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{{For|the second President of Ramakrishna Math|Shivananda}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
|name = Sivananda Saraswati
|image = Krishnananda and Sivananda 1945.jpg
|image_size = 220px
|caption = [[Krishnananda]] and Sivananda (right), circa 1945
|birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1887|9|8}}
|birth_place = [[Pattamadai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
|birth_name = Kuppuswami
|death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1963|7|14|1887|9|8}}
|death_place = [[Rishikesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], India
|nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
|guru = Vishwānanda Saraswati
|philosophy = [[Yoga of Synthesis]]
|founder = [[Divine Life Society]]
|disciple = [[Shantanand Saraswati]], [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]], [[Satchidananda Saraswati]], [[Vishnudevananda Saraswati]], [[Sivananda Radha Saraswati]], [[Swami Satyananda Saraswati]], [[Jyotirmayananda Saraswati]], [[Swami Raja Rajeswarananda]], [[Swami Sahajananda]], [[Swami Chidananda]], [[Venkatesananda Saraswati]][[Shantanand Saraswati]],
|literary_works =
|honors =
|footnotes =
}}
{{quote box|width=22em|title=Quotation|quote=Be Good, do Good.}}
'''Sivananda Saraswati''' (or Swami Sivanada) (8 September 1887 – 14 July 1963) was a [[Hindu]] spiritual teacher and a proponent of [[Yoga]] and [[Vedanta]]. Sivananda was born '''Kuppuswami''' in [[Pattamadai]], in the [[Tirunelveli]] district of [[Tamil Nadu]]. He studied medicine and served in [[British Malaya]] as a physician for several years before taking up monasticism. He lived most of his life near [[Muni Ki Reti]], [[Rishikesh]].
He was the founder of the [[Divine Life Society]] (DLS) in 1936, [[Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy]] (1948) and author of over 200 books on yoga, Vedanta, and a variety of subjects. He established [[Sivananda Ashram]], the headquarters of the DLS, on the bank of the Ganges at Sivanandanagar, {{convert|3|km|mi}} from [[Rishikesh]].<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/166607/Divine-Life-Society Divine Life Society] [[Britannica.com]]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zBVyeRnJ64oC&pg=RA1-PA164&dq=%22Divine+Life+Society%22&as_brr=0#PRA1-PA164,M1 Divine Life Society] ''Divine enterprise: Gurus and the Hindu Nationalist Movement'', by Lise McKean. University of Chicago Press, 1996. {{ISBN|0-226-56009-0}}. ''Page 164=165''.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=PguGB_uEQh4C&pg=PA144&dq=%22Divine+Life+Society%22&lr=&as_brr=0 Swami Shivananda] ''Religion and anthropology: a critical introduction'', by Brian Morris. Cambridge University Press, 2006. {{ISBN|0-521-85241-2}}. ''Page 144''.</ref>
[[Sivananda Yoga]], the yoga form propagated by his disciple Vishnudevananda, is now spread in many parts of the world through [[Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres]]. These centres are not affiliated with Sivananda's ashrams, which are run by the Divine Life Society.
==Biography==
=== 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.
=== 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{{when|date=November 2011}} 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.
=== Travels ===
[[File:Swami Chinmayananda on his day of Sannyas initiation, with Guru Swami Sivananda and other disciples, Feb 25, 1949, Maha Shivratri Day.jpg|thumb|180px| Swami Sivananda with disciples, 25 February 1949, Maha Shivratri Day.Rishikesh.]]
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.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}
=== Founding the Divine Life Society ===
[[File:Ashrams on the banks of Ganges, Rishikesh.jpg|left|thumb|''Sivananda Kutir'' at Sivananda Ghat, and Sivananda Ashram above, [[Muni Ki Reti]], [[Rishikesh]].]] {{Hindu philosophy}}
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.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}
Sivananda founded the DLS in 1936 on the banks of the [[Ganges River]]. The free distribution of spiritual literature drew a steady flow of disciples to him, such as [[Satyananda Saraswati]], founder of [[Satyananda Yoga]].
