Sivananda

110th Birthday Anniversary of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj (2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:21:00 GMT

<blockquote>Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!Namaste!Devotion and Dedication Personified… by Sri Swami NirliptanandaMy humble prostrations and salutations at the holy feet of most worshipful Guru Maharaj Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, whose spiritual presence indwells the hearts of all his sincere devotees and disciples. Our Param Pujya Swamiji Maharaj was a guiding light of the Divine Life Society for over half a century. When he was elected President by the Board of Trustees on August 18th 1963, he observed: “A burden has been taken up. It has to be carried.” And he shouldered the responsibility nobly as President until his last breath on 28th August 2008.As a disciple, Swamiji’s devotion to his Guru Swami Sivanandaji was exemplary and supreme, and his dedication to the service of the Guru, his Mission and Organisation was phenomenal and total. Ever since he joined Sivananda Ashram in 1943, he served his Guru as the occasion demanded or as he was called upon to do. He looked upon service to the Mission as service of his Guru and he did it as devout worship. From 1948 he was the General Secretary for many years and when he was made President, he expressed: “My only prayer to Gurudev’s spirit is that I may be enabled to serve sincerely, work dutifully and live worthily. May he not withhold from this servant the grace of humility nor the talents of selflessness and dedication.” Swamiji’s life and work testify to the fact that his prayer was amply granted.As Chairman of the Trust and President of the Divine Life Society, Swamiji presided over the meetings of the Board of Trustees and Board of Management and oversaw and guided all activities. In addition to the day-to-day affairs, he also initiated and headed special and important functions, like the Centenary Celebrations of Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj in 1987 and other such events. With his blessings and support Baliguali Ashram (The Chidananda Hermitage Shanti Ashram) near Puri in Orissa was established. It is the first and only wing of the Headquarters and gives inspiration to thousands of devotees as a centre of spiritual sadhana.Gurudev had sent him to the West in 1959 and from that time onwards requests and invitations poured in from all over the world for his visit and darshan. Swamiji had to undertake frequent and sometimes long tours after he became President. This gave him the grand opportunity to spread the Teachings of his Master and to serve many eager and sincere devotees. Swamiji brought many people to the spiritual path. He was Guru, spiritual guide and preceptor to thousands of devotees in India and abroad and he conducted many spiritual retreats, sadhana sibirs and yoga camps. He gave personal spiritual guidance and did not hesitate to consider the secular problems, needs and difficulties of his devotees. The service he rendered to the cause of cultural and spiritual upliftment of humanity is immeasurable. He inspired people everywhere to work selflessly in the service of others, in the service of Gurudev’s Mission and for their own spiritual unfoldment.<a href="https://www.dlshq.org/saints/devotion-and-dedication-personified/">Read complete article</a><hr width="50%" />September 24th is the 110th Birthday Anniversary of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.Yours in the service of Gurudev,Pannirselvam <hr />BOOK SYNOPSISThis Monk From India by Yvonne LebeauThis book by Yvonne Lebeau, a spiritual seeker from France, is in the nature of a tribute to her Guru or spiritual mentor, Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj. An interesting aspect of the book is the light it throws on the encounter between the occidental mind and oriental philosophy. Another aspect of the book—and an equally significant one—is the insight it gives into the various struggles which every spiritual seeker has to undergo in traversing the path of Yoga or conscious spiritual evolution. It speaks volumes for the magnanimity of the author that she has been motivated by an earnest desire that the message of this book, viz., the message of Yoga-Vedanta, should be broadcast far and wide, especially in the Western world. May God bless her with health, long life and many more years of spiritual service and illumination too! The present edition is enriched with fresh matter that the writer felt would add to the value of the book.For more information, please see: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/books/this-monk-from-india/">This Monk From India</a><hr />SPECIAL ARADHANA CONCESSIONWe are currently having a Special Aradhana Concession on all our publications from 1st July 2026 to 30th September 2026. The discount on publications is as follows:20% on Orders Upto Rs. 300/- 30% on Orders Upto Rs. 1,000/- 35% on Orders Above Rs. 1,000/- 40% on Orders Above Rs. 25,000/-Please visit our <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/">online bookstore</a> for further details.<hr />"I have seen Swami Chidanandaji feeding and serving cats, dogs and monkeys. Even when the Ashram is in a financial crisis he spends a lot in treating a sickly dog with costly injections. When hundreds of letters are waiting for reply, he will be giving upadesha to boys and girls of the locality and entertaining them with sweets, biscuits and fruits. Even when he fails to attend to his personal affair, he will be spending hours in satisfying a sick person or in admiring an insect or a lovely flower. In the midst of such distracting routine of work, he can give fiery lectures on any subject in the most convincing and impressive manner, in any language, sing melodious kirtans and transform even atheists and will not leave a person until the doubts are completely cleared and problems solved." – Swami Paramananda<hr />Please <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/gurudev/">click here</a> to subscribe to Sivananda Day-to-day mailing list.Other Sivananda related lists:<a href="https://sandesha.sivanandayoga.org/daily-quotes/">Various Selections from Sivananda's Works</a></blockquote>

