THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER

O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love! Salutations and prostrations unto Thee. Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient. Thou art Satchidananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute). Thou art the Indweller of all beings.

Grant us an understanding heart, Equal vision, balanced mind, Faith, devotion and wisdom. Grant us inner spiritual strength To resist temptations and to control the mind. Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy. Fill our hearts with divine virtues.

Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms. Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms. Let us ever remember Thee. Let us ever sing Thy glories. Let Thy Name be ever on our lips. Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever. —Swami Sivananda CONTROL OF MIND One of the most common habits of the mind is the wandering habit. It cannot stick to one point as it is of the nature of air. Sri Krishna says, “O mighty armed (Arjuna)! The mind is hard to curb and is restless, but it may be curbed by constant practice and by dispassion.” Destruction of desires and control of Indriyas are the essential steps for the control of mind. It is the desire that makes the mind restless. The Indriyas run after objects and the mind also follows the Indriyas just as a dog follows the master. Therefore, if you want to check this wandering mind, you will have to renounce all sorts of desires and control the Indriyas rst. Then alone will you be successful in the practice of concentration, meditation, will-culture, memory-culture and thought-culture. THE DIVINE LIFE

Vol. LXXX APRIL 2021 No. 01

PRASNOPANISHAD PANCHAMA PRASNA (QUESTION V) SATYAKAMA AND PIPPALADA AW h¡Z§ e¡ã`… gË`H$m_… nàÀN>Ÿ& g `mo h d¡ VØJdÝ_Zwî`ofw àm`UmÝV_mo§H$ma_{^Ü`m`rVŸ& H$V_§ dmd g VoZ bmoH§$ O`Vr{VŸ&&1Ÿ&& 1. Then Satyakama, son of Sibi, questioned him: O Bhagavan! What world does he, who among men meditates on 'Om' until death, attain by that?

3 4 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021 ‘hmJwédU©‘mV¥H$mñVmoÌ‘² MAHAGURU-VARNA-MATRIKASTOTRAM Jnana Bhaskara Mahamahopadhyaya Sri S. Gopala Sastri aå¶o am{OVh¡‘e¡b{ZH$Q>o ^mJraWrnmdZo amYmdëëm^g{ÞYmZ‘{hVo am‘m‘¥Vmñdm{X{Z & ê$T>mZÝXHw$Q>raYm‘{Z bgZ² [aº$íM amofm{X{^: 鳑m^mo JwéamQ²> àgrXVw adr am¡ÐmÝܶ{dÐmdUo &&25&& 25. May our Beloved Gurudev be propitiated, who dwells in the holy hermitage called 'Ananda Kutir' at the sacred banks of Mother Ganga near the glorious Himalayas in the divine presence of Lord Krishna, who enjoys the nectar of Ramanama, who is free from anger, whose beautiful form glitters as gold, and who is like sun dispelling the darkness of dreadful ignorance. bú‘reo bãY^{³Ëm: b{bV‘¥XþdMm: bm{bVmeof{eî¶: {bßËmmo ^y˶m Z ^r˶m ew^JwUgwJ‘mo brZ{MÎm: napñ‘Z² & bwßËmmemo byZnmemo {Z¶{‘VH$aUmo bmoH$nyÁ¶mo Jwé‘} bm¡ë¶§ {MÎmñ¶ Kmoa§ e‘¶Vw gw¶eñò½Yamo {Xì¶VoOm: &&26&& 26. Who has great devotion towards Lord Vishnu, who speaks simple and sweet words, who is very affectionate towards all his disciples, whose forehead is smeared with the holy ash, who is fearless, who is the repository of all the sublime virtues, whose mind is ever absorbed in Brahman, who has renounced all desires and worldly ties, who has restrained his sense-organs, who is deeply revered all over the world, who shines with divine luster and who is adorned with the garland of fame, may such a great preceptor graciously remove the terrible ckleness of my mind. (To be continued) APRIL 2021 FOLLOW THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 5

Sri Ramanavami Message FOLLOW THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS Sri Swami Sivananda The noblest lesson embodied principles, ethical values and in the is the supreme spiritual ideals, which should guide importance of righteousness in the one's day-to-day actions and serve l i f e o f e v e r y h u m a n b e i n g . as powerful means for the culture of Righteousness is the spiritual the human personality. That is the spark of life. Cultivation of purpose of life. That is the way to righteousness is the process of the Self-realisation. unfoldment of the latent divinity in Do that which promotes man. The glorious incarnation of harmony, good-will and peace, and t h e S u p r e m e T r u t h , S r i do not do that which inspires a Ramachandra, has exemplied contrary effect. Do that which is through His own life how to follow universally considered to be true, the path of righteousness. Let just and proper, that which is mankind follow in His footsteps and bound to produce positive effects, practice the ideals cherished by and do not do that which will bring Him, for it is only thus that there negative results. This is the yard- can be everlasting peace, prosperity stick of judgment. This is how you and welfare in this world. could decide between right and No one but the righteous can wrong. be truly happy. No one but he who Blessed aspirants! Swerve has the correct sense of duty and not from the path of truth. Do not be the will for its implementation can negligent to follow the course of be said to live worthily. One must be D h a r m a . L e t n o t m a t e r i a l imbued with a denite conviction considerations outweigh spiritual about the supremacy of moral values. Let not personal gains over-

Taken from 'Illuminating Messages' 6 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

step general good. Allow not and do today what would be condu- selshness to rule your conduct. cive to make a better tomorrow. Permit not the dictates of the senses Have an open heart, an open mind, to over-rule the judgment of reason but accept only that which is good, and wisdom. proper and worthy of remembrance. First consider the welfare of At least one good action every day – others, and last of all your own. let this be your motto. Look into your own character and What you dislike in others, conduct. Read your own heart. Find take care to correct that in yourself out whether your thought, speech rst. Accept only what is good in and action are in accordance with others and ignore the rest. Your t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f D h a r m a . own happiness depends on how you Discipline the body, mind and conduct yourself. Do not complain senses. Enlighten yourself with about circumstances. Try to make u s e f u l s p i r i t u a l k n o w l e d g e . best of everything. Eradicate gradually evil thoughts, Spiritual seekers! Reect, evil speech and evil habits, and cogitate, analyse and ratiocinate cultivate pure thoughts, correct what should be aspired for and speech and good habits. what should not be, what ought to E l i m i n a t e t h a t w h i c h be done and what ought to be produces a negative reaction in abstained from. Meditate on the others and strengthen that which is Lord. Pray to Him for light and quick to generate a sense of well- guidance. Sing His holy name. being within you and in others, too. Think rightly. Speak gently, But do not be carried away by the truthfully. Act honestly, justly, exhilaration of doing good and selessly. Thus grow and evolve being good. It is nothing special that and improve yourself every day, is expected of you. It is your duty. every moment. The only way you can make M a y t h e g r a c e o f S r i tomorrow a better day is to think Ramachandra be upon all. APRIL 2021 LET IDEALISM BE BORN IN THE HUMAN HEART 7

LET IDEALISM BE BORN IN THE HUMAN HEART Sri Swami Chidananda Adorable Divine Presence, and oneness between individuals, Thou Who art the one all-pervading, communities and nations. May ever-present Reality behind the there be peace in the East and in the ever-changing, vanishing names West, peace in the North and the and forms that constitute this world South and peace all over the a p p e a r a n c e , t h i s p r o j e c t e d universe. Give us this day the phenomenon in time and space! guidance necessary to make this day Adorable Divine Presence, Thou a t and worthy offering at Thy Feet. Who art without and within and Let this day be lived with noble e v e r y w h e r e , T h o u W h o a r t deeds, sublime feelings and with interconnected in the innermost r i g h t u n d e r s t a n d i n g , g o o d cells of our body, Thou Who art the intentions and pure thoughts. Eye of our eyes, the Ear of our ears, Beloved and Worshipful the Breath of our breath, the Mind of Gurudev, thou who has granted to our mind, the Heart of our heart, the us once again the grace of being in Prana of our prana, the very Soul of your spiritual presence at this early our soul, Thou Who art seated morning hour. Bless all your within us as our own inner, eternal children, who are gathered together being, bless us dear Lord that we in this sacred Samadhi Hall of your may ever be aware of Your Presence! holy Ashram! Bless them that their This is all we ask of Thee, that we eyes are opened and from darkness should never lose the awareness they may see light. Remove spiritual that we live, move and have our blindness and grant them all divine being in Thy glorious, holy, sacred sight. Divine Presence and that our life is Bless them all that they may lived in You. grasp the message of these past nine May there be peace in the days of Vasanta and the whole world. May there be harmony reason why our ancients had

Taken from 'Special Insights into Sadhana' 8 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

o r d a i n e d t h a t a n e w y e a r step in our spiritual evolution commences with nine days of t o w a r d s d i v i n e p e r f e c t i o n , continuous worship, adoration and i l l u m i n a t i o n a n d u l t i m a t e prayerfulness. For nine is the fullest liberation. How can we ever repay number beyond which numbers this debt of gratitude they have put cease and then combinations start, us into by this great consideration all permutations and combinations for our highest welfare? are of this mystical culminating Radiant Atman! What are your gure of nine. For these nine days, thoughts about the way in which the our ancients wisely ordained that we year has commenced and you have observe a period of fast, prayer, been blessed to participate in? Have worship, adoration, chanting of the you reected upon it? Have you tried Divine Name and reading of the to understand its meaning and the scriptures. Thus they gave us an depth of its signicance? Have you unmistakable direction that the full tried to grasp the message it has for year should be lled with worship, you and your life, what it seeks to adoration and diligent reading of the convey to you? Or have you, like scriptures, so that we get guidance millions of other people in India, just upon the pathway of life through the passed through it mechanically, in a wisdom teachings and so that the air routine manner, as a habit, because should be lled with all that is it is a tradition? Or have you tried to conducive to the highest human understand it in a special way, welfare here and hereafter. because you are a special group of What a great love for mankind people who have chosen the our ancients had! What a great spiritual path and have made God- c o n c e r n f o r p o s t e r i t y t h e y realisation the goal of your life? harboured in their hearts! Through You are Sadhakas, you are t h e i r u n i v e r s a l l o v e a n d seekers. You are expected to be full c o m p a s s i o n , t h e y m a d e t h e of Vichara, full of Viveka, spiritual provision for these nine days, so that enquiry, spiritual discrimination, we may know how to live in order and Jijnasa, a keen hunger for that the whole year may be a great Knowledge. Therefore, in your APRIL 2021 LET IDEALISM BE BORN IN THE HUMAN HEART 9

special capacity as Jijnasus, takes into consideration why these M u m u k s h u s , S a d h a k a s , a s things are happening, what is the spiritual people, try to understand cause or causes, how can they be the message that Vasanta Navaratri remedied? And what can I do as a has for you. Otherwise, it will have contemporary individual in today's come and gone and you will be where society in order to remove the you are and what you were before. causes? What can I do? What can be That was not the purpose with which m y c o n t r i b u t i o n ? T h i s i s these great sacraments and deliberation. This is not gossip. o c c a s i o n s o f w o r s h i p w e r e And Gurudev has given us the instituted. They were instituted with key: “As a man thinketh, so he a different purpose—that they may becometh.” Thought leads to action. awaken you from time to time, Action is the outer manifestation of inspire you, give you the right the thought that has arisen in the guidance, point out the direction in mind. A person thinks something which you must go. All this and and then does what this thought more is contained in these great impels. Thought is the origin of all occasions set up for us by our h u m a n c o n d u c t , a l l h u m a n illumined ancestors. behaviour, all human actions the We bemoan the condition of world over. Thought is the key, it is the world, the condition of present- the source of human life and day mankind. We regret the conduct, of human action and deterioration in the individual's reaction and interaction also. If character. But we seldom try to see thought is properly taken care of, wherein lies the cause, wherein lies then everything that results from it the reason for this that we bemoan. will also be properly taken care of. We seldom seek to know why this You sow a thought and reap an has come about or how it can be action. If you continue to sow such corrected. We seldom seek to know. an action, you will reap a habit. Gossip is just talking about Such habits repeated bring about things one sees and hears. But character, and your future destiny serious deliberation and discussion d e p e n d s u p o n y o u r p r e s e n t 10 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

