Voice of Sivananda

Sadguru Swami Sivananda on Different Yogas

2012-01-15T06:49:00.000-08:00

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Prerequisites for Yoga practice

Moral purity and spiritual aspiration are the first steps inthe path of Yoga. One who has a calm mind, who has faith in the words of hisGuru and Sastras, who is moderate in eating and sleeping, and who has intenselonging for deliverance from the Samsara-chakra is a qualified person for thepractice of Yoga.

An aspirant in the path of Yoga should have faith, energy,cheerfulness, courage, patience, perseverance, sincerity, purity, lack ofdespondency of mind, dispassion, aspiration, concentration, serenity,self-restraint, truthfulness, non-violence, non-covetousness, etc.

An austere and simple life is indispensable for Yoga. Thefoundation of Yoga is self-control. Discipline is the essence of Yoga,discipline of the body as well as discipline of the mind.

In the practice of Yoga, there is a reversal of the normaloutgoing activity of the mind. Steadiness of mind is very essential for areversal of the normal outgoing activity of the mind. Unless the mind is firstmade steady and brought under complete control, it will not be possible tochange its course to the opposite direction.

Contd...

Some Memorable Dates of Sadguru Swami Sivananda's Life and Mission

2011-12-20T16:56:00.000-08:00

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Some Memorable Dates
In Sadguru Swami Sivananda's Life and Mission
Advent on earth	08 September, 1887
Embraced Sannyasa	01 June, 1924
Settled on the present Ashram site	17 January, 1934
Established the Charitable Dispensary	17 January, 1934
Founded The Divine Life Trust Society	13 January, 1936
"The Divine Life" Magazine commenced	01 September, 1938
The Sivananda Publication League established	29 January, 1939
The Divine Life Society registered	16 April, 1939
Bhajan Hall opened	02 April, 1942
Akhanda (non-stop) Kirtan of Maha-Mantra commenced in Bhajan Hall	03 December, 1943
Visvanath Mandir consecrated	31 December, 1943
The Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy established	06 May, 1945
All-World Religions' Federation constituted	28 December, 1945
All-World Sadhus' Federation constituted	19 February, 1947
The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy established	03 July, 1948
The Sivananda Art Studio opened	25 February, 1949
All-India & Ceylon Tour commenced	09 September, 1950
Dispensary upgraded as General Hospital	28 December, 1950
The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press established	20 September, 1951
World-Parliament of Religions held	03 to 05 April, 1953
The Sivananda Eye Hospital established	01 June, 1956
The Sivananda Mandir consecrated	08 September, 1956
The Sivananda Pillar consecrated	23 May, 1958
The Sivananda Literature Research Institute established	08 September, 1958
The Sivananda Literature Dissemination Committee formed	20 July, 1959
Entered Mahasamadhi	14 July, 1963

BODY IS NOT ‘I’ By Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-12-01T00:46:00.001-08:00

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This is a world of diversity. Intellects are different; faces are different; sounds are different; religions are different; faiths are different. Colours are different; faculties are different tastes and temperaments are different. But one thing is common to all - every one of us wants nitya sukha (eternal happiness), infinite knowledge, immortality, independence and freedom. These things can be attained by knowledge of the Self alone.

Everybody wants happiness that is not mixed with sorrow and pain, but he does not know where he can get this supreme bliss. The best means to acquire this knowledge is by the enquiry, "Who am I?". This has the potentiality of producing the quiescence of mind which will enable it to wade through this ocean of samsara (cycle of birth and death). It demands a sharp, subtle, pure intellect, bold understanding and gigantic will. The commonplace ‘I’ that everyone is glibly talking about and relishing acutely every moment of his life, from the babbling baby to the garrulous old man, must be clearly understood.

The physical body is not the ‘I’, it is the product of food - it lives on food and dies without food. It is a bundle of skin, flesh, fat, bones, marrow, blood and a lot of other filthy things. It does not exist before birth or after death. It lasts for a short intervening period. It is transient. It undergoes changes such as childhood, youth and old age. It has six changes - existence, birth, growth, modification, decay and death. It is not of one homogeneous essence; it is manifold, insentient, inert. It is an object of perception, like a chair or a table. You continue to live even when hands and legs have gone.

How can the body be the selfexistent, eternally pure Atman, the knower, the silent witness of the changes that take place in the body and in all things, the inner ruler of all?

MAYA by Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-11-16T00:13:00.001-08:00

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There is no duality in reality. All modification is illusory; multiplicity isan illusion.

Maya (the illusory power of the Lord) projects multiplicity. Maya createsdivision - division between the individual soul and the supreme soul.