Sivananda Day-to-day (598)

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:34:00 GMT

<blockquote>Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah! Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!Namaste!Lord Ganesa -- The Remover of Obstacles by Sri Swami Krishnananda(Ganesa Chaturthi message given in September, 1981.)Human life is beset with obstacles. We face oppositions and encounter difficulties galore, and the whole of our daily activity may, in a sense, be considered as a struggle against all odds which come in different forms as the sorrows of life. The moment we wake up in the morning, we have to face the obstacle called hunger which we try to obviate by cooking and eating food, the obstacle called thirst which we have to get rid of by drinks, and the obstacles called disease, exhaustion, fatigue, sleeplessness and the like, which we endeavour to remedy by the introduction of various types of medicines. The very presence of people around us is an obstacle and the human individual suddenly becomes restless, and both consciously and unconsciously puts on an attitude of self-defence, as if one has found oneself suddenly in a terrific war field.The difficulties of life are, to a large extent, the very substance of life itself. The whole of life is a bundle of difficulties. It is a mess of oppositions, which calls for a continuous counteracting force which is what is called human enterprise. If the whole earth were filled with milk and honey, and if there was no fatigue, no old age and death, no hunger and thirst, no opposition and nobody to utter a word, then there would be no activity, no necessity to do anything and no incentive in the direction of any movement. The quantity, the expanse and the magnitude of the opposition which comes before us in life is such that no single individual will be able to face it. This whole world is too much for a single man, and considering the incongruous, disproportionate relationship between a single human individual and the vast world outside, there is very little hope of man's achieving anything in this world, successfully, because we cannot bail out the ocean of waters with a spoon, though our effort may be laudable. We are, no doubt, very sincerely industrious in emptying the ocean of its waters with a little spoon or a ladle. Notwithstanding the fact that this effort on our part is praiseworthy, it is not going to lead us to any success, and the expected result will not follow. The ocean cannot be emptied by any amount of bailing out with a spoon.Such seems to be the type of world into which we are born, and people who are acutely conscious of this situation become humble enough to accept that even an inch of success cannot be expected in this world without the miraculous grace of God. So, even the little success that sometimes seems to come to us is a kind of undeserved promotion, as it were, granted to us by the mercy of the Almighty. Our efforts are only a puny child's whining and weeping with a helpless weakness of body and mind. The traditional annual worship of God in this role, as the remover of all obstacles, as Vighna Vinayaka, is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesa Chaturthi. It is the day on which we offer special adoration to the Remover of obstacles.<a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/fest/fest_11.html">Read complete article</a><hr align="left" width="50%" />14th September is the holy <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/religions/ganesh-chaturthi/">Sri Ganesha Chaturthi</a> day.<hr align="left" width="50%" />The following article was recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:<ul><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/43.Questions-from-a-Western-Teacher.html">Questions from a Western Teacher</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/42.Unity-Among-Difference.html">Unity Among Difference</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/41.Guru-Ganga-Salvation.html">Guru, Ganga, Salvation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/40.What-Is-Important.html">What Is Important</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/39.Gods-Promise-in-the-Bhagavadgita.html">God's Promise in the Bhagavadgita</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/38.Conviction-That-It-Will-Come.html">Conviction That It Will Come</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/37.Integral-Thinking.html">Integral Thinking</a></li></ul> Yours in the service of Gurudev,Pannirselvam <hr />BOOK SYNOPSISSpiritual Import of Religious Festivals By Sri Swami KrishnanandaAs time passes, contexts change and the relevance of a book written many years ago gains new significance. So it is with The Spiritual Import of Religious Festivals. In this 21st century as people have fully merged into consumerism, the intention and drive behind celebrating festivals has completely been erased making them yet another occasion for celebration in the secular sense, an occasion to indulge in more clothes, more food, more adornments, filling the moment which was intended for spiritual ascent with noise and material both antithetical to the original intention. This book is intended for anyone who wants to go deeper into why festivals came to be, their historical origin and critically their spiritual significance. Those who are already on the path spiritual will find terrific acceleration to their endeavors, enhanced meaning to their understanding thus far and a new spirit to their pace. Others will find a clarification for why they need to alter their approach to ‘celebrating’ these moments in history that repeat year after year. It is very striking, even if obvious, that these events repeat year after year as if God Himself is giving us yet another chance to renew our relationship with life. This book is a compilation of the lectures on religious festivals, delivered by Swami Krishnananda on different occasions. Swamiji has only briefly hinted at the ‘story’ behind the festival while his effort has been entirely to stress the significance of the rituals of a festival with the spiritual ascension of man. As the Publisher’s Note to the second edition rightly observed, “There is a meaning behind every act, or ritual in the religious field, even as there is a hidden purpose behind the implementation of any project or the doing of any work. Rarely are religions seen to awaken themselves to the spirit that they are expected to convey, the living flame which they enshrine and without which they remain forms without content.” Since these were lectures in their original form, the transcription seeks to retain the spoken word form more to transport the enriching, divine flavour of Swamiji’s words and feelings to the reader. This is experienced distinctively in the lectures in the Appendix, which carry with them extra fire and intensity, especially since the subject matter itself was such. For more information, please see: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/books/spiritual-import-of-religious-festivals/"> Spiritual Import of Religious Festivals</a> <hr /> SPECIAL ARADHANA CONCESSION We are currently having a Special Aradhana Concession on all our publications from 1st July 2026 to 30th September 2026. The discount on publications is as follows: 20% on Orders Upto Rs. 300/- 30% on Orders Upto Rs. 1,000/- 35% on Orders Above Rs. 1,000/- 40% on Orders Above Rs. 25,000/- Please visit our online bookstore for further details: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/">https://www.dlshq.org/presta/</a> <hr /> PATIENCE NECESSARY: As soon as the Master emerged from his cottage on his way to attend Satsang, he saw a cow chasing another furiously. On witnessing the scene he remarked, “In how many millions of lives man must have been born as an animal with so much hatred and anger! Yet he wants to attain Samadhi quickly. There are two main obstacles to spiritual progress—recollection of past enjoyments and impatience.” <hr /> “On this auspicious day of the worship of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the bestower of success, let us begin by eradicating wrong qualities and cultivating sublime, noble, spiritual qualities and divine virtues. In his “Universal Prayer” Gurudev says: “Fill our hearts with divine virtues.” If we pray to the Lord to do this, then we must assist God by ourselves also trying to fill our heart with divine virtues. Then He will help us and make it a success. What quality to eradicate? What divine virtue to cultivate? The great Holy Mother Saradamani Devi, the divine consort of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsadev of Dakshinesvar, giving advice said: “My dear child, take away doshadrishti (looking at the faults of others), take away this negative habit of picking upon the faults of others. Life is too short; there is not enough time to remove our own faults. We have so many faults that if we will start introspecting, trying to analyse and recognise our own negative qualities, we will have a full-time work to do. Even a whole lifetime will not be sufficient to get rid of all the faults that each one of us has. So, if instead of doing your own house cleaning, you start picking on the faults of others, you will remain what you are.”” – Sri Swami Chidananda <hr /> <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/gurudev/">Subscribe</a> to Sivananda Day-to-day mailing list. Other Sivananda related sites: <ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW0tASvDEBK/?igsh=cm9sejY0ZWNrb25j">The Divine Life Society Gen Next Instagram Page</a></li><li><a href="https://sandesha.sivanandayoga.org/daily-quotes/">Various Selections from Sivananda's Works</a></li></ul> </blockquote>

