H. H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj attracted the best of the best in disciples. Clicking on the links below will take you to a short biography or life sketch on each one of them. We have also posted a few photographs, as well as a samples of their writings, teachings or contributions to the mission of the Master.

Swami Sivananda refered to Swami Parmananda as, “The Bismarck of my mission.” A true pioneering leader of the The Divine Life Society, he came to Gurudev in 1932 and became his right-hand man, crucial to SPL, organiser of All-India Tour and World Parliament of Religions.

Swami Sivananda refered to Swami Chidananda as, "A fully Illumined Sage, fit to be my teacher.". Swamiji came to the Gurudev in 1943, served of the sick and ailing, took sannyas in 1949 and also taught in Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy. First tour of the West 1959-1962, Swamiji travelled extensively after that and continues to serve as the President of The Divine Life Society since 1963 till today.

Swami Sivananda spoke about Swami Krishnananda as, “Many Sankaras are rolled into one.” Swami Krishnananda came to Gurudev in 1944, took sannyas in 1946, immersed himself in the highest knowledge, taught brilliantly from personal experience of the Absolute and authored numerous books on yoga and vedanta. Was the General-Secretary from 1961 until 2001.

“He is the crest jewel of my mission,” arrived in Rishikesh in 1945, took sannyas in 1947, a versatile and serviceful assistant to Swami Sivananda, devoted to bringing into book form Swami Sivananda's writings. Author of over 60 books himself, Swamiji was very active in spreading his master's message to devotees in the west to include Mauratius, South Africa, Australia and America.

Humble and gentle personality of the highest spiritual attainment, came to Rishikesh in 1958, took sannyas in 1968, led popular study groups of scriptures in Ashram for years, “Know who the ‘I’ in you is,” author of The Supreme Knowledge.

”The driving force behind the press and publication of Swami Sivananda's books, came to Gurudev in 1946, took sannyas in 1948, instrumental in the infrastructure of the Ashram. “He is an embodiment of nishkama seva (selfless service)”, said Swami Sivananda always.

He steered the Ashram through the difficult financial times of the early days as cashier and Secretary, came in 1950, took sannyas in 1951, Vice President from 1975 onwards.

The transmitter of hatha yoga teachings all over the world, came to the Ashram in 1947, took sannyas in 1949, Secretary of Ashram after 1956 for some years, established yoga centres all over the West, main centre in Montreal, Canada.

Came to the Ashram as a teenager, proficient in hatha yoga, edited Hindi journal, helped tremendously in Gurudev’s translation of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, established Bihar School of Yoga.

Came to Gurudev in 1949, took sannyas also in 1949, undertook a teaching tour of India in 1951, asked by Gurudev to go teach in Sri Lanka, went on to America and started Integral Yoga centre in Virginia, USA, built LOTUS temple there.

Saw Swami Sivananda during the All-India Tour in 1950, came to the Ashram in 1952, excellent speaker and lecturer, editor of Hindi journal “Yoga-Vedanta,” in 1962 traveled to the West, established his main centre in Miami, USA in 1969.

Trained as an eye surgeon, had vision of Gurudev and came to Ashram in 1955, took sannyas in 1956, helped establish Eye Hospital at Ashram, personal assistant to Gurudev, invited to the West and began centres in Europe.

Had a distinguished career in the Army (1943-52), came to the Ashram in 1957, looked after the DLS Branches, very active and well-known in Punjab, returned to the Ashram where he served till 5 February 2004.

Took sannyas in 1954 and came to the Ashram in 1957, rendered Gurudev personal service, very generous by nature, a master sankirtanist, invited every year to tour Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, 1985 all-India tour organizer.

Top surgeon and gynecologist, professor at Lucknow Medical College, one of the foremost doctors of northern India, treated thousands of patients, trained hundreds of young doctors, tireless service as physician-in-charge at the Ashram hospital.