Maya is a tremendous, delusive power of God. Maya is the material stuff of thisworld. Maya is the source of the physical universe. This world of names andforms is a false show kept up by the jugglery of maya. Just as a stick burningat one end, when waved round quickly, produces an illusion of a circle of fire,so is it with the multiplicity of the world. Maya deludes us. Maya createshavoc in the mind. The things that we perceive all round us are only mind inform or substance. The world is a product of the mind. The whole World is anexpansion of the mind. The entire universe arises and exists in the mind. Nothingof the world is outside the mind. Earth, mountains and rivers - all arefragments of the mind, appearing as it were, to exist outside. The world doesnot exist by itself. It is not seen without the aid of the mind. It disappearswhen the mind ceases to function, as in deep sleep.

It is imagination alone that assumes the forms of time, space and motion. Spaceand time have no independent status apart from Brahman or the self, which ispure awareness. There is no space without time, and there is no time withoutspace. Space and time go together. Space and time are interdependent. They areboth unreal. Time and space are mental projections, as unreal as dreams.However real they may seem to be, they are not ultimately real. Timeless,spaceless Brahman is the only reality.

Brahman alone is. It is Brahman alone that shines as the world of variegatedobjects, like water differentiated by the waves into many kinds of foam,bubbles, etc. Brahman appears as the world when cognised through the mind andthe senses.

Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā Mahayagna (श्रीमद भगवद गीता महायज्ञ) – Tuesday, 6th December 2011

2011-11-09T02:39:00.000-08:00

This is one of our permanentannual functions of Gītā Jayanti on the day Ekadashi Mokshada of Shukla Paksh (Margasirsha).On this auspious occasion a grand Gītā Jayanti Jayna by reciting 18 Chapters,700 Slokas of Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā with aahuti in the havan kund along with Samputaof Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya in special havan kund constructed in Sri SwamiSivananda Satsang Bhawan, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi 110024. The functionstarts early morning at 8AM and it takes about five hours.

Prior to this function we hold aCompetition of Reciting Selected Slokas that is primarily meant for studentsfrom primary class to Degree College. The date and time of the same with otherrules and regulation along with selected Slokas will be published in our Octoberissue. The students at first, second, third position in the competition will beaward on the same day of Gītā Jayanti.

Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions By Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-11-03T01:19:00.000-07:00

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1. Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which isextremely favourable for meditation on God.

2. Asana: Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for Japa and meditation for halfan hour, facing the east or the north. Increase the period gradually to threehours. Do Sirshasana and Sarvangasana for keeping up Brahmacharya and health.Take light physical exercises as walking, etc., regularly. Do twentyPranayamas.

3. Japa: Repeat any Mantra as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya,Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Sita Ram, Sri Ram, HariOm, or Gayatri, according to your taste or inclination, from 108 to 21,600times daily.

4. Dietetic discipline: Take Sattvic food, Suddha Ahara. Give up chillies,tamarind, garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observemoderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up thosethings which the mind likes best for a fortnight in a year. Eat simple food.Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine to keep the lifegoing. Eating for enjoyment is sin. Give up salt and sugar for a month. Youmust be able to live on rice, Dhal and bread without any chutni. Do not ask forextra salt for Dhal and sugar for tea, coffee or milk.

5. Have a separate meditation-room under lock and key.

6. Charity: Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily according to yourmeans, say six paise per rupee.

7. Svadhyaya: Study systematically the Gita, the Ramayana, the Bhagavata, SriVishnu-Sahasranama. Lalita-sahasranama, Aditya Hridaya, Upanishads or YogaVasishtha, the Bible, Zend Avesta, the Koran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib,etc., from half an hour to one hour daily and have Suddha Vichara.

8. Brahmacharya: Preserve the vital force (Veerya) very, very carefully. Veeryais God in motion or manifestation-Vibhuti. Veerya is all power. Veerya is allmoney. Veerya is the essence of life, thought and intelligence.

9. Prayer Slokas: Get by heart some prayer-Slokas, Stotras and repeat them assoon as you sit in the Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This willelevate the Mind quickly.

10. Satsanga: Have Satsanga. Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholicliquors entirely. Do not develop any evil habits.

11. Fast on Ekadasi: Fast on Ekadasi or live on milk and fruits only.

12. Japa Mala: Have Japa Maala (rosary) round your neck or in your pocket orunderneath your pillow at night.

13. Mouna: Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily.

14. Speak the truth: Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speaksweetly.

15. Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number to three ortwo. Lead a happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Have plain livingand high thinking.