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]]''.
===Samadhi===
Swami Sivananda entered Mahasamadhi (departure of a Self-realized saint from his mortal coil) on 14 July 1963 in his Kutir on the bank of the Ganges, in Sivanandanagar.
== Disciples ==
[[File:Interiors of the Sivananda Temple, Divine Life Society, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh.jpg|right|thumb|Interiors of the Sivananda [[Samadhi]] temple, [[Divine Life Society]], [[Muni Ki Reti]], [[Rishikesh]]]]
Sivananda's two chief acting organizational disciples were [[Chidananda Saraswati]] and [[Krishnananda Saraswati]]. Chidananda Saraswati was appointed president of the DLS by Sivananda in 1963 and served in this capacity until his death in 2008. Krishnananda Saraswati was appointed General Secretary by Sivananda in 1958 and served in this capacity until his death in 2001.
Other prominent disciples were [[Venkatesananda Saraswati]] (South Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar, Australia), [[Pranavanda Saraswati]] (Malaysia) and [[Sivananda Radha Saraswati]] (Canada). Another prominent disciple was Swami [[Sahajananda Saraswati]] (South Africa), who was directed by Sivananda to establish the Divine Life Society of South Africa.
;Disciples who went on to grow new organisations
<!-- (in alphabetical order) -->
* [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]], founder of the [[Chinmaya Mission]]
* [[Jyotirmayananda Saraswati]], President of the Yoga Research Foundation, Miami, USA
* [[Lalitānanda Saraswati]], Vice-President of the Yoga Research Foundation
* [[Omkarananda Saraswati]], founder of Omkarananda Ashram, Himalayas
* [[Satchidananda Saraswati]], founder of the Integral Yoga Institutes, Around the world
* [[Satyananda Saraswati]], founder of Bihar School of Yoga
* [[Shantananda Saraswati]], founder of Temple of Fine Arts (Malaysia & Singapore)
* [[Sivananda Radha Saraswati]], founder of Yasodhara Ashram, British Columbia, Canada
* [[Vishnudevananda Saraswati]], founder of the [[Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres]], HQ Canada
* [[Venkatesananda Saraswati]], inspirer of Ananda Kutir Ashrama in South Africa
* [[Sahajananda Saraswati]], Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa
* [[Vedula Satyananda Rao]], founder of High-Tech Yoga Institute, Massachusetts, USA
* [[Swami Raja Rajeswarananda]], founder of Shivananda Satsang Society, H.No.10-41, Beeramguda Gutta, Patancheru, Telangana-502032
== Works ==
A prolific author, Sivananda wrote 296 books on a variety of subjects: [[metaphysics]], [[yoga]], religion, [[western philosophy]], [[psychology]], [[eschatology]], [[fine arts]], ethics, education, health, [[sayings]], poems, [[epistles]], autobiography, biography, stories, dramas, messages, lectures, [[dialogues]], essays and anthology. His books emphasised the practical application of Yoga philosophy over theoretical knowledge.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Bibliography and further reading==
{{Refbegin|40em}}
* Sivananda (Swami.) (1944) YOGIC HOME EXERCISES. Easy Course of Physical Culture for Men & Women, Bombay, Taraporevala Sons & Co
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Siva-Gita: an epistolary autobiography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rsYvHQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1946|publisher=The Sivananda Publication League}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Principal Upanishads: with text, meaning notes and commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fhOBPgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1950|publisher=Yoga Vedanta Forest University, Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author1=Sivananda (Swami.)|author2=Patañjali|title=Raja Yoga: theory and practice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vu6mOwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1950|publisher=Yoga Vedanta Forest University, Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Inspiring songs and kirtans|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5q9PQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1953|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta Forest University}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Music as yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D3AuNAAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1956|publisher=The Yoga-Vedanta Forest University for the Sivananda Mahasamsthanam}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Yoga of synthesis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=anmYGwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1956|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta Forest University}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Story of my tour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2pKaPQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1957|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta Forest University}}
