Sivananda

Sivananda Day-to-day (592)

2026-04-13T10:20:02Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!
Namaste!
Introspect Regulary
by Sri Swami Sivananda
Practise self-examination for ten minutes before you go to bed. Sit comfortably on a chair. Close your eyes. Think of all actions—good and bad—that you did during the course of the day. Think of all mistakes that you committed consciously or unconsciously.
A man, who has no life of introspection, whose mind is of outgoing tendencies, cannot find out his own mistakes. The self-conceit acts as a veil and blurs the mental vision. If an aspirant wants to grow, he must admit his defects when they are pointed out by others. He must try his level best to eradicate them and must thank the man who has pointed out his defects. Then he can grow in spirituality.
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 future. Be cautious. Just think of the causes which led to your failures and try to remove them in future. Strengthen yourself with new vigour and virtues. Develop slowly your will-power.
Every temptation that is resisted, every evil thought that is curbed, every desire that is subdued, every bitter word that is withheld, every noble aspiration that is encouraged, every sublime thought that is cultivated, adds to the development of will-force, good character and attainment of eternal bliss and immortality.
Subconscious life is more powerful than your ordinary life of objective consciousness. Beneath your conscious life there is a very wide region of subconscious life. The subconscious life can modify and influence your conscious life. Through the practice of Yoga you can modify, control and influence the subconscious depths. All habits are imbedded in the subconscious.
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The following articles were recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:
Being and Becoming
The Troubling Mind
Yours in the service of Gurudev,
Pannirselvam
The following book was recently reprinted:
ES226 Beauties Of Ramayana by Sri Swami Sivananda
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Divine Nectar
by Sri Swami Sivananda
These are the days when the world is very busy running after material achievements. For a worldly mind blinded by gross sensuality nothing beyond the ken of material sciences appears to have any value or charm. Progress is always conceived and measured by them in terms of worldly goods and chattel. The materialistic philosophy has many a camp-follower, and the prophets of the creed of “Eat, drink and be merry” are also increasing in number. As a result, the world has become a veritable battlefield, because fight is inevitable where innumerable individuals actuated by insatiable ambitions run after enjoyments and objects which are limited in number and conditioned by so many relative causes. This earthly plane is finite, limited and subject to change and destruction. Unless some saving power comes to the rescue of humanity to extricate it from the hopelessness of inadequate concepts and imperfect ideologies, the humanity would be irretrievably lost.
This saving power should be necessarily the opposite of the materialistic forces, and should lead a man to the real goal and achievement of human life. Really they should be more powerful than the materialistic forces lest they lose the battle. The world has always been fortunate to have the support of such spiritual powers which remedied the ills of humanity, and bestowed a new lease of life, full of light and happiness, on its votaries. It is a pity only a few always sought for light!
We place before the beloved aspirant-world another work of Master Sivananda, the Master of the New Age, containing a masterly exposition of the principles and methods of practice of the life-saving spiritual science.
Aptly it has been named as “DIVINE NECTAR”, as the aspirant once tasting a drop of it will not rest content until he gulps the whole lot. Siva’s writings are not pedantic boredoms, but a sweet music of depth and beauty thrilling its hearers and readers, and transforming them top-to-bottom unawares. They are simple, directly addressed and unfailing in hitting the desired target.
Dear Reader, dive deep into the nectarine writings of this work and be blessed.
For more information, please see: Divine Nectar
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RESORTING TO SECLUSION: A visitor complained to the Master that he had lost all his good spiritual impressions that he previously had.
The Master said to him, “You must fortify yourself by resorting to seclusion. You should remain at Ananda Kutir. The world is full of distractions. By living in the world you only increase your attachment to your children and your bank balance. The world appears as real and Brahman as unreal. You should develop endurance. You should be able to sleep on the bare ground. You should do charity. You should develop the feeling of oneness. You should always practise Japa. You should study the Gita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras daily.”
“What is life? To evolve and to manifest the spiritual principles within you, and to seek and obtain vision and the experience of the Divinity concealed behind visible names and forms–this is life. To behold the external world as God, and to worship this revealed divinity through ceaseless act of selfless loving service–This is life. All this here is sacred. The Divine Presence sanctifies all places and all objects. Where-so-ever you are, you stand before the presence of the Most High. What ever thou doest, thou doest unto the Lord of the Universe, the hidden God, who pervades His own creation. Therefore spiritualise your life.” – Sri Swami Chidananda
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Sivananda Day-to-day (591)

2026-04-02T09:25:08Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Sri Hanumate Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!
Namaste!
The Life and Glory of Hanuman
by Sri Swami Krishnananda
(Spoken on Hanuman Jayanti, April 15th, 1984)
The life of Hanuman is the life of a superman, and unless we can understand what a superman is, we cannot appreciate the dignity and the exploits of this epic celebrity. The Ramayana of Valmiki is the main text which gives us the details of the life of this mastermind. The importance of this superhuman person can be assessed from half a verse in Valmiki's Ramayana where he says svayam nava vyakaranarthavetta brahma bhavatyapi te prasadat. Hanuman has been chosen as the next Brahma in the coming cycle of creation. It is surprising indeed that in the whole of creation God could not find a better person than Hanuman to be elected for this great post of the Creator for the next cycle. Master of the eight powers of yoga was Hanuman, and that is enough to explain the meaning of his exploits.
Tradition tells us that Hanuman was born of a superhuman lady, Anjana, of celestial descent. Incidentally, it appears that when some messengers came to Anjana and told her of the terrific exploits of Hanuman and praised him saying, “Great indeed is your son, Mother,” she retorted, it seems, “Great indeed is my son? Look!” and she pressed her nipple, from which milk jetted forth with such strength that it dashed against a distant mountain and broke a cliff off of it. “Such milk this man has drunk, and you are telling me he's a great man?” This is what Hanuman's mother said when the messengers extolled the glories of this marvellous hero in the war of the Ramayana.
We are told that as a child Hanuman rose to the skies to catch the sun. Thinking that the sun was a bright and delicious fruit, he wanted to eat it, and he rose up to the skies to grab it and swallow it. The story goes that Indra, the ruler of the heavens, was startled at this adventure of a mortal trying to ascend to the heavens and grab the solar orb, so it appears that, with his weapon called Vajra, he gave such a blow on the chin of this little boy that his chin lengthened a little bit, protruding forward, and he fell down unconscious. Chin is called hanu in Sanskrit, and one who has a pronounced and a projected chin is called Hanuman.
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2nd April is Sri Hanuman Jayanthi.
The following article was recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:
Renunciation Is an Act of Consciousness
Yours in the service of Gurudev,
Pannirselvam
The following books were recently reprinted and released during Sri Ramanavami on March 27th:
ES19 Bliss Divine by Sri Swami Sivananda

ES13 The Bhagavad Gita (Hardbound) by Sri Swami Sivananda
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Hindu Gods and Goddesses
by Sri Swami Sivananda
GOD is one, but His aspects are many. The different aspects of God constitute the Hindu Pantheon.

