana (any pose you like) for your Japa and meditation for half an hour, facing east or north. Increase the period gradually to three hours. Practice Sirshasana (headstand) and Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) for maintenance of health and Brahmacharya. Take light physical exercises as walking, etc., regularly. Do twenty rounds of easy, comfortable Pranayama (breathing exercises). Do not strain yourself while doing Pranayama. 3. JAPA You can repeat any Mantra (sacred syllable), such as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Sri Ram, Sita Ram, Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram, Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Hari Om, or Gayatri (a sacred Vedic Mantra), according to your taste or inclination, from 108 times to 21,600 times daily. Devotees of Christ may repeat the name Jesus or Hail Mary, Mother of Jesus. Parsis, Sikhs and Muslims may select a name or Mantra from the Zend Avesta, Granth Sahib or Koran respectively. 4. DIETETIC DISCIPLINE Take Sattvic food. Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight once or twice in a year. Eat simple simple food. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine to keep the life going. Eating for enjoyment is a sin. Give up salt and sugar for a week or a fortnight. You must be able to live on rice, dhal and bread without any pickle. Do not ask for extra salt for dhal, and sugar for tea, coffee and milk. People taking non-vegetaraian diet should try their best to gradually give up flesh-eating as completely as possible. They will be immensely benefited. 5. MEDITATION Have a separate meditation room under lock and key. If this is not possible then a corner of the room should be set apart with a small cloth screen or curtain drawn across. Keep the room spotlessly clean. 6. SVADHYAYA Study systematically the Gita, Ramayana, Bhagavatam, Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita-Sahasranama, Adityahridaya, Upanishads, Yoga Vasishta, Bible, Imitation of Christ, Zend Avesta, Quran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib and other religious books from half an hour to one hour daily, and have Suddha Vichara (pure thoughts). 7. ELEVATE THE MIND Get by heart some prayer – Slokas (prayer verses), Stotras (hymns) and repeat them as soon as you sit in the Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly. 8. BRAHMACHARYA Preserve the vital force (Veerya (seminal energy)) very, very carefully. Veerya is God in motion or manifestation (Vibhuti). Veerya is all power. Veerya is all money. Veerya is the essence of life, thought and intelligence. This instruction is not for bachelors only. Householders also must follow it as far as possible. They must be extremely moderate in their marital connections with their spouse. This is very important. 9. CHARITY Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily according to your means. Never fail in this item. If necessary forego some personal wants but keep up this charity regularly. 10. HAVE SATSANG Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors entirely. Have constant Satsang (association with holy people). Do not develop any evil habits. Deliberately exert to develop positive virtuous qualities. 11. FAST Fast on Ekadasi (11th day of the Hindu lunar fortnight) or live on milk and fruits only. Christians must fast on alternate Sundays, Muslims on alternate Fridays, and Parsis on a suitable day every fortnight. 12. JAPA MALA Have a Japa Mala (rosary) around your neck or in your pocket or underneath your pillow at night. This will remind you of God. Twirl the beads during your leisure. You should repeat the Name at all times, whatever task you may be engaged in. 13. OBSERVE MOUNA Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily. Do not make gestures and inarticulate noises during the period of silence. 14. DISCIPLINE OF SPEECH Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly. Always utter encouraging words. Never condemn, criticize or discourage. Do not raise your voice and shout at little children or subordinates. 15. BE CONTENT Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number to three or two. Lead a happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Be mentally detached. Have plain living and high thinking. Think of those who do not possess even one-tenth of what you have. Share with others. 16. PRACTICE LOVE Never hurt anybody. Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah (Non-injury is the highest virtue). Control anger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) and Daya (compassion). Serve the sick and the poor with love and affection. This is service of God. 17. BE SELF RELIANT Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues. 18. HAVE SELF-ANALYSIS Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the day, just before retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep a daily spiritual diary and self-correction register as Benjamin Franklin did. Maintain a daily routine and resolve-form. Do not brood over past mistakes. 19. DO YOUR DUTY Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Never fail to fulfil your duties. Have pure conduct (Sadachara). 20. REMEMBER GOD Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep, and at all other times whether engaged in any