character. At the root of it all is change, human character will thought, what we think. Thought assume new, sublime dimensions; leads to action, action leads to habit, man will become what he is destined habit leads to character and to be—divine, a child of God. It will character decides destiny. not be possible unless we bring Therefore, what is to be done? about a revolution in our thoughts, We have just completed the Vasanta unless we make idealism to be born Navaratri, where after nine days of in our hearts every moment, every continuous reading of the Avatara day. Lila of the Maryada Purushottama Let idealism be born each day Bhagavan Sri Ramachandra, we in the human heart. Let idealism be have celebrated the birth of Lord born again and again. That is the Rama, Ramajanma. Do you not see one way. All other efforts are bound the signicance of it? Clearly there is to fail if this fundamental process is indicated that the very purpose for not initiated in the human nature, in which we devoutly read the scripture the human mind, in the human is that the ideal of Rama may be born heart. An abandonment of base, in our heart. This is the only solution wicked thoughts and a deliberate to the disease of sorrow, conict, encouragement and determined clash, immorality, impurity and attempt to sow sublime thoughts, Asuric conduct that prevails in the great thoughts, noble intentions and world today. That is the only pure motivations, is indeed the key. solution, the only right remedy, the Let idealism be born in the human only right key. heart every moment, each day. There should constantly be a If the inner man is ideal, if the renewal of the human heart. Noble mind thinks sublime thoughts and thoughts should be generated. ideas, if the heart harbours noble Sublime ideas and motivations emotions, if these intentions are at should be created in the hidden the back of each action, then the interior of the human heart and human being will behave like a true mind. Then alone the human world human being; he will begin to live will change, human conduct will like a God on earth. Then alone a APRIL 2021 LET IDEALISM BE BORN IN THE HUMAN HEART 11

new era will dawn for mankind in the who was the ideal divine human human world. For the key lies in individual. Reect deeply over this what the human mind thinks and facet, this aspect of what you have what sentiments the human heart just now gone through. Know that harbours. And this can be of the its message is: Let idealism be born highest, sublimest, holiest quality in the human heart each day, only if idealism is kept alive in the freshly, vigorously. This is the human heart. solution to the problem of human When idealism vanishes, character, human conict and darkness envelops the human human unhappiness created by world. Man's mind becomes a dark human thought, the wrong type of factory for the manufacture of thought, and not doing the right ignoble thoughts, dire thoughts. thing to bring about a change. Man then creates a hell upon earth; You have been told. An he creates his own undoing, his indication has been given about the downward descent. The key lies, s o l u t i o n . N o w i t i s u p t o therefore, in taking great care about you—yathe'cchasi tatha kuru—it is how the mind functions, how it up to you to make use of the solution behaves, what thoughts it generates or not. If you want to see a better and what is the quality of those world, a better humanity, a better thoughts. Idealism alone can keep future for the world, there is but one these thoughts lofty, noble and way—Let idealism, lofty, noble, sublime. In this way only will man sublime idealism, ethical and become a source of all that is spiritual idealism, humanitarian auspicious and blessed. All other idealism be born in the human heart solutions will be symptomatic each day, every moment. solutions, patching-up symptoms, Our human thought is the key not eradicating the root cause. to human destiny. Srotavya, Therefore, let idealism be born Mantavya, Nididhyasitavya—this is in the human heart every day. This to be heard, reected upon and is the great signicance and the pondered deeply! God bless you! message of the Jayanti of Lord Rama Hari Om Tat Sat! 12 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

KRISHNANANDAJI IS A WONDER TO ME! Sri Swami Sivananda It is very rare to nd such a knowledge is a treasure for those S y n t h e t i c Y o g i a s S w a m i aspirants who care to learn, study Krishnanandaji. One may be a and imbibe the knowledge from him. Vedantin condemning Bhakti and Krishnanandaji is a wonder to K a r m a Y o g a . B u t S w a m i me! He has excelled me. He has Krishnanandaji is like myself; he is excelled Sankara. He has excelled like Lord Krishna. Integral perfection Dakshinamurthy. He came a few can be had only when you combine years ago. As usual, I asked him to service and devotion with Jnana. stay in the Ashram. After six or seven You can declare: "There is no world days, he told me, "I know the Gita a in the three periods of time." But if little." I asked him to recite the Gita. you nd a sick man on the roadside, And he recited a chapter of the Gita you must rush to relieve his beautifully. Then, gradually... how suffering, giving up your meditation. he evolved and grew in knowledge That is the sign of a Jivanmukta. and wisdom is a wonder to me! Externally, he appears to be only a Swami Krishnanandaji is a Karma Yogi; but he views the whole master of Western philosophy also. world within himself. Lord Jesus, This is because of the intense thirst L o r d B u d d h a a n d S r i for knowledge that he has. He wants Sankaracharya—how much service to compare Western philosophy with they did! It is because Swami Indian philosophy. It was because he Krishnanandaji is also a Synthetic was procient in both philosophies Yogi that I have got the greatest that he was of great help to Prof. admiration for him. Edwin A. Burtt of the Cornell He is very quick in his work. University, when the latter was here. He has a vast and deep knowledge of W e s h o u l d s t u d y W e s t e r n Vedanta. It is all God's grace. It is not philosophy also and nd out the merely due to study in this birth. It is grandeur of that philosophy. Of all due to Purva-Samskaras. His course, Western philosophy cannot

Taken from Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's 75th Birthday Souvenir BIRTH CENTENARY YEAR OF SRI SWAMI KRISHNANANDA JI MAHARAJ 20 1922 22

13 14 APRIL 2021 KRISHNANANDAJI IS A WONDER TO ME! 15

satisfy an absolute idealist like good that a great man remains in his Krishnanandaji. People are stunned own place; bees will come when the by his knowledge. With poor  o w e r s b l o o m . S w a m i nutrition, ill-health, and many Krishnanandaji is silent dynamism. i n c o n v e n i e n c e s , h o w S w a m i C e l e b r a t i o n o f Krishnanandaji has done so much is Krishnanandaji's Birthday is a wonder; it is all due to God's grace. worship of Brahman. Many people's It is all due to his Purva-Samsakras. faculties are developed. Every man's One lecture of his is quite sufcient eyes are opened. Everyone begins to to inspire and elevate you. think. Such celebrations are very Not a single harsh word he has necessary. Today we have only spoken. He never becomes angry. He talked of Brahman. It gives us all never complains. I think there is inspiration. It produces a drastic none in this Ashram of his type. change in the minds of people. You These are all divine attributes. He will be greatly beneted. You should has more divine qualities than are note down in your diary the noble mentioned in the Gita. Lord Krishna qualities of Swami Krishnanandaji. was in a hurry; therefore, He You should become like him. You enumerated some major virtues should become like Shuka. You can only, and we have to add to them the learn something from everyone. This v i r t u e s t h a t K r i s h n a n a n d a j i world is a vast university: it is a great possesses. teacher. Chidanandaji has talked He is the proper man to go to very nicely. He is an intuitional the West. But if that is not to be, even lecturer. I am much beneted by his his mere presence in the world is talks. He is a saint. You should sufcient. His books are treasures worship him. He is your . Only for us. I am sending them all over the if you have this attitude, will you be world. A man remaining in his own beneted. You will have to take down Kutir can send powerful thoughts n o t e s o f h i s l e c t u r e s . that would stir the whole world. It is Krishnanandaji is a treasure; not necessary to go here and there, Chidanandaji is a treasure. God has delivering lectures; it is not been so gracious that He has given necessary even to write books. It is me so many precious gems. 16 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

SWAMI KRISHNANANDA – AN IDEAL SPIRITUAL GUIDE Swami Yogaswarupananda The great Acharya Sankara anyone in the performance of his states that it is very difcult to get a duties, and sometimes, he puts on a human birth and it is only with the severe and harsh attitude if it grace of the Almighty Lord that one concerns any nancial loss to the can get an ideal spiritual guide. Ashram. Even on such serious Those who have the good fortune to occasions, Swamiji never fails to give have contact with worshipful Sri spiritual advice such as can be never S w a m i K r i s h n a n a n d a j i a r e , forgotten throughout one's life. therefore, really blessed souls; for, AN INCIDENT AND A LESSON they have no more fear of this During the annual functions of Samsara. Adorable Gurudev His Gurupurnima, Sadhana Week and Holiness Sri Swami Sivanandaji P u n y a t i t h i A r a d h a n a o f t h e Maharaj himself had said more than Worshipful Gurudev in the year once that Swami Krishnanandaji was 1966, Swamiji asked me to vacate my an Avatara of Acharya Sankara and r o o m i n o r d e r t o p r o v i d e wondered how this young Swami accommodation to the guests, and held in his small head the vast ocean stay in his ofce room instead. While of knowledge and also remembered handing over the ofce key to me, all that he had read in the scriptures! Swamiji said: “This is the rst time I In spite of having digested the am giving the ofce key to anyone; essence of all religious and spiritual keep it carefully.” The key being a literature, Swamiji is still regular and small one, as a precaution against its punctual in his Svadhyaya, Japa and loss, I put it in a key-ring and tied the meditation. He also attends to all the ring in the sacred thread on my body; daily routine activities of the Ashram. and every now and then I satised He solves very quickly all the myself that the key was safe in its administrative problems of the place. On the Gurupurnima Day, I Ashram, as he is very clear in his had to nish my bath in the Ganges thoughts and actions. Swamiji before 4 a.m. After the bath, when I becomes very serious when he veried whether the key was safe, I detects any negligence on the part of found to my utter surprise and

Taken from Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's 60th Birthday Souvenir BIRTH CENTENARY YEAR OF SRI SWAMI KRISHNANANDA JI MAHARAJ APRIL 2021 SWAMI KRISHNANANDA – AN IDEAL SPIRITUAL GUIDE 17

bewilderment, that only the ring was inmate does the same thing, from in my sacred thread. The little key where can you get money for was missing. I waited up to 6 a.m. on purchasing new locks and keys? In the Ganges bank so I could make a the rst test itself, you have failed. In thorough search in the clear your spiritual life, Lord Yama, Satan sunlight. My search was fruitless. and other forces will come and test When I went up to report the loss of you. You are not able to keep a small the key, Swamiji was in Gurudev's key without losing it. How is it Kutir on the Ganges bank, where he possible for you to face Yama and was staying in those days. Satan and get over the obstacles put On the holy Gurupurnima by those terrible forces? It is better Day, it is the custom for everyone in you go home now itself and eat and the Ashram to go to the senior sleep there. This holy Ashram is not Swamijis to pay homage and receive the place for you. You are unt for blessings. But as I was in a miserable Sadhana.” Saying this, Swamiji went condition, I could not do this like the in and bolted the door. others. Not knowing what to do, I felt With profuse tears, I stood at nervous and had not the courage to the entrance of the Kutir for more report the loss of the key to Swamiji. I than half an hour. In the meantime, stood in my wet clothes shivering Swami Hridayananda Mataji and with cold in front of Gurudev's Kutir. Swami Dayanandaji came to the Due to fear and grief, I could not Kutir to meet Swamiji and pay their speak a word. On seeing my pathetic respects. On their enquiry, I state, Swamiji asked me what had narrated the entire story. Both of happened and the cause of my them pleaded for me before Swamiiji. staying there with wet clothes. With a After a little while, Swamiji gave me choked voice, I told Swamiji that the the duplicate key of the ofce and ofce key was lost in the Ganges in said: “Go and change the clothes.” As the early morning, from the key-ring I found that Swamiji was still very which was tied to my sacred thread. serious, I thought of leaving the Swamiji became very serious and Ashram that day itself, for he had said: “What is the purpose of the said earlier that the Ashram was not sacred thread? Is it for tying the a t place for me. I went to Swami keys? In spite of my warning, you Hridayananda Mataji to return Dr. have lost it. Now, there is no other Radhakrishnan's Commentary on way except to break the lock. If every the which I had 18 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