The naturally pious Hindu delights in his Deities. He delights in singing the Lord’s glories, in chanting His Mantras, in visiting His temples, in worshipping His Murtis. These devotional practices expand his heart, enlarge his vision, aid him powerfully in his Sadhana, and ultimately lead him to the highest goal of his spiritual endeavour, viz., God-realisation.

The conception of the names and forms of various Deities in Hindu mythology is grand, sublime, unique. Every detail connected with every Hindu god and goddess has its inner meaning, its esoteric significance.

Swami Sivananda writes for the readers. His style is simple. His approach is direct. He writes with intense devotion and Prem.

We have great pleasure in releasing this beautiful book for the benefit of all those who want to understand Hinduism better. May God illumine the hearts of all and bring peace on earth.
For more information, please see: Hindu Gods and Goddesses
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PURIFYING THE TELEPHONE: A telephone was installed in the Ashram post office for public use. The postmaster desired that the Master should speak on the phone first before he allowed the public to do so.
The Master thereupon went to the post office for the purpose. A call had already been booked to Sri Pannalalji, a great devotee of Amritsar. Due to certain obstructions, the Master could not hear Pannalalji. Instead of merely uttering ‘hallo, hallo’ and waiting silently for the response, the Master sang his Jaya Ganesha and other Kirtans, in the hope that he would get a response in the meantime.
At the end of his Kirtan, the Master said, “Absolutely no response! I have only purified the telephone wires through the Kirtan!”
Everyone burst into laughter!
“Sri Rama Himself said to Hanuman, “I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty hero. You did marvellous, superhuman deeds. You do not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you have not asked for anything at any time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How can I repay My debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to you. I give you the boon of everlasting life. All will honour and worship you like Myself. Your idol will be placed at the door of My temple and you will be worshipped and honoured first. Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung, your glory will be sung before Mine. You will be able to do anything, even that which I will not be able to!” – Sri Swami Sivananda
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Sivananda Day-to-day (590)

2026-03-26T09:51:30Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!
Namaste!
Let Sri Rama Be Your Ideal
by Sri Swami Sivananda
Taken from Divine Life Magazine 1950
Ideals are remembered and adored for the purpose of adopting them in our life. The Ramanavami celebration or the Vasanta Navaratri every year, is an opportune moment for us to saturate ourselves in the Spirit of Sri Rama. We love and adore the ideals, because we express thereby our yearning to unite with them. In our worship of God, it is implied that we should be virtuous, good and perfect, even as God is. Sri Rama said, “To anyone, who once takes shelter under Me and solicits ‘I am Thine’, I shall give fearlessness from all beings; this is My vow”. One cannot be a devout worshipper of Sri Rama if he is not a devout worshipper of the qualities of Sri Rama. Compassion, gentleness, justice and sagacity found their best abode in Rama. Worship of Rama means resorting to truthfulness, saintliness and divinity.
Rama’s rule was one of the laws of unsurpassed rectitude, which does not pay heed to personal relationships of a brother or a wife. Truth has an iron hand. It establishes impartial oneness of vision. One, who approaches Rama with love, becomes wide in heart, pure in spirit, good in nature, dispassionate in thought, speech and action. A true devotee of Sri Rama is, His representative, His power and knowledge. Rama-Nama burns ignorance, passion and sin. With knowledge or without knowledge, correctly or incorrectly, when the word ‘Rama’ is pronounced, it showers a rain of good on the devotee. ‘Sri Rama Brahma Tarakam’—Sri Rama is Brahman who takes one across Samsara. Rama is one in whom Yogins sport (Ramante), i.e., the Self within. Ramanama is the essence of Sahasranama. Once you take refuge in Him, your welfare becomes His responsibility.
To a devotee, Rama is not simply a good and great person, but God Himself. Rama is the son of Dasharatha the King of Ayodhya, as well as the Divine, omnipresent God, Self, Atma or Brahman. The destruction of the ten-headed Ravana by Rama is the annihilation of the mind with the ten senses. Worship of Rama is the worship of the Virat Purusha Himself. Read the prayers offered by Mandodari and Brahma in the Yuddhakanda of the Valmiki Ramayana. They refer to Rama as the one Creator of the universe, the God of all, the Ruler of all. ‘Tattvato Jnatva’—after knowing Him in truth, one enters into Him.
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27th March is Sri Ramanavami.
The following article was recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:
The Search for Self-Realisation
Yours in the service of Gurudev,
Pannirselvam
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Hindu Fasts and Festivals
By Swami Sivananda
The Hindus are a profoundly religious people. Their goal of life is Self-realisation or the attainment of God-consciousness. A religion of some kind they must have—a religion which will stir the depths of the heart and give room for the exercise of faith, devotion and love.
All Hindu festivals have a deep spiritual import or high religious significance. All great Hindu festivals have religious, social and hygienic elements in them. In every festival there is bathing in the morning before sunrise in the river or tank or well. Every individual will have to do some Japa, prayer, Kirtan, recitation of Sanskrit verses and meditation.
Man gets tired on account of hard work or monotonous actions. He wants some change or variety. He wants relaxation. He wants something to cheer him up. These festivals make him cheerful and happy, and give him rest and peace.
In this book Gurudev has explained the significance and the philosophy of many of our fasts and festivals. In two aspects of these observances, he has always allowed the greatest freedom: (1) in the determination of the dates of the festival, which, as he has explained on page 53, vary, and (2) in the traditional ways of celebrating them. For instance, in South India during the Durga Puja they have the Kolu when various idols and toys are arranged in colourful gallaries before which, every evening, girls sit and sing. Again, in some places there is fire-walking without the Kavadi (see page 109), held in honour of Draupadi Amman who was born of fire; or in Ceylon, according to Yogi Satchidananda of Ceylon, in honour of Kannaki Amman. Gurudev never disturbs anyone’s good beliefs and customs.
For more information, please see: Hindu Fasts and Festivals
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KIRTAN FOR DUMBNESS: A dumb boy was brought by his parents to the Ashram. The father informed the Master that the boy was dumb, except for producing a particular sound. The Master enquired of him whether a certain devotee of his was conducting regular Kirtan. When the man answered in the affirmative, the Master said to him, “Take your son there, where there is Kirtan. Or you may all join together and conduct Kirtan in your own home. By constantly hearing the Name of the Lord, the boy also will try to repeat it. Slowly the dumbness will disappear. Kirtan is the remedy for it.”
“Gandhiji writes: You might ask me why I tell you to use the word Rama and not one of the many other Names of the Creator. True; His Names are as many as and more than the leaves on a tree, and I might, for instance, ask you to use the word God. But what meaning, what associations, would it have for you here? In order to enable you to feel anything when repeating the word God, I should have to teach you some English. I should have to explain to you foreign people’s thoughts and associations.
But in telling you to repeat the Name of Rama, I am giving you a Name worshipped since countless generations by the people of this land, a Name familiar to the very animals and birds, the very trees and stones of Hindustan, through many thousand years. You will learn from Ramayana how a stone by the roadside sprang to life at the touch of Rama’s foot as He passed by. You must learn to repeat the blessed Name of Rama with sweetness and such devotion that the birds will pause in their singing to listen to you, that the very trees will bend their leaves towards you, stirred by the divine melody of that Name.” – Sri Swami Sivananda
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Sivananda Day-to-day (589)