Prayers Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanand Maharaj Blessed Divinity Universal Prayer O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love !Salutations and prostrations unto Thee.Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient.Thou art Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute.Thou art the Indweller of all beings. Grant us an understanding heart,Equal vision, balanced mind,Faith, devotion and wisdom.Grant us inner spiritual strengthTo resist temptation and to control the mind.Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy.Fill our hearts with divine virtues. Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms.Let us serve Thee in all these names 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. — Swami Sivananda Prayer O All-Merciful Lord! Time is fleeting. The senses are revolting. The mind is jumping. Maya is deluding. The three fires are burning. The five afflictions are tormenting. Friends are disturbing. Diseases are troubling. The heat of the summer is scorching. Flies, mosquitoes, bugs and scorpions are teasing. The charms of the world are tempting. I can neither concentrate nor meditate. I cannot do anything in the spiritual path without Thy benign grace. O Lord! Thou art an ocean of mercy. Bless me. If I get a drop from that ocean, will it dry up? O Adorable Lord! People proclaim that Thou art Deenabandhu, Deenanath, Kripa Nidhan, Karuna Sagar, Anatha Rakshaka. Thou hast saved Ahalya, Draupadi, Prahlad, Dhruva, Gajendra, but in my case, Thou hast not done anything. I am still in pain, agony and darkness. I am crying for Thy grace and help. O absentee landlord of this world! Where hast Thou gone? O Self-Effulgent Lord! The fish cannot live without water. The sunflower cannot live without the sun. The Pativrata cannot live without her husband. The mind cannot live without Prana. The flame of the lamp cannot burn without oil. So also, I cannot live without Thee. O Lord, come, come, enthrone Thyself in my heart. Thou art the Prana of my Pranas. Thou art the Soul of my soul. Thou art Light Divine. Thou art Light of Knowledge. Thou art the Dispeller of darkness. Thou art the Supreme Guru. Thou art beyond the reach of mind and speech. Thou art beyond any kind of limitation. Thou art the Over-soul. Thou art the Self of this universe. Thou art self-luminous. Thou art without parts, without actions, without limbs, without any taint or fault, without birth and death. Thou art our Father, Mother, Brother, Friend, Guru, Relative and sole Refuge. Thou art the embodiment of Peace, Bliss, Knowledge, Power, Strength and Beauty. O All-Merciful Lord! Through Thy grace, may I realise Truth! May I always entertain sublime thoughts! May I realise myself as the Light Divine! May I serve humanity with Atma Bhav! May I be free from greed, lust, egoism, jealousy and hatred! May I behold the one sweet Immortal Self in all beings! May I realise Brahman with pure understanding! May that Light of lights ever guide me! May He cleanse my mind of all impurities! May He inspire me! May He bestow on me power, courage and strength! May He remove the veil of the mind! May He remove all obstacles in the spiritual path! May He make my life happy and fruitful! I bow to Thee, O Lord of lords, O God of gods, O Deva of Devas, O Brahman of the Upanishads, the Support for Maya and Isvara! Prayer to Lord Shiva The leaves of life are falling off . Youth is fading . The days are rolling on .Time , the destroyer , lays his hands on the whole world .Existence in this world is as momentary as a bubble or lightening .O lord Shiva ! Protect me . O Lord Shiva! Who holds the begging bowl of the skull of Brahma ! Control this monkey mind which jumps at its sweet will on the branches of desires in the forest of Lust and keep it with Thee for ever . THE SUPREME WITNESS The silent Sakshi, the Supreme Self silently looks from above the activities of the mind of the individual soul like a spectator.He is quite indifferent and unconcerned.He is quite unaffected like water on the lotus leaf.The individual soul identifies himself with the body and mind, works and enjoys the sensual objects with avidity, cupidity and stupidity and is bound thereby. Song of Eighteen “Ities”BySwami Sivananda For everyone’s success in life and especially for an aspirant’s success in spiritual life, it is essential that he should develop certain cardinal virtues. Virtue is strength, power and the key to peace. A virtuous man is ever happy, peaceful and