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Swami Sivananda and
The Divine Life Society
Swami Sivananda could almost be considered a revolutionary
in his view of Hindu spirituality and the place of sannyasins in Hindu
Dharma. Swami Sivananda was dedicated to the spiritual upliftment of all
mankind and considered it the unique role and privilege of sannyasins
to serve the world rather than be served. Traditionally, the deepest spiritual
truths were not accessible to all as the scriptures were written in Sanskrit,
usually known only by the Brahmin caste. In addition, if one left the
secular world to dedicate one's life to God, one no longer had any concern
or responsibility for the world. On the other hand, it was considered
the duty of a householder to provide alms for the renunciate and support
running costs of an ashram. Sannyasins were treated and served with great
respect by the other classes of society. Even today this view is prevalent
among many.
However, this was not the vision of Swami Sivananda
or his spiritual successor Swami Chidananda. To Swami Sivananda, the only
worship he knew was the awakening of all beings to the consciousness of
their essential divine origin. What was at core of his mission?. Swami
Chidananda observed the following: It was the popular view of the theorist
that to think on strict Vedantic lines was to regard the external world
as a purely self-created illusion, non-existent in fact; therefore, the
outside world could well be ignored. However, Swami Sivananda had the
opposite view. He ignored himself and recognised the whole world as the
Eternal Living Reality, the grandest, most sublime Truth. His sadhana
seemed to be one of effacing his own entity in an unreserved dedication
before the altar of Divinity manifest as the visible cosmos. This made
some of his more orthodox brethren to take Swami Sivananda for a busybody,
giving unjustifiable precedence to karma, activity, to the detriment of
jnana, Knowledge.
However, in the view of Swami Sivananda, real Vedanta
could never make one narrow or self-centred for it is a process of infinite
expansion of consciousness. He would assert that the test of real advaita
bhava (non-dual realisation) was the destruction of the last vestige of
selfishness and the development of cosmic love. To feel all creation as
one's own and to destroy all barriers that separate man from man would
result from a rational practice of Vedanta. No idea of differentiation,
of superiority and inferiority could remain when the knowledge was that
the whole cosmos is Brahman. To live along these lines would at once mean
coming out of the murky darkness of the self-world into the resplendence
of a divine life.
Though Swami Sivananda respected all the best of tradition,
his life and teaching departed radically from custom and convention when
necessary. One of Swami Sivananda's most revolutionary ideas was that
striving for liberation could be done in the home. In speaking about Swami
Sivananda's gospel of divine life, Swami Chidananda said: "The central
theme of Swami Sivananda's gospel of divine life is that one need not
leave home, family, profession in order to lead the divine life. Essentially
what has to be left behind is ahamkara, the wrong idea that 'I am the
body, I am so and so. I am such and such,' attachment to the body, selfishness
etc. It requires an inner change of location, not an outer one. One shifts
one's consciousness from being centred in the body and mind to a higher
dimension where the consciousness is aware of its true divine nature.
To express this in daily life constantly is divine life."
To propagate his message to all, Swami Sivananda wrote
300 books in English on every conceivable aspect of Yoga and Vedanta as
well as Indian culture, ethics etc. He began his writing mission using
whatever paper he could find to pen down his thoughts-sometimes using
the blank side of used envelopes! His first pamphlet was published using
a Rs 5 donation given to him for milk. Today in the heart of Sivananda
Ashram is the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy Press with all modern facilities
producing thousands of Swami Sivananda's books, sold not only all over
India but reaching every continent on the globe. The prices are low and
many books are given freely.
Dissemination of spiritual knowledge also took the form
of the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy which Swami Sivananda inaugurated in
1948. Today there are three, 2-month courses offered annually. The Academy
is situated in a quiet garden/forest setting. Participants are trained
in both theoretical and practical aspects of Yoga, Vedanta, Eastern and
Western Philosophy and Meditation. In addition, throughout the year, senior
swamis are also available to share their knowledge with individual aspirants
as well as offer classes in both Hindi and English. At times like-minded
people will come together to study a scripture or text of a great teacher.
Another characteristic of Swami Sivananda was that although
he wrote 300 books to spread his message of divine life, he, and his leading
disciples, preached the unity of all religions and had great respect for
all teachers. His main concern and was that people get their connection
with God. As Swami Chidananda once said, "I don't care how you get
your connection with God. Do it by any means. But, by any means, do it!"