2026-03-15T07:55:00Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!
Namaste!
The Godless Man
by Sri Swami Sivananda
The man who sees God in all beings is God-man; the man who denies the very existence of God is a Godless man! It is very difficult often to recognise the God-man because by nature he is extremely humble, simple and unostentatious. Nor is it always easy to detect, the Godless man for he will masquerade in many garbs. That is why the Lord has extensively quoted the very words that these people would often use in their conversations. Watch for these expressions of the diabolical nature. Whatever the man appears to be, if these expressions come out of him, he is a Godless man, shun him; for his company is more fatal than the poison of a cobra.
“I have gained this today,”he would say, “I shall fulfil my other desire also.”What a deluded idea he has of the Power behind his senses, mind and the limbs! Yet, God is all-merciful and allows him to feel that he is powerful enough to fulfil his desires. “All this wealth is mine,”he says, “I shall get more in future.” It is not as though God, the Dispenser of the fruits of previous actions, has granted him material prosperity; he feels that he has acquired the wealth by his own striving! And, of course, he can acquire more by exerting a little more. “That enemy of mine has been slain by me; others, too, I shall destroy.” Such ideas will not rise in the mind of even an ordinary Sadhaka. Now comes the crowning feature. The diabolical, Godless man says: “I am the Lord (Isvara); I am the real enjoyer; I am perfect, powerful and happy.” It is well to mark these expressions and meditate over them. Is it not true that the individual soul is in fact the Lord of the Universe, perfect, powerful and blissful? Yes. Then, why does the Lord include these expressions, too, in the devil’s dictionary? There is great reason for it. The Sage might realise that he is one with the Lord, that he is perfect, omnipotent and blissful. But he will not advertise it. Because he will see that self-same Atman in all, he will not find in the world anything to which he is superior, anything less perfect, powerful and blissful, than himself. Therefore, he will not boast; he will be the very embodiment of natural humility. He who boasts has no justification to do so. Even though he might pose to be a Godless man, Asuric in nature. Of course this expression of the Lord also includes Asuras like Hiranyakasipu and men of Asuric nature. Equally interesting are the next few sentences quoted by the Lord. “I am rich and am born in a good family. Who is equal to me? I will perform sacrifices. I will give in charity. And, I will rejoice.” This is petty egoism and Tamasic Yajna and Daana. No one but the Asuric element in man is benefited by these.
How compassionate is the Lord that he has given us in the clearest terms the very expression that the Asuric individual would use. Find out if you use them. You may even say that you are a staunch theist and devotee of the Lord. But if, at the same time, these expressions escape your lips, your devotion is hypocritical and useless. You may pose to be a great Yogi or saint; but if you share the feelings of the Asuric person which the Lord has described in Chapter XVI 13-15 which I have quoted above, you are cheating yourself and cheating the world.
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The following article was recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:
Only One Event in the Universe
Yours in the service of Gurudev,
Pannirselvam
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Ethics of the Bhagavad Gita
by Sri Swami Sivananda
Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the Gospel of Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna is regarded as the Purna-Avatara of God. He was perfect in every respect. God is All-pervading; Sri Krishna's life-on-earth, too, was all-comprehensive. Study Srimad Bhagavata and the Mahabharata. You will understand what a multi-faceted diamond Sri Krishna was. He was a wonderful child, divine boy, resplendent youth, dearest friend, mighty warrior, wise administrator, sweet comrade, master of diplomacy, protector of the meek, death of the wicked, preserver of Dharma, clever strategist, humble servant, obedient pupil, dutiful son, loving husband and Supreme Guru. These and countless others are but aspects of His Immanence as Krishna. Above all these, He is God Who, in His own transcendental nature, is the Lord of lords, the Father and Mother of all creation, the very Soul of all that exists. He is the Substratum of all existence. He is the Reality, immortal, eternal, infinite and absolute. He is not only immortal but Immortality Itself.
It is, therefore, in the fitness of things that the Scripture that He propounded should partake of all these great virtues that characterised His Divine Manifestation and His transcendental Nature. The Bhagavad Gita is so comprehensive that everyone can draw inspiration and guidance from it, whatever his social status may be, whatever his profession and in whatever stage of spiritual evolution he may be. For, into the Bhagavad Gita the Lord has woven a beautiful and universal pattern of ethics that would appeal and apply to all. The grand edifice of the Ethics of the Bhagavad Gita has been built on the Eternal Corner-stones of (1) Immortality of the Soul; (2) Immanence of God; (3) Impermanence of the world; (4) Immediacy of Liberation. Because these truths are universal, the Ethics of the Bhagavad Gita also have universal application.
Soon after Sri Swami Sivananda's dynamic All-India Tour in 1950, the idea occurred to him that a book must be written on the "Ethics of the Bhagavad Gita". This precious and highly inspiring volume is the fruit of that Sat-Sankalpa.
These illuminating essays on the Gita were first published by the "Voice of Sivananda" the official organ of the Divine Life Society, Madurai Branch.
A series of essays on "The Lessons of the Bhagavad Gita" which, too, were published serially in that Journal, are also included in the present volume.
We are confident that this volume would prove to be of great benefit to seekers after Truth.
For more information, please see: Ethics of the Bhagavad Gita

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CLOSENESS TO GOD: A visitor who asked the Master for spiritual instructions received the following advice:

“Rely on the Lord, the indweller of your heart, who is closer to you than your purse!”