borrowed from her. Hearing my But to my great surprise, he decision to leave the Ashram, Mataji brought a big tin of biscuits, and laughed and said: “For a silly thing, with a smile on his face, presenting you are losing your condence and it to me, said: “Be happy.” going back home leaving the From that time onwards, I spiritual path. Repeat the Lord's became more vigilant and more Name. Today is Gurupurnima, pray careful. For the benet of spiritual to Gurudev, surely he will help you.” I aspirants, Swami Krishnanandaji observed fasting and prayed very often puts on a serious mien. throughout that day. In the early Spiritual and moral instructions are morning, I dreamt that the key was given by him through appropriate there near a rock on the Ganges anecdotes. Good work he praises and bank. I woke up. It was about 5 a.m. I encourages in such a way that the went to the particular place where I Sadhak concerned is tempted to do had taken bath the previous day. To more Sadhana. my surprise, the water level of the Swamiji's thinking is always Ganges had receded and I saw a on the import of the scriptures. small piece of white metal lying there Quite often, when I went to him in in the wet sand. It was the key! the mornings, instead of giving me I thought of God. The ofce some work, Swamiji used to put key appeared as the key to the some questions very difcult to realm of God. With condence and answer. “What is the difference jubilation, I ran to Gurudev's Kutir between doing and happening?” he and prostrating before Swamiji, told a s k e d m e o n c e . O n a n o t h e r him the recovery of the lost key. occasion, he said: “As per the With a serious tone, Swamiji asked aphorism of Patanjali, in the me to return the duplicate key. I at presence of one who is established once returned it. Receiving it in the practice of Ahimsa, there Swamiji said: “God is with you. Be will be no feelings of enmity and careful in future.” With hesitation, I hatred and peace would prevail. stood there. I wanted to ask Swamiji Lord Krishna was a great Yogi, but whether he would permit me to stay in His very presence, there were so in the Ashram. His harsh words, many wars and battles. Either “The Ashram is not a t place for Patanjali is wrong or Krishna is you; it is better that you go home not a Yogin. What do you say?” “If now itself”, were ringing in my ears. Atman is everywhere and in all APRIL 2021 SWAMI KRISHNANANDA – AN IDEAL SPIRITUAL GUIDE 19

beings, it should be in the cow dislikes. It is very difcult to also; and if the cow turns its neck, understand Swamiji. do you mean that Atman also LIKE PRAHLADA IN SAHAJA bends? Think and tell the answer,” SAMADHI said Swamiji on another day. On Here I recollect a beautiful still another day, he said: “As per narrative in the Shanti Parva of the the declaration of Lord Krishna in about the spiritual the Gita, 'Mattah parataram na status of Prahlada, the great devotee anyat kinchidasti dhananjaya. of the Lord who had the rarest Nothing exists other than Me, O privilege of sitting on the lap of Lord Arjuna!', you must see only Krishna Narasimha. This occurs in the everywhere. But you are seeing so course of a conversation between many things in the world. Just look B h i s h m a a n d Y u d h i s h t h i r a . here—table, chair, doors, windows, Bhishma says: “Prahlada was you and me. Do you perceive unattached to all worldly objects. His 'things' or Krishna alone? What is sins had been washed away. He was y o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h i s possessed of great learning. Free statement? Go and meditate on from all evil qualities, he was a this verse and then come and tell repository of the quality of goodness. me your experience.” Repeating He took praise and censure equally. some of the phrases in the Gita Realising the transitory nature of all verses, he used to laugh loudly beings and things, he was never a n d w h o l e h e a r t e d l y l i k e a n innocent child. angry with what displeased him and Swami Krishnanandaji is a never rejoiced at what pleased him. friend of all and a well-wisher of Steadily engaged in the study of the everyone. Some devotees, with an scriptures, rm in knowledge, he had intention of offering something to arrived at the right conclusions in Swamiji, used to ask me: “Do you respect of Truth. As he was seated know what Swamiji likes most?” My one day in a solitary chamber, with reply to them used to be in the nega- his senses under complete control, tive. One day, when Swamiji was in Indra, the king of the celestials, a humorous mood, I put the approached him and said: “O king, I question to Swamiji himself. What behold in you all those qualities by was it that he liked most? The reply which a person wins the esteem of was: “Nothing.” Nothing he likes or all. Your behaviour is like that of a 20 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

child, free from attachment and ignorance. But he who understands aversion. You have realised the Self. the difference between Nature and What is the best means by which the her transformations is never knowledge of the Self may be deluded. All existing things have attained?” To him Prahlada replied: t h e i r o r i g i n i n N a t u r e . I n “He who is acquainted with the true consequence of one's certainty of nature of all beings, mobile and conviction in this respect, one immobile, is never deluded. All would never be affected by pride or entities and non-entities come into arrogance. When I know the origin b e i n g a n d c e a s e t o e x i s t i n of all Dharmas and when I am consequence of their own nature. acquainted with the instability of all He who regards himself as the doer objects, I am incapable of indulging of acts, good or bad, possesses a in grief. Without attachments, wisdom that is vitiated. Such a without pride, without desire and person is unacquainted with the hope, freed from all bonds, and Truth. If the person were really the disassociated from everything, I am actor, then all acts undertaken for passing my time in great happiness, his own benet would certainly be e n g a g e d i n w i t n e s s i n g t h e crowned with success. But it is not appearance and disappearance of so at all times. Even among persons all created objects. I behold all struggling their utmost, the things with the light of Self- avoidance of what is not desired knowledge, and therefore, no and the attainment of what is trouble or anxiety exists in me. I do desired, are not seen always. What not behold anyone as my foe or becomes then of personal exertion? friend. Hence I desire nothing.” In the case of some, we see that Now the reader will have a fair without any exertion on their part, knowledge of the supreme state of what is not desired is avoided and Sahaja Samadhi of Prahlada. If he what is desired is accomplished. has understood Prahlada, he can Therefore, this must be the result of u n d e r s t a n d S r i S w a m i Nature. He who is acquainted with only transformation of Nature, but Krishnanandaji. Revered Swamiji is not with Nature itself, which is an ideal example to emulate for supreme and exists by herself, feels Sadhaks who wish to lead the divine stupefaction in consequence of his life and attain God-realisation. APRIL 2021 THE SIX SYSTEMS OF PHILOSOPHY IN INDIA 21

THE SIX SYSTEMS OF PHILOSOPHY IN INDIA Sri Swami Krishnananda What we consider as a school number of facets and phases in the of philosophy is a system of perception of anything whatsoever. investigation into the ultimate cause For instance, in ancient and meaning of any thing or event. times, Plato and Aristotle form one T h e e s s e n t i a l f e a t u r e o f group of thinkers; in the medieval philosophical investigation is that it period, St. Augustine and St. goes to the root of the matter—what Thomas Aquinas go together; and in are the causative factors behind the the modern period of Western occurrence of an event or the thought, we have Kant and Hegel. I appearance of any form, sentient or was reminded of this wonderful insentient. There are various similarity in comparison with the attempts in this direction, carried on schools of thought in India. both in the East and in the West. All these systems—Nyaya, We have in India the famous Vaisheshika, etc.—were originally six systems of philosophy known as written down in very short, pithy Nyaya,Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, notes, called . In those days Mimamsa and Vedanta. We may say when these systems were initiated, that these six represent a kind of there were no large textbooks. gradational advance in the vision of Everything had to be memorised, things, and one is not supposed to and in order to keep in memory the contradict the other. The higher essential foundational features of vision may supplant and supersede any particular school of thought, the the vision that is a little lower, but originators put them in brief, knotty the lower is not rejected by the sayings, called Sutras. higher. Therefore, it would be an Nyaya and Vaisheshika erroneous approach on the part of Sutra conned themselves to the any deep thinker to imagine that ancient system of physics and logical schools of thought which vary are induction and deduction. The Nyaya self-contradictory. They are facets of i s p r i m a r i l y c o n c e r n e d w i t h perception, and there can be any syllogism, including inductive

Discourse given on May 8, 1997 22 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

processes and deductive processes. designated as prakriti, the matrix of The Vaisheshika is pure physics, all things. The knowing principle, enumerating the categories of consciousness proper, is called ultimate realities, considering that purusha. Purusha does not mean there is a multitude of realities, or 'man'. It is only a way of putting manifold realities. We can note how t h i n g s f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f the thought advances. There is explanation. It means the primary logical argumentation to establish intelligence which observes, the principle of the multitude of interprets, and comes in contact realities, as a sense of perception with the matter of the universe. would reveal, and intellectual I am briey introducing you to arguments would conrm. the methodology adopted by the six The Samkhya is of a different schools of thought. The Samkhya nature. There are not many considers that matter is ubiquitous. realities for Samkhya. It also has Everywhere there is matter. Matter its own logic. Every school of is immeasurable and permanent, thought has its own logical system and it cannot be destroyed. Its to establish the validity of its constituents change and modify proposition. While many realities themselves in the process of are posited by the Nyaya and the evolution and involution, but matter V a i s h e s h i k a , o n l y t w o a r e is not destroyed. It stands as it is, recognised in the Samkhya. The and as it shall always be. entire experience, cosmic or T h e p e c u l i a r i t y o f t h e individual, is explicable through Samkhya that consciousness is the interaction of two realities: manifold in its nature is contrary to consciousness and matter. There is expectations. That is to say, the nothing anywhere except these two observers of the object are many in t h i n g s . T h e r e i s a k n o w i n g number. They have made a mistake individual, a consciousness that is here in confusing psychological aware, and an object of which consciousness with metaphysical consciousness is aware. The awareness. However that be, we are Samkhya has its own terminology. not here to argue for or against The object of perception, which is Samkhya. It is only a statement of inert in its nature, is by Samkhya the position made by the Samkhya. APRIL 2021 THE SIX SYSTEMS OF PHILOSOPHY IN INDIA 23

There are multiple perceiving is to say, there should be a centres of consciousness, called d i s p e n s e r o f j u s t i c e . I f a n Purushas, and there is one inert individual has done good deeds, matter, called Prakriti. those deeds have to be rewarded. Hence, there are the twins Otherwise, if the action has gone Nyaya and Vaisheshika on the one in a wrong way, it has to be hand, and Samkhya and Yoga on r e c t i  e d b y n e c e s s a r y the other hand. Yoga adds one recompense, by punishment. more principle to the existing or Now, a person who commits the a c c e p t e d t w o p r i n c i p l e s o f deed cannot reward or punish Samkhya. For Samkhya, only two himself or herself. There must be a things are sufcient. There is no judiciary for that. A third principle need for any other principle. is essential. This was noted by the Consciousness and matter, and Yoga metaphysicians. An all- t h e i r i n t e r a c t i o n s , e x p l a i n knowing Ishvara, or creative everything, every situation, in any principle, was posited by the Yoga condition. By ‘Yoga’ here I do not System. Here we must note that the mean the actual practical side of Ishvara of Yoga is quite different i t — A s a n a , P r a n a y a m a , from our idea of God. For us, God is Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and the creator of the world. But the samadhi. This is not what we mean Ishvara of Yoga is not the creator of when we think of the Yoga school of anything. He is a witness of the thought. The school proper is a operations of Purusha and Prakriti; logical foundation. The Yoga and, according to the nature of the considers that the two principles of deeds of the Purusha, rewards and the perceiver and the perceived punishment will be meted out by cannot explain matter. the ordinance of Ishvara. For instance, there is action Now we come to a very difcult and reaction in every experience, twin school of philosophy, known as and every action produces a result M i m a m s a a n d V e d a n t a . T h e w h i c h p o u n c e s u p o n t h e Mimamsa and the Vedanta schools experience, even if it be a thought, are founded, basically, on the speech or deed. These reactions and the . Nyaya, are to be properly dealt with. That Vaisheshika, Samkhya and Yoga 24 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