This profound generosity of heart is reflected in the
ashram's beautiful octagonal library and newly inaugurated audio-visual
library where 17,000 books, audios, videos, are housed from all the religious
traditions and great teachers worldwide. Furthermore, along with all the
traditional Hindu worships conducted throughout the year, special worship
is offered on Buddha Jayanti and Guru Nanak Jayanti. Christmas Eve is
a major celebration every year, and is followed by a one-week retreat
for devotees from abroad.
Swami Sivananda was a great doer; he was untiring in
his mission to bring about a spiritual awakening. He said the goal of
life is God-realisation. The four words in The Divine Life Society crest-Serve,
Love, Meditate, Realise-represent the four main yogas, karma, bhakti,
raja and jnana. Raja and bhakti yoga have taken the form of daily meditation
and prayer early morning in the sacred Samadhi Hall and every evening
in the company of the General Secretary. Both are followed by a short
talk on spiritual life and meditation.
Swami Sivananda was an apostle of prayer. Swami Chidananda wrote that
Swami Sivananda had the habit of silently and continuously willing good
to all. Even an ant accidentally trodden upon did not miss his all-compassionate
eye. As World War II war was raging in 1943, Swami Sivananda inaugurated
the 24 hour chanting of maha mantra daily for world peace. To this day
the chanting continues non-stop. Further, three daily worships in the
temple and three worships in the Samadhi Hall are offered for the well
being of all as well as for individual requests. Om namo Narayanaya is
also chanted twice daily in the Samadhi Hall. All programs and functions
are sanctified by offering them to the Divine through opening chants and
closing prayer and aarti.
Perhaps one of the most revolutionary features of Swami
Sivananda's personality and teachings was his passion for karma yoga or
service. He did not consider his energy, talents and his body as belonging
to himself. He belonged to any creature that was in distress and in need
of him. To him turning from worldly pursuits on a higher quest did not
mean suppression of sublime sentiments that were inherent in his nature.
Rather they became more intensified and refined by the touch of a higher
unselfishness and wider consciousness.
Swami Chidananda wrote that unlike popular opinion, Swami Sivananda held
that a world-renouncer should be the most dynamic of workers because he
or she had the advantage of being wholly free from the vexing activities
and distractions that beset one in the worldly life; he had no patience
for the misconception that the dignity of the orange robe implied an intellectual
and physical hibernation from the rest of the world. Thus Swami Sivananda
sought to make sannyasins dynamic servants and educators of humanity.
He would ask them to develop their talents to be of maximum use to others.
He did not consider the ideal of a cave life suitable for the modern era
In addition, Swami Sivananda said that only selfless service could efface
the rock- hard ego that separates man from God. His students were both
free and encouraged to follow any path that suited them, and they were
not expected to neglect their personal sadhana morning and evening. However,
according to Swami Chidananda, Swami Sivananda would passionately appeal
to them to root out all traces of self and personal considerations and
give themselves totally to the noble ideas of service of the world. Swamiji
recalled that Swami Sivananda would thrillingly depict to them the glory
of selfless service as the greatest and grandest of all yogas, the highest
sacrifice and worship of the Almighty. He would say, "Never mind
whether realisation comes or not. Put forth every effort at attaining
ethical improvement to render yourselves perfect for the service of Man.
See God in Man. If your conception of God includes the idea that he is
all-pervading, then why can't you see Him in all creatures? What makes
you hesitate in translating your belief into action? You will have to
give up such notions that He is available only behind locked doors and
closed eyes. First feel His presence in everyone, everything you see and
serve, then see whether or not He shines of His own accord in the chambers
of your heart. When the heart is not yet free of all impurity and the
lower nature rid of its dross, how can spiritual experience come to you?
Until you have rendered your nature perfect, is it possible to realise
the truth of a Being who is the very essence of perfection? First root
out egoism, anger, hatred, greed and duplicity by sincere selfless service."
As Swami Sivananda himself was a doctor, one of the
most natural outcomes of his passion to serve was care for the sick and
the poor. Swami Sivananda's original medical dispensary established in
1934 was upgraded to a general hospital in 1950, and later an eye hospital
was established in 1953. Now it is a 30 bed charitable hospital running
at full capacity. Up to 500 outpatients are given free consultation and
medicine daily. Free surgery by visiting doctors is performed 6 days per
week. Once a week, eye patients are treated while the house doctors visit
a nearby village to treat villagers from various surrounding districts.