He then added smilingly, “But the purse is dearer to you than the indweller! The indweller is nearer, but the purse is dearer!”

The visitor appreciated the instructive humour!

“The mind needs to be in the top gear, and a steady, unhampered movement forward is indicative of top gear. See whether the mind is in this gear, or is the mechanism sometimes in reverse gear? If you find it in reverse gear, you can ask yourself, “How can I expect to move forward if I have put this propelling mechanism into reverse gear?” At this important juncture, let us move forward in a steadily upward ascent, a ladder to heaven. Let each day be a new rung towards the ultimate supreme pinnacle. Strive to make it an actuality that each day is an upward-ascending stairway.” – Sri Swami Chidananda

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Sivananda Day-to-day (588)

2026-03-08T10:14:06Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Yoga And Its Objects
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Yoga Philosophy is one of the six systems of Hindu Philosophy which exist in India. Unlike so many other philosophies of the world, it is a philosophy that is wholly practical. Yoga is an exact science based on certain immutable Laws of Nature. It is well known to people of all countries of the world interested in the study of Eastern civilization and culture, and is held in awe and reverence as it contains in it the master-key to unlock the realms of Peace, Bliss, Mastery and Miracle. Even the philosophers of the West found solace and peace in this Divine Science. Jesus Christ himself was a Yogi of a superior order, a Raja-Yogi indeed. The founder of the Indian Yoga Philosophy was Patanjali Maharshi, who was not only a Philosopher and a Yogi, but a Physician as well. He is said to have lived about three hundred years before Jesus Christ.

Patanjali defines Yoga as suspension of all the functions of the mind. As such any book on Yoga which does not deal with these three aspects of the subject, viz., mind, its functions, and the method of suspending them, can be safely laid aside as unreliable and incomplete.

The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root “Yuj” which means “to join”. Yoga is a science that teaches us the method of joining the individual soul and the Supreme Soul. It is the merging of the individual will with the Cosmic or Universal Will. Yoga is that inhibition of the functions of the mind which leads to the absolute abidance of the soul in his own real nature of Divine Glory and Divine Splendour. It is the process by which the identity of the individual Soul and the over-Soul is established by the Yogi. In other words, the human soul is brought into conscious communion with God. Yoga is the Science of sciences that disentangles the individual soul from the phenomenal world of sense-object and links him with the Absolute, whose inherent attributes are infinite Bliss, Supreme Peace, Infinite Knowledge and unbroken Joy.

Yoga is that state of absolute Peace wherein is neither imagination nor thought. Yoga is control of mind and its modifications. Yoga teaches us how to control the modification of the mind and attain liberation. It teaches us how to transmute the unregenerate nature and attain the state of Divinity. It is the complete suppression of the tendency of the mind to transform itself into objects, thoughts, etc. Yoga kills all sorts of pain, misery and tribulation. It gives you freedom from the round of births and deaths with its concomitant evils of disease, old age, etc., and bestows upon the Yogi all the Divine Powers and final liberation through super-intuitional knowledge.

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The following articles were recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

BOOK SYNOPSIS

A Boon To Diabetics
by Sri Swami Sivananda

It is well-known that the uniqueness of Swami Sivananda lies in his faculty for synthesis. That explains in a measure how, though all the time rapt in the Divine, he is able to look after human interests and settle human problems; how, in short, he is able to blend beautifully modern realism with ancient idealism. His analytic brain, his synthetical heart, his serving hand and his variegated personality are fast becoming household words. His spiritual eminence, his intellectual acuteness and his untiring diligence in work call for admiration and, to the extent possible, for emulation.

The myriad-minded Swamiji’s illuminating insight has penetrated and illumined every recess of human nature, of the triune man–body, mind and soul. The science of sweeping is as important and familiar to him as the Science of the Self. He rejects nothing; he accepts everything and views them in a higher light and gives an entirely new and yet old technique for the integration of the entire personality of man. Whenever one tries to seek in his encyclopaedic works for a solution of a problem or problems, one is never disappointed. In him we find a rare genius who touches every point of life with equal clarity and facility and who gives a touch of gracefulness to the commonest thing he does. It is no wonder, therefore, that such a versatile saint, who had already given us such well-known books as Family Doctor, Health and Long Life, Practical Household Remedies, Health and Happiness and Practice of Nature Cure, should now present to us a fresh boon of the kind that readers will find in this brochure on diabetes. There are a number of pamphlets and books on the subject. But what distinguishes this brochure from them all is its approach to the problem, which is as exhaustive and as many-sided as its author.

In the first part of the book a detailed analysis is made about the nature of diabetes and its cure, in general. Then the various kinds of urine-tests are described, followed by a brief but adequate explanation of the allopathic, homeopathic, Ayurvedic, naturopathic and chromopathic treatments of diabetes. Then the Swami goes on to describe the Yogic panacea for diabetes and gives all the necessary dietetic hints for a diabetic. Thus concludes the first section of the book.

The book has also a philosophical import. Swamiji describes how spiritual strength can conquer diabetes. An index to diabetic treatment is added at the end of the book. In the present edition a thorough revision of the material has been made in the light of recent developments in medical knowledge.

We have great pleasure in presenting to readers this rare contribution of a spiritual luminary. It is hoped that sufferers from diabetes will derive immense benefit by following the instructions contained in this book.

For more information, please see: A Boon To Diabetics

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LAWYER INSTRUCTED: A lawyer who was following the Master while he was returning to his cottage from the office, received the following instructions, “Take up honest cases only. Do not coach false witnesses. If you speak the truth you may initially suffer in your practice, but later on you will prosper. ‘Satyameva jayate, na anritam—truth alone triumphs, not falsehood’. You should plead for the poor free of charge. Then your liberation is assured.”