*{{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.)|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=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=Yoga Vedanta dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lir5TgEACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1970|publisher=Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Kundalini yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5anWAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1971|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=The science of pranayama|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nu84cgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1971|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Ten upanishads: with notes and commentary 8th ed.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cAdqOgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1973|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Sivananda vani: the cream of Sri Swami Sivananda's immortal, practical instructions on the yoga of synthesis in his own handwriting|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2XpfYgEACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1978|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Swami Sivananda|title=Practice of yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oBr9OwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1979|publisher=The Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Autobiography of Swami Sivananda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TGUqAAAAYAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1980|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Japa Yoga: a comprehensive treatise on mantra-sastra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZsoXQwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1981|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Science of Yoga: Raja yoga ; Jnana yoga ; Concentration and meditation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tAWaQQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1981|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Moksha gita|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qnVjQwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1982|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Samadhi yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dV33QgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1983|publisher=The Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Yoga samhita|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3IkxSQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1984|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda|title=The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: Sanskrit text, English translation, and commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DFopAAAAYAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1985|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Karma yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eXnXAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1985|publisher=Divine Life Society|isbn=978-0-949027-05-4}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Bhakti yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKRbQQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|date=1 January 1987|publisher=Divine Life Society, Fremantle Branch|isbn=978-0-949027-08-5}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Lord Shanmukha and his worship|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pp_LPAAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1996|publisher=Divine Life Society|isbn=978-81-7052-115-0}}
*{{cite book|author=Swami Sivananda|title=Raja Yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IoOYPwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|date=December 2005|publisher=Kessinger Publishing|isbn=978-1-4253-5982-9}}
* ''Sivananda and the Divine Life Society: A Paradigm of the "secularism," "puritanism" and "cultural Dissimulation" of a Neo-Hindu Religious Society'', by Robert John Fornaro. Published by Syracuse University, 1969.
* ''From Man to God-man: the inspiring life-story of Swami Sivananda'', by N. Ananthanarayanan. Published by Indian Publ. Trading Corp., 1970.
* ''Swami Sivananda and the Divine Life Society: An Illustration of Revitalization Movement'', by Satish Chandra Gyan. Published by s.n, 1979.
* ''Life and Works of Swami Sivananda'', by Sivānanda, Divine Life Society (W.A.). Fremantle Branch. Published by Divine Life Society, Fremantle Branch, 1985. {{ISBN|0-949027-04-9}}.
* ''Sivananda: Biography of a Modern Sage'', by Swami Venkatesānanda. Published by Divine Life Society, 1985. {{ISBN|0-949027-01-4}}. [http://www.dlshq.org/download/modernsage.pdf Online]
{{Refend}}
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiversity|Buddha oracle#33 Plan of the Day (Swami Sivananda)}}
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* {{dmoz|Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Hinduism/Gurus_and_Saints/Swami_Sivananda|Swami Sivananda}}
* [http://www.sivanandaonline.org/ Divine Life Society]
