Sadguru Swami Sivananda (1887-1963)

Swami Sivananda was born on September 8, 1887, to an illustrious family in Tamil Nadu, South India, he displayed spiritual tendencies even as a young boy. Although fun-loving and mischievous, he was also loving and generous. He had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta, along with an inborn eagerness to serve, and an innate feeling of unity with all. Though born into an orthodox family, his piety was balanced by an unusual broadminded-ness and lack of prejudice. 

Even as a young man, his driving force was the service of humanity. For this reason, he became a medical doctor. He served the poor in Malaysia for many years. He also edited a health journal and wrote extensively on many health issues, but felt that this was not enough. It was divine dispensation and God’s blessing that this doctor of body and mind gave up his medical career and took to a life of renunciation. He returned to India and spent a year wandering before settling in Rishikesh, Himalayas in 1924. There he practised intense austerities. The young man found his guru, Swami Vishwananda, and was initiated into sannyasa, with the name Swami Sivananda Saraswati.

For the next seven years, Swami Sivananda spent most of his time in meditation. Yet even during this period he served the sick in a small medical clinic which he established. Slowly disciples started to gather around him. From the early 1930s onwards, Swami Sivananda embarked on frequent and extensive tours of India and Sri Lanka, stirring the hearts and souls of thousands with his spiritual magnetism, strong vibrant voice and great power of oratory. 

Wherever he went, he conducted sankirtan(chanting), delivered and taught people how to keep strong and healthy by practising yoga asana, pranayama and kriyas. Above all, he exhorted his audiences to strive constantly for spiritual development.

In Rishikesh, meanwhile, an increasing number of disciples had begun to congregate and an asrama grew up around him. With his unrestrained generosity, spirit of service, deep devotion, and his constant good humour, Swami Sivananda set a supreme example to his students. In 1932, he started the Sivananda Ashram; in 1936 the Divine Life Society was born. The Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy was organised in 1948. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and the training of people in yoga and Vedanta was his aim.

Swami Sivananda’s teaching crystallised the basic tenets of all religions, combing all yoga paths into one – the yoga of Synthesis. This he summed up with, “Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise”. His own life was a shining example of the ideal of selfless service, of karma yoga. To Swami Sivananda, all work was sacred, no task was too menial. He searched tirelessly for opportunities to serve and to help others, never postponing what needed to be done.

Swami Sivananda was the author of over two hundred books, which spread his message of love and service. He had disciples around the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions, and creeds. Swami Sivananda entered mahasamadhi (left his physical body) on July 14, 1963.

Swami Vishnudevananda

(1927 – 1993)

Early Life

Swami Vishnudevananda (Swamiji) was born in kerala, South India, in 1927. As a young child one of his main character traits was a strong will and determination. His mother, who later took sannyasa (vows of renunciation) from Swami Sivananda and was known as Swami Sivasaranananda, said that whenever her son wanted something, nothing or no one could stop him. An interesting anecdote tells how as a 5-year-old youngster he had the strong desire to go to school and learn. When told that it was not possible since the nearest school was located more than 5 miles away, the child took upon himself to pack and go early the next morning for the long 5 mile walk through the jungle. He walked back that evening and would do the same for many years to come.

As a teenager without financial resources for university, he turned to joining the army to receive the scientific education he yearned for.

The Training 

Swamiji entered the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh in 1947 at the age of twenty. He took sannyasa (became a monk) and was appointed the first professor of hatha yoga at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy. There he trained many students, both Indian and Western. At the same time he continued his own practice, mastering difficult, advanced hatha yoga techniques. When asked how he perfected these ancient practices, which to a great extent had been lost to the modern world, Swamiji would say, “My master touched me and opened my eye of intuition. All this knowledge returned to me from past lives”. For ten years, he lived and worked under the direct guidance of his master.

Shortly after taking sannyasa, Swamiji felt a great need to be alone and do intense sadhana. With the permission of his Master, he walked to Uttarakashi. Here Swamiji found a small house. Asanas and Pranayama were done four times daily in sessions of four hours each. The Ganges flowed in front of the cottage and he went to it for bathing and kriyas. All he ate was lentils and rice. After 3 months of austerities, it was time to return to the asrama. Swamiji now threw himself into his work with new gusto. He had many creative ideas, and also the energy to carry them out. Once Master said to him, “Vishnu Swami, now I see your kundalini rising. Ehen this happens, the mind is flooded with inspiration.”