prosperous. People ask me for the specific mention of the virtues that one should develop. The Song of Eighteen “Ities” enumerates the virtues that one should cultivate. Take up any one virtue and develop it to a very high degree of perfection; eradicate in toto its opposite evil quality even in its most subtle form. Meditate on these virtues, on their benefits and the methods of cultivating them. Here is the Song of Eighteen “Ities”: Serenity, regularity, absence of vanity,Sincerity, simplicity, veracity,Equanimity, fixity, non-irritability,Adaptability, humility, tenacity,Integrity, nobility, magnanimity,Charity, generosity, purity.Practice daily these eighteen ‘ities’,You will soon attain immortality.Brahman is the only real entity,Mr. So and so is a false non-entity.You will abide in eternity and infinity;You will behold unity in diversity;You cannot attain this in the university.You can attain this in the Forest University. ||

The Benevolent master Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanand Maharaj Blessed Divinity The Himalayas and its peaks mount Everest are known for its heights but it does not have depth, where as pacific ocean has depth but does not have height. Gurudev Shri Swami Sivananadaji Maharaj is worshiped and honored for his Himalayan height of purity, conduct, truth and service to the mankind and pacific depth of knowledge, devotion and abundant love and generosity to the mankind. He was an unmatched and unparalleled gem. Born in unknown corner of South India in very tiny village named Pattamadai in Tirunelvelly district on the bank of Tampraparani River, today after 116 year, his name has become a household name to the yoga lovers & the seekers of truth. He is light beacon to all who seek guidance in the path of spirituality. He was an ideal monk. He was able to do everything through his thought vibrations. Never did he become a head of any institution or association but a number of heads and presidents of socio-religious and political institution came to him for his guidance, grace and blessings. Swami Sivananadaji Maharaj never toured to the west but people from all corners of the world came to him after being inspired by his writings. He preached by his exemplary life. His life was embodiment of teaching. His mere sight elevated the minds of thousands. He was a living assurance for others for the realization of the absolute. Many drew inspiration from the sight of him during his holy presence and even today many more get inspiration from his holy Samadhi shrine from his holy abode at Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh. He was beautiful within and without, ever absorbed in His inner being and beyond the realm of his thought vibrations yet controlling everything with it. He was strong indeed; His divine thoughts transmitted to the long distance & purified the world and enter the minds of thousands. The world will rejoice his memory for a long time to come. He healed by suggestion. In spite of being a doctor, He gave drugfree treatment. By powerful suggestions, he cured many people in the east & the west who sought refuge in him. He cured a variety of diseases. After having learned this great science of healing in his austerity, during his Tapasya, He always preached about the power of sincere prayer, prayers for peace and prosperities of mankind. He prayed for them, those who needed his prayer. He used to say, allopathic, homeopathy, ayurvedopathy or unanipathy may fail but NAMO PATHY- the holy name of the Lord will never fail. Sooner or later all prayers are answered. Such indomitable was his faith in prayers and power of the absolute with which he could move the mountain. His mission of Divine Life stands for service and love to the mankind for charity, purity for meditation and finally the goal of self-realization. His very life itself was his message. He lived and breathed only for the good of the known and unknown countless people not only on this planet earth but perhaps also many other distant planets. He lived through his physical and mental presence in small little thatched hut and most of his penance days hardly had square meal to satisfy his need but he has taken very tender care of each of his devotees & visitors providing them with the essential things. He served sick and poor, cows and dogs, known and unknown, far and wide. His name was Sivananda but widely he was known as Givananda and SEVANANDA (having bliss in service). Swami Sivanandaji’s compassion was boundless. The scorpions, lizards, mice or snakes, used to scroll around fearlessly in his room in front of him. He would not disturb them and they would not bother Him. What an understanding! What compassion! What a care! To him everything was Brahman! He used to say, “Sarvam Braham-mayam re-re ladaka Brahman! Ladaki Brahman! Gadha Ghadhi bhi Brahman!”