139th Birthday Anniversary of Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj (2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:39:00 GMT

<blockquote>Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!Namaste!Early Days of Ashram Life by Sri Swami ChidanandaIn the early forties Gurudev used to come to the upper side of the Ashram for an evening walk. It was a sight to see him coming up in the summer evenings. He loved to be on the banks of Gangaji. The breeze blowing over the waters is cool like an air-conditioner’s breeze. After leaving the Kutir he used to come to the office first. It was at the present Post Office. He used to enter the office from the Ganga side, step in and sit in a small sofa immediately to the left hand side of the door. When I first came here in May 1943, there used to be only one person in the office, Brahmachari Poornabodh Chaitanya, belonging to the Avadhoot Parampara of Lord Dattatreya. He was not yet fully initiated (He entered Sannyasa on Sivaratri, in 1947 and became Swami Poornabodhendra.). He would always be in the office when Gurudev came. He was so short that if he stood by the side of Gurudev, he would perhaps come up to Gurudev’s waist only. He was a jack of all the trades. He was the cashier and the typist as well.The visitors had to sit on the floor. There would be a little table between them and Gurudev. There was a cloth which covered the table and went down reaching the floor. Gurudev never allowed anyone to touch his feet. I have seen persistent Punjabi ladies put their hands inside the cloth and try to touch his feet. But Gurudev would retract his feet as far as possible.In Rishikesh, the summer is terribly hot and the winter terribly cold. In the summer, Gurudev’s morning office hours were 6.00 to 7.30 a.m., before it became hot. Before that he used to finish his bath in Gangaji and all other morning routine. He was a tall figure with a stick and a very thin borderless Dhoti and a small Muradabadi towel (Gamchha) to hold the Dhoti in place. He used to tie it on the Dhoti because he had a very rubbery type of body and belly. There would be another Gamchha on his shoulder. Like that only he used to come and sit in the office. Someone had to keep fanning him otherwise he would perspire profusely. Latest by 8.00 a.m. he used to go back to his Kutir. Now we wonder how he could live in that Kutir. By 9.00 a.m. one could not step out of it without sandals, because the Kutir veranda was a bare open cement platform open to sky without any roof or covering. If it rained, the platform became drenched and if there was sunshine, it became burning hot. His Sevak was living in the first room. So Gurudev would come down the steps, go round the platform and then enter his Kutir, go inside and close the door. Thereafter, no one, not even his Sevak could enter his Kutir until he would unbolt the door, open it and say O…m…, O…m… There was no bell even.<a href="https://www.dlshq.org/saints/early-days-of-ashram-life/">Read complete article</a><hr align="left" width="50%" />September 8th is the 139th Birthday Anniversary of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj.Yours in the service of Gurudev,Pannirselvam <hr />BOOK SYNOPSISSwami Sivananda: Saint, Sage And Godman by Sri Swami ChidanandaWorshipful Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj has brought about a spiritual awakening and resurgence of moral and ethical values throughout the world by his very inspiring writings consisting of more than three hundred books. He is literally a world teacher. He has written on every aspect of philosophy and Sadhana. He has written for everyone. The all-comprehensive vastness of Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji’s writings makes an aspirant to ask, ‘What is his vision? What is his most important message? What are his most important teachings?’ Gurudev preached only those things which he himself had practised most diligently over a long period. So the best way to find answers to these basic questions is to study his life and personality. Those were the most blessed persons who had the good fortune of staying in the Sivananda Ashram as disciples during his lifetime. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, President, The Divine Life Society, had that good fortune for two decades and is, therefore, the most appropriate authority to dilate upon these questions. In these talks, he has brought out the inherent salient teachings from Gurudev’s life and thrown light on Gurudev’s vision, his real message and his most important teachings. These talks were given in Gurudev’s Samadhi Shrine from 26th July to 10th August, 1987. This book will prove to be an invaluable treasure for all sincere seekers, Sadhakas and householders and inspire them to tread on righteous living and to strive for the goal of life, God-realisation.For more information, please see: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/books/swami-sivananda-saint-sage-and-godman/"> Swami Sivananda: Saint, Sage And Godman</a><hr />SPECIAL ARADHANA CONCESSIONWe are currently having a Special Aradhana Concession on all our publications from 1st July 2026 to 30th September 2026. The discounts on publications are as follows:20% on Orders Upto Rs. 300/- 30% on Orders Upto Rs. 1,000/- 35% on Orders Above Rs. 1,000/- 40% on Orders Above Rs. 25,000/-Please visit our <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/">online bookstore</a> for further details.<hr />"The Guru is considered as a replica of God, and he reflects within himself the power of the cosmos. He is a miniature universe, and so even to see him is like beholding the whole universe, and the magnetic power that emanates from him is actually arising from the entire cosmos. That's why people go near him. Even to look at him is enough for them. Even to see him is a great blessing. He is not to be considered as a human being. He looks like a human being physically, but his mind is centred in the universal Reality, so he absorbs the energy of the cosmos, and whoever sits near him also will be benefited by that energy. Even to see a Guru, and sit near the Guru, and hear a few words from the Guru is considered as a great blessing. Otherwise, why would people flock to Gurus unnecessarily? There is some benefit." – Swami Krishnananda<hr />Please <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/gurudev/">click here</a> to subscribe to Sivananda Day-to-day mailing list.Other Sivananda related lists:<a href="https://sandesha.sivanandayoga.org/daily-quotes/">Various Selections from Sivananda's Works</a></blockquote>

Sivananda Day-to-day (597)