“Why is Yoga so necessary for us? It tells us where we stand, and the answer to the 'why' of a thing comes from the system of Yoga. While science can tell you how things work it cannot tell you why things work in the way they work. The 'why' is a difficult thing for us to comprehend and answer, but Yoga has the answer. If we are thinking in a particular pattern say, in the three-dimensional pattern in thinking to which we are all shackled, unfortunately for us, it is because we are planted in a world of space, time and causal relationships. We are now placing our feet on an almost forbidden land, not accessible to science and not visible to the naked eye of the human individual. We think in the way we think merely because of the set-up which can be called spatio-temporal. This is a familiar term, but it is difficult to understand correctly the meaning behind it.” – Sri Swami Krishnananda

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2026-02-22T08:08:24Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

The Key Stone in Sadhana
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Having checked all other operations of the mind, bring it to bear upon a single point. This gathering together and bringing to bear upon of a force at a given point on any object, idea or act, forms the process of concentration. The concentrated application of a force makes for maximum results with minimum time and effort.

This law is equally applicable to man in all branches of his life’s activities. With the utmost concentrated and careful attention the surgeon executes minute operations. The deepest absorption marks the mental state of the technician, the engineer, the architect or the expert painter, engaged in drawing the minute details of a plan, chart or sketch where accuracy is of paramount importance. A like concentration is displayed by the skilled Swiss workman that fashions the delicate parts of watches and other scientific instruments. Thus in every art and science.

The tremendous power that any force develops when collected and directed through a given point is fully recognised. This is seen in the rush of the water at the sluices of dams, in the impelling power of steam from a railway boiler. As the sunlight when passed through a lens emerges as a single fiery ray of intense power, the whole mind attains a single-pointedness through Dharana. Now experience has shown that interest and attention of the mind is attracted by three distinct means viz., sound, vision (physical or mental) and imagination or idea. The Yogi enters into deep meditation by concentrating his mind upon the mystic inner sound of Pranava. This is the Anahata Nada which becomes audible when the inner sheaths are perfectly purified and harmony established; or again a Mantra is repeated in a harmonious tone and the mind is concentrated on the continuous unbroken sound. A concrete form of any aspect of the deity or the syllable OM is chosen for fixing the mind. The rational and Vedantic type fills the mind with some sublime idea or formula upon which the mind is made to dwell intensely and continuously.

During concentration the mind becomes calm, serene and steady. The various rays of the mind are collected and focussed on the object of meditation. The mind is centred on the Lakshya. There will be no tossing of the mind. One idea occupies the mind. The whole energy of the mind is concentrated on that one idea. The senses become still. They do not function. When there is deep concentration, there is no consciousness of the body and surroundings. He who has good concentration can visualise the picture of the Lord very clearly within the twinkling of the eye.

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Karma Yoga

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Pannirselvam

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Dhyana Yoga
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Meditation is the key which unlocks the treasure-trove of the highest intelligence, of wisdom, of divinity, of genius. No man who wishes to make a success of his life can afford to neglect it.

The genius among scientists, the successful businessman, the best among philosophers, the Yogi and the seeker after Truth, all of them meditate. Their achievements are the fruits of their meditation.

The secrets of meditation have remained the close preserve of Yogis, till the Sage of the Himalayas, Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, in his supreme compassion and all-consuming love for all mankind, came forward to elucidate the philosophical foundation, the method, the experiences, the obstacles and the successful fulfilment of meditation.

His writings on this vital subject are presented by him in this inspiring book.

For more information, please see: Dhyana Yoga

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ADAPT AND ADJUST: Sri Swami Hariomananda was habituated to repeating, “Ram, Ram, Ram”, and greeting persons with the same words.

On seeing him, the Master also greeted him with the words, “Ram, Ram, Ram.”

Then, turning to the other disciples, he said, “When I meet a devotee, I say, ‘Ram, Ram, Ram’. When I meet a Vedantin like Sri Tiwari, I say, ‘Om, Om, Om’.”

On another occasion, when a devotee bade the Master good night at the time of departing, the Master said to him, “Do not say, ‘good night’ as the Westerners do. Say, ‘Om Namo Narayanaya.’ You are not an Englishman.”

The devotee in question could not give up the habit and refused to say ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’, shaking his head.

The Master then said, “You will not repeat it? All right, good night, sir!”

“Admit your faults daily before your preceptor or teacher. Then alone will you find the strength to rise above any worldly weaknesses.” – Sri Swami Sivananda

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2026-02-15T06:15:22Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namah Sivaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Sivaratri Message
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Taken from Divine Life Magazine 1948

Sivaratri is the “Blessed Night”, the “Night of Siva”. It is one of the memorable days of the year. It is an occasion for disciplining ourselves, for restraining the objective tendencies of the mind. Life on earth is the stepping stone to Infinite Existence. It is attained through the negation of individual separateness and through the affirmation of the Divine Unity. In view of the fact that the only meaning of life is this effort towards spiritual realisation, it goes without saying that every moment of our life should be utilised for that noble purpose. But there are certain times in the year when the universal forces move towards the inner Reality, when the conscious struggle of the individual to achieve Self-realisation is helped by the external powers also. Ordinarily, everyone has to swim against the current of Maya, the Creative Power of Existence, and face terrible oppositions from cosmic forces. But the spiritual effort or Sadhana is given a further impetus to enhance the vigour of its spiritual march and lessen the power of its obstructing factors, when divine forces manifest themselves on the terrestrial plane.

This spiritual manifestation of the Transcendental Divinity upon earth is of two varieties—embodied and disembodied, concrete and abstract. Embodied Divine manifestations are seen in personalities like Sri Krishna etc., when the action of the Divine can be clearly seen with the eyes. But the abstract manifestations cannot be seen by the physical sense, but can only be felt by the inner soul. Universal Forces reveal themselves to rectify certain defects in any part of the Universe. Epidemics, earth-quakes and the like are such universal happenings. Sudden uplift of certain parts of the world are some of the constructive aspects of the universe. Spiritual forces sweep away evil, at times even without human awareness. The Kalki Avatara and the beginning of Krita Yuga is an example. In Sivaratri, we find one such disembodied manifestation of spiritual forces and the suppression of undivine powers.

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15th February is Maha Sivaratri.