* [http://www.dlshq.org/download/download.htm Downloadable Books by Swami Sivananda], Divine Life Society
* [http://www.dlshq.org/saints/siva.htm Biography and audio-files]
* [https://www.sivananda.org/teachings/swami-sivananda.html Biography and spiritual instructions]
* [http://www.wix.com/divinelightsiva/swamisivananda/ Dedication to Swami Sivananda]
{{Hindu reform movements}}
{{Modern Hindu writers}}
{{Portalbar|Yoga|Hinduism|Indian religions|India|Biography}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sivananda, Swami}}
[[Category:1887 births]]
[[Category:1963 deaths]]
[[Category:Hindu writers]]
[[Category:Indian yogis]]
[[Category:Indian Hindu monks]]
[[Category:People from Dehradun]]
[[Category:Indian spiritual writers]]
[[Category:Indian autobiographers]]
[[Category:Indian Hindu spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Indian yoga teachers]]
[[Category:Neo-Vedanta]]
[[Category:Hindu saints]]
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
|name = Sivananda Saraswati
|image = Krishnananda and Sivananda 1945.jpg
|image_size = 220px
|caption = [[Krishnananda]] and Sivananda (right), circa 1945
|birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1887|9|8}}
|birth_place = [[Pattamadai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
|birth_name = Kuppuswami
|death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1963|7|14|1887|9|8}}
|death_place = [[Rishikesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], India
|nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
|guru = Vishwānanda Saraswati
|philosophy = [[Yoga of Synthesis]]
|founder = [[Divine Life Society]]
|disciple = [[Shantanand Saraswati]], [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]], [[Satchidananda Saraswati]], [[Vishnudevananda Saraswati]], [[Sivananda Radha Saraswati]], [[Swami Satyananda Saraswati]], [[Jyotirmayananda Saraswati]], [[Swami Raja Rajeswarananda]], [[Swami Sahajananda]], [[Swami Chidananda]], [[Venkatesananda Saraswati]][[Shantanand Saraswati]],
|literary_works =
|honors =
|footnotes =
}}
{{quote box|width=22em|title=Quotation|quote=Be Good, do Good.}}
'''Sivananda Saraswati''' (or Swami Sivanada) (8 September 1887 – 14 July 1963) was a [[Hindu]] spiritual teacher and a proponent of [[Yoga]] and [[Vedanta]]. Sivananda was born '''Kuppuswami''' in [[Pattamadai]], in the [[Tirunelveli]] district of [[Tamil Nadu]]. He studied medicine and served in [[British Malaya]] as a physician for several years before taking up monasticism. He lived most of his life near [[Muni Ki Reti]], [[Rishikesh]].
He was the founder of the [[Divine Life Society]] (DLS) in 1936, [[Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy]] (1948) and author of over 200 books on yoga, Vedanta, and a variety of subjects. He established [[Sivananda Ashram]], the headquarters of the DLS, on the bank of the Ganges at Sivanandanagar, {{convert|3|km|mi}} from [[Rishikesh]].<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/166607/Divine-Life-Society Divine Life Society] [[Britannica.com]]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zBVyeRnJ64oC&pg=RA1-PA164&dq=%22Divine+Life+Society%22&as_brr=0#PRA1-PA164,M1 Divine Life Society] ''Divine enterprise: Gurus and the Hindu Nationalist Movement'', by Lise McKean. University of Chicago Press, 1996. {{ISBN|0-226-56009-0}}. ''Page 164=165''.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=PguGB_uEQh4C&pg=PA144&dq=%22Divine+Life+Society%22&lr=&as_brr=0 Swami Shivananda] ''Religion and anthropology: a critical introduction'', by Brian Morris. Cambridge University Press, 2006. {{ISBN|0-521-85241-2}}. ''Page 144''.</ref>
[[Sivananda Yoga]], the yoga form propagated by his disciple Vishnudevananda, is now spread in many parts of the world through [[Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres]]. These centres are not affiliated with Sivananda's ashrams, which are run by the Divine Life Society.
==Biography==
=== 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.
=== 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{{when|date=November 2011}} 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.
=== Travels ===
[[File:Swami Chinmayananda on his day of Sannyas initiation, with Guru Swami Sivananda and other disciples, Feb 25, 1949, Maha Shivratri Day.jpg|thumb|180px| Swami Sivananda with disciples, 25 February 1949, Maha Shivratri Day.Rishikesh.]]
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.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}
=== Founding the Divine Life Society ===
[[File:Ashrams on the banks of Ganges, Rishikesh.jpg|left|thumb|''Sivananda Kutir'' at Sivananda Ghat, and Sivananda Ashram above, [[Muni Ki Reti]], [[Rishikesh]].]] {{Hindu philosophy}}
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.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}
Sivananda founded the DLS in 1936 on the banks of the [[Ganges River]]. The free distribution of spiritual literature drew a steady flow of disciples to him, such as [[Satyananda Saraswati]], founder of [[Satyananda Yoga]].