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:04:00 GMT

<blockquote>Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah! Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!Namaste!Guru – The God-Incarnate by Sri Swami SivanandaTaken from Divine Life Magazine 1950The Vyasa Purnima is the sacred occasion when the Vedic Preceptor, Vyasa, and all the Brahmavidya-Gurus are worshipped. Spiritual seekers of all stages of life are all actually the disciples of these great Gurus who have handed down spiritual knowledge through Shishya-parampara. The qualities of the soul and the knowledge of God are not matters of individual caprice but facts of intuition and realisation. Knowledge does not suddenly arise in the individual without any reason. It comes through Purva-punya, Satsanga, Guruseva and Vichara. Even the requisite qualities which precede knowledge are not imbibed except through contact with the perfected ones. Spiritual qualities and natures are not parts of the ordinary human conduct and hence, they cannot be had by the worldly-wise. Even if the sense of sight is healthy, no perception is possible without light. In man, however, this spiritual sense is generally not felt, because it is obscured by the sense of worldly contacts and the consequent anxiety, worry and dissatisfaction. There is neither real virtue nor real knowledge in the common man, because these two are not in relationship with his natural instincts.Neither the means (virtue) nor the end (knowledge) is the property of the superficial nature. They are found only in the depth within. The external instincts constitute the flow of the downward current of the river of life, and one is given the strength to swim against this current and manifest the higher natures of virtue and knowledge by the Shakti that proceeds as the result of contact with one who has scaled the heights of spirituality, the Brahmanishtha Guru.In fact, it is the Guru who provides the disciple with the means as well as the end, with the sense of sight as well as the object of sight. Arjuna was given both the eye to behold the Glorious Form (Vishwaroopa) and was shown the Form itself by his Teacher, Sri Krishna. It is sometimes believed by some rationalists that no Guru is necessary, but only the self can elevate itself through itself without any aid. But there is some misconception in those who hold this view. Though all knowledge and all power is really hidden in one’s own self, it is not possible to make this manifest very easily. The great misfortune of the common individual is that it can have no knowledge except through coming into contact with an external environment belonging to some other person, place, time, thing or condition. All men are controlled by the stresses of life and the urges of the senses. Their minds cannot be diverted from their natural courses to the spiritual reality, because it is not the habit of the mind to concern itself with unworldly conditions. If it is so very easy to draw out knowledge from within, without the help of a teacher, why should children be sent to schools and why should there be so many colleges on earth? Though knowledge is revealed from inside and not imported from the teacher, the latter’s role is not insignificant. No doubt, aspiration, perseverance and personal ability and calibre play a very important part in the rise of knowledge. But, this does not mean that knowledge can spring forth automatically without effort and devotion. Cases of those who had attained perfection without study under any Guru, should not be cited as authorities against the necessity for a Guru; for such great men are the anomalies of spiritual life and not the common normality. They come into existence as spiritual masters as a result of the intense service, study and meditation practised in previous births. They had already studied under the Guru. The present birth is only its continuative spiritual effect. Hence, the importance of the Guru is not lessened thereby.<a href="https://www.dlshq.org/discourse/guru-the-god-incarnate/">Read complete article</a><hr align="left" width="50%" />29th July is the holy <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/religions/guru-purnima/">Guru Purnima</a> day.<hr align="left" width="50%" />The following article was recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:<ul><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/36.Realising-the-Mantra.html">Realising the Mantra</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/35.God-Is-Thinking-Himself.html">God Is Thinking Himself</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/34.Where-the-Soul-Goes-After-Death.html">Where the Soul Goes After Death</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/33.The-Universe-Is-the-Yoga-of-God.html">The Universe Is the Yoga of God</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/32.Everything-Is-Living.html">Everything Is Living</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/31.The-Meaning-of-the-Purusha-Sukta.html">The Meaning of the Purusha Sukta</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/30.Buddhas-Previous-Lives.html">Buddha's Previous Lives</a></li></ul>Yours in the service of Gurudev,Pannirselvam <hr />BOOK SYNOPSISGuru-Bhakti Yoga By Swami SivanandaJust as Kirtan-Sadhana has been made the special Kali-Yuga Sadhana for quick God-vision, even so herein you