. Everything is Brahman, Boys or Girls, donkey or monkey, everything is bliss bliss bliss! Absolute!!! These were not merely funny words or attitude, but these were his very realization of the ultimate truth. His life was a life of illumination and light. Divine qualities such as fearlessness and purity of the heart conferred liberation to him. The effect of Sattwa Guna made him established in truth and made him understand & distinguished between what is real and what is unreal. Swami Sivananadaji Maharaj was an embodiment of pure Sattawa. Total purity. From head to foot he was heart, oozing with love and only love to serve and love, give and purify, meditate and realize Adorable Presence Divine, worshipful homage unto Thee! We who are inseparable parts of Thy eternal, infinite existence, one with You in essential nature, have forgotten our eternal relationship with Thee Who art our adi, madhya and anta (beginning, middle and end), Who art our all in all. Through this forgetfulness we have alienated ourselves from Thee and thus find ourselves to be in a state deprived of the bliss, peace and light that is our birthright, that is what we are. We have deprived ourselves of this Self-experience, and we are living a spurious, false, counterfeit experience filled with love and hate, laughing and weeping, anxiety and tension, fear and bondage, fighting and quarrelling, self-centredness, selfishness, anger and jealousy. It is a kritrimavastha, a vishamavastha—an unnatural state, an abnormal state. It is not sahaja (natural) to us, but kritrima (unnatural). At the time when Sri Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj came to limelight in this world, sometime in the earlier part of this century, it could be observed that there were certain movements in human history which required rectification. History is nothing but the march of the intentions of the Time-spirit which vigorously adjusts and adapts itself to the ultimate aim and goal towards which the entire universe is moving. At the beginning of this century, there were two trends in the social movement, which went

Swami Sivanandaji 108 names Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanand Maharaj Blessed Divinity 1.       Om sri omkara roopaya namah.           Om, Prostrations to the One whose real form is Omkara. 2.       Om sadgurave namah.           Om, Prostrations to the Sat-Guru. 3.       Om sakshacchankara roopadhrite namah.           Om, to the One who is veritable Lord Siva Himself. 4.       Om sivanandaya namah.           Qm, to Master Sivananda. 5.       Om sivakaraya namah.           Om, to Him who is the personification of Lord Siva. 6.       Om sivasayaniroopakaya namah.           Om, to Him who reveals the form of Lord Siva. 7.       Om hrishikesa nivasine namah.           Om, to HIM who resides in Rishikesh. 8.       Om  vaidyasastra visaradaya namah.           Om, to Him who is an expert in the knowledge of Medicines. 9.       Om samadarsine namah.           Om, to the One of equal vision. 10.     Om tapasvine namah.           Om, to the great ascetic, of great penance. 11.     Om premaroopaya namah.           Om, to the One who is a personification of Love.  12.     Om mahamunaye namah.           Om, to the great Muni (Sage). 13.     Om divya jeevana sangha pratishthatre namah.           Om, to the Founder of The Divine Life Society 14.     Om prabodhakaya namah.           Om, to the Great Awakener. 15.     Om geetananda svaroopine namah. Om, to the very embodiment of the Bliss of the Bhagavad Gita. 16.     Om bhaktigamyaya namah. Om, to the One who can be attained through devotion and love. 17.     Om bhayapahaya namah.      Om, to the Destroyer of Fear. 18.     Om sarvavide namah. Om, to the Being who is All-Knowing. 19.     Om sarvagaya namah.           Om, to the One who is everywhere 20.      Om netre namah.       Om, to the One who leads. 21.     Om trayeemarga pradarsakaya namah. Om, to the Expounder and Revealer of all the three Paths (Karma, Bhakti and Jnana). 22.     Om vairagya jnana nirataya namah. Om, to Him who is established in Dispassion and Wisdom. 23.     Om sarvaloka hitotsukaya namah. Om, to Him who is intent upon the welfare of the entire universe. 24.     Om bhavamaya prasamanaya namah. Om, to Him who is the Allayer of the disease of this phenomenal existence (Birth and Death). 25.     Om samadhigrantha kalpakaya namah. Om, to Him who has written the Book on Samadhi. 26.     Om gunine namah. Om, to Him who is adorned by Divine qualities. 27.     Om mahatmane namah. Om, to the Great Souled One. 28.     Om dharmatmane namah. Om to the Righteousness-Incarnate. 29.     Om sthitaprajnaya namah. Om, to the One who is established in firm Wisdom (Superconsciousness). 30.     Om subhodayaya namah. Om, to the One who is an Auspicious beginning (in all things). 31.     Om ananda sagaraya namah. Om, to Him who is an Ocean of Bliss. 32.     Om saraya namah. Om, to the Essence, the Quintessence of all Beings. 