have nothing to do with the Vedas or The next section of the Vedas the Upanishads. They are purely is called the , which is a intellectual schools. Their basis is descriptive catalogue in prose of all pure rationality, argumentation, the methods to be employed in using and syllogism. Purva Mimamsa and these mantras, or hymns, of the Uttara Mimamsa are the two schools Vedas in sacricial or ritualistic of Mimamsa, also known as Karma performances. The Purva Mimamsa Mimamsa and Brahma Mimamsa. mainly concerns itself with ritual, Mimamsa means investigation. how a particular mantra or a hymn What is the investigation of the Veda is to be utilised to invoke carried on by the Purva Mimamsa a particular God. “Indraya svaha, and Uttara Mimamsa? In the case of Varunaya svaha,” etc., we say. t h e P u r v a M i m a m s a , t h e There is a very complicated and investigation is pure ritual, as mathematical process of the Purva enumerated in the ritualistic Mimamsa, which gives great details sections of the Vedas, known as the of the method of performance of B r a h m a n a s . H e r e , t h e w o r d these sacrices for the satisfaction brahmana does not mean the of the gods in heaven. Every mantra Brahmin caste. It is a series of of the portion of the Veda is textbooks. There are four Vedas: an invocation of a divinity. It is a Rik, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. Each prayer to a particular god, and it is of the Vedas has four sections, believed that the form of the deity is known as Samhita, Brahmana, hidden in the structural pattern of and Upanishad. Samhita the mantra itself. We may say that is a prayer book. The Purusha the mantra is a geometrical pattern Sukta, Rudradhyaya, etc., that is which explains the nature of the recited in temples comes under the deity—so much so, that when we , which is a collection of recite the mantra properly, the deity prayers. These are the most immediately manifests itself. The prominent part of the Vedas. When deity is summoned, provided our people say they are studying the recitation has the correct intonation Vedas, generally they mean they are and pronunciation, which is to be studying the Samhita or the prayer, very exact, very precise. If we make a the hymn aspect of the Vedas. change in the intonation of the APRIL 2021 THE SIX SYSTEMS OF PHILOSOPHY IN INDIA 25

mantra, it will produce adverse whom? It can be either way. effects. Likewise, in an equivocation the In this connection, there is a rishis changed the tone of this story of an event which took place in invocation. Though according to the heaven.There was a battle between literal pronunciational aspect of the the gods and the Asuras, and chant, it looked as if a destroyer of someone who was against Indra Indra would be produced, due to a wanted the celestial priests, the change in the intonation, what rishis, to perform a sacrice by h a p p e n e d w a s t h e r e v e r s e . which a deadly foe of Indra would Something was produced which was rise from the re and destroy him. to be destroyed by Indra. This is the But the rishis did not want such a greatness of the Veda mantra. sacrice to be performed. Why These investigations are should they participate in a sinister carried on by the Purva Mimamsa, sacrice which attacks Indra, who is though our subject is something the god of the heavens? But they different. All that I have told you is agreed to perform the sacrice. What o n l y a k i n d o f p r e l i m i n a r y they did was, they uttered the i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e m a i n mantra, which literally meant theme—namely, the Brahma “enemy of Indra, rise from the re”: Mimamsa, investigation into the Indra shatro, vivardhasva. But nature of the Supreme Being. It is “enemy of Indra, rise” can have a called the Brahma Sutras. As I dual meaning. What is the meaning mentioned, the sutras are pithy of “enemy of Indra”? It may be an statements; and especially the enemy to be devastated by Indra, or Brahma Sutras very difcult. If we it may be something which will read just the Sutra, we will make no devastate Indra. It is like the Oracle sense out of it because it is only two of Delphi. People used to ask the or three letters. Without the help of a Oracle of Delphi whether the Greeks commentary, the Sutra on Brahman would win or the Romans would win, cannot be understood. While the and the oracle would say, “The P u r v a M i m a m s a , o r K a r m a Greeks the Romans shall conquer.” Mimamsa, is concerned with the What do we make from this mantras, the Samhitas and the statement? Who will conquer Brahmana portion of the Vedas, the 26 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

Brahma Sutras is concerned with philosophical metaphysics in only the Upanishads, which deal India. It is a very difcult subject. with the nature of the Ultimate Many people do not go into the Reality, or the Absolute. Chhangogya and Brihadaranyaka The Brahma Sutras have four U p a n i s h a d s , a n d c o n  n e chapters, and the total number of themselves only to the lesser Sutras is ve hundred and fty- Upanishads. But the Brahma ve. What does the First Chapter of Sutras goes into the depths of these the Brahma Sutras deal with? knotty passages occurring in the There are many statements in the Upanishads. The First Chapter is Upanishads whose meaning is n o t a c o m m e n t a r y o n t h e difcult to make out. They can U p a n i s h a d s . I t i s o n l y t h e mean one thing or another thing. interpretation and explanation of The specication of the true the true meaning of certain meaning of a particular statement unintelligible portions, statements, in the Upanishad is necessary so in the Upanishads. that we may not mistake its import. The Second Chapter of the The First Chapter of the Brahma Brahma Sutras is entirely devoted Sutras engages itself entirely in to the refutation of contrary interpreting the true import and doctrines. There are schools of meaning of certain knotty passages thought which do not believe in in the ten major Upanishads. There God, and such schools are refuted are minor Upanishads also, by proper argument. The logic of totalling one hundred and eight or Nyaya, the physics of Vaisheshika, so, but the Brahma Sutras is the dualism of Samkhya, the concerned only with ten: Isa ritualism of Purva Mimamsa, and Upanishad, , even the atomism of Jainism and K a t h a U p a n i s h a d , P r a s n a the schools of Buddhism are dealt Upanishad, , with elaborately, and every theme , Aitareya that is propounded by these Upanishad, , godless schools is set aside as not Chhandogya Upanishad, and in conformity with the ultimate . These nature of things. Generally, only are the principal foundations of the Second Chapter of the Brahma APRIL 2021 THE SIX SYSTEMS OF PHILOSOPHY IN INDIA 27

Sutras is prescribed in colleges and The Fourth Chapter is the universities because it is intricate, most important for us, as it deals h i g h l y a r g u m e n t a t i v e , a n d with the cause of bondage and the intellectual in its nature. We shall release from bondage. not go into these things, as our Thus, the Brahma Sutras is a p u r p o s e i s m a i n l y s p i r i t u a l pinnacle of Indian philosophic edication. We shall conne thought, which deals with and ourselves to the subject of the tackles every existent school of building up of our true self, the thought in India. It points out their various efforts that we have to make i n a d e q u a c i e s , r e j e c t s t h e m in freeing ourselves from the wholesale, and substitutes for all bondage of Samsara, and nding t h e s e t h o u g h t s a m o r e out ways and means of the comprehensive vision of life, salvation of the soul. integrated in its nature, complete in The Third Chapter deals with every aspect, and wholesome in a very interesting aspect of the every means. The question is about subject, namely, which passages our own selves. The Brahma o f t h e U p a n i s h a d s c a n b e Mimamsa, or Uttara Mimamsa, is combined for the purpose of also sometimes called Sharirik meditation. The Third Chapter Mimamsa. A Sharirik is a being who deals with meditational processes has embodied physicality. Whoever according to the Upanishads. has a body is a Sharirik. Inasmuch E v e r y s t a t e m e n t i n t h e as it studies the nature of the Upanishads is a prescription for embodied soul, it also is called m e d i t a t i o n . I n a l l t h e t e n S h a r i r i k M i m a m s a . A s i t i s U p a n i s h a d s , s e v e r a l s u c h concerned with the establishment statements are made, and many of of the Supreme Absolute, it is them of a similar nature and called Brahma Mimamsa; because import can be brought together for it is posterior to the Karma the purpose of meditation. Which Mimamsa, which is Purva, it is point of the Upanishad can be called Uttara Mimamsa. Varieties combined with which other point o f n a m e s a r e g i v e n t o t h i s for the purpose of meditation is wonderful, spiritual, metaphysical the subject of the Third Chapter. textbook called the Brahma Sutras. 28 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

RAMANAVAMI SADHANA Sri Swami Venkatesananda 28th MARCH, 1950 R a m j i k i ' . T h u s b e g a n t h e Ramanavami day. We had morning The Ramanavami Sadhana meditation class and a Prabhat Pheri commenced on the 21st March. The with 'Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ashramites had been asked to do Ram' Kirtan. some Malas of 'Om Sri Ramaya This morning's ofce-Kirtan Namah' (Rama Shadakshara) Japa was also full of Rama. During the and take part in the Ramayana- entire week on every occasion, Siva Navanha-Parayanam. has been reciting the Sloka– Siva added to this the daily Sri Rama Rama Rameti Rame Rame 'enactment' of one Kandam from his manorame 'Ramayana Drama.' Sahasranama tat tulyam Rama “Sadhana on such special Nama varanane occasions should be intense, even In the temple, the Havan of though it is for a short period. These Rama Mantra is going on. Alongside nine days, everyone should be Rama- sit Siva and the devotees while Sri mayam – Rama Nama Japa, reading Purnabodhji, Swami Krishnanandaji of the Ramayana (both the Tulasidas and Sri Ramprem give readings from R a m a y a n a a n d t h e V a l m i k i S t o t r a R a t n a k a r a , T u l a s i d a s Ramayana), and at night Ramayana Ramayana and Valmiki Ramayana. Drama also. Thus will the Sadhana, Siva's gramophone records of even during these nine days, be an 'Sangeeta Ramayana' were played. intense one. Everyone will be lled Sri Rao Saheb N.G. Venkatesa Iyer of with the glory of Rama. Whatever you Salem recited Siva's 'Hanuman do, you should have intense Chalisa'. application to it. That is the secret of success. If you serve, serve intensely, WHERE IS EVIL? with all your heart and soul. If you After Kirtan, Siva delivered the worship the Lord, give your heart and following discourse: soul to Him. If you meditate, meditate “Rama is Para Brahman. Sita is intensely. That is the secret of rapid Maya. Rama minus Sita is Para progress in the spiritual path.” Brahman alone. Worship of Rama is This morning, as soon as Siva adoration of Brahman. Through entered the ofce, he greeted us 'Jaya Rama's worship, one can easily attain From Sivananda Day-to-Day APRIL 2021 RAMANAVAMI SADHANA 29

knowledge of Brahman. Sita is the There is, besides this external evil, illusory power of the Lord Himself the ceaseless ght between the that veils the Jiva's realisation of the Shubha Vasanas and the Ashubha real Swaroopa of Rama. The ‘why’ of Vasanas within man. this illusory power you cannot know. Similarly in the world also, How did Karma arise? How did there are Daivic societies and Asuric evil come about? What is the origin of societies. The Daivic forces always p h e n o m e n a ? F r o m t h e work for the welfare of humanity and Satchidananda Para Brahman, how for the nal emancipation of man did Asat, Jada, Duhkha come? If from the bondage of Samsara. They Rama is Satchidananda Para work for the establishment of real Brahman and He and He alone communism in the world. pervades all, why do we nd evil and Real communism is Vedanta m i s e r y i n t h i s w o r l d ? T h e s e which preaches oneness and questions are transcendental. They equality. Real communism is divine are Atiprashnas. The nite intellect life which ennobles every man and cannot understand the mystery, prompts him to see his own Self in which is beyond the speech and the e v e r y l i v i n g c r e a t u r e . R e a l mind. Intellect can grasp only things communism is divine life which relating to the senses and the mind. demands of everyone to share what One cannot get a solution to these he has with others, to work for the eternal questions except through the welfare of all. It is not this Asuric realisation of the Satchidananda communism which destroys temples Para Brahman Rama. and burns the devotees of the Lord. In reality, evil does not exist. There is another Asuric There is no evil except in your movement in the South. It is the self- i m a g i n a t i o n . A l l i s t h a t respect movement. Real self-respect Satchidananda Para Brahman Rama. is also good. That is divine life which The existence of evil is due to respects all as one's own Self. It your wrong perception. It is only in strives to take man towards God the Vyavaharic sense that there is through worship of His Form and evil. And that evil exists to glorify the repetition of His Name. But, this good. This evil has co-existed with Asuric self-respect movement pulls good in all periods of time. In Satya down temples and burns Ramayana. Yuga, the percentage of evil might At the same time, there spring have been less. In Yuga, the up Daivic institutions which strive to percentage may be more. But there establish Dharma, to bring about has always been evil in the world. real communism and self-respect. 30 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