Free eye camps are held from time to time where up to 200 patients will
receive eye surgery. There is also a modern hospital in Patamadai, the
birthplace of Swami Sivananda built in honour of his centenary in 1987.
The upliftment and care of lepers was a passion of Swami
Chidananda. Swami Sivananda encouraged him in his efforts, so that now
three leper colonies are provided with rations and one in Lasmanjula has
a hospital called Sivananda Home. Not only are lepers lovingly cared for
but also T.B. and Aids patients as well as destitutes taken in off the
street. This hospital has become a home to most of these patients; once
they are healed, they remain and serve each other.
Not only has the Headquarters of The Divine Life Society
provided service in the above mentioned ways, but the numerous branches
throughout India are dedicated to providing aid to the poor in their districts.
Though Swami Sivananda's only real purpose in life was
the spiritual awakening of mankind, social service like the above mentioned
medical care was a very important part of his ministry. He also spoke
scathingly against untouchability, child-marriages, illiteracy and other
social evils. Today, over 1000 students are given financial assistance
for books and worthy students supported in higher studies. The poor can
apply to the ashram for help in housing, marriage and food. Extra food
and tea is prepared for the main meal and offered to beggars and sadhus
daily. A disaster fund is also available that is readily put into use
to help restore the life of villagers that have lost everything due to
earthquakes such as in Uttarakashi and Gujarat or drought and hurricane
in Orissa.
Swami Chidananda commented that there is a relationship
between Swami Sivananda's desire to rid society of illiteracy, untouchability
etc. and his work of spiritual awakening. Swamiji said that before there
can be any real spiritual growth and progress certain conditions and the
practice of certain cardinal virtues are primarily essential. A reasonable
sense of security is necessary before people can take active interest
in things spiritual.
In addition, Swamiji said that spiritual development
means the attainment of love, unity, tolerance and same-sightedness. Unless
one breaks the petty, selfish barriers of caste, sub-caste, community
etc and makes an attempt to prepare the ground, spiritual life will remain
but a sham. Consequently the religious preacher and the spiritual awakener
has to be something of a reformer also.
Swami Sivananda performed severe austerities during his sadhana days.
Later on even when he was a respected guru he kept up certain practices
of asceticism. The rational behind these later practices was Swami Sivananda's
belief that austerity in some form or other keeps alive the spiritual
fire. Swami Chidananda once wrote that it was the force of his tapasya
that infused the power into Swami Sivananda's words that impelled others
to listen, reflect and act upon them.
Though Swami Sivananda stressed the necessity of austerity
as a means of maintaining the instruments of the body and mind in a state
of keen alertness and balanced restraint, it was neither the end nor even
a distinct method of realising the Truth. To him, it was secondary. Thus
both during early ashram days as well as today, all physical necessities
are provided for. Swami Sivananda urged that whatever talents one had,
they must be given to the world or else life wasn't worth the name. To
do this, the vehicle had to be preserved. He said, "Austerity is
not the goal. Emancipation and Immortality is the goal." Annihilation
of the ego and lower self is the process and not the immolation of the
physical body. To silently bear abuse and insult, to calmly suffer ill-treatment
and deliberate disrespect is no less tapasya than to bear heat and cold,
hunger and thirst.
In this regard, though Swami Sivanadna had a very tender
heart, he was a militant against his own ego. According to Swami Chidananda,
Swami Sivananda was ever vigilant for the slightest assertion of ego in
himself, which would immediately bring down a hammer blow upon it. So
much so, that to be unaffected in any way by the honour and reverence
given to him by hundreds, Swami Sivananda at one time used to beat himself
with shoes and broom. To erase the subtle feeling of caste superiority,
for years he deliberately allowed himself to be served by disciples not
of the Brahman cast, and he constantly prostrated before sweepers and
scavengers and treated them like equals.
This warfare against ego, the only barrier between the
seeker and God, still seems to be carried on by the Impersonal Force of
Swami Sivananda to this day. The egos of his spiritual family are constantly
being challenged to the core, which sometimes can be disconcerting to
the unwary seeker who may have temporally forgotten the purpose for which
they came. However, when seen from the spiritual perspective the ashram
is fulfilling the great purpose set out by the founder-to realise our
true Divine nature and to express that divinity in our daily life!
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