have the New Yoga, a Yoga most eminently suitable for this age of doubt and scepticism, pride and egoism. It is Guru-Bhakti Yoga. This Yoga is marvellous. Its power is tremendous. Its efficacy is most unfailing. The true glory of Guru- Bhakti is indescribable. It is the Yoga par excellence for this age, which makes God appear here before you in flesh and blood and move with you in this very life. The hard Rajasic ego is the arch enemy of the Sadhaka. Guru-Bhakti Yoga is the surest and best Sadhana to destroy arrogance and to dissolve the vicious ego. Just as a particular deadly germ can be annihilated only by a certain specific chemical germicide, even so, to destroy Avidya and Ahankara, this unique Guru Bhakti-Yoga is the peerless specific. They are the gravest 'Mayacide' and 'egocide'. They become quite powerless and no longer afflict the fortunate soul who saturates himself with the spirit of Guru- Bhakti-Yoga. Blessed indeed is the man who earnestly takes to this Yoga; for he will obtain crowning success in all other Yogas. To him will accrue the choicest fruits of perfection in Karma, Bhakti, Dhyana and Jnana. The qualification for taking to this Yoga is the simple trio of sincerity, faith and obedience. Be sincere in your aspirations for Perfection. Be not vague or half-hearted. Then have perfect faith in the one you have accepted as your Guru. Do not allow even so much as a shadow of doubt to approach you. When once you have reposed absolute faith in him, then know that what he instructs you is indeed for your highest good. Therefore, obey his word implicitly. Follow his teachings to the letter. Be earnest in doing thus, and take my word: you will attain Perfection; I assure you emphatically. For more information, please see: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/books/guru-bhakti-yoga/">Guru-Bhakti Yoga</a> <hr /> SPECIAL ARADHANA CONCESSION We are currently having a Special Aradhana Concession on all our publications from 1st July 2026 to 30th September 2026. The discount on publications is as follows: 20% on Orders Upto Rs. 300/- 30% on Orders Upto Rs. 1,000/- 35% on Orders Above Rs. 1,000/- 40% on Orders Above Rs. 25,000/- Please visit our online bookstore for further details: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/">https://www.dlshq.org/presta/</a> <hr /> BE NOT A SLAVE: While coming out of his cottage, the Master began instructing Sri S. “Your mother and your brother may want that you should take up some job in Calcutta. Your mother might feel that her son is an M. A. and that he should become a good officer and earn a lot. Then she will be supremely happy. She will not be satisfied if you do not accede to her request. “Even that is good. You have remained here for a couple of years. You have learnt many lessons. When you return to Calcutta, you should set an example in honesty, sincerity and other virtues. Please do not hesitate to write to me. If you wish to take up some employment, write to me. You have developed many virtues and you will prosper well in any employment. “Your mother may even ask you to marry. In order to give joy to her, you may have to do that also. The spiritual impressions that you have acquired here are embedded in you. They are your asset. Wherever you are, you will evolve and progress on the spiritual path. “But do not marry. Your freedom will be lost. You can serve your mother and make her happy even without marrying. Marriage will bind you. You will have no time to do Sadhana when you marry and get four or five children. Take up some job. Work. Do Sadhana. But do not marry. “What is there in employment and money? For the sake of a few rupees a month you have to show your teeth to an officer. You have to be his slave and do all sorts of things. You are not a free man. You have to act according to his dictation. It is a wretched state of existence. “On the other hand, if you are a Sannyasin, if you study the Gita and Upanishads and acquire a good knowledge and Sadhana Shakti, then even ministers and governors will sit at your feet and learn from you. You can hold classes in the Gita. Even your informal talks will attract a large audience. By casual talks with a few people you can inspire them and they will be greatly benefited. You will be respected everywhere. Unhindered by any obstacle, you will progress rapidly and attain the goal of life.” <hr /> “The presence of the Guru is a great influence upon the mind of the chela. Whatever we are today, in our own humble capacity, is entirely due to our personal association with Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, and not due to the books that we have studied or the texts that we have mastered or the lectures that we have heard. These are nothing; they are a husk. It is due to the force of Swami Sivananda that we somehow or other imbibed—by his grace, I should say. Sivananda was everything for us—father, mother, brother, everything. ” – Sri Swami Krishnananda <hr /> <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/gurudev/">Subscribe</a> to Sivananda Day-to-day mailing list. Other Sivananda related sites: <ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW0tASvDEBK/?igsh=cm9sejY0ZWNrb25j">The Divine Life Society Gen Next Instagram Page</a></li><li><a href="https://sandesha.sivanandayoga.org/daily-quotes/">Various Selections from Sivananda's Works</a></li></ul> </blockquote>

