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'''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]].
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'''Sivananda Saraswati''' (or Swami Sivanada) (8 September 1887 – 14 July 1963) was 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>
 
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>
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[[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==
 
==Biography==
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=== Initiation ===
 
=== Initiation ===
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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.
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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.
  
 
=== Travels ===
 
=== Travels ===
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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}}
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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.
  
 
=== Founding the Divine Life Society ===
 
=== Founding the Divine Life Society ===
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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}}
+
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]].  
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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]]''.
 
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]]''.
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;Disciples who went on to grow new organisations
 
;Disciples who went on to grow new organisations
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<!-- (in alphabetical order) -->
 
 
* [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]], founder of the [[Chinmaya Mission]]
 
* [[Chinmayananda Saraswati]], founder of the [[Chinmaya Mission]]
 
* [[Jyotirmayananda Saraswati]], President of the Yoga Research Foundation, Miami, USA
 
* [[Jyotirmayananda Saraswati]], President of the Yoga Research Foundation, Miami, USA

Revision as of 15:47, 2 November 2017

Sivananda Saraswati (or Swami Sivanada) (8 September 1887 – 14 July 1963) was 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, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Rishikesh.[1][2][3]

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 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 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

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 Maharishi Shuddhananda Bharati to which he gave the title of Maharishi. At the Ramana Ashram, he had the darshan of Ramana Maharshi on Maharshi's birthday. He sang bhajans and danced in ecstasy with Maharshi's bhaktas. He also went on pilgrimages to various places in northern India including Kedarnath and Badrinath. He visited Kailash-Manasarovar in 1931.

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.

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

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

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

  1. ↑ Divine Life Society Britannica.com
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ Swami Shivananda Religion and anthropology: a critical introduction, by Brian Morris. Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-521-85241-2. Page 144.

Bibliography and further reading

  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1944) YOGIC HOME EXERCISES. Easy Course of Physical Culture for Men & Women, Bombay, Taraporevala Sons & Co
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1946). Siva-Gita: an epistolary autobiography. The Sivananda Publication League. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1950). Principal Upanishads: with text, meaning notes and commentary. Yoga Vedanta Forest University, Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.); Patañjali (1950). Raja Yoga: theory and practice. Yoga Vedanta Forest University, Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1953). Inspiring songs and kirtans. Yoga-Vedanta Forest University. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1956). Music as yoga. The Yoga-Vedanta Forest University for the Sivananda Mahasamsthanam. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1956). Yoga of synthesis. Yoga-Vedanta Forest University. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1957). Story of my tour. Yoga-Vedanta Forest University. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.); Sivananda-Kumudini Devi (1960). Sivananda's letters ro Sivananda-Kumudini Devi. Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami); India (1962). Lord Siva and his worship. Yoga-Vedanta forest academy, Divine life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1966). Yoga practice, for developing and increasing physical, mental and spiritual powers. D.B. Taraporevala Sons. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1970). Fourteen lessons in raja yoga. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1970). Inspiring songs and sayings. The Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1970). Yoga Vedanta dictionary. Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1971). Kundalini yoga. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1971). The science of pranayama. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1973). Ten upanishads: with notes and commentary 8th ed. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1978). Sivananda vani: the cream of Sri Swami Sivananda's immortal, practical instructions on the yoga of synthesis in his own handwriting. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Swami Sivananda (1979). Practice of yoga. The Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1980). Autobiography of Swami Sivananda. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1981). Japa Yoga: a comprehensive treatise on mantra-sastra. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1981). Science of Yoga: Raja yoga ; Jnana yoga ; Concentration and meditation. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1982). Moksha gita. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1983). Samadhi yoga. The Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1984). Yoga samhita. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (1985). The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: Sanskrit text, English translation, and commentary. Divine Life Society. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami.) (1985). Karma yoga. Divine Life Society. ISBN 978-0-949027-05-4. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1 January 1987). Bhakti yoga. Divine Life Society, Fremantle Branch. ISBN 978-0-949027-08-5. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Sivananda (Swami) (1996). Lord Shanmukha and his worship. Divine Life Society. ISBN 978-81-7052-115-0. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • Swami Sivananda (December 2005). Raja Yoga. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4253-5982-9. Retrieved 13 April 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  • 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. Online
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