33.     Om gangateerasramasthitaya namah. Om, to Him who is residing on the bank of the holy river Ganga. 34.     Om vishnudevananda-datta brahmajnana- pradeepakaya namah. Om, to Him who shines with Brahma-Jnana (Divine Wisdom) conferred on him by his Sannyasa Guru, Swami Vishnudevananda (of Kailasa Ashram). 35.     Om sree brahmasootropanisad anglabhashya prakalpakaya namah. Om, to Him who rendered the Brahma-Sutras and the Upanishads in the English language. 36.     Om visvananda charanayugma sevajata subuddhimate namah. Om, to Him who attained the real Wisdom through the service of the two Holy Feet of Swami Viswananda, his Spiritual Guru. 37.     Om mantramoortaye namah. Om, to Him who is the Personification of all Mantras. 38.     Om japaparaya namah. Om, to Him who is immersed in Japa. 39.     Om tantrajnaya namah. Om, to Him who is the Knower of the Tantras. 40.     Om manavate namah. Om, to Him who is full of Humanity, of human qualities 41.     Om baline namah. Om, to Him who is Powerful. 42.     Om umaramana padayugma satatarchana lalasaya namah. Om, to Him who is ever eager to worship the Feet of the Lord of Uma. 43.     Om parasmai jyotishe namah. Om, to the Transcendental Light. 44.     Om parasmai dhamne namah. Om, to Him who is the Ultimate Transcendental Abode. 45.     Om paramanave namah. Om, to the Supreme Atom, the Soul of even the Atom. 46.     Om paratparaya namah. Om, to Him who is beyond even the Transcendental. 47.     Om santamoortaye namah. Om, to Him who is the Personification of Peace. 48.     Om dayasagaraya namah. Om, to Him who is the Ocean of compassion and Mercy. 49.     Om Mumukshu-hridayasthitaya namah. Om, to Him who dwells in the Hearts of Seekers after Liberation. 50.     Om anandamrita samdogdhre namah. Om, to Him who has obtained the Nectar of Supreme Bliss. 51.     Om appayyakula-deepakaya namah. Om, to Him who is the Illuminer of the Lamp that lights the Family of the Sage Appayya. 52.     Om sakshibhootaya namah. Om, to Him who is the Witness-Being 53.     Om rajayogine namah. Om, to Him who is the Great Raja Yogin. 54.     Om satyananda svaroopine namah. Om, to Him who is the Embodiment of Truth and Bliss. 55.     Om ajnanamayabheshajaya namah. Om, to Him who is the Physician for the Disease of Spiritual Ignorance. 56.     Om lokoddharanapanditaya namah. Om, to Him who is the Expert in saving Humanity 57.     Om yogananda rasasvadine namah. Om, to Him who is ever tasting the nectar of the Yogic Bliss. 58.     Om sadachara samujjvalaya namah. Om, to Him who is Effulgent, Radiant with noble conduct. 59.     Om atmaramaya namah. Om, to Him who is ever Rejoicing in his own Self. 60.     Om sreegurave namah. Om, to the Revered Guru. 61.     Om sacchidananda vigrahaya namah. Om, to Him who is the Embodiment of Satchidananda. 62.     Om jeevanmuktaya namah. Om, to Him who is Liberated even while Living. 63.     Om chinmayatmane namah. Om, to Him who is Pure Consciousness. 64.     Om nistraigunyaya namah. Om, to Him who is devoid of the Three Gunas. 65.     Om yateesvaraya namah. Om, to Him who is the Chief among Renunciates. 66.     Om advaitasara-prakata veda-vedanta tattvagaya namah. Om, to Him who has delved into the Wisdom of the Veda and Vedanta, expounding the Essence of non-dualism (Advaita). 67.     Om chidananda janahiada nrityageeta pravartakaya namah. Om, to Him who causes great Rejoicing among people through his Ecstatic Song and Dance. 68.     Om naveenajana santratre namah. Om, to Him who is the Saviour of the Modern Man. 69.     Om sree brahmamarga pradarsakaya namah. Om, to Him who shows the Path to the Attainment of Brahman. 70.     Om pranayama parayanaya namah. Om, to Him who is ever intent on Pranayama. 71.     Om nityavairagya samupasritaya namah. Om, to Him who constantly takes Recourse to the Highest Dispassion. 72.     Om jitamayaya namak. Om, to Him

The Superman of India Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanand Maharaj Blessed Divinity The Soil of Bharat has been hallowed by the Presence of Avatars, Saints, Seers, Paramhansas & The Avadhootas. The Glory of Bharat shines eternally as the Masters Walked on its Land rendering it Holy , Vibrant and Calming to the Mind & Soul . Beloved Swami Sivananda played a Special role in the Grandeur Leela of Lord ( Creation ) which left an distinctive impression on the World altogether . The Selfless Master taught Mankind the Direct Route to Supreme Reality, The Miseries of the World , The Bliss of Self Realization , The Special Status for Bhramacharya , The Message of Unity in Diversity , And Practical Vedanta in Day to Day life . What he preached was How he Lived. The Spiritual Superman of India transformed the Minds & Ignorant belief of People across Globe . He was an Ocean of Wisdom and every word in his over 300 books is a direct practical guideline for the Sadhak . Swami Sivanandaji spread the message of Living a Divine