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]]''.
===Samadhi===
Swami Sivananda entered Mahasamadhi (departure of a Self-realized saint from his mortal coil) on 14 July 1963 in his Kutir on the bank of the Ganges, in Sivanandanagar.
== Disciples ==
[[File:Interiors of the Sivananda Temple, Divine Life Society, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh.jpg|right|thumb|Interiors of the Sivananda [[Samadhi]] temple, [[Divine Life Society]], [[Muni Ki Reti]], [[Rishikesh]]]]
Sivananda's two chief acting organizational disciples were [[Chidananda Saraswati]] and [[Krishnananda Saraswati]]. Chidananda Saraswati was appointed president of the DLS by Sivananda in 1963 and served in this capacity until his death in 2008. Krishnananda Saraswati was appointed General Secretary by Sivananda in 1958 and served in this capacity until his death in 2001.
Other prominent disciples were [[Venkatesananda Saraswati]] (South Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar, Australia), [[Pranavanda Saraswati]] (Malaysia) and [[Sivananda Radha Saraswati]] (Canada). Another prominent disciple was Swami [[Sahajananda Saraswati]] (South Africa), who was directed by Sivananda to establish the Divine Life Society of South Africa.
;Disciples who went on to grow new organisations
<!-- (in alphabetical order) -->
* [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]], founder of the [[Chinmaya Mission]]
* [[Jyotirmayananda Saraswati]], President of the Yoga Research Foundation, Miami, USA
* [[Lalitānanda Saraswati]], Vice-President of the Yoga Research Foundation
* [[Omkarananda Saraswati]], founder of Omkarananda Ashram, Himalayas
* [[Satchidananda Saraswati]], founder of the Integral Yoga Institutes, Around the world
* [[Satyananda Saraswati]], founder of Bihar School of Yoga
* [[Shantananda Saraswati]], founder of Temple of Fine Arts (Malaysia & Singapore)
* [[Sivananda Radha Saraswati]], founder of Yasodhara Ashram, British Columbia, Canada
* [[Vishnudevananda Saraswati]], founder of the [[Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres]], HQ Canada
* [[Venkatesananda Saraswati]], inspirer of Ananda Kutir Ashrama in South Africa
* [[Sahajananda Saraswati]], Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa
* [[Vedula Satyananda Rao]], founder of High-Tech Yoga Institute, Massachusetts, USA
* [[Swami Raja Rajeswarananda]], founder of Shivananda Satsang Society, H.No.10-41, Beeramguda Gutta, Patancheru, Telangana-502032
== Works ==
A prolific author, Sivananda wrote 296 books on a variety of subjects: [[metaphysics]], [[yoga]], religion, [[western philosophy]], [[psychology]], [[eschatology]], [[fine arts]], ethics, education, health, [[sayings]], poems, [[epistles]], autobiography, biography, stories, dramas, messages, lectures, [[dialogues]], essays and anthology. His books emphasised the practical application of Yoga philosophy over theoretical knowledge.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Bibliography and further reading==
{{Refbegin|40em}}
* Sivananda (Swami.) (1944) YOGIC HOME EXERCISES. Easy Course of Physical Culture for Men & Women, Bombay, Taraporevala Sons & Co
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Siva-Gita: an epistolary autobiography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rsYvHQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1946|publisher=The Sivananda Publication League}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Principal Upanishads: with text, meaning notes and commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fhOBPgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1950|publisher=Yoga Vedanta Forest University, Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author1=Sivananda (Swami.)|author2=Patañjali|title=Raja Yoga: theory and practice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vu6mOwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1950|publisher=Yoga Vedanta Forest University, Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Inspiring songs and kirtans|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5q9PQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1953|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta Forest University}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Music as yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D3AuNAAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1956|publisher=The Yoga-Vedanta Forest University for the Sivananda Mahasamsthanam}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Yoga of synthesis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=anmYGwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1956|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta Forest University}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Story of my tour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2pKaPQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1957|publisher=Yoga-Vedanta Forest University}}
