Swami Sivananda

The Sanyas Flag was worshipped. Siva, in the course of a brilliant oration explaining the significance of the Sanyas Flag, said:

‘The flag flutters in the air: it calls you all—‘Come, embrace Sanyas’. One day or the other, you have to embrace Sanyasa. The Upanishads declare: ‘Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Thyagenaikena-amritatwamanashuh. Nothing except renunciation can give you Moksha. If not now, at a later stage: if not in this life, in a life to come—before you attain the Supreme you will have to embrace Sanyasa.’

‘Some people say: ‘Why give Sanyas to young people?’ Why? They are the fittest for Sanyasa. Only young people can practise intense Sadhana and Tapasya. What can an old man do? Just when he is about to die, someone will utter the Mahavakya in his ears which had already ceased to hear. Of what use is such Sanyas? Glory to the youthful Sanyasins who have dared to defy the worldly temptations and embrace the Holy Order.’

‘Even you, ladies, ought to take Sanyas. There have been astounding examples in the Upanishads and Yoga Vasishta of ladies who possess Brahma Jnana. You are by nature nearer to God. You are loving by nature. You have many divine virtues. Only, you are more attached to children. That is your only weakness. If you try even a little bit, you can achieve the Supreme.’

‘May you all realise the Self in this very birth.’