Life , Loving God and Making life Holy by following the Teachings of Guru without any Doubt or disbelief . The Guru knows temperament of each of his student , hence he must be followed with full faith . Guru is Bhrama , Guru is Vishnu , Guru is Maheshwara , He is Supreme Self and knows all . Hence the Guru should be obeyed implicitly. Swami Sivanandaji was a Jeevan Mukta , A Self Realized Yogi , hence he was always united with Bhraman ( God ) . Whatever he directed, wrote , taught was the highest truth which was outcome of his intense Sadhana , His Love for God , his dispassion and Kind interest in Uplifting fellow beings . His Service to the World is unparalleled, his selfless interest in curing sick people . His Selfless interest for spreading worldwide Spiritual Literature, which consisted of a combination of all sacred scriptures ( Gita , Upanishad , Vedas , Mahapurans , itihas , Bible , Qoran , etc ) . Swami Sivanandaji was a God Intoxicated Saint , he was in constant sadhana . His life itself was a Worship , an offering at the Lotus Feet of his Beloved – God . He was from top to toe a Selfless Lover of God . Born on the 8th September, 1887, in the noble family of Sage Appayya Dikshitar and several other renowned saints and savants, Sri Swami Sivananda had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta. Added to this was an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind. Though born in an orthodox family, Swamiji was broad-minded and catholic, pious and devout.Born on the 8th September, 1887, in the noble family of Sage Appayya Dikshitar and several other renowned saints and savants, Sri Swami Sivananda had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta. Added to this was an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind. Though born in an orthodox family, Swamiji was broad-minded and catholic, pious and devout. His passion for service drew him to the medical career; and soon he gravitated to those parts of the world which most needed his service. Malaya claimed him. He had also commenced editing a Health Journal and wrote extensively on health problems. He discovered he espoused it as his own mission. It was divine dispensation and the blessing of God upon mankind that the doctor of body an mind renounced his career and took to a life of renunciation to qualify himself for ministering to the soul of man. He settled down at Rishikesh in 1924, practised intense austerities and shone as a great Yogi, Saint, Sage and Jivanmukta. Swami Sivananda dressed to cloth himself, ate to live, and to serve humanity. A small dilapidated Kutir, not resorted to by others, and infested with scorpions protected him from rain and sun. 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. When necessary, he kept vigil throughout the night by the side of the bed of the ailing Sadhus. He served the pilgrims and saw Lord Narayana in them. Swamiji traveled the whole length and breadth of India during his Parivrajaka life. He conducted Sankirtan and delivered lectures. Swamiji, then, went on a trip to Kailas and Badri. He returned after the pilgrimage and started the Sivanand Ashram in the year 1932 on the right bank of the holy Ganga. In 1936 was born The Divine Life Society. He found and old Kutir, dilapidated and disused, which looked like an abandoned cowshed. To him it was more than a palace. 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 sheds vacant, but uninhabitable filthy. Thus began the early life of The Divine Life Society. Sri Swami Sivananda believed in synthesis in everything, in Yoga as well as in the alleviation of human suffering. Swamiji radiated his divine and lofty message of service. Meditation and God-realisation to all parts of the world through periodicals and letters, through his books, running to more than three hundred. His devoted disciples were drawn from all religions, cults and creeds. To Sri Gurudev none was stranger to him. For him, everyone and everything belonged to Him. He simply showered his love upon all. He was a person of very simple nature. People from all walks of life came an offered their homage & respect to him. He was just natural and simple, almost childlike in his behavior but