Sivananda Day-to-day (596)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:39:00 GMT

Sivananda Day-to-day (595)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:04:00 GMT

Sivananda Day-to-day (594)

Sat, 23 May 2026 10:08:00 GMT

104th Birthday Anniversary of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj (2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:33:00 GMT

<blockquote>Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah! Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!Namaste!Homage to Swami Krishnananda by S. BhagyalakshmiBorn to parents highly orthodox and deeply religious, Swami Krishnananda inherits an illustrious lineage of Vedic and scholarship of exceptional calibre. On April 25, 1922, in the village of Keminje a child later named Subbaraya Putturaya was born. He now lives at the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, as His Holiness Swami Krishnananda Sarasvati. The village Keminje is in South Kanara in the erstwhile Mysore State on the western coast of South India. His ancestors on both sides belonged to the high Brahman caste and enjoyed the respect and patronage of kings.Swami Krishnananda's maternal grandfather belonged to a line of priests who were the highest authorities in all Vedic rituals and the Shastras, particularly the Tantra Shastra, and also in the Vedantic philosophy. His paternal grandfather was a rare Bhakta of infinite faith, his devotion and dedication to God unsurpassed. In addition he was a truly magnanimous man by nature; he sold his own property to be able to help those in need. Thus, nobility, religion and piety run in the blood of Sri Swami Krishnananda who is a Jnanayogi single-mindedly devoted to the Brahman, the Supreme Being of the Advaita Vedanta School of Philosophy.In those (ancient) days, pilgrimages were undertaken on foot. Little toddlers or even the 5-7 year olds were carried on the shoulders of the elders. And Subbaraya Putturaya also was taken on pilgrimages in this fashion by his the members of his family. At the age of three, the child visited Talakkaveri, the source of the river Kaveri, held sacred in South India even as the river Ganga is held sacred all over India. On two more such pilgrimages during the fifth and seventh years of childhood, Subbaraya Putturaya was taken to the very sacred temple at Tirupati on the northernmost border of South India. The philosophical bent was very strong even in the earlier years and inspired his trekking to holy places in search of deeper knowledge and richer experience; Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri were the last in his pilgrimages undertaken as “Swami Krishnananda”.True to the Brahminic tradition Subbaraya was initiated in the Vedas by his father and maternal grandfather. His grandfather had passed away when Subbaraya's father was hardly two or three years old. The grind that this required was strictly enforced on the young boy even from the age of seven or so. Thus did this Brahmin boy learn the Vedic lore at a very early age. But he played as many pranks in his school and with his playmates and borthers as any other boy did. Playing the story of Ramayana was one of his favourites. He asked a puckish question of the missionary visiting his school, “Why was Jesus born in Jerusalam, Sir” The priest taken by surprise replied, “Because, it is the centre of earth”. The boy accepted this statement sceptically.His college education lasted only for two years; Subbaraya was only an undergraduate when he took up a petty Government job which in the early twenties of this century was a big honour. A Brahmin by caste was allowed only certain professions, such as would not in any way impair the codes of the caste, as laid down in the scriptures.However, Subbaraya was not interested in a career; even though he was employed to do a Government job at the age of eighteen or so, he conducted discourses on the Bhagvatlgita in the evenings! His insatiable thirst for knowledge kept him absorbed in the libraryof an elderly lawyer in his hometown, during his student days. Today he is rated by all who hear him speak or read his books as one of the best scholars in English. He is also an authority on all schools of philosophy, particularly the Vedic Scriptures, Vedanta, Upanishads, Srutis and Smritis as also the Epics and Puranas besides books on History, Geography, Science and other branches of learning.<a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_homage.html">Read complete article</a><hr width="50%" />Today, 25th April 2026, marks the auspicious 104th birthday anniversary of Revered Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj. There are several new uploads to <a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/">Sri Swamiji's website</a>:<ul><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/22.The-Power-of-Surya-Bhagavan.html">The Power of Surya Bhagavan</a></li><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/23.An-Exercise-in-Spiritual-Meditation.html">An Exercise in Spiritual Meditation</a></li><li>The <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/aubio/My_Life.epub"> EPUB format</a> of <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/aubio/mylife_1.html"> My Life,</a> Autobiography of Swami Krishnananda, and the book cover has been added to the <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/aubio/My_Life.pdf"> PDF format</a></li><li>The <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/bs_0/Brahma_Sutra.epub"> EPUB format</a> of <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/bs_0.html">The Brahma Sutras by Swami Sivananda</a>, and the book cover has been added to the <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/bs_0/Brahma_Sutra.pdf"> PDF format</a></li><li class="noLink">The <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/Twenty-One_Important_Hints-Hindi.pdf"> Hindi translation</a> of <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_26.html"> Twenty-One Important Hints on Sadhana</a>, and the English version has been printed for free distribution.