Introduction to the Sivananda Ashram On the one hand, the Sivananda Ashram is a physical place, located somewhere with buildings, residents, and offices. On the other hand, it is not a place at all. It is the spiritual expression of the divine mission of its founder, Swami Sivananda. If a natural calamity was to occur, and all the buildings were destroyed and all the residents dispersed, there would still be a Sivananda Ashram. To the extent that people devoted to carrying on his work share Swami Sivananda’s vision, to that same extent Sivananda Ashram would continue to exist. So often people in the Ashram will remark how they still feel the spiritual presence of Swami Sivananda and see his hand in the affairs of the Ashram. They will say, “It is not I who works, but Gurudev who works through me.” The residents also feel that it is in this very place that they can be led more firmly to their goal of God-realisation. In this place of selfless service, contemplation and ego-annihilation, is an atmosphere vibrant with the spiritual power that can carry the aspirant to that realisation. Swami Chidanandaji once said in response to a request of an Ashram resident to go elsewhere to do sadhana, “Yes, there may be many other places more suited for good spiritual practice. But if it is God-realisation you want, there is no better place than here.” The Sivananda Ashram is the headquarters and spiritual focal point of a vast worldwide organisation called “The Divine Life Society.” The Society encompasses more than 300 branches around the world, as well as individual devotees in India and abroad. At the centre of this vast network of spiritual uplift throughout the world, in the form of the Divine Life Society, stands the Sivananda Ashram as the guiding light. The Ashram is dedicated to the service of all and is itself benefited by the generous donations of the devotees who want to see that service continue. It is in the Ashram that any person interested in the spiritual life, whether a member of the DLS or not, can come and be nurtured by the spirit that pervades this place. THE SIVANANDA PILLAR INSCRIPTIONS – I OM CARDINAL DOCTRINES OF THE MAIN RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD Know the Self and be free – Hinduism The Kingdom of Heaven is within you – Christianity There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah – Islam For the whole world this is the law: all is impermanent – Buddhism Non‑injury is verily the only religion – Jainism Purity of thought, word and deed is the essence of religion – Zoroastrianism I am that I am – Judaism He who has overcome himself is mighty – Taoism Blame yourself as you would blame others. Excuse others as you would excuse yourself – Confucianism There is but one God and His name is truth; wonderful is the guru – Sikhism I am that Real – Sufism See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil – Shintoism All religions are one. They teach a divine life. Love all. Serve all. Practise ahimsa, satya, brahmacharya. Be selfless. Seek the Immortal – Divine Life Heart of Religion God is love. The only true religion is the religion of love or the religion of the heart. Feel for others as you feel for yourself. This universal religion will bring world‑peace and happiness. SEEK FIND ENTERREST IN GOD INSCRIPTIONS -II OM TWENTY INSTRUSTIONS 1. Get up at 4. a.m. daily. Do japa and meditation. 2. Sit on padma or siddha asana for japa and dhyana. 3. Take sattvic food. Do not overload the stomach. 4. Do charity ‑ one tenth of your income or one anna per rupee. 5. Study daily one chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. 6. Preserve veerya (vital force). Sleep separately. 7. Give up smoking, narcotics, intoxicant drinks and rajasic food. 8. Fast on Ekadasi days or take milk and fruits only. 9. Observe mouna for two hours daily and during meals also. 10. Speak the truth at any cost. Speak a little and sweetly. 11. Reduce your wants. Lead a happy, contented life. 12. Never hurt the feelings of others. Be kind to all. 13. Think of the mistakes that you have made (self‑analysis). 14. Do not depend upon servants. Have self‑reliance. 15. Think of God as soon as you wake up and when you go to bed. 16. Have always a japa‑mala on your neck or in your pocket. 17. Adhere to the motto ‑ ‘Simple living and high thinking’. 18. Serve the sadhus, sannyasins and the poor, the sick and the suffering. 19. Have a separate meditation room under lock and key. 20. Keep a daily spiritual diary. Stick to your routine. These 20 instructions contain the essence of yoga and vedanta. Follow them strictly. Do not be lenient to your mind. You will attain supreme happiness.Swami Sivananda BE GOOD DO GOOD INSCRIPTIONS – III OM UNIVERSAL PRAYER 0 Adorable Lord of mercy and love!Salutations and prostrations unto Thee.Thou art Satchidananda.Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient.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 temptations and to control the mind.Free us from egoism, lust, greed, anger and hatred.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. The above non‑sectarian prayer is most suitable for being repeated during all common gatherings. It is cosmopolitan and all‑embracing. This is a beautiful universal prayer that you should repeat daily at home as well as on public occasions. This is a prayer that will unite all, spiritualise your activities and reveal the golden Secret of Divine Living.Swami Sivananda INSCRIPTIONS – IV OM SRI SWAMI