16. Never hurt anybody: Never hurt anybody (Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah). Controlanger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) and Daya (compassion).

17. Do not depend upon servants: Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance isthe highest of all virtues.

18. Self-analysis: Think of the mistakes you have committed during the courseof the day, just before retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep daily diary andself-correction register. Do not brood over past mistakes.

19. Fulfil Duties: Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Neverfail to fulfil your duties. Have pure conduct (Sadachara).

20. Surrender to God: Think of god as soon as you wake up and just before yougo to sleep. Surrender yourself completely to God (Saranagati).

Om Santih Santih Santih!

This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhanas. This will lead you to Moksha.All these Niyamas or spiritual canons must be rigidly observed. You must notgive leniency to the mind.

Realise Thy True Nature By Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-10-28T01:48:00.000-07:00

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First, learn to know yourself, the true value ofyour own character. Then alone you will be able to serve humanity and benefitpeople. You are taintless, tranquil, pure consciousness; you are beyond nature.All this time you have been duped by illusion, maya.

Know one individual (yourself) correctly - and you can know the whole world. Toknow thy self, is to know God. Seek perfection, freedom and eternal bliss inthe Atman or Self, by the Self and through the Self. Talk only of Atman.Purify, meditate, lose yourself in Brahman or the Absolute and you will findyour Self, you will know your Self.

Nobody doubts his own existence, though he may doubt the existence of God. Findthe truth, the source of your own Self and then you will know everything. Themore you know the more you will grow in humility. I climbed the peak of vedantaand merged in the Light of lights. How can I express it? To express the unspeakable- all words are feeble. I am the witness - the eternal, pure, infinite,internal self. I am Siva himself. I am changeless. None of the things of theworld have touched me. I have no moods - I am beyond moods. I am the blissfulAtman. The light which illumines the intellect, the sun, the moon, the starsand also the yonder lamp, is bliss eternal. That light am I. Om.

If you find you need a place of perfect security and peace then come, sit in myheart and be one with me. There is a central harmony within you, a wisdom, aspirit of wholeness which is divine. That is immortal Atman, your own innermostsoul or self. Dwell in this Atman. Realise this Atman and be free forever. TheAtman or Supreme Self must be realised. This is practical religion.

SONG OF EIGHTEEN ‘ITIES’ By Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-10-04T03:26:00.000-07:00

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Serenity,regularity, absence of vanity,
Sincerity, simplicity, veracity.
Equanimity, fixity, non-irritability,
Adaptability, humility, tenacity,
Integrity, nobility, magnanimity,
Charity, generosity, purity.
Practise daily these eighteen 'ities',
You will soon attain immortality.

Brahman is the only real entity,
Mr. So and So is a false non-entity,
You will abide in eternity and infinity,
You will behold unity in diversity,
You cannot attain this in the university.

Key to Realization – Sri Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-09-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

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There is no pleasure in Sense-objects. Eternal Bliss is in the Atma alone.

I must realise God now.

Serve. Love. Give. Purify. Meditate. Realise.

World is God. Service of humanity is worship of God.

Adapt adjust accommodate

Be good, Do good, Be Kind, Be compassionate

Be humble. Be Simple. Be noble.

Give. Give. Give. This is the secret of abundance.

Practise Ahimsa Satyam and Brahmacharya.

Eat a little, drink a little, Talk a little, Sleep a little

Aspire fervently, pray dearheartly. Meditate Seriously, Realise quickly.

Detach. Attach. D.I.N (Do It Now)

Enquire ‘Who am I’? Know the self and be free.

Nothing exists. Nothing belongs to me. I am neither mind, nor body. Immortal Atman I am.

Seek, Find, Enter, Rest.

YOGA OF MEDITATION by Sri Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-09-23T05:27:00.000-07:00

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O beloved Ram! You are within a strong fortress now. A spiritual fortress where no temptation can influence you. You are absolutely safe. Now you can do vigorous sadhana (spiritual practice) without fear. Kill the foe - the mind. Wear the spiritual laurels of peace, equal-vision and contentment.

You are already shining with Brahmic bliss. The all-merciful Lord has given you all sorts of comforts, good health and a guru to guide you. What more do you want? Grow. Evolve. Realise the truth and proclaim it everywhere.

Be silent. Know thyself. Know that. Melt the mind in that. Truth is quite clear and simple. Solitude and intense meditation are two important requisites for self-realisation. If sadhana is interrupted, make up the deficiency later.

Practise self-restraint at all times because, all of a sudden, the senses may suddenly become turbulent. This is why Krishna says: "O son of Kunti, the excited senses of even a wise man, though he be striving, impetuously carry away his mind."