</li><li class="noLink">The <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/Thus_Spake_Swami_Krishnananda-Hindi.pdf"> Hindi translation</a> of <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_65.html"> Thus Spake Swami Krishnananda</a></li><li class="noLink">The <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/Sankaras_Philosophy_of_Life-Hindi.pdf"> Hindi translation</a> of <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_221.html"> Sankara's Philosophy of Life</a></li><li class="noLink">The <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/video.html">Videos</a> page has been simplified to load quickly, and Hindi subtitles have been added in addition to the English subtitles. The language of the subtitles can be changed in Settings—>Subtitles/Captions.</li><li class="noLink"><a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/chhand_0.html">The Chhandogya Upanishad</a> has been reprinted and will be available from The Divine Life Society <a class="link" href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/" target="_blank"> bookshop</a>.</li><li class="noLink">The booklet <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_257.html"> The Religion of Humanity</a> has been printed and is being released for free distribution.</li><li class="noLink">The booklet <a class="link" href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_349.html"> Waking Up from the Dream of This So-Called Waking World</a> has been printed and is being released for free distribution.</li></ul> Yours in the service of Gurudev,Pannirselvam <hr />BOOK SYNOPSISTotal Thinking by Sri Swami Krishnananda‘Total Thinking’ comprises of a series of discourses given by Worshipful Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj during Sadhana Week in 1980. In these illuminating lectures, Pujya Swamiji Maharaj imparts valuable techniques for spiritual practices for the spiritual aspirants and seekers to illumine their journey unto the Supreme.It is our sincere hope that the readers will find this book a treasure-trove of wisdom teachings and they will also be immensely benefited by implementing those eternal teachings in their lives."What do we see in this world, and what is the kind of experience that we are passing through every day? We do not see God here anywhere, and we also cannot see religion and spirituality. When we open our eyes, it is not religion that we are seeing. We are seeing something painful, something that takes us aback, that makes us shudder in our hearts and keeps us in a state of anxiety even about the next day itself. It is an obvious truth spoken to the hearts of everyone that our lives are not as secure as they are made to appear on the surface. No one sleeps with a confident heart regarding the conditions of tomorrow in one’s life. Man suspects man and intrigues against his own brother and, with a smile on his lips, secretly manoeuvres to cut the throat of his own neighbour. Man has turned out to be a shrewd politician and a ruthless, selfish individual. No matter how often he may frequent the church or the temple, whatever be the scriptures that he may read and the number of times he may roll the beads, he has not ceased to be what he is. He shows his true colours when the time for it comes." - Swami KrishnanandaFor more information, please see: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/books/total-thinking/">Total Thinking</a><hr />SPECIAL CONCESSIONThe discount on publications is as follows:20% on Orders Above Rs. 300/- 30% on Orders Above Rs. 3,000/- 40% on Orders Above Rs. 25,000/-Please visit our online bookstore for further details: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/">https://www.dlshq.org/presta/</a><hr />"Gurudev Swami Sivananda called him “Vedanta Kesari” and also “Dakshinamurti” on different occasions. On several occasions, Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj vindicates the Master's intuitive understanding of the true nature of his illustrious disciple. Krishnananda Swamiji's silence is as eloquent as his spoken word, and his spoken word is as wise and unfathomable as his silence. When he speaks, one is reminded of Lord Buddha's Simhanada (lion's roar) and one appreciates why Gurudev called him the Lion of Vedanta. When one is enveloped by Swamiji's silence which stirs one's own innermost depths, one understands Dakshinamurti's secret of stupendous silence." – Swami Venkatesananda<hr /><a href="https://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/gurudev/">Subscribe</a> to Sivananda Day-to-day mailing list.Other Sivananda related sites:<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW0tASvDEBK/?igsh=cm9sejY0ZWNrb25j">The Divine Life Society Gen Next Instagram Page</a></li><li><a href="https://sandesha.sivanandayoga.org/daily-quotes/">Various Selections from Sivananda's Works</a></li></ul></blockquote>