Swami Sivananda Quotes Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanand Maharaj Blessed Divinity “This world is your best teacher. There is a lesson in everything. There is a lesson in each experience. Learn it and become wise. Every failure is a stepping stone to success. Every difficulty or disappointment is a trial of your faith. Every unpleasant incident or temptation is a test of your inner strength. Therefore nil desperandum. March forward hero!” There is no lasting bliss in perishable objects. In the infinite alone is true bliss. The Yoga of devotion points the way to attain the infinite. It cleanses the heart, steadies the mind, elevates the emotions, sublimates the impulses. It transmutes base desires into spiritual urges. It transfigures the animal in man into a divine being. It turns one’s mind from the miseries of the world to the protecting feet of the Lord. ~ Swami Sivananda “A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching.” Swami Sivananda “Forget like a child any injury done by somebody immediately. Never keep it in the heart. It kindles hatred.” Swami Sivananda “There is something good in all seeming failures. You are not to see that now. Time will reveal it. Be patient.” Swami Sivananda “Life has meaning only in the struggle. Triumph or defeat is in the hands of the Gods. So let us celebrate the struggle!” Swami Sivananda “Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” Swami Sivananda “Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.” Swami Sivananda “Life is short. Time is fleeting. Realize the Self. Purity of the heart is the gateway to God. Aspire. Renounce. Meditate. Be good; do good. Be kind; be compassionate. Inquire, know Thyself.” Swami Sivananda “Practice meditation regularly. Meditation leads to eternal bliss. Therefore meditate, meditate.” Swami Sivananda “The education of the present-day students is a bit too bookish. The students aim at getting the degrees more than the real education of useful practical knowledge. The students go through their college career rather aimlessly without a definite plan or purpose.” Sri Swami Sivananda “If the mind is controlled, it is then capable of great service. If it is not subdued, it creates endless pain and suffering.” Sri Swami Sivananda “All that you are is the result of what you have thought. It is founded on your thoughts. It is made up of your thoughts.” Sri Swami Sivananda “Real education aims at controlling the mind, annihilating egoism, cultivating divine virtues, and attaining knowledge of the Self or Brahma-Jnana.” Sri Swami Sivananda “O nectar’s son, O child of Immortality! Sing the song of strength. Sing the song of triumph. March forward fearlessly and reach the goal of illumination.” Sri Swami Sivananda “Come! Come! Practise Yoga. Meditate seriously. You will cross this ocean of darkness and ignorance and reach the Light and Life everlasting.” Sri Swami Sivananda “The greatest obstacles to Self-realisation are desire for property, desire for wealth and desire for name and fame. Desire is born of ignorance. The fundamental desire is the urge for mate. Destruction of desire is destruction of ignorance.” Swami Sivananda “Swami Sivananda O Man! O ignorant man! O arrogant, impertinent man! You have wasted your life-time. Now at least spend your life of retirement usefully in Japa, Kirtan, meditation and selfless service.” Swami Sivananda “Know that wealth, sex-delights, power, learning are all bondage. This is the beginning of wisdom.” Swami Sivananda To achieve that state of lasting happiness and absolute peace, we must first know how to calm the mind, to concentrate and go beyond the mind. By turning the mind’s concentration inward, upon the self, we can deepen that experience of perfect concentration. This is the state of Meditation. Swami Sivananda The mental ability to concentrate is inherent to all; it is not extraordinary or mysterious. Meditation is not something that a Yogi has to teach you; you already have the ability to shut out thoughts. Swami Sivananda Q: What is your opinion of the Masters of the Himalayas? A: There is a great Master of Masters, the Indweller of your heart. Turn the gaze inwards, withdraw the Indriyas and seek His help. Rest in Him. Identify yourself with Him. Search Him in your heart. Don’t talk to me of these Himalayan Masters in future. You will be deluded. Swami Sivananda Eating, Drinking, Sleeping! A little laughter, Much weeping! Is that all? Do not die here like a worm. Wake up! Attain Immortal Bliss. Swami Sivananda This world is your body. This world is a great school, This world is your silent teacher. Swami Sivananda Faith induces one to pray.Prayer purifies the heart.In the purified heart is reflected the light of Lord.When the Light sighns the mortal becomes immortal. Swami Sivananda There is some truth in everything. Views and opinions are different aspects. Do not quarrel with others. Swami Sivananda Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. Swami Sivananda Love expects no reward. Love knows no fear. Love Divine gives – does not demand. Love thinks no evil; imputes no motive. To Love is to share and serve. Swami Sivananda All is the Self or Brahman. The saint, the sinner, the lamb, the tiger, even the murderer, as far as they have any reality, can be nothing else, because there is nothing else. A few heart-whole, sincere, and energetic men and women can do more in a year than a mob in a century. Swami Sivananda A man may be the greatest philosopher in the world but a child in religion. When a man has developed a high state of spirituality he can understand that