The wandering habit of the mind must be controlled by making it stick to one place, by one method of sadhana, by one guru and by one form of yoga. A rolling stone gathers no moss. When you take up a book for study, you must finish it before you take up another one. When you take up any work, you must devote your whole-hearted attention towards it and finish it before you take up any other work.

Do not cause pain or suffering to any living being, whether through greed, selfishness, irritability or annoyance. Give up anger and ill will. Give up the spirit of fighting and heated debates. Do not argue. If you quarrel with somebody, you cannot meditate for three or four days, because your balance of mind is upset. Thus much energy is wasted in useless channels. Also the blood becomes hot; the nerves are shattered. Keep a serene mind always. Meditation proceeds from a serene mind.

An aspirant must be sensitive and yet possess a body and nerves completely under control. The greater the sensitivity becomes, the more difficult the task. Noises which pass unnoticed by an ordinary person are torture to one who is very sensitive. Develop the inner power of the self. Centralisation of ideas will stop the out-going habit of the mind.

Anyway By Sri Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-09-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

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People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

People favour underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for some underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you help them. Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

Philosophy in Humour By Sri Sadguru Swami Sivananda

2011-09-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

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Who is a Sannyasin

A Sannyasin is one
Who has no purse of his own
But operates on the purses of all.
He has no house of his own
But lives in the Bungalows of all.
He has no car of his own
But moves in the cars of all.
He is the King of kings,
Without purse, car or mansion.
Glory to this King of kings,
Adoration to this Emperor of emperors.
May his blessings be upon you all.

The Modern Agnihotri

The other Agnihotri starts his fire in the early morning;
He offers oblation of ghee, etc.,
He propitiates the Devatas;
He purifies his heart;
He goes to Indra Loka or heaven,
The modern Agnihotri starts smoking
As soon as he wakes up.
This is the new Agnihotra.
He offers smoke oblations into his throat and nose.
He propitiates his nicotine Vasana
And the presiding deity, “Three-Scissors, Navycut and Three Castles.”
His lips are stamped with white patches.
Anyone can diagnose him as a heavy smoker.
He gets irritable tobacco heart and blindness.
He goes quickly to Yama Loka.

Sri Swami Sivananda Cultural Association, New Delhi

2011-09-17T23:46:00.000-07:00

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The Holy Master Swami SivanandajiMaharaj the illustrious founder of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh blessedthe establishment of New Delhi Branch of the Divine Life Society and gave aspecial name "Swami Sivananda Cultural Association" in 1958, withmain Aim to promote dissemination of Spiritual and Cultural Knowledge, Sincethen this Association has developed into a Centre for training for aspirants,who are equipped with temperament towards the acquisition of higher knowledgeto develop the latent faculties.

Tofulfil this aim we frequently organize Conferences, Seminars & Workshopswhere in during the past Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Dr. V.V. Giri, Giani Zail Singhand Dr R. Venkatraman all former Presidents of India were very closelyassociated with our programmes.

To keep a constant touch with the likeminded people a Monthly Magazine "Voice of Sivananda" was started inMarch 1961. The Great Master Swami Sivanandji Maharaj blessed the first issuewith these words "This Magazine will march on".

For practical purposes we are led byessence of ancient & oriental philosophy of Vedas, Yoga-Vedanta whichscientifically emanated from the prolific pen of the Holy Master through 300books he wrote in English and available in many other languages also. TheMaster further condensed his teachings in 32 instructions classified as Scienceof seven cultures, for quick evolution of the human soul -Health Culture, Energy Culture, EthicalCulture, Heart Culture, Will Culture, Psychic Culture & Spiritual Culture.

We have our own centrally locatedbuilding which is known as Swami Sivananda Satsang Bhavan, Amar Colony, LajpatNagar IV, New Delhi-24 (India) equipped with required books to study andpractise facilities under the guidance of:

HisHoliness Swami Chidanadji Maharaj

HisHoliness Swami Madhavanandji Maharaj

HisHoliness Swami Krishnandji Maharaj

HisHoliness Swami Premanandaji Maharaj

OtherSenior Saints and Sadhaks

We invite all aspirants, irrespectiveof the colour cast creed and country to come and join us for practical trainingfor" Sure ways of Success in Life and Ways to God Realization" bySubscribing to our monthly Magazine "Voice of Sivananda" throughCorrespondence and by attending Sadhana Camps & Classes organised by us inand around New Delhi (India).

BeGood—Do Good

Serve—Love—Give—Purify—Meditate—Realize

AndBe Free