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=== Early life ===

=== Early life ===

Sivananda was born Kuppuswamy in [[Pattamadai]] near [[Tirunelveli]] in Tamil Nadu, [[India]], as the third son to his parents on 8 September 1887. As a child he was very active and promising in academics and gymnastics. He attended medical school in [[Tanjore]], where he excelled.  He ran a medical journal called ''Ambrosia'' during this period. Upon graduation he practised medicine and worked as a doctor in [[British Malaya|Malaya]] for ten years, with a reputation for providing free treatment to poor patients. Over time, a sense that medicine was healing on a superficial level grew in him, urging him to look elsewhere to fill the void, and in 1923 he left Malaya and returned to India to pursue a spiritual quest.

Sivananda was born Kuppuswamy in [[Pattamadai]] near [[Tirunelveli]] in Tamil Nadu, [[India]], as the third son to his parents on 8 September 1887. As a child he was very active and promising in academics and gymnastics. He attended medical school in [[Tanjore]], where he excelled.  He ran a medical journal called ''Ambrosia'' during this period. Upon graduation he practised medicine and worked as a doctor in [[British Malaya|Malaya]] for ten years, with a reputation for providing free treatment to poor patients. Over time, a sense that medicine was healing on a superficial level grew in him, urging him to look elsewhere to fill the void, and in 1923 he left Malaya and returned to India to pursue a adhyatmik quest.

=== Initiation ===

=== Initiation ===

Upon his return to India in 1924, he visited [[Varanasi]], [[Nashik]], and then [[Rishikesh]], where he met his [[guru]], [[Vishwānanda Saraswati]]. It was Vishwānanda who initiated him into the Sannyasa order, and gave him his monastic name. However, since Sivānanda spent only a few hours with Vishwānanda, the full [[Viraja Homa]] ceremonies were performed later by Vishnudevānanda, the Mandaleswara of Sri Kailas Ashram. After initiation, Sivananda settled in Rishikesh, and immersed himself in intense spiritual practices.  Sivānanda performed austerities for many years but he also continued to nurse the sick.  With some money from his insurance policy that had matured, he started a charitable dispensary at [[Lakshman Jhula]] in 1927, serving pilgrims, holy men and the poor using his medical expertise.

Upon his return to India in 1924, he visited [[Varanasi]], [[Nashik]], and then [[Rishikesh]], where he met his [[guru]], [[Vishwānanda Saraswati]]. It was Vishwānanda who initiated him into the Sannyasa order, and gave him his monastic name. However, since Sivānanda spent only a few hours with Vishwānanda, the full [[Viraja Homa]] ceremonies were performed later by Vishnudevānanda, the Mandaleswara of Sri Kailas Ashram. After initiation, Sivananda settled in Rishikesh, and immersed himself in intense adhyatmik practices.  Sivānanda performed austerities for many years but he also continued to nurse the sick.  With some money from his insurance policy that had matured, he started a charitable dispensary at [[Lakshman Jhula]] in 1927, serving pilgrims, holy men and the poor using his medical expertise.

=== Travels ===

=== Travels ===

After a few years, Sivananda went on an extensive pilgrimage and travelled the length and breadth of India to meditate at holy shrines and came in contact with spiritual teachers throughout India.  During this Parivrajaka (wandering monk) life, Sivānanda visited important places of pilgrimage in the south, including [[Rameshvaram]]. He conducted [[Sankirtan]] and delivered lectures during his travels. He visited the [[Sri Aurobindo]] Ashram, and met [[Shuddhananda Bharati|Maharishi Shuddhananda Bharati]] to which he gave the title of [[Maharishi]].  At the Ramana Ashram, he had the [[Darśana|darshan]] of [[Ramana Maharshi]] on Maharshi's birthday. He sang [[bhajan]]s and danced in ecstasy with Maharshi's [[bhakta]]s. He also went on pilgrimages to various places in northern India including [[Kedarnath]] and [[Badrinath]]. He visited [[Mount Kailash|Kailash]]-[[Lake Manasarovar|Manasarovar]] in 1931.

After a few years, Sivananda went on an extensive pilgrimage and travelled the length and breadth of India to meditate at holy shrines and came in contact with adhyatmik teachers throughout India.  During this Parivrajaka (wandering monk) life, Sivānanda visited important places of pilgrimage in the south, including [[Rameshvaram]]. He conducted [[Sankirtan]] and delivered lectures during his travels. He visited the [[Sri Aurobindo]] Ashram, and met [[Shuddhananda Bharati|Maharishi Shuddhananda Bharati]] to which he gave the title of [[Maharishi]].  At the Ramana Ashram, he had the [[Darśana|darshan]] of [[Ramana Maharshi]] on Maharshi's birthday. He sang [[bhajan]]s and danced in ecstasy with Maharshi's [[bhakta]]s. He also went on pilgrimages to various places in northern India including [[Kedarnath]] and [[Badrinath]]. He visited [[Mount Kailash|Kailash]]-[[Lake Manasarovar|Manasarovar]] in 1931.

=== Founding the Divine Life Society ===

=== Founding the Divine Life Society ===

During Sivananda's stay in Rishikesh and his travels around India, many came to him for guidance in the spiritual path.  He permitted some of them to live near him and instructed them. Sivananda asked his students take copies of his short articles and send them for publication.  Over time, large numbers of people started coming to him and his devotees started growing in numbers. He founded the DLS in 1936 on the banks of the [[Ganges River]].  

During Sivananda's stay in Rishikesh and his travels around India, many came to him for guidance in the adhyatmik path.  He permitted some of them to live near him and instructed them. Sivananda asked his students take copies of his short articles and send them for publication.  Over time, large numbers of people started coming to him and his devotees started growing in numbers. He founded the DLS in 1936 on the banks of the [[Ganges River]].  

In 1945, Sivananda created the Sivananda [[Ayurvedic]] Pharmacy, and organised the All-world Religions Federation.  He established the All-world Sadhus Federation in 1947 and [[Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy]] in 1948.  He called his yoga the ''[[Yoga of Synthesis]]''.

In 1945, Sivananda created the Sivananda [[Ayurvedic]] Pharmacy, and organised the All-world Religions Federation.  He established the All-world Sadhus Federation in 1947 and [[Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy]] in 1948.  He called his yoga the ''[[Yoga of Synthesis]]''.

*{{cite book|author1=Sivananda (Swami.)|author2=Sivananda-Kumudini Devi|title=Sivananda's letters ro Sivananda-Kumudini Devi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=26NZPgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1960|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy}}

*{{cite book|author1=Sivananda (Swami.)|author2=Sivananda-Kumudini Devi|title=Sivananda's letters ro Sivananda-Kumudini Devi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=26NZPgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1960|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy}}

*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|author2=India |title=Lord Siva and his worship|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9yVbHQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1962|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta forest academy, Divine life Society}}

*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|author2=India |title=Lord Siva and his worship|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9yVbHQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1962|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta forest academy, Divine life Society}}

*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Yoga practice, for developing and increasing physical, mental and spiritual powers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=En25SgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1966|publisher=D.B. Taraporevala Sons}}

*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Yoga practice, for developing and increasing physical, mental and adhyatmik powers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=En25SgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1966|publisher=D.B. Taraporevala Sons}}

*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Fourteen lessons in raja yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=INv4AAAAIAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1970|publisher=Divine Life Society}}

*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Fourteen lessons in raja yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=INv4AAAAIAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1970|publisher=Divine Life Society}}

*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Inspiring songs and sayings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ue8APwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1970|publisher=The Divine Life Society}}

*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Inspiring songs and sayings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ue8APwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1970|publisher=The Divine Life Society}}