*{{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.)|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=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=Yoga Vedanta dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lir5TgEACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1970|publisher=Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Kundalini yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5anWAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1971|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=The science of pranayama|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nu84cgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1971|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Ten upanishads: with notes and commentary 8th ed.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cAdqOgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1973|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Sivananda vani: the cream of Sri Swami Sivananda's immortal, practical instructions on the yoga of synthesis in his own handwriting|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2XpfYgEACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1978|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Swami Sivananda|title=Practice of yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oBr9OwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1979|publisher=The Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Autobiography of Swami Sivananda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TGUqAAAAYAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1980|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Japa Yoga: a comprehensive treatise on mantra-sastra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZsoXQwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1981|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Science of Yoga: Raja yoga ; Jnana yoga ; Concentration and meditation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tAWaQQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1981|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Moksha gita|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qnVjQwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1982|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Samadhi yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dV33QgAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1983|publisher=The Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Yoga samhita|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3IkxSQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1984|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda|title=The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: Sanskrit text, English translation, and commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DFopAAAAYAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1985|publisher=Divine Life Society}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami.)|title=Karma yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eXnXAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1985|publisher=Divine Life Society|isbn=978-0-949027-05-4}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Bhakti yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKRbQQAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|date=1 January 1987|publisher=Divine Life Society, Fremantle Branch|isbn=978-0-949027-08-5}}
*{{cite book|author=Sivananda (Swami)|title=Lord Shanmukha and his worship|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pp_LPAAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|year=1996|publisher=Divine Life Society|isbn=978-81-7052-115-0}}
*{{cite book|author=Swami Sivananda|title=Raja Yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IoOYPwAACAAJ|accessdate=13 April 2011|date=December 2005|publisher=Kessinger Publishing|isbn=978-1-4253-5982-9}}
* ''Sivananda and the Divine Life Society: A Paradigm of the "secularism," "puritanism" and "cultural Dissimulation" of a Neo-Hindu Religious Society'', by Robert John Fornaro. Published by Syracuse University, 1969.
* ''From Man to God-man: the inspiring life-story of Swami Sivananda'', by N. Ananthanarayanan. Published by Indian Publ. Trading Corp., 1970.
* ''Swami Sivananda and the Divine Life Society: An Illustration of Revitalization Movement'', by Satish Chandra Gyan. Published by s.n, 1979.
* ''Life and Works of Swami Sivananda'', by Sivānanda, Divine Life Society (W.A.). Fremantle Branch. Published by Divine Life Society, Fremantle Branch, 1985. {{ISBN|0-949027-04-9}}.
* ''Sivananda: Biography of a Modern Sage'', by Swami Venkatesānanda. Published by Divine Life Society, 1985. {{ISBN|0-949027-01-4}}. [http://www.dlshq.org/download/modernsage.pdf Online]
{{Refend}}
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiversity|Buddha oracle#33 Plan of the Day (Swami Sivananda)}}
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* {{dmoz|Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Hinduism/Gurus_and_Saints/Swami_Sivananda|Swami Sivananda}}
* [http://www.sivanandaonline.org/ Divine Life Society]
* [http://www.dlshq.org/download/download.htm Downloadable Books by Swami Sivananda], Divine Life Society
* [http://www.dlshq.org/saints/siva.htm Biography and audio-files]
* [https://www.sivananda.org/teachings/swami-sivananda.html Biography and spiritual instructions]
* [http://www.wix.com/divinelightsiva/swamisivananda/ Dedication to Swami Sivananda]
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[[Category:1887 births]]
[[Category:1963 deaths]]
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[[Category:Indian yogis]]
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[[Category:People from Dehradun]]
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[[Category:Neo-Vedanta]]
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