One day Swami Sivananda gave Swamiji a 10 Rupee note (less than a dollar!) and his blessings to travel to the West and spread the teachings of yoga and Vedanta. “People are waiting” were the words of the Master.

The Journey West

Swamiji travelled west in steps. He would visit a place and teach, usually staying with followers or admirers of Swami Sivananda, and somehow an ongoing ticket would materialise. His first stop outside of India was Ceylon, and from there to Singapore. After Singapore was Malaysia, then Swamiji flew to Hong Kong. Here he met an American couple who arranged his visa to United States.

In Indonesia Swamiji gave yoga classes to an entire police department. Upon his departure, the grateful students gave him an International Driver’s License. He has never driven nor did he know how to, but it was a well-known fact that “everyone in America has a driver’s license.”

After Indonesia came Australia, where Swamiji gave classes in Melbourne. Then after a brief visit to Hawaii, Swamiji arrived in San Francisco, where he stayed with a couple in Oakland. Every day they drove him to San Francisco where he conducted classes, until Swamiji decided to learn how to drive. He bought an old car and practised in an abandoned parking lot until he had enough confidence to drive across the Bay Bridge.

Next he drove down to Los Angeles to teach and, at the same time, he was the subject of intensive research at UCLA, where he was hooked up to all kinds of instruments to test the physiological responses of asanas and pranayama. With his earnings from the testing at UCLA, Swamiji bought an old Packard and drove eastward criss-crossing the continent.

Chronology

1959-1961 Swamiji arrived in Monreal for the first time in 1959. Dora Henritt, who would later become Swami Ramananda and one of the strongest pillars of his mission in the West, attended his first lecture. Swamiji went to New York where he taught classes and started working on The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. A publisher offered to print the book and gave the author a $200 cash advance. Swamiji often said, “That $200 literally saved my life and created the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres around the world.” Swamiji returned to Montreal where he established the first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre. Swamiji had to spend time travelling between New York and Montreal. It was at this time that Swamiji decided to learn how to fly, thinking he could cut down on his travelling expenses. He later laughed at the absurdity of the idea. During the summer, he noticed that class attendance dropped drastically, especially on weekends. Swamiji learned that many people went to the mountains and he thought: If people leave the city to take a vacation then why not give them the chance for a yoga vacation? It was amazing for Swamiji to see Westerners gladly give up their material comforts to sleep on the floor and take cold showers. Few people in India would have voluntarily accepted these conditions. Now Swamiji realised that here were people ready and eager for the knowledge of yoga. They had great strength and resources, but lacked inner discipline.

1962 After two summers of yoga camps in different places, Swamiji felt the need for a permanent place for these camps. He found the present site in February 1962, though it was still dense forest. After lots of hard work and clearing the land, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp opened that summer.

1963 In the summer, Swamiji received a telegram from the Divine Life Society about the serious condition of Master Sivananda. Because of unavoidable circumstances, Swamiji found it difficult to leave Canada for India. He therefore telegraphed the asrama to find out Master’s exact condition. The answer came that it was improving, and Swamiji cancelled his plane reservations. On July 14, Swamiji received another telegram saying that Master had entered mahasamadhi. Swamiji felt overpowered with grief because he could not be in his Master’s presence during the last moments of his life.

During the summer months at Yoga Camp, Swamiji used to sleep in a tent. In the tent next to Swamiji’s slept one of his students, a French Canadian named Andre. It was approximately 3 a.m. on July 17, 1963 that Swamiji was awakened by a familiar sound, “Vishnu Swami, wake up”. At first Swamiji thought that Andre had called him from the next tent. So without getting up from bed, Swamiji called Andre to ask him if he had called. “No, Swamiji”, came the answer. But again the familiar voice “Vishnu Swami” came so clear that Swamiji arose. Only then did he realise that it was no other person than his Master who has appeared in his tent to comfort him and assure him that he had not abandoned his disciples. “I am ever with you,” he said. Swamiji immediately called Andre to wake up, meditate, and feel the presence of Master. Swamiji then went into deep meditation. He later said that he could feel Master trying to lift his mind to higher planes. Though this experience lasted only a few minutes, it removed all sorrow and grief, for now he knew that Master would always be present to guide him. He realised that time and space are no barriers for the Master to help his students.