These institutions are run by the which means 'Member, Sivananda devotees of God, Sadhakas and Gyana Sabha'. Siddhas. They lead the people along The Sivananda Gyana Sabha is the path of divine life. Through there where people sing Lord's Name. conferences and propaganda, they The Sabha is there where man runs to uphold Dharma, devotion to God and the aid of his sick and ailing brother. k n o w l e d g e o f t h e S e l f . T h e The Sabha is where man meditates on Theosophical Society has been the Almighty. The Sabha is there holding regular conferences. There where Atma-Vichara is done. are other institutions conducting Sri Venkatesa Iyer is a great Sankirtan Conferences and spiritual Karma Yogi. Living in the world, conferences. The Divine Life Society carrying on his worldly duties amidst has also been conducting such worldly distractions and family conferences. The rst Conference burdens, he has been boldly working was held at Villupuram by Dr. Mani. for the spiritual uplift of the world. Three conferences were conducted It is very easy to retire to a b y t h e p i o u s a n d n o b l e cave. You will pretend to meditate V e n k a t a r a m i a h ( S w a m i for some time: after six months, Ramananda). The great work was Tamas will set in. You will not know given new life to by Dr. Mangalam where you are. How easy it is not to and Sri S.V. Iyer of Tambaram. The tell a lie when you have no one to thread was taken up and the work is talk to! How easy it is to control your carried on by others. Sri Rao Saheb anger when no one approaches you, N.G. Venkatesa Iyer conducted the much less opposes you! What is Second Divine Life Conference last there in controlling the mind when year at Salem. there are no distractions at all? The Rao Saheb V. is a noble pious real glory of a real Yogi or Jnani lies soul w ho is trying his level best to in being able to control the mind spread the glory of the Lord's Name. and to engage himself in Karma He is a dynamic seless worker with a Yoga for the good of humanity, while noble and magnanimous heart. The yet living in the world. Even a little Conference was a great success. Sri V. of the practice of this Yoga at once went from lane to lane, from house to puries you. Sri V. is a Dheera who house and stirred the people to tread has been serving humanity and the path of divine life and attain the leading the divine life, while yet Lord's Sayujya. To such a noble soul, I living in the world. May God bless give this little love-offering of mine in him! May God bless you all! May you the form of an award—M.S.G.S. all become Rama-Swaroop!” APRIL 2021 FREEDOM 31

FREEDOM Sri Swami Venkatesananda 13th MARCH pay the price of self-discipline. Freedom is the life of the soul I n m o d e r n s o c i e t y , t h e of man. Human pre-history begins freedom of man's spirit is restricted with man's rebellion against all around, and it seeks to express bondage. The life in the seed breaks itself through escape valves ─ sex the shell, splits the earth and and money. But to escape is not to peeping above the earth proclaims solve; here are no ready-made its freedom. The human being rebels solutions. Real discipline is self- even against "the realities of life" by discipline and everyone has to nd withdrawing into himself, by seeking his own solution to his own unique freedom in reverie, dream or insanity. problem. Only when he realises, In spite of all semblances to that, while sex and money provide the contrary, we have not progressed him with an escape from present much further than the primitive limitations, they will ultimately rob man. Our tools have changed, our him of all freedom, and then he will technique has changed, our terrain discipline himself. Only then will he has changed, but our motives have surrender his lesser freedom for remained unchanged; we seek attaining the greater freedom ─ freedom, total freedom, absolute freedom from the inner tyrants of freedom. And yet we are unwilling to lust, anger and greed. Taken from ‘Daily Readings’ BIRTH CENTENARY YEAR OF SRI SWAMI VENKATESANANDA JI MAHARAJ

Victory over mind is certainly victory over death. Triumph over the tyranny of matter or esh is undoubtedly triumph over death. This is the attainment of Atma Svarajya or Immortality. This is the goal of life. This is Kaivalya of Vedantins or Absolute independence of Raja Yogins. This has to be achieved through intense spiritual practice or constant meditation on the Imperishable Self. —Swami Sivananda 32 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

SWAMI VENKATESANANDA Sri Swami Sadananda "The last and best thing that resigned his job, he had not can be said of him is that he lives only completed his 25th year — the age to serve Swami Sivananda. In him, we which is prescribed as the limit for nd a living commentary on the entry into government service — but maxim 'Service to the Guru is worship a dozen years before that, little of the Lord'. " Parthasarathy had heard of Swami In September 1945 came a Sivananda and developed a desire to young man to the presence of Swami come to him. He was only thirteen Sivananda from Delhi, with a xed years old then, and he could not resolve to become Swamiji's Sevaka. I command courage enough even to am using the word Sevaka and not mention this desire to his parents. He disciple because from then up till now passed the School Final Examination that young man wants to be only a when he was fourteen or fteen. One Sevaka. We know he is more than a would have expected such a brilliant disciple; he is the right-hand man of lad to have entered college for our Guru. But in Venkatesananda's U n i v e r s i t y e d u c a t i o n ; b u t mind, no such consciousness has yet Parthasarathy had already decided dawned, and I am sure it never will. that his service was to be for a saint When he left Delhi, he was holding a and not for the government. So, he decent job in the Imperial Secretariat spent some years earning a salary, with a salary of which any young man though there was no need for it, could be proud. There were also because his father was holding a very excellent prospects of promotions to good job in the Madras Corporation, posts of higher status and salary. But and qualied himself as a steno- Sri Parthasarathy had long decided typist, precis-writer, and what not. It that his was to be only the life of is surprising that his inclinations led service to Sivananda, and not one of him that way, though he could by no power, position, prestige or worldly means have guessed that these were prosperity to himself. When he needed when he came to serve

Taken from ‘Life of Swami Venkatesananda’ BIRTH CENTENARY YEAR OF SRI SWAMI VENKATESANANDA JI MAHARAJ APRIL 2021 SWAMI VENKATESANANDA 33

Sivananda. One cannot help seeing very agile and active. Quite naturally the hand of God in this, for it was God and without much effort, he has alone who could know that a few made himself procient in Hatha years of such training were needed by Yoga, and there is no Asana or Mudra young Parthasarathy before he could or Bandha which he cannot display to place his services entirely at the perfection. It is especially in Nauli disposal of our Gurudev. The beauty is that he has surpassed all others, that even the last job that he held in the because he is able to move his Imperial Secretariat was that of abdominal muscles not only from Personal Assistant to one of the most side to side but also from top to prominent ofcials in the government. bottom. More wonderful still is the So he was qualifying in that way also to way in which he keeps himself become what he is now, the Personal oating in the Ganges without Secretary to our Swamiji. making any movement of his limbs. It is one thing to be an ofcer in He also knows the tricks relating to the Government service and quite movement of his muscles (biceps or another to be in the active service of triceps, etc.) called muscle control. In Swami Sivananda. The nature of short, he has been gifted with a work in the latter case demands not physical condition that is just suited merely intellectual capacity but a for maximum intellectual service for very high degree of physical tness. Swamiji. To serve Sivananda satisfactorily, Analysing the qualities of one has to be disease-proof, nay more Swami Venkatesananda, we can – one must have the capacity to get on divide them into two groups: 1) those without food or sleep for a day or two, that go to make up his character, and and also the capacity to eat and 2) those that are helpful for the digest any amount of food at any time efcient performance of the tasks without due notice. The body must be assigned to him. When we speak of able to bear any strain. God has the former, the most pronounced endowed Swami Venkatesananda trait in him is his absolutely with these qualications. He has a unrufed temper. Whatever happens ne physique. He has an attractive to upset him, he will never lose his personality. His features are well- balance. One may go to any length to formed and he is so made as to be insult him, he will move away without 34 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021 a wrinkle in his face. This equanimity usually comes out correct in his is due to his unshakeable resolve judgement. Another of his traits is his which must be mentioned as another fertile imagination. This enables him quality of his. When he has come to a to have broad views. He can easily get decision about what he should do, he over the ordinary limitations which does not care for anybody's opinion. trouble common people. He has a He will carry the thing through, and broad outlook. That helps him to in doing it, he will conserve all the forgive, forget, look at the good and energy at his disposal. It is for such reject the evil. conservation of energy that he never Passing on to the qualities which loses his temper. It is a matter of are helpful to him in carrying out his common experience that the person, work, we come to his unrivalled who has no control over his temper, equipment as a steno-typist. His ability w i l l b e l o s i n g h i s e n e r g y as a stenographer is outstanding. There t r e m e n d o u s l y . S w a m i are many who are experts in writing fast Venkatesananda knows this very well and without mistakes. But they will not and acts upon that knowledge. be able to write for a long time. Swami Because of his proper mental control, Venkatesananda is accurate, fast and his judgements of men and things do what is more, he can go on taking notes not go wrong. In fact he evidences a continually for eight hours at a stretch. wonderful capacity that way. But His vast knowledge of all branches of because he is never impulsive, his spiritual literature is a great help to him face will never betray his thoughts. in stenography. As for typing, his He can go on judging people, execution is perfect. The outstanding estimating them at their proper merits are neatness and correctness. He worth, without their ever suspecting can type in the dark and automatically what he is doing when he is carrying his hand will be inserting the papers on a conversation with them. Even in and carbon sheets. the matter of anticipating future The next thing to note is his events, his common sense serves him untiring energy. His brain never well. He is very shrewd in the refuses to function however long it is calculation of chances. Sometimes it taxed and on whatever subject it is would be difcult to foresee what exercised. But for this quality of his, it would happen. But Venkatesananda will be impossible for him to carry out APRIL 2021 SWAMI VENKATESANANDA 35 the work that Swamiji gives him. The Over and above the work that is m a i n w o r k h e d o e s i s assigned to him by Swamiji, correspondence. It is enough if Venkatesananda nds time in Swamiji gives him some suggestions maintaining a daily chronicle of all indicative of what he desires should that transpires in the Ashram. This be written. Venkatesananda has record is bound to be of immense sufcient grasp of the subject and historical value in the future. I have also of Swamiji's nature and modes of read portions of it here and there and thought to do everything necessary I must express my admiration for the without further instruction. He has style of writing. His words ow freely; developed a good style of his own. It is there is great coherence in the simple to the point and crystal clear. thoughts and the general effect When a description has to be given, created in the reader is that he is he can do it in a very attractive way. witnessing the things that he is His observation is keen and he knows reading about. Venkatesananda is the striking feature of any scene that also good in writing dramas. When he is witnessed. His ability as a reporter has time, some ne productions will is marvellous and the account that he come out of his pen. gives in the Forest University Weekly As a man, he is loved by one of what transpires in the Ashram is and all. It is especially the children brilliant. He knows how to economise that take a fancy to him. He never words and yet to preserve all that has tires of playing with them. He is a bit to be preserved in the narration. He is of an artist, too. He is more than a up-to-date in information; he has to novice in music. He is greatly be and he has the capacity to be. But interested in handling musical the most praiseworthy quality is his instruments. He has good knowledge memory. There are thousands of tit- of homeopathy and has perhaps bits to be kept in the fore-front and effected some good cures. not one item will be forgotten by him. The last and best thing that can He can be surpassed in this respect be said of him is that he lives only to only by Swamiji himself. We have yet serve Swami Sivananda. In him, we t o s e e a n o t h e r s o g o o d i n nd a living commentary on the remembering every detail about maxim 'Service to the Guru is everything. worship of the Lord'! 36 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