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I Am the Universe

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Lord Siva and His Worship
by Sri Swami Sivananda

This is a most valuable and instructive book for the aspirants, particularly for the devotees of Lord Siva. It is full of instructions on practical Sadhana for attaining Siva-Tattva or God-realisation.

The secrets of Siva Tandava, Sakti Yoga, etc., are very nicely presented. The translation of the Saiva Upanishads is a beautiful addition. The lives of Siva Acharyas, the Bhaktas and the Nayanars are inspiring and soul-stirring. A study of their lives will make one's life sublime and holy.

Up to this time there has been no such presentation on this subject. The philosophical portion is highly illuminating and helpful to the readers. The book contains the essence of all Saiva Puranas. The book is written in a very lucid and clear style. It must be studied by all religious-minded persons as it is of solid worth from the spiritual point of view.

For more information, please see: Lord Siva and His Worship

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ADAPTABILITY: Among the questions that the Master put to a young man who had come to the Ashram with the idea of staying permanently, was, “Have you got the spirit of adaptability?”

“Yes,” the young man replied.

“If a man beats you, will you keep quiet like a stone?” the Master enquired.

“Yes,” the man replied, rather hesitatingly; and then said suddenly, “If I have a desire to beat him, I will do so.” “You will beat him?” the Master asked smilingly. “Yes, if I think I should beat him, I will.”

The Master said, “Do not beat him. Try to remain silent like a stone.”

“In our religious tradition, Lord Siva is represented as an aspect of God, the Almighty. He presents before us the ideal of supreme renunciation born of Divine Realisation. Renunciation born of Divine Realisation, not born of frustration, not born of an escapist attitude, not born of defeatism, but born of an insight into the nature of things, a clear understanding of the nature of life and the wisdom of existence in its completeness. This is the source of Vairagya or renunciation. You do not want anything, not because you cannot get things, but because you have realised the interconnectedness of things, and the unity of all purpose in consciousness. All desires get hushed, sublimated and boiled down to the divine Being only when this realisation comes.” – Sri Swami Krishnananda

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2026-02-09T10:16:55Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Man And His Mind
by Sri Swami Chidananda

Radiant Atman! Man is man because he has a mind. Thinking, reasoning, feeling, that alone makes man. If he has no mind he is an animal. But mind can make a man a beast also. Mind can make a man a demon. Because if the mind is not made sattvic, if it is not governed by an awakened, discriminating, ever alert, vigilant and keenly enquiring intellect, then mind becomes the greatest problem; it becomes the greatest trap, the greatest enemy, the greatest complication, the greatest source of all types of troubles to the aspirant, to the seeker. One can become helpless, mercilessly tormented by the mind. It takes charge of one’s life, and one is ruled by emotions, sentiments, passions and error.

Because the nature of the mind is to always create confusion and constant restlessness, constant activity, constant thinking of sense-objects, constant going outside, constant involving and entangling itself in things. It is a bundle of desires, cravings and imaginations. It is a companion with whom you should deal with great caution. It is there; you cannot help it. You cannot get rid of it; you have to live with it. But you must know that it is your problem, it is your trouble-maker. You should not think it is your friend.

But it is the mind, the manas, that is your problem, not the antahkarana. The antahkarana (inner being) also contains your great helper. It contains your greatest asset, which can make you divine. Because the antahkarana contains not the mind only, it contains the buddhi (intellect). And it contains the chitta (sub-conscious mind), Pandora’s box, which contains all that is wonderful and beautiful and also all that is ugly and not so wonderful.

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Ponder These Truths
by Sri Swami Chidananda

Early morning group meditation has long been a part of the life at Sivananda Ashram. Usually held in the sacred Samadhi Shrine of His Holiness Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, the saintly founder of the Divine Life Society, it includes chanting, kirtan, guru stotra, santi path and silent meditation, followed by a message from one of the senior Swamis.

For many years these prayer gatherings were a daily occurrence, but by the 1980’s they were being held only on special occasions. One such special occasion was the birthday celebration of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on September 24, 1984. During his short talk, Swamiji suddenly said: “What would really be a wonderful birthday gift for me is if you were to hold these group meditations every morning at this time. And if you will, I promise that whenever I am in the Ashram I will come and give the message.”

Immediately, one of the senior Swamis offered to lead the prayers, and the very next morning the regular early morning gatherings were resumed. They have continued to this day, and, true to his word, whenever Swamiji is in the Ashram, regardless of the condition of his health or the weather, he has never failed to attend and give a message.

Many of the Ashram residents noticed that there was a very special quality about these talks. They felt that the talks were so helpful and valuable that they should be shared with others. So, taping and transcribing began. This volume contains a selection of 75 of the talks recorded from the beginning of August 1987 until the end of December 1990. They are being brought out in 1991, the year that marks Swamiji’s 75th birth anniversary (platinum jubilee).

In the editing of these talks, no attempt was made to convert them into essay style. Rather, the intent was to stay as close as possible to the spoken word, so that Swamiji’s messages, frequently spontaneous and highly inspired, would be conveyed as he spoke them.

Sanskrit language words have been put in italics with the exception of a few words like Brahman, Atman, Yoga, Vedanta, Guru and Ashram which are commonly found in an English dictionary. Often, while using a Sanskrit word, phrase or verse, Swamiji would give either a translation or a free rendering of it. These have been included in the text. Otherwise, the meaning follows in parentheses or can be found in the glossary.

The publishers would like to acknowledge the very valuable and helpful contribution of all those residents of the Ashram who taped, transcribed, edited, checked, and prepared the talks for printing. Many were involved and our grateful thanks to them all.

The talks are full of the inspiration and wisdom of a true son of our ancient Indian culture. They have been an inspiration to those who heard them and to those who have prepared them for publication. May they be an equal inspiration, help and solace to you!

For more information, please see: Ponder These Truths

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BHAKTI: A person once requested the Master to initiate him with the Mantra, “Aham Brahmasmi—I am Brahman”.

The Master gave him the Mantra. Later, by way of a test, the Master demanded of him, “Give me your bangles.” (He was wearing a pair of gold bangles).

The man refused to part with the bangles. A lady who was witnessing everything, at once removed her bangles and of her own accord placed them on the Master’s table. The Master appreciated her attitude.