1965 In February, Swamiji was in Nassau and heard the Beatles were filming “Help” on the island. He wentto meet them and gave them an autographed copy of The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. Ringo looked at the book and commented, “I can’t even stand on my legs, let alone my head.” Later that year, Swamiji tried to help a group of hippies faced with eviction find a new home on an island off the coast of Ireland. The idea was abandoned, but the former hippies discovered the truth in Swamiji’s teachings and inaugurated the first Sivananda Yoga Centre in London.

1967 Swamiji was invited to speak in Nassau, Bahamas where he met Mrs. Natalie Boswell. She was so impressed with Swamiji’s work that she agreed to rent her 4 acre estate on Paradise Island on a 99 year lease. The Sivananda Yoga Retreat was opened.

1969 Swamiji had a vision of the world being engulfed by fire and people fleeing in all directions, oblivious of boundaries. He saw national, political, and other boundaries as limitations of the mind, which must be overcome to move towards world peace. Swamiji’s vision was the inspiration for the True World Order, aimed at promoting peace and understanding. In 1969, Swamiji laid the cornerstone for the systematic spread of yoga by conducting the first Yoga Teachers’ Training course (TTC) in the West, at the Sivananda Yoga Camp in Val Morin, Quebec. The TTC was designed to train future leaders and responsible citizens of the world in Yogic disciplines. “True Brotherhood and Peace can exist only where there are strong and self-controlled leaders to set an example for the masses. It is of vital importance that leaders have inner vision and inner peace. Not until men have this inner peace can they hope to establish global peace. That same summer, Swamiji convented a Conference of Religions at Val Morin. At peace festivals with various spiritual leaders and musicians, Swamiji offered yogic discipline as a way to create a positive atmosphere, to evolve, to seek peace, and to encourage and help other human beings.

1970 At this time, rock festivals were popular. As a sattvic alternative to this, Swamiji presented a Yoga Peace and Music Festival in August. Dancers and musicians came from India for the event including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and famour vina player Balachandra. Over 2000 people attended. The highlight of the event was seeing the entire Teachers’ Training Class walk over burning coals, led by Swamiji. They had purified themselves by fasting, observing brahmacarya, and special pujas. These were all ordinary Western yoga students who had for the most part never believed that such things were possible. This same year, Swamiji purchased a twin engine Piper Apache. Beautiful designs were lovingly hand painted onto it by famous artist Peter Max. Swamiji had great plans for this small plane.

1971 In August, land was purchased for the Vrindavan Yoga Farm Sivananda Ashram in Grass Valley, California. On August 30, Swamiji took off from Logan Airport, Boston, on the first leg of his Round-the-World Peace Mission. With him was his student and co-pilot Bren Jacobson of Montreal. Their aim was to fly to the trouble spots of the world and spread the timeless and universal message of peace and love. In Belfast Swamiji and actor Peter Sellers marched together, chanting for peace and brotherhood. They handed out leaflets with the message of love as expressed in all the religions of the world. Then to Tel Aviv, On October 6 Swamiji took off across the war-ridden Suez Canal. When Israeli jets realised what he was doing, they buzzed the small plane, knocking it about with their powerful jet exhusts. Swamiji ‘retaliated’ with a rain of flowers. On the other side of the Canal this scene was repeated with the Egyptian Air Force. The small plane was almost shot down but Swamiji persisted, dropping flowers and pamphlets calling for peace. When Swamiji landed, he and his Jewish coilot were arrested. Swamiji was overjoyed: a perfect opportunity for sahdana; plenty of time to meditate. Food was brought to them – fresh dates, milk and whole wheat bread. Once again, Swamiji had turned misfortune into fortune. In a few days they were release. They continued eastward, showering Pakistan and India with their missiles of peace. When Swamiji returned to Val Morin for Christmas, it was celebrated with new meaning.

1973 Vrindavan Ashram Yoga Farm opened in Grass Valley, California. India tour.

1974 In July, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch Colony was inaugurated in Woodbourne, New York.

1975 International Yoga Teachers’ Congress in Nassau; All Gurus Festival in Val Morin, Quebec.

1976 Began yearly symposiums on Yoga and Science. First theme: Yoga and Psychic Discovery. Towards the end of the year, Swamiji was involved in a near fatal car accident in Spain.