EMPTY THYSELF Swami Atmaswarupananda The scriptures declare that our empty ourselves and rest in That which f u n d a m e n t a l e r r o r i s w r o n g the mind can never know. We have to i d e n ti c a tio n . T h e r e f o r e , o u r r e s t i n B r a h m a n b e y o n d fundamental purpose in life should be manifestation, transcendental. This is to correct that wrong identication. the only way that we can come to What is the best way to correct a wrong empty ourselves of any possible identication? The logical answer is to identication. Otherwise, we are concentrate on the right identication. maintaining a second when our goal is The scriptures make it clear that to be that One alone without a second. our right identication is Brahman How do we truly worship that One alone without a second. That thou art, alone without a second? The scriptures the scriptures declare. Brahman indicate that ultimately it is through alone, knowable and unknowable, is silence, but it isn't a silence where we just our true identity. Thus, Lord Krishna still the mind. That is an objective silence. tells Arjuna: “Fix your mind on Me, bow It has to be a silence of knowledge. We down to Me, sacrice to Me.” In all ways, we cannot reach the transcendental with our are meant to constantly think of the Lord. minds or anything objective. It has to be However, in Chapter 12 of the through knowledge, through faith, Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that through understanding, through a although He is transcendental, it is much refusal to make any object of Brahman or easier for an embodied being to worship ourselves whatsoever. We just are. It is Him in His manifest form. And the Lord is from that emptiness that we are meant to very generous. We can worship Him in so function in this world. many different ways: in service to others, Pujya Swami Chidanandaji, through repeating His name, through Pujya Swami Krishnanandaji and our meditation, through enquiry, even late revered Vedanta teacher, Swami enquiring into who we really are. Brahmanandaji, all used to quote All these things we can do with Gurudev's saying that came from the our mind and heart, and it is the way Bible: “Empty thyself and I will ll that Lord Krishna recommends. But thee.” No matter how we approach the nally we have to recognize that as our Divine—which is the only way of purpose is to get rid of any objective ridding ourselves of our wrong identication, whether it is the body, i d e n t i  c a t i o n — u l t i m a t e l y t h e the mind, the ego, the witness, or even purpose is to empty ourselves so that Brahman, that ultimately we have to the Lord alone can ll us. STUDENTS' SUCCESS IN LIFE SELFLESS SERVICE Blessed Immortal Selves! Kindle the light of love in your heart. Love all. Cultivate all-embracing, all-inclusive, cosmic love. Charge every action with pure love. Kill cunningness, greed and selshness. Hatred, anger and jealousy are removed by continuous service with a loving heart. You will get more strength, joy and satisfaction by doing kind acts. You will be loved by all. Practice of compassion, charitable acts and seless service will purify and soften the heart. Service to the country, service to society and service to parents and Mahatmas are

37 all Nishkama Karma Yoga. Serve any society, religious and charitable institutions and dispensaries for two hours daily in any way you like. Feel that the whole world is a manifestation of the Lord. Be ever ready to serve others. Take delight in service. Watch for opportunities. Create a eld for good service. Do not expect anything in return for your services. —Swami Sivananda

CULTIVATION OF VIRTUES COURTSEY Courtesy is elegance or politeness of manners. It is politeness combined with kindness. Small kindness, small courtesies, small consideration habitually practised in your social intercourse give a great charm to your character. Courtesy charms at rst sight and leads on to great intimacy and friendship. A man of courtesy is a man of ne and polished manners. All people love him. Show courtesy to all. Let it be artless, continuous and uniform. Have courtesy in your heart. —Swami Sivananda

38 ERADICATION OF VICES CROOKED-MINDEDNESS Crooked-minded people also are to be found in abundance in the world. Such people are always crooked in talking and arguing. They indulge in quibbling and wrangling. They are always fond of vain talks. They will assert emphatically that only their statement is correct and the statements of others are false and absurd. They cannot keep quiet even for a single minute. Their arguments are very peculiar. They will not argue with any person in a respectable manner. They will take to vituperation and fall out in the end. Cultivation of nobility, politeness and straight-forwardness will eradicate this evil quality. —Swami Sivananda SHALABHASANA (Locust posture) Technique: Lie at on the oor with face downwards and keep the hands by the side of the body with the ngers clenched into sts. Rest the chin on the ground by raising the head. Inhale and stiffen the body by pressing the sts against the oor. Slowly raise the legs as high as possible. Keep the legs in a straight line, while the two thighs, knees and ankles touch each other. The weight of the legs must fall on the body and hands. Contract the muscles of the buttocks, stretch the muscles of the thighs and further extend the position of the legs. Retain the posture for a few seconds in the beginning and gradually increase the duration. Concentrate on the

39 upper portion of the body, i.e., above the waist. Slowly lower the legs to the oor and simultaneously exhale. Relax with normal breathing. Repeat the posture two or three times. Relax in Makarsana. Benets: The practice of this Asana renders the spine supple and elastic. It relieves backache or strain on the spine caused by hard work, etc. It also tones up the muscles at the back and the intestinal organs in the abdominal region and relieves pain in the lumbar and sacral regions. Above all, it aids digestion and relieves gastric troubles. —Swami Chidananda

UJJAYI PRANAYAMA

Technique: Sit in a comfortable posture. Close the mouth and eyes and concentrate on the sound produced during inhalation due to the partial closure of the glottis. Inhale through both the nostrils in a smooth, uniform manner. The sound produced during inhalation should be continuous and of uniform pitch. Expand the chest when you inhale. The passage of the incoming air is felt on the roof of the palate and makes a sibilant sound. Care should be taken not to bloat the abdomen in the process of inhalation. Then, exhale slowly, deeply and rhythmically through both the nostrils. After some days of practice, you can also exhale through the left nostril after closing the right nostril with the right thumb. Repeat the process ve to ten times to start with, and increase the number according to your capacity. Benets: This Pranayama aerates the lungs, soothes the nerves and tones up the entire system. It is good for persons suffering from high blood pressure or coronary troubles, when done in a reclining position. —Swami Chidananda

40 APRIL 2021 NEWS & REPORTS 41

SRI MAHASIVARATRI CELEBRATIONS AT THE HEADQUARTERS ASHRAM

J“mVa“a‘Ur¶OQ>mH$bmn§ Jm¡ar{ZaÝVa{d^y{fVdm‘^mJ‘²& Zmam¶U{එZ§J‘Xmnhma§ dmamUgrnwanqV ^O {dídZmW‘²²&& Devoutly worship Vishwanath, who is the Lord of , whose matted locks look charming with the ripples of the Ganga, who is ever adorned on His left by the Divine Mother Gauri, who is beloved of Lord Narayana and who is the destroyer of Cupid's pride. 42 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

The sacred occasion of Mahasivaratri was celebrated with great devoutness at the Headquarters Ashram on 11th March 2021. As the auspicious commencement of the celebration, the chanting of Panchakshari Mantra 'Om Namah Sivaya' was done daily for two hours from 7th to 11th M a r c h a t S r i Vishwanatha Mandir by the Sannyasis, Brahmacharis and S a d h a k a s o f t h e Ashram. O n t h e Mahasivaratri day, the C e r e m o n i a l P u j a commenced at 8 p.m. in the beautifully decorated shrine of Lord Sri Vishwanatha. Four grand worships in four Praharas of the night were offered to the Lord to the sonorous chanting of Namakam and Chamakam and soulful singing of Kirtans and Bhajans. The celebration concluded at 4.00 a.m. with Mangala Arati and distribution of holy Prasad at Dining Hall. This sacred celebration provided to all present the blessed opportunity to be in divine communion throughout the night. May the all-merciful Lord Siva and Sadgurudev shower their grace upon all. APRIL 2021 NEWS & REPORTS 43

SEVA THROUGH SIVANANDA HOME 'Sivananda Home is a Centre for the loving care of the destitute and the dying people who are found by the roadside, with no one to care for: the people who are homeless, temporary or permanent, fell sick, got lost or were abandoned'. (Swami Chidananda) A casual question about an old scar on the middle of his back revived old memories of trauma and pain, even though many years passed by. Each and every detail he remembered, how much he had to pay to the Rikshawala to bring him from one hospital to the other. How he was sent away time and again with a few tablets in his hand, because he had no cash and no contacts. How he shufed on the bare streets to nd a place to take rest, since his legs stopped supporting and he could only move forward while sitting on the ground. How streams of current ran through his legs, due to the injury in his spine. How people rejected and rebuked him, cheated on him and stole his last 190 rupees which he kept in the upper pocket of his shirt. Each and every detail he recalled, so too the aid he received from complete strangers, the directions which were pointed out to him, from Delhi to Haridwar to Dehra Dun and nally to Rishikesh. A farmer by profession, who would love to put his hands in the soil, observe the seasons with its grills and grimes and the miracles of God's wonderful creation at close sight. The Home is like a complete opposite movement. The ways of the world with its present lockdowns, its demonstrations, where one feels like being cut off, limited and restricted and where the outgoing tendencies are hardly able to meet. The Baba who got newly admitted this month formulated it very strikingly when he said, “it is so warm here in this room, where hardly any wind comes inside, the doors and windows protecting me, I am safe, I am secure, I feel contented.” For him it did not matter that even the outside door was locked, he was literally locked in for the time being, waiting till his lab report would be revealed. Where he used to be locked out from society, he now experienced a new concept of freedom. He remains in isolation, with the door open though, because of the severity of the infectious wound on his foot, the undeniable damage due to long term smoking and other substance used. Under medical treatment with high doses of antibiotics, cleaning and dressing ongoing, improvement can be seen day by day. By Gurudev's Grace, a vaccination team visited Sivananda Home, and those eligible, received their rst dose of the Covid vaccine. Jai Gurudev! Jai Sivananda! “Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms. Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms. Let us ever remember Thee. Let us ever sing Thy glories. Let Thy Name be ever on our lips. Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.” —Swami Sivananda IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING DONATIONS Due to administrative reasons, and also to simplify the existing complex accounting system, it has been decided in the 'Board of Management' Meeting held on 10th March 2021 and subsequently in the 'Board of Trustees' Meeting held on 11th March 2021 that any donations to The Divine Life Society will be received only under the following 'Heads of Accounts' with effect from 1st April 2021: – General Donation 1. Ashram General Donation 2. Annakshetra 3. Medical Relief

Corpus Donation Sivananda Ashram Corpus (Mooldhan) Fund Therefore, devotees are requested to send donations to the above mentioned account heads only. Further, it is hereby conveyed to all the devotees and well wishers of the Ashram that