On a subsequent day the Master referred to the above incident and said, “People who are too much attached to the body and the perishable things of the world want initiation into the ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ Mantra. How inconsistent this is! How absurd it is to repeat this Mantra when one is not prepared to part with a pair of bangles even for the sake of one’s own Guru! Look at that lady! She had no attachment to the bangles. She had dispassion. Even if she does not repeat the ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ Mantra, she will realise the inner meaning of it quicker than the other person, who is much attached to the things of the world, who has no dispassion even though he repeats the Mantra any number of times.

“Nowadays spiritual aspirants want to take up Vedanta and Vedantic meditation without possessing the required qualifications. They spurn devotion. As long as you are attached to the body, as long as you lack dispassion, do not give up devotion. Devotion itself will lead you to the realisation of Vedantic oneness. Even if you take up Vedanta, do not abandon devotion. Vedanta and devotion should go side by side. After taking Sannyas, many aspirants begin to scoff at devotion. They dislike becoming Bhaktas. Their ambition is to become erudite Jnana Yogins. They give up devotion and do not try to get a good grasp of Vedanta either. They thus lose both. Their position is like that of Trisanku, who had to hang between earth and heaven. Seekers who are fit to practise Vedantic meditation, who have burning dispassion and intense longing for liberation, can be counted on our finger-tips. Others are only ‘rotis’ and ‘parotas’!”

“A sage is the sustainer of the world. He is a source of perpetual inspiration. He is an instrument through which Divine Grace is transmitted to the unregenerated man.” – Sri Swami Sivananda

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2026-01-30T09:10:03Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Saravabhavaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Thaipusam
by Swami Sivananda

Thaipusam which falls in the month of Thai (January – February) is celebrated with intense devotion by a very large section of the Tamil people throughout the world. It is celebrated on the full moon when the constellation Pusam is on the ascend. Lord Skanda is the spiritual son of Lord Siva. On this day the Lance (Vel) was given to him by His mother.

The origin of Lord Skanda, the purpose of His avatara and its significance are of much importance to all seekers after Truth. During the battle between the Asuras and the Devas, the latter were defeated several times by the former. The Devas were unable to resist the onslaught of the Asuric forces. In despair, they approached Lord Siva and entreated to give them an able leader under whose heroic leadership they might obtain victory over the Asuras. They surrendered themselves completely and prayed to Lord Siva sincerely. The gracious Lord granted their request by creating mighty divine warrior, Lord Skanda, out of his own power or Achintya Sakti. This great son of Lord Siva at once assumed leadership of the celestial forces, originated them, inspired them and attacked the asuric forces. The asuras were routed and a glorious victory was gained by the Devas.

Make a whole hearted surrender at the feet of the Divine even as the Devas surrendered to Lord Siva. And like them, pray earnestly with Bhava and sincerity. The Divine help will surely come, and in your heart will spring up the routing torrent of Divine Sakti. The Lord’s grace will become manifest to you in the form of inner soul force. This is the Divine power of Jnana symbolised by the Vel which vanquishes all undivine forces that attack you on the spiritual path and emerge triumphant and victorious.

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1st February is Thaipusam.

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The Mantra Soham

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Hindu Gods and Goddesses
by Swami Sivananda

GOD is one, but His aspects are many. The different aspects of God constitute the Hindu Pantheon.

The naturally pious Hindu delights in his Deities. He delights in singing the Lord’s glories, in chanting His Mantras, in visiting His temples, in worshipping His Murtis. These devotional practices expand his heart, enlarge his vision, aid him powerfully in his Sadhana, and ultimately lead him to the highest goal of his spiritual endeavour, viz., God-realisation.

The conception of the names and forms of various Deities in Hindu mythology is grand, sublime, unique. Every detail connected with every Hindu god and goddess has its inner meaning, its esoteric significance.

Swami Sivananda writes for the readers. His style is simple. His approach is direct. He writes with intense devotion and Prem.

We have great pleasure in releasing this beautiful book for the benefit of all those who want to understand Hinduism better. May God illumine the hearts of all and bring peace on earth.

For more information, please see: Hindu Gods and Goddesses

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GOD IS KIND: At the Satsang the Master distributed melons to the people sitting near him. The weather was hot. He remarked, “God is kind. He knows the difficulty of people in summer. The Lord, who created summer, also created the melon for the sake of people.”

“God has no object outside Himself. He does not see anything outside Him as we are seeing outside us. He is the whole universe, and you are included in the universe. You are not standing outside the universe. When He is the whole universe Himself, He is yourself also. You cannot stand outside Him. As you are not outside the universe, you are not outside God also.” – Swami Krishnananda

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2026-01-22T09:42:16Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Conquest of Mind
by Swami Sivananda

THAT form which the Infinite, All-pervading Atman has assumed through its power of imagination is called ‘mind’. Mind creates and destroys. It creates the whole universe by its power of imagination. The chief characteristic of the mind is imagination. Mind is the creator and enjoyer of all happiness and miseries. It is the cause for bondage and liberation. Mind is all in all. It is everything. It is your true friend and bad enemy. The lower mind is your enemy. It causes various sorts of attachment. It is filled with various base desires and appetites. The higher mind is a rare friend and benefactor because it imparts true counsels in the way of obtaining the supreme goal of life. The higher mind becomes your guiding Guru. Hear its sweet, small voice and follow its instructions. The voice of the pure mind is the voice of God. It is an infallible voice. In Gita you will find: “A man should uplift himself by his own self, so let him not weaken the Self. For, this self is the friend of oneself and this self is the enemy of oneself. The self is the friend of the self, for him who has conquered self, the self is inimical (and behaves) like (an external) foe for him who has not conquered the self.” (Chapter VI. 5-6). There is no other vessel on this earth to cross the ocean of Samsara than the mastery of the lower instinctive mind.

This world is a very big wheel. It is revolving unceasingly. The mind is the nave of this wheel. Those who are egoistic, proud, passionate and greedy are caught up in this wheel. If you can stop the mind from moving, the world-wheel will come to a standstill and you will be freed from the rounds of births and deaths. If you wish to stop the mind from moving, you will have to annihilate egoism, pride, desire and greed.

It is the mind that is the root of the tree of Samsara with its thousands of shoots, branches, tender leaves and fruits. If you annihilate Sankalpas or thoughts, you can destroy the tree of Samsara at once. Destroy the Sankalpas as soon as they arise. The root will dry up through the annihilation of Sankalpas and the tree of Samsara will wither soon. This demands considerable patience and perseverance. No pains, no gains. You will be bathed in the ocean of bliss when all Sankalpas are extirpated. This state is indescribable. You will have to feel it yourself.