1977 Symposium on Yoga “Man and his Future” in Marbella, Spain. India tour. Symposium on “Yoga and Psychic Discoveries” in Bangalore, India. Symposia on “Physics and Metaphysics” in Los Angeles and New York. Celebration of Swamiji’s 50^th birthday at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp, and installation of Swamiji’s plane at the Camp’s Peace Plane Museum.

1978 Publication of Meditation and Mantras,. In July Swamiji began one year of silence and meditation. Foundation of the Dhanwantari Ashram in Neyyar Dam.

1979 Festival of Inner Light. In July Swamiji broke his year-long-silence. Began lectures and writing on karma and disease.

1980 Visionary lectures and symposiums for preparing for survival into the 21^st century and educating the public about nuclear disarmament.

1981 The SAMA (Sivananda Ashram Members Association) Yoga international community project began. SAMA is a spiritual community of house holder students of Swamiji adjacent to the asrama in Val Morin, Quebec. Individuals, couples and families own private lots and homes, but work in cooperation with each other in many ways for the good of the asramam and the community as a whole. Facing the future festival at Val Morin. Swamiji left for a six-month meditation and pilgrimage to India.

1983 On September 15, Swamiji flew over the berlin Wall from West and East in an ultralight aircraft, “armed” with two bouquets of marigolds. He landed on a farm in East Berlin. After being interrogated by East German authorities for our hours, he was sent back to West Berlin. Swamiji said:”Symbolically we want to show we cannot cross borders with guns, only with flowers. If they shoot me over the Berlin Wall what difference is it? Many people have died for war; I shall die for peace.” The Global Village Peace Festival was held right beside the Berlin Wall. Swamiji led over 60 Westerners in walking across hot coals. The Sivananda Companion to Yoga is published.

1984 Swamiji spent three months touring India in a double-decar bus from London carrying the message ‘Yoga for World Peace’. In February Swamiji met with Sikh leaders Sant Longowal and Sant Brindawal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, hoping to open up a dialogue between them and the Indian government which would avert bloodshed. More than 2000 people attended a “Yoga for Peace” festival in Amritsar, the highlight of which was the fire-walking ceremony. Of this Swamiji said: “This fire-walking ceremony is to demonstrate that if we follow God’s law of Universal Love, fire with save us from destruction. Just as a bonfire on a cold night radiates beautiful warmth, the same fire out of control can become a forest fire, bringing death and destruction. Humanity is on the brink of a great catastrophe. Yet Israelis, P.L.O are fighting; Catholics and Protestants are fighting; Hindus and Muslims are fighting. All are thinking that they are right and that their way of thinking is the only answer. We want to show humanity that fire can protect those people who follow dharma, or the Cosmic (God’s) Law. If we don’t follow the Cosmic Law, we are subjected to hell fire within and without.”

1985 Pilgrimage to Agastya Kuttam, a holy mountain opposite the Neyyar Dam Ashram said to be the abode of sage and rsi Agastya. Swamiji strengthened his mission in India.

1986 Swamiji retired to his Himalayan cave in Gangotri for several months of meditation. He suffered frostbite and was injured in a car accident. Tour of Eastern Europe and Taiwan.

1987 Sivananda Centennial celebration. Swamiji organised All India Peace Mala. All-India tour. First publication of Sivananda Upanishad in the West and Swamiji’s commentary on Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

1988 Continued lecture tours of yoga and peace.

1989 Publication of Karma and Disease. Second visit to Berlin to participate in activities celebrating the opening of the Berlin Wall. Visited Palestinians in Israel as part of his peace mission.

1990 Swamiji spoke out against the Vatican on its condemnation of meditation and the spiritual techniques of Eastern philosophies. Inauguration of Devi Temple at Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California.

1991 Swamiji organized worldwide Om namo Narayanaya Peace Campaign to chant and write this mantra. An Om namo Narayanaya Peace Festival was held in Val Morin, and millions of Likita Japa mantras were ‘deposited’ in a rock ‘bank’ on top of Visnu peak in the Himalayas.

1992 Piligrimage to Indian temples and Gangotri; Ganga Parikrama (piligrimage along entire length of Ganges River from its source in Gomukh to its entrance into the ocean in Calcutta).

1993 Foundation stone laid for ayyapa/Subrahmanya Teample in Val Morin as amonument to Swamiji’s peace missions and yoga teaching. Swamiji went to his pilgrimate and entered mahasamadhi in South India on November 9, 1993.