Ÿ The income from the ASHRAM GENERAL DONATION shall cater to all the spiritual, religious as well as charitable activities of the Divine Life Society viz. care for the homeless and destitute through Sivananda Home, serving lepers through Leprosy Relief Work, providing educational aid for poor students, running of Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy, printing of free literature, dissemination of spiritual knowledge, worship in Ashram temples, maintenance of the Ashram and Goshala, conducting regular religious and spiritual activities of the Ashram and also to any other spiritual, religious or charitable activities taken up by the Society from time to time. Ÿ The donations for the MEDICAL RELIEF shall be utilised towards the treatment of sick and needy patients at Sivananda Charitable Hospital and also towards other medical relief works undertaken by the Society. Ÿ Similarly, Interest income generated from SIVANANDA ASHRAM CORPUS (MOOLDHAN) FUND shall be utilised towards all the activities (spiritual, religious as well as charitable) of the Society. Ÿ It is to be noted that the Society is not dispensing with any of its 44 activities; it will continue to conduct its regular Ashram activities and Charitable activities as usual, though the 'Heads of Accounts' to receive donations have been reduced. Ÿ Donations towards the Divine Life Society may be made through 'Online Donation Facility' by accessing directly to the web address https:/donations.sivanandaonline.org or by clicking the 'Online Donation' link provided in our website www. sivanandaonline.org. Ÿ Donations can also be sent through cheque/D.D. /E.M.O. drawn in favour of 'The Divine Life Society', Shivanandanagar, Uttarakhand, payable at Rishikesh. A covering letter mentioning the purpose of donation, Post Mail Address, Phone No., Email Id and PAN should accompany the same. Ÿ Further, devotees are informed that Puja in Ashram temples shall be done free of cost for all those who would like to perform Puja in their name or in their family members' name. They may do so by sending a written request well in advance with requisite details either by email or letter addressed to the General Secretary or the President. Ÿ There is no change in guidelines regarding Remittance towards Fee for Membership, Admission, Life Membership, Patronship, Branch Afliation and SPL advances as well. MEMBERSHIP FEE AND BRANCH AFFILIATION FEE OF THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192, Uttarakhand 1. New Membership Fee* ` 150/- Admission Fee ...... ` 50/- Membership Fee . . . .. ` 100/- 2. Membership Renewal Fee (Yearly) ` 100/- 3. New Branch Opening Fee** ` 1,000/- Admission Fee . . . . . ` 500/- Afliation Fee ...... ` 500/- 4. Branch Afliation Renewal Fee (Yearly) ` 500/- * Application for Membership should be sent with Photo Identity and Residential proof of the Applicant. ** Prior written permission has to be obtained from the Headquarters for opening a New Branch. ð Kindly send Membership Fee and Branch Afliation Fee by Cheque or by DD payable at any Bank in Rishikesh. 45 46 THE DIVINE LIFE APRIL 2021

REPORTS FROM THE D.L.S. BRANCHES

INLAND BRANCHES and mobile Satsang on 8th and 24th Bangalore (Karnataka): of every month were the regular During the Covid lockdown period, p r o g r a m m e s o f t h e B r a n c h . the Branch conducted Bhagavad Gita Sundarakanda Parayan was done chanting classes online. About 225 on 12th February and Srimad people participated, out of which 4 Bhagavat Parayan was conducted people memorized the entire from 23rd to 1st March. Bhagavad Gita. On 17th January, the Kanpur (U.P.): The Branch winners of Gita chanting were arranged monthly Satsang on 17th h o n o r e d a n d a w a r d e d w i t h January, and Bhandara and clothes certicates, cash prize and memento. distribution to the needy people on B a r g a r h ( O d i s h a ) : T h e 24th. Besides this, daily chanting of Branch conducted daily Puja, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, Bhajan Swadhyaya, Rudrabhishek on and Sankirtan continued for world Mondays, Guru Paduka Puja on peace. There was Sundarakanda Thursdays and weekly Satsang on Path and Hawan on 26th January. Saturdays. The Annual Day of the Khatiguda (Odisha): The Branch and Viswanath Mandir Branch continued its daily Puja and Pratistha Diwas was celebrated on weekly Satsang on Thursdays. On 16th February with Abhishek, 1st January New Year's Day was Bhajan, Kirtan and Paduka Puja etc. celebrated. Sadhana day was Bhubaneswar (Odisha): The observed on 3rd with Paduka Puja Branch arranged online Satsang on and Swadhyaya etc. There was Thursdays and Sundays with recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam on discourse on Sadhana Panchakam Ekadasis. For the success of and Tattwa Bodha. Punyatithi forthcoming Birth Centenary Aradhana day of H.H. Sri Swami Celebration of Worshipful Sri Swami Devanandaji Maharaj was observed Krishnanandaji Maharaj Gita Path on 7th January. Sri Ramataraka was offered on 31st January. Mantra Japa was held on 24th. Nandininagar (Chattisgarh): Chandapur (Odisha): Daily The Branch had daily morning Puja, weekly Satsang on Saturdays, prayers with Gita Path and chanting Guru Paduka Puja on Thursdays of Hanuman Chalisa, and in the APRIL 2021 NEWS & REPORTS 47 evening, Satsang with Parayan of P a d u k a P u j a o n T h u r s d a y s . Vishnusahasranam. There was Sadhana day was observed with M a h a m a n t r a K i r t a n o n 3 r d Guru Paduka Puja, Pravachan, Gita February. Besides this, weekly Path, and recitation of Hanuman Satsang was held on Thursdays. Chalisa and Vishnu Sahasranam etc. Nayagarh (Odisha): The South Balanda (Odisha): Daily Branch conducted Satsang on 14th Puja, weekly Satsang on Fridays, and J a n u a r y w i t h P a d u k a P u j a , Guru Paduka Puja on 8th and 24th of chanting of Hanuman Chalisa and every month are the regular Sundarakand Parayan. Besides programmes of the Branch. The this, weekly Satsang was held on Branch Anniversary day was Wednesdays and special Satsangs celebrated on 3rd January, and on 18th and 22nd. special Satsang held on 14th. Gita Puri (Odisha): Daily Prayers, P a t h , r e c i t a t i o n o f V i s h n u weekly Satsang on Thursdays and Sahasranam and Hanuman Chalisa Sundays, Paduka Puja on 8th and were observed on Ekadasis. There 24th of every month were the regular w a s A k h a n d a M a h a m a n t r a programmes of the Branch. There Sankirtan on 30th January. w e r e c h a n t i n g o f V i s h n u Sunabeda (Odisha): In the Sahasranam and Gita Path on month of January, weekly Satsang Ekadasis and recitation of Hanuman was held on Thursdays and Sundays Chalisa on Sankranti day. On 13th with Paduka Puja, Bhajan, Kirtan and January, the Branch arranged Gita Swadhyaya, and Matri Satsangs on Parayan, and on 28th chanting of Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ekadasis “Om Namo Narayanaya”. were observed with recitation of Rourkela (Odisha): Daily Vishnu Sahasranam and Archana on Yoga class, weekly Satsang on Sankranti day. Sundarakanda Thursdays and mobile Satsang on Parayan was arranged on 14th Sundays continued with Paduka January and 12th February. Puja, Archana and chanting of Visakha Rural Branch (A.P.): Vishnusahasranam etc. The Branch had daily Puja and Steel Township - Rourkela Abhishekam on Mondays. Special (Odisha): In the month of February, Satsang was conducted on 7th the Branch had daily Satsang with February with Prayers, Bhajan, Swadhyaya, free Yoga and Music Kirtan and Pravachan. It was classes on Mondays and Guru concluded with Anna Prasad. AV AILABLE BOOKS ON YOGA, PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION By H.H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj Inspiring Stories ...... 170/- In the Hours of Communion ...... 65/- Adhyatma Yoga ...... ` 125/- Isavasya Upanishad ...... 30/- Ananda Gita ...... 60/- Inspiring Songs & Kirtans ...... 130/- Ananda Lahari ...... 40/- Japa Yoga ...... 120/- Analects of Swami Sivananda ...... 55/- Jivanmukta Gita ...... 75/- Autobiography of Swami Sivananda ...... 110/- Jnana Yoga ...... 120/- All About ...... 255/- Karmas and Diseases ...... 20/- Bazaar Drugs ...... 60/- Kathopanishad ...... 75/- Beauties of Ramayana ...... 120/- Kenopanishad ...... 40/- Bhagavad Gita (One Act Play) ...... 35/- Kingly Science and Kingly Secret ...... 165/- Bhagavadgita Explained ...... 55/- Know Thyself ...... 65/- Bhagavadgita (Text & Commentary) ...... 110/- *Kalau Keshavkirtanat ...... 300/- Bhagavadgita (Text, Word-to-Word Meaning, Life and Teachings of Lord Jesus ...... 80/- Translation and Commentary) (H.B.) ...... 500/- Light, Power and Wisdom ...... 55/- ” ” (P.B.) ...... 490/- Lives of Saints...... 375/- Bhagavad Gita (Translation only) ...... 65/- Lord Krishna, His Lilas and Teachings ...... 170/- Bhakti and Sankirtan ...... 150/- Lord Siva and His Worship ...... 155/- Bliss Divine ...... 480/- Maha Yoga ...... 20/- Blood Pressure—Its Cause and Cure ...... 65/- May I Answer That ...... 125/ Brahmacharya Drama ...... 40/- Mind—Its Mysteries and Control ...... 325/- Brahma Sutras ...... 375/- Meditation Know How ...... 185/- Brahma Vidya Vilas ...... 75/- Meditation on Om ...... 60/- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad ...... 325/- Moral and Spiritual Regeneration...... 75/- Come Along, Let's Play ...... 80/- Mother Ganga ...... 70/- Concentration and Meditation ...... 285/- Moksha Gita ...... 55/- Conquest of Mind ...... 330/- Mandukya Upanishad ...... 35/- Daily Meditations ...... 95/- Music as Yoga ...... 80/- Daily Readings ...... 95/- Nectar Drops ...... 40/- Dhyana Yoga ...... 125/- Narada Bhakti Sutras ...... 100/- Dialogues from the Upanishads ...... 100/- Parables of Sivananda ...... 75/- Divine life for Children ...... 90/- Passion and Anger ...... 20/- Divine Life (A Drama)...... 25/- Pearls of Wisdom ...... 55/- Divine Nectar ...... 230/- Philosophy and Signicance of Idol Worship ...... 25/- Easy Path to God-Realisation ...... 75/- Philosophical Stories ...... 65/- Easy Steps to Yoga...... U.P. Philosophy and Yoga in Poems ...... 25/- Elixir Divine ...... 35/- Philosophy of Life ...... 35/- Essays in Philosophy ...... 75/- Philosophy of Dreams ...... 50/- Essence of Bhakti Yoga ...... 110/- Pocket Prayer Book ...... 35/- Essence of Gita in Poems ...... 35/- Pocket Spiritual Gems ...... 35/- Essence of Principal Upanishads...... 105/- Practical lessons in Yoga ...... 120/- Essence of Ramayana ...... 110/- Practice of Ayurveda ...... 180/- Essence of Vedanta ...... 165/- Practice of Bhakti Yoga ...... 305/- Ethics of Bhagavad Gita...... 125/- Practice of Brahmacharya ...... 125/- Ethical Teachings ...... 105/- Practice of Karma Yoga ...... 150/- Every Man’s Yoga ...... 160/- Practice of Nature Cure ...... 210/- First Lessons in Vedanta ...... 100/- Practice of Vedanta ...... 145/- Fourteen Lessons on Raja Yoga ...... 55/- Practice of Yoga ...... 215/- Gems of Prayers ...... 70/- Precepts for Practice ...... 125/- Glorious Vision (A Pictorial Guide) ...... 650/- Pushpanjali ...... 35/- God Exists ...... 60/- Radha’s Prem ...... U.P./- God-Realisation ...... 60/- Raja Yoga ...... 140/- Gurudev Sivananda (Pictorial)...... 250/- Revelation ...... 130/- Guru Bhakti Yoga ...... 100/- Religious Education ...... 65/- Guru Tattwa ...... 50/- Sadhana ...... 630/- Hatha Yoga ...... 120/- Sadhana Chatushtaya ...... 45/- Health and Diet ...... 120/- Saint Alavandar or The King's Quest of God ...... 40/- Health and Happiness...... 130/- Sarvagita Sara ...... 100/- Heart of Sivananda ...... 115/- Satsanga and Swadhyaya ...... 45/- Health and Hygiene ...... 190/- Samadhi Yoga ...... 310/- Himalaya Jyoti ...... 35/- Self-Knowledge ...... 155/- Hindu Gods and Goddesses ...... 100/- Science of Reality ...... 60/- Hindu Fasts and Festivals ...... 85/- Self-Realisation ...... 85/- Home Nursing ...... 75/- Sermonettes of Sw. Sivananda ...... 130- Home Remedies ...... 125/- Sivananda-Gita (Last printed in 1946) ...... 65/- How to Become Rich ...... 30/- Sixty-three Nayanar Saints ...... 85/- How to Cultivate Virtues and Eradicate Vices .... 180/- Spiritual Experiences ...... 135/- How to Get Sound Sleep ...... 70/- Spiritual Lessons ...... 115/- How to Live Hundred Years ...... 70/- Stories from Yoga Vasishtha ...... 110/- Illumination ...... 60/- Student's Success in Life ...... 55/- Illuminating Teachings of Swami Sivananda ...... 75/- Stories from Mahabharata...... 180/- 48 Sureways for Success in Life ...... 260/- Swami Sivananda—Saint, Sage and Godman ...... 205/- Svara Yoga ...... 75/- The Quintessence of the Upanishads ...... 50/- *Sw. Sivananda - His Life in Pictures...... 75/- The Role of Celibacy in the Spiritual Life ...... 25/- Spiritual Treasure ...... 55/- The Divine Destination ...... 120/- Spiritual Aspiration & Practice ...... 115/- The Truth That Liberates ...... 35/- Yoga, Nada Yoga and Kriya Yoga ...... 145/- *The All-Embracing Heart ...... 100/- Ten Upanishads ...... 165/- Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions ...... 80/- The Mahatmya ...... 120/- Verses Addressed to the Mind ...... 155/- The Divine Treasure of Swami Sivananda ...... 25/- Walk in This Light ...... 140/- The Glorious Immortal Atman ...... 50/- *Worshipful Homage ...... 500/- The Science of Pranayama ...... 70/- By Swami Krishnananda Thought Power ...... 85/- A Brief Outline of Sadhana ...... 60/- Thus Illumines Swami Sivananda...... 20/- Ascent of the Spirit ...... U.P. Triple Yoga ...... 95/- Chhandogya Upanishad...... 100/- Total Thinking ...... 110/- Commentary on the Bhagavadgita ...... 485/- Unity of Religions ...... 80/- Commentary on the Kathopanishad ...... 145/- Universal Moral Lessons ...... 45/- Commentary on the Mundaka Upanishad ...... 95/- Upanishad Drama ...... 90/- Commentary on the (Vol - II) ...... 210/- Upanishads for Busy People ...... 40/- Epic of Consciousness ...... 20/- Vairagya Mala ...... 20/- Essays in Life and Eternity ...... 50/- Vedanta for Beginners ...... 55/- Interior Pilgrimage ...... 75/- Voice of the Himalayas ...... 185/- Mundaka Upanishad ...... 40/- Waves of Bliss ...... 75/- Philosophy of Bhagavadgita...... 130/- Waves of Ganga ...... 70/- Philosophy of Religion ...... 50/- Wisdom in Humour ...... 70/- Realisation of the Absolute ...... 125/- Wisdom Sparks...... 70/- Religion and Social Values ...... 50/- World Peace ...... 120/- Resurgent Culture ...... 20/- What Becomes of the Soul after Death ...... 150/- Self-Realisation, Its Meaning and Method ...... 45/- Yoga and Realisation ...... 120/- Sri Swami Sivananda and His Mission ...... 45/- Yoga Asanas ...... 85/- Studies in Comparative Philosophy...... U.P. Sessions with Ashram Residents ...... 300/- Yoga for West ...... 35/- The Attainment of the Innite ...... 50/- Yoga in Daily Life ...... 75/- The Development of Religious Consciousness ...... 85/- Yoga Vedanta Dictionary ...... 70/- The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad ...... 250/- Yoga Question & Answers ...... 95/- The Heart and Soul of Spiritual Practice ...... 150/- Yoga Vedanta Sutras ...... 90/- The Mighty God-Man of our Age ...... 75/- By Swami Chidananda The Tree of Life ...... 60/- The Vision of Life ...... 85/- A Guide to Noble Living...... 55/- The Yoga of Meditation ...... 70/- An Instrument of Thy Peace...... 265/- The Universality of Being ...... 100/- Awake, Realise Your Divinity ...... 195/- Ture Spiritual Living II...... 135/- *Autobiography (Swami Chidananda) ...... 150/- The Glory of God ...... 90/- Bliss is Within ...... 95/- The Spiritual Import of the Mahabharata and *Chidanandam (The Joy of Knowing Him) ...... 300/- The Bhagavad Gita 190/- *Cosmic Benefactor ...... 300/- The Struggle for Perfection ...... 35/- Ego ...... 20/- Yoga as a Universal Science ...... 65/- Essentials of the Higher Values of Life ...... 65/- Yoga, Meditation and Japa Sadhana ...... 30/- Eternal Messages ...... 45/- Your Questions Answered...... U.P. Forest Academy Lectures on Yoga ...... 325/- Others Gita Vision ...... 20/- Bhajan Kirtan in Gurudev's Kutir ...... 60/- God As Mother ...... 85/- Ekadasa Upanishadah ...... 140/- Guidelines to Illumination ...... 120/- From Man to God-Man (N. Ananthanarayanan) .... 170/- Lectures on Raja Yoga ...... 80/- Greatness Amidst Us ...... 40/- Life ...... 25/- Guru Gita (Swami Narayanananda) ...... 95/- Light-Fountain ...... 80/- I Live to Serve ...... 25/- Liberation Is Possible! ...... 30/- *Memories of Swami Chidananda ...... 250/- Light on the Yoga Way of Life ...... 30/- Miracles of Sivananda ...... 80/- Sivananda Day-To-Day ...... 85/- Manache Shlok ...... 30/- Sivananda: Poet, Philosopher and Saint Message of Swami Chidananda to Mankind ...... 45/- (Dr. Savitri Asopa) ...... 70/- New Beginning ...... 45/- Sivananda: Raja Yoga (Vol-4) ...... 355/- Path Beyond Sorrow ...... 155/- Sivananda: Bhakti Yoga (Vol-5) ...... 175/- Philosophy, Psychology & practice of Yoga ...... 160/- Sivananda Vedanta (Jnana Yoga)...... 230/- Path to Blessedness ...... 105/- Sivananda: The Darling of Children Ponder These Truths ...... 245/- Sw. Sivananda-Hridayananda...... 30/- Practical Guide to Yoga ...... 50/- Sw. Sivananda Chitrakatha ...... 45/- Renunciation—A Life of Surrender and Trust...... 25/- Sivananda Integral Yoga ...... 65/- Seek the Beyond ...... 300/- The Holy Stream ...... 185/- *Souvenir ...... 200/- This Monk from India ...... 125/- Swami Chidananda Talks in South Africa ...... 135/- Yoga Divine...... 60/- Swami Sivananda our Loving Awakener ...... 80/- ...... 70/-