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Cosmic Meditation

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Lectures on Yoga and Vedanta
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Yoga is an exact science. It aims at the harmonious development of the body, the mind and the soul. Yoga bestows perfection, peace and eternal bliss.

The path of Vedanta is the most natural. It is nothing but manifesting what you exactly are in essence.

Be Thyself. Thou art the resplendent Atman. Be rooted in this supreme consciousness. Eternity is thy very nature. Realise this now and here.

Deep as the ocean is thy life. Nothing can harm you. Thou art the all-pervading Immortal Soul.

It is mainly through books that we establish a connection with and obtain the fruits of a great mind’s lofty labours. This avenue is open to all. In their books the Great Ones present themselves before you, talk to you, giving you the most precious thoughts and ideas and pouring their souls into you.

The present book, ‘Lectures on Yoga and Vedanta’, is a collection of lectures given by Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj on different occasions.

It is earnestly hoped that the readers will be highly benefited by a study and practice of these lectures.

For more information, please see: Lectures on Yoga and Vedanta

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SUFFICIENT FOR THE DAY: The Master had completed his office work and was about to get up to leave. He said, “Sufficient for today. Now let us go.

“ ‘Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof’. Do you know its meaning?” he enquired of a disciple, and he himself answered, “It means that we should not worry about anything. We should not worry about the morrow.

God will take care of everything. Only we should take note of the evils done today so that we may not repeat them tomorrow.”

“Humanity is found to be so diverse with varying languages, cultures, customs, manners etc., that if we try to bring about a sort of superficial unity by forcing upon diverse mankind a single way of life, a single language, a single type of living, a single type of education, we will not succeed, because we will not touch the innermost core of the being in man. There is something much deeper than the appearance. The essential being of man has to be touched if the sense of unity is to be roused within him. Uniformity is not unity; it will always be only in appearance. Real unity is in the heart, in the feeling and being. The innermost being of man provides the ultimate rock-bottom basis of unity.” – Swami Chidananda

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2026-01-14T08:31:10Z

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Auspicious Beginning
by Swami Krishnananda

We regard this day of January 14th as very auspicious. It is called in India the Makara Sankranti, which is when the sun crosses the Tropic of Capricorn. Slowly winter will begin in Australia and summer will come to the northern hemisphere. This day is very auspicious for various reasons. It is at this very sacred moment that we gather here with a common purpose. The purpose is more than that which lies between a teacher and a the taught. In matters that are more than human, relationships are slightly supernormal. I hope you all understand what I actually mean.

The relationships in the world are of one kind, but the relationships which pertain to questions, issues and matters which are superhuman are themselves supernormal. This is the inner essence of the relationships enshrined in spiritual institutions. The relationship between one person and another in institutions of the spirit are not individualistic or human, but they imply and bear the stamp of something which beckons from above. It is something like a movement forward along a road on which one walks to a destination. Every step that we take forward is like a pull onwards; so also is this mysterious and unintelligible relationship among seekers of a common supernormal purpose.

I purposely use 'supernormal' instead of saying 'religious' or even 'spiritual', because these words have not been understood properly—but instead misused and sometimes even abused. We use the words 'religious', 'spiritual' and 'yogic' so many times that they have become commonplace. It appears as if we knew what yoga is, what religion is, and what spirituality is because we have heard the names so many times in newspapers, books and from people who profess to be teachers of yoga.

An idea occurred a year back, that it would not be bad if a few interested seekers were called to this institution and told what the essence of this matter is. Not that there are no people in the world who know this, but they are few in number; and few as the teachers are, so are the disciples also few. There are many who want this thing called yoga or religion or spirituality for a purpose that seems to be different from yoga, religion or spirituality. Very interesting indeed is this psychological phenomenon. We talk of yoga as the aim, religion as the aim, or spirituality as the aim, but internally, in our heart of hearts, we want to make use of these for a different purpose altogether, which lurks in our own bosom, so that our pursuits become means to certain personal ends. And so we use this so-called 'yoga' as a handmaid for our own personal ends. This we may intellectually argue, but it is at the bottom of the hearts of many seekers, honest they may be. Not that they are dishonest or hypocritical, but it is difficult to overcome what man essentially is. Man is man, after all. He has certain ways of thinking, and it is difficult to get over these stereotyped ways of human thinking. We have some ideas of good and bad; we are born with these ideas, and we want to die with them.

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Dhyana

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Pannirselvam

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Samadhi Yoga
by Sri Swami Sivananda

It was in the year 1934 that a small pamphlet "Samadhi in Six Months" was written by Sri Swamiji Maharaj and printed and published at Madras. This booklet had a very warm reception and many enquiries poured in for a deeper understanding of the Ancient Secret contained in the Yoga Sastras. The subject was however touched upon in most of the later writings of the Swamiji, but still the revered author cherished a desire to bring out a profounder work on this subject. This work is thus the direct outcome of such a Sankalpa, and its appeal should be far-reaching in giving such Sadhakas, as are fit to enter the portals of the Blissful Union, many direct hints and instructions on practical experiences, and point out the way to the desired illumination.

In placing this book before all thirsty aspirants and seekers of Samadhi, we feel that a thorough understanding of the subject, after a perusal of the other writings of the Swamiji along with sincere spiritual practices and with the grace of the Guru and God, will surely lead them to the summum bonum of existence.

For more information, please see: Samadhi Yoga

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PHILOSOPHICAL SONGS: At the Satsang the following song was sung by the Master:

When your throat is choked at the time of death,

Who will help you for your salvation?

See what is true, hear what is true,

Think what is true, speak what is true.

“What we are in small things, that we are in big things also. We should not think that we can just be careless in small matters but then be very careful in big matters. When we are careless in tiny things, then we will also be careless in big things. Drops make the ocean, as you know. A small thing as a cup of tea that we sip is important in the manner of its intake, and a small thing like a few words that we speak to a brother is as important as the big matter that we regard as God-realisation or the practice of yoga. I am not just joking — these are serious things to reflect and meditate upon. There is nothing that is unimportant. Before God at least, nothing is unimportant, insignificant or unnecessary. We should not imagine that we are wiser than God, or that we can distinguish between the important and the unimportant. There is no such thing as unimportant in this world.” – Swami Krishnananda

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