Sivananda Day-to-day (593)

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:15:00 GMT

Sivananda Day-to-day (592)

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:20:00 GMT

Sivananda Day-to-day (591)

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:25:00 GMT

<blockquote>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.<a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_220.html">Read complete article</a><hr align="left" width="50%" />2nd April is <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/religions/hanuman-jayanthi/">Sri Hanuman Jayanthi</a>.<hr align="left" width="50%" />The following article was recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:<ul><li><a href="https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/darshan-1999/18.Renunciation-Is-an-Act-of-Consciousness.html">Renunciation Is an Act of Consciousness</a></li></ul>Yours in the service of Gurudev,Pannirselvam <hr />The following books were recently reprinted and released during Sri Ramanavami on March 27th:<a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/books/18-bliss-divine-es19.html">ES19 Bliss Divine</a> by Sri Swami Sivananda <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/books/11-the-bhagavad-gita-hardbound-es13hb.html">ES13 The Bhagavad Gita (Hardbound)</a> by Sri Swami Sivananda<hr />BOOK SYNOPSISHindu Gods and Goddesses by Sri Swami SivanandaGOD 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: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/books/68-hindu-gods-and-goddesses-es86.html">Hindu Gods and Goddesses</a><hr />SPECIAL CONCESSIONThe discount on publications is as follows:20% on Orders Above Rs. 300/- 30% on Orders Above Rs. 3,000/- 40% on Orders Above Rs. 25,000/-Please visit our online bookstore for further details: <a href="https://www.dlshq.org/presta/">https://www.dlshq.org/presta/</a><hr />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!<hr />“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 <hr /><a href="https://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/gurudev/">Subscribe</a> to Sivananda Day-to-day mailing list.Other Sivananda related lists:<a href="https://sandesha.sivanandayoga.org/daily-quotes/">Various Selections from Sivananda's Works</a></blockquote>