For Direct Orders: The Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar—249 192, Uttarakhand, India. For online orders and Catalogue visit: dlsbooks.org

*No Discount on the Star-marked Books 49 NEW RELEASE! SPIRITUAL STORIES

Pages: 216 Price: ` 150/- First Edition: 1958 | Second Edition: 2021

Stories and parables by Sadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj to impart the moral and spiritual knowledge in the most interesting way.

First Edition 1961 Second Edition 2021

Part - I Pages: 312 Price: ` 215/- Part - II Pages: 328 Price: ` 225/- INSPIRING TALKS OF GURUDEV SIVANANDA (PART I and II) Precious pearls of wisdom gathered by Sri Swami Venkatesanandaji Maharaj as they fell from the sacred lips of Sri Gurudev from March 1948 to July 1950. 50 TWENTY IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS By H.H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj 1. BRAHMA-MUHURTA: Get up at 4 a.m. daily. motion or manifestation—Vibhuti. Veerya is This is Brahmamuhurta which is extremely all power. Veerya is all money. Veerya is the favourable for meditation on God. essence of life, thought and intelligence. 2. ASANA: Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha 9. PRAYER SLOKAS: Get by heart some prayer Asana for Japa and meditation for half an Slokas, and repeat them as soon as hour, facing the east or the north. Increase you sit in the Asana before starting Japa or the period gradually to three hours. Do meditation. This will elevate the mind Sirshasana and Sarvangasana for keeping quickly. up Brahmacharya and health. Take light 10. SATSANGA: Have Satsanga. Give up bad physical exercises as walking, etc., regularly. company, smoking, meat and alcoholic Do twenty Pranayamas. liquors entirely. Do not develop any evil 3. JAPA: Repeat any Mantra as pure Om or Om habits. Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya, Om 11. FAST ON EKADASI: Fast on Ekadasi or live N a m o B h a g a v a t e V a s u d e v a y a , O m on milk and fruits only. Saravanabhavaya Namah, Sita Ram, Sri 12. JAPA MALA: Have a Japa Mala (rosary) Ram, Hari Om, or Gayatri, according to your round your neck or in your pocket or taste or inclination, from 108 to 21,600 underneath your pillow at night. times daily. 13. MOUNA: Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for 4. DIETETIC DISCIPLINE: Take Sattvic food, a couple of hours daily. Suddha Ahara. Give up chillies, tamarind, 14. SPEAK THE TRUTH: Speak the truth at all garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly. asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet 15. PLAIN LIVING: Reduce your wants. If you (Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes have four shirts, reduce the number to three best for a fortnight in a year. Eat simple food. or two. Lead a happy, contented life. Avoid Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food unnecessary worry. Have plain living and as medicine to keep the life going. Eating for high thinking. enjoyment is sin. Give up salt and sugar for a 16. NEVER HURT ANYBODY: Never hurt month. You must be able to live on rice, Dhal anybody (Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah). and bread without any Chutni. Do not ask Control anger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) for extra salt for Dhal and sugar for tea, and Daya (compassion). coffee or milk. 17. DO NOT DEPEND UPON SERVANTS: Do not 5. MEDITATION-ROOM: Have a separate depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the meditation-room under lock and key. highest of all virtues. 6. CHARITY: Do charity regularly, every 18. SELF-ANALYSIS: Think of the mistakes you month, or even daily according to your have committed during the course of the day, means, say six Paisa per rupee. just before retiring to bed (self-analysis). 7. SVADHYAYA: Study systematically the Gita, Keep daily diary and self-correction register. the Ramayana, the Bhagavata, Sri Vishnu- Do not brood over past mistakes. Sahasranama, Lalita-Sahasranama, Aditya 19. FULFIL DUTIES: Remember that death is Hridaya, the Upanishads or the Yoga awaiting you at every moment. Never fail to Vasishtha, the Bible, the Zend Avesta, the full your duties. Have pure conduct Koran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib, (Sadachara). etc., from half an hour to one hour daily and 20. SURRENDER TO GOD: Think of God as have Suddha Vichara. soon as you wake up and just before you go 8. BRAHMACHARYA: Preserve the vital force to sleep. Surrender yourself completely to (Veerya) very, very carefully. Veerya is God in God (Sharanagati).

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 not give leniency to the mind. Registrar of Newspapers for India Postal-Registration No. TRI/006/2021-23 No. 2395/1957 LICENSED TO POST WITHOUT PREPAYMENT (Inland) Licence No. WPP No. 03/21-23 Valid upto: 31-12-2023 APRIL 2021 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15th OF EVERY MONTH DATE OF POSTING: 15th OF EVERY MONTH Posted at Shivanandanagar P.O., Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand FICTITIOUS DISTINCTIONS Distinctions of caste, creed, colour have absolutely no place in matters of faith. A true devotee recognises the equality of all men. When the inner eye of wisdom is opened, when the aspirant beholds oneness everywhere, when he feels the presence of the Lord in every atom of the universe, where are the distinctions of caste, creed, colour? It is the eshy, dirty eye of a worldly-minded man, that perceives these illusory distinctions. See life as a whole. The Lord breathes in all life. The world is one home. All are members of one human family. Cultivate cosmic love. Include all. Recognise the worth of others. Destroy all barriers that separate man from man.

To

Printed and Published by Swami Advaitananda on behalf of “The Divine Life Trust Society” at the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press, P.O. Shivanandanagar—249 192, Dt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, and Published from The Divine Life Society Headquarters, P.O. Shivanandanagar—249 192, Dt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand Phone: 0135-2430040, 2431190; E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.sivanandaonline.org; www.dlshq.org; www.chidananda.